Self Publishing Workshop in Dallas March 6th, 2013
I am very honored to have been invited to be part of a panel on self publishing in Dallas on March 6th. This workshop is being hosted by Mary Beth Smith, VP of Sales & Marketing at Alphagraphics North Dallas/Park Cities. We have worked together on some projects over the last several months and I have also been a staunch supporter of her popular LinkedIN Group: Girls Who Print. My role will be to provide answers and support on bookbinding related questions from the attendees. Also on the panel will be Sherry Perry, Natalie Sons and Phil Davis all from Alphagraphics along with Jim David of Leapfrawg Media a social media management firm in Dallas.
I asked Mary Beth to provide a little bit about the work shop. Her comments are here:
Mary Beth Smith
For over 20 years, our AlphaGraphics center in Dallas has been working with customers who want to self-publish books. The books our customers write and publish cover a wide range of genre and topics. We’ve published everything from small saddle stitch booklets to leather-bound textbooks. Over the last 5 years, we’ve seen such a surge in interest that we broadened our services to include design, layout, marketing, e-books, specialty binding, promotions, websites, online ordering and distribution.
We decided to focus on this as a specialty when we began hearing from customers who had suffered painful experiences attempting to self-publish with online companies. We were pretty surprised to see how much money people were charged, yet still had no books to sell. We knew we had a better approach, since our pricing structure is based on actually helping authors have books they can sell at a profit. While we know their books are important to them, we consciously choose to focus on the practical side of treating their writing aspirations as a business. We want them to be successful, and we know it won’t happen without some businesslike approaches.
We find that people appreciate our localized approach. They’re able to come in and talk with us. Being able to see hard copy proofs, evaluate the stock, and make revisions really matters when it’s YOUR book that we’re going to print. We’ve developed strong relationships with supporting resources in order to support whatever goals the author has for the book. It seems to be paying off, because we get referrals from every book we complete, and they workshop sold out in two days. I was able to upgrade our space, and opened up 20 more seats, but they’re going to go fast! I’ll be updating readers on the speakers and topics on a blog I’ve set up: DallasPublishing.blogspot.com
By the way…there are still a few seats left for our
FREE self-publishing workshop on March 6.
Click HERE to go to the online registration form.
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The Compelling, Tangible Feel of Luxury Print
“The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.”
-Aldo Gucci
Long ago, most forms of book printing became commodotized.
I went through what I call the McDonaldization of the industry in the 90′s and I don’t care for it now any more than I did then. Quality became a non issue, (everyone had good quality), price became a bartering chip and delivery was whatever the buyer demanded. Profit margins diminished to nothing and that is not good for the book printing business. Finding profitable niches in the book printing business today is more critical than ever before. If a printer is merely giving away press time to keep from laying off employees and keeping the lights on, and if no one is making enough profit to re-invest and allow for upgrades, it becomes a downward spiral. With gross profit margins in 1 color book printing evaporating to a state of non-existence, some companies are now finding potential promise in producing short-run length, digitally printed 4 color interior books, and other more compelling offerings.
I recently met with a very sharp executive of a major printing conglomerate who shared with me his take on how to find areas of industry where value added pricing could be achieved. “Look for areas with a high amount of fear surrounding the guarantee of delivery for a certain product”, he explained. The higher the Fear (Risk), the more potential value can be added to the price of the product or service. He was most certainly right. His company has developed some unique strategies of this type in some specialized markets, and is doing so in the publishing field now too. He was quite bullish on the future of print.
If you stop to think about it, there are many niches for this type of printing service in industries such as healthcare, financial industries, corporate annual reports, newspaper ad inserts, election ballets, and the list goes on.
A linen finish Book Cloth adds a distinctive feel as you hold this book in your hands
How about for books and self publishing?
Some time sensitive and emotion driven examples could include: short run length funeral books, wedding books, graduation books, a book coinciding with the retirement of a key company executive, just to name a few. How about photobooks made on site at events like X Games competitions, a vacation cruise or rock concerts? Wouldn’t you pay a little something extra to capture that memory at that moment? There is your chance for adding the extra value that no one will complain about!
Black Silk Moire end sheets
But to avoid the commoditization of the appearance of the book, you also need to work with a qualified book binder. Welcome to my world! Want to add some value to the sale of your book binding project? Throw a little luxury into your look with a fine book cloth or leather. Exotic cover options coupled with special end papers, head and tail bands, debossing and mounted photos, foil stamping, ribbon markers and elastic bands and now we’re talking! Those are the types of techniques that make a product memorable, compelling and valued. A friend of mine in the UK calls it “the compelling, tangible feel of luxury print”. I love that phrase.
full color printed end sheets for a fine art coffee table edition
Let’s take the time to do something memorable!
Let’s face it, there is a huge difference between a photobook you’ll get from Walgreens, produced in one hour vs. a well crafted cloth or leather bound book given the special attention it deserves through some of the companies we produce books for. There is high value in the latter and nothing but a short lifespan followed by quick death in a trash can for the former. Sure, those 1 hour photobooks may be time sensitive to a point, but having them done more nicely has some value doesn’t it?
Debossed cover with tip on photo over Luminaire Cloth
Handmade paper used to make the end sheets of this fine edition book of poetry
So when people tell you (as a printer), your price is too high. I’d beg the question of their choice for shoes, their clothes, what they drive, where they live, their life partner and so on. We don’t always go for the cheap for those things…so why does it have to be this way for Print? I would say that more often than not, it is because the printer did not offer enough of a reason to choose on anything other than price!
Would you like my free E-Book on Bookbinding?
Who is this for?
Printing companies, book publishers, book designers, photobook companies, yearbook producers, photographers, photo labs, societies and organizations producing genealogy & family history books, anyone involved in related print finishing or print project management fields, libraries and schools involved in need of book binding services. This is a free (.pdf format) e-book, no strings attached, no secret booby prize or surveys. Send me your full name, company, telephone and email, put “Send me the Free E-BOOK” in the subject line and I will forward you a copy as soon as I possibly can.
I will not pester or SPAM you or share your name with any other company. I will from time to time update this manual and as I do so I will email you with updates. You can opt out at any time if you no longer wish to receive an occasional update. If you ever have questions or care to talk about books and bookbinding…well I’m here for you. I’ll be happy to be your guide!
Email me here: mpugh@houchenbindery.com
If this topic was of interest, you might also want to check out this:
“How To Stop Print Buyers Choosing On Price”
By Matthew Parker
US as in U.S. (A little dose of American Book Manufacturing)
As detailed in a late fall 2012 article by Jim Milliot in Publisher’s Weekly: The book publishing industry is dealing with two conflicting trends at the moment: the number of individual titles produced continues to rise while the number of print units sold continues to fall.
All of these trends actually bode really well for short run length edition binding specialists like Houchen Bindery Ltd.
As one who literally grew up in and around the printing and publishing industry, (my dad worked for Josten’s Yearbooks and my uncle was a pressman in Omaha for 40 years) I have seen many changes to the printing/publishing model over the years. From mostly just traditional publishers several years ago, today there are numerous routes to select for book publishing and more than ever now –”self publishing” has come of age. For me, true, bare bones “self publishing” consists of an author handling all phases of a book production process from editorial, design, printing, binding, and distribution, sales and marketing.
As you can quickly see though, even the notion of self publishing just one title, puts an author into a whole business all in and of itself. Thus, from all over the world, there are now companies calling themselves: “author services” or something along those lines, to help authors wade through the process of book publishing. Great idea, but it’s all about the execution.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some very good, and very legitimate companies in this business. We work with many of these companies. They employ people who know their craft or have the connections to put together a comprehensive turn-key service for an author. Some are more focused on pre-publication services , while others are better suited towards the marketing of your book after it is published and others are full service. But there are many people who will warn you about some of these the wolves in sheep’s clothing types- with steep prices for their “packages” and little in terms of results to show for the money you will spend. I have seen far too many individuals who just self published one book, think they know all about it now and want to help you because they are the “expert” (I hate that word). So the catch phrase as always is “buyer beware”!
For some people, an author services company may be just what they need. But after all is said and done though, there are some types of projects that a person just needs a good printer and binder combo to put a book project together. That’s where Houchen Bindery Ltd. can be of great assistance. Either you are a printer in need of a binder or a self publisher- such as a family history style publication looking for higher quality hardcover binding services for a short run length of books, or perhaps a you are a photographer or children’s book illustrator wanting to produce a title in limited quantities to begin with.
We specialize in those types of short run length hard cover binding work that many companies will turn away. We know we can’t be everything to everybody. So for instance if you need some assistance with editing, ISBN’s, indexing cover or interior design, or marketing and promotions on the back end, I can point you to people we know and have worked with in the past that provide those services.
The printing, publishing, bookbinding industry is an exciting mix of colorful individuals. I know people from around the world in many different aspects of this business. I have always felt a great sense of camaraderie every time I attend an industry trade show or gathering involving printing or publishing. Over the past few years, I have also found that collaboration with other companies who might consider us to be “competitors” has been very beneficial and rewarding. By putting our differences aside and working together we have often been able to create projects beyond what either one of us could do individually. Wow–I think that’s the definition of teamwork isn’t it?
As some of you may or may not know that for about 15 years previous, I was deeply involved in overseas (Asian) book print production. But for the past almost 5 years, I have been working here in the USA. While I still have some good friends in Asia, to me it is really exciting to see American book manufacturing coming back full circle. I am not sure I could have predicted this 15 years ago. The shorter print runs are driving this trend.
Don’t get caught waiting for your shipment of books!
There is a story that I very much relate to today. Legend has it that Sony founder and CEO Akio Morita met with a small group of men in a burned-out Tokyo department store in the wake of World War II. Morita’s advisors presented a strategy for building a fledgling Sony. The plan would make Sony the number 1 technology company in Japan. However, Morita didn’t see this as the company’s goal. He changed the mission to make Japan the number 1 technology country in the world.
So call me crazy–I may just be a guy standing out in a corn field hollering. Actually….er, I am 
. But my challenge to all of us in the USA for our industry today, is to make the USA a good place to bring back the business to. Shorter run lengths and new frontiers such as the photobook and yearbook markets dictate the need for closer to home manufacturing. That means us as in U.S.! How about a little dose of American Book Manufacturing? Are you with me?
(C) Copyright 2013 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
US as in U.S. (A little dose of American Book Manufacturing)
2013, the year to take your Book Printing services to a whole new level!
What are your plans for the New Year? Will this be the New Year’s I dust off this bottle of Cristal Champagne and celebrate? Hmmm….we’ll see! I love this time of year and have many reasons to be excited. As we close out 2012, and move into a new year, I have a few items of interest for the printers we serve.
Have you been following digital printing industry trends? I recently read about trends in a report made available from Oce and InfoTrends: If you have not seen this information, you should. The data clearly shows strong growth in digital book printing and photobooks through 2015.
Short run hard cover edition binding services are a perfect extension of services to start offering in 2013!
The markets of self publishing and photobooks are showing tremendous opportunities for digital printers. So how do you as a printer, tap this market? You either need substantial investments in equipment or you need a good partner.
I have spent the last 4.5 years with Houchen Bindery Ltd. initiating new relationships with printing companies and publishers throughout the Midwest and beyond. During that time we have built some very good relationships with many key accounts. Now as we move into 2013, I have developed some powerful new tools and services I will be introducing for our print provider/partners to use which will help market book printing capabilities better than ever before. If you are a digital print shop of any size, without any further investment in equipment or personnel, you can partner with us to produce hardcover and softcover books for your customers. Never again will you have turn away book binding business that you could not produce in-house. Now, through these new developments, it will be easier than ever to add-on and market this service.
I hope you had a great year this 2012. Now it’s almost finally year end, I have one more day on Monday of some finishing up of last minute rush works to ship and then it’s over. But I am not waiting for 2013 to start planning. I have already made my plans for 2013! How about you?
I look forward to talking with each of my current and new print partners about this in early 2013. If you have been thinking about offering hard cover and soft cover bookbinding services, and we have’t spoke–I welcome your call. This is the year to take your print services to a whole new level. Let me show you how!
Happy NEW YEAR!
Get My FREE E-BOOK on BOOKBINDING!
Would you like to know more about the various techniques we use to bind books? I created this e-guide to help educate new and existing customers on our procedures. If you would like to receive a Free copy of my E-Book on bookbinding, please email me at: mpugh@houchenbindery.com. Martin Pugh 1-800-869-0420
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
EDITION BINDING
Book Binding Method Decision Guide
I am often asked how a new edition should be be bound. I have a series of questions that need to be addressed before arriving at the best answer. I have also heard the term “decision tree” in use by some of my co-workers who are more involved in the Library Binding services we offer. I know that a Library Binding “decision tree” looks a bit different than this chart I have constructed below.
Edition Binding and Library Binding differ in a few ways, whereas Library Binding is primarily concerned with preservation, Edition Binding is often more focused on aesthetics, as well as durability. The last thing to consider is cost effectiveness. With Library Binding and Textbooks, the cost per unit to produce these books is often higher. With some Fine Editions, there is also not as much concern for the price per unit. But on many editions we produce, (that are intended to compete in book stores), there is a fine balancing act of providing a good binding at a cost effective price. So it is all these things I take into consideration when choosing the correct binding method for a project.
Inevitably, there are more specific questions than these below to arrive at a final decision. This is intended as a starting point. Thickness, trim size, paper style and intended usage all weigh heavily on the final decisions for binding of a new edition.
I hope you find this chart to be helpful. As always, your questions and comments are welcome. I will be adding this information into future updates of my Free E-Book on Bookbinding. If you would like to receive a Free copy of this e-guide on bookbinding, please email me at: mpugh@houchenbindery.com.
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
Book Binding Method Decision Guide
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A Free E-Book on Bookbinding!
Do you think I was gambling by offering a Free E-Book of all things on Bookbinding? Think that’s crazy? Think I’m looking through the periscope backwards? Nope. It all makes perfect sense, really. I’m wagering you’ll agree.
The reason I created this guide is that there is a huge need to help educate our current and prospective business partners on bookbinding techniques. Bookbinding is in great demand, and I am by no means threatened by Ebooks. I have been around the business just a little while long enough to know that there is SO MUCH to learn when it comes to bookbinding, and no one seems to know everything that there is needed to be known. It also seems that no two bookbinding companies are exactly alike in every detail. That’s why you need a guide. The Free E-Book idea just seemed to make sense.
So what I have put together here is a brief guide with many links to more in depth details on our web site and through some of my blog posts I have put out over the last couple years. This is by no means a comprehensive guide, but it’s a start.
Who is this for?
Printing companies, book publishers, book designers, photobook companies, yearbook producers, photographers, photo labs, societies and organizations producing genealogy & family history books, anyone involved in related print finishing or print project management fields, libraries and schools involved in need of book binding services. This is a free (.pdf format) e-book, no strings attached, no secret booby prize or surveys. Send me your full name, company, telephone and email, put “Send me the Free E-BOOK” in the subject line and I will forward you a copy as soon as I possibly can.
I will not pester or SPAM you or share your name with any other company. I will from time to time update this manual and as I do so I will email you with updates. You can opt out at any time if you no longer wish to receive an occasional update. If you ever have questions or care to talk about books and bookbinding…well I’m here for you. I’ll be happy to be your guide!
Email me here: mpugh@houchenbindery.com
Happy Holidays!
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
A Free E-Book on Bookbinding!
Photo Credit: “Woman And Gambling Chips” by marin Source:www.freedigitalphotos.net
Your Book is Your Calling Card!
The notion for this blog article was circulating in my thoughts for a few days this week as I worked out in the bindery and saw many books in various stages of production. So as I set out to write this article, I thought perhaps I should Google the topic, and sure enough! There were atleast a couple of others who had already blogged about this topic: here and here.
I do agree with most everything those guys had to say. My perspective on this comes from seeing several thousands of books every week come through the bindery every day and being shipped off to their various destinations. Some go to schools, universities, printers, book distributors, warehouses, and a growing number of titles go to individual authors, and non profit or governmental agencies that are producing a book as somewhat of a “calling card” for their cause.
The story of a used card dealer (L) a book by a non profit on Water Safety (Center), and a book enhancing the reputation and authority of a college professor (L)
I had written previously about “bringing your brand to your book”. But today I look at it from a different perspective- about extending your personal or corporate “brand” through the physical publication of a book.
As James Altucher mentions in his article on this subject: everyone has a business card, and most just get thrown away. As a sales person, I tend to hang on to cards, but usually have no need for them after I have taken the information and entered it into my database. If someone hands me a book,I would find it very difficult to throw away. If it is on a topic I want to know more about, I will probably buy it anyway, especially if I just heard a speech by a public speaker I liked, or perhaps attended an art exhibit or music event I really enjoyed. But that’s just me….I like books.
An athlete’s autobiography (L), a state governmental children’s book set of bi lingual publications on car safety (center), a paper manufacturer’s sample book (R)
So today the format of a book becomes the calling card, “leave behind” piece that establishes credibility in a certain area or genre. Are you working with a non profit group with a message to convey? How about a city or state governmental agency? Are you a CEO, politician, celebrity, marketing guru, musician, artist, inventor, religious leader or some other type public speaker wanting to enhance your reputation?
There is no better way to do this than by publishing your own “book”. Your Book is Your Calling Card!
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
Your Book is Your Calling Card!
*The copyright of all books shown here belong to their respective authors and organizations. These pictures are only shown here for the purpose of displaying their various production techniques.
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It’s not about us, it’s about you!
We are truly fortunate and grateful to have such a very wide array of clients!
So if we haven’t met, and you might be on the hunt for someone to help you in your book production, take the the time to let us know a little about yourself. What is the motivation for your book project? Our mutual success depends on understanding your needs.
We know we can’t be everything to everybody. But we do handle a wide array of bookbinding needs. Here are some examples of the type of customers we serve, and as you can see, how vastly different their needs may be from one project to the next.
Artists, Illustrators and Photographers
Creative types such as fine artists, illustrators and photographers often come to us to have portfolios produced, short run lengths of a self published coffee table photo book, children’s books, and large oversized fine editions. Their needs are very discriminating as image means everything to this type of customer. Selections of cover materials runs the gamut from fine European cloths, Bonded Leathers and special treatments of decoration on a cover ranging from embossing, tip on photos and custom die stamping are a few examples of techniques we can provide.
Photo Books, Art Books and other fine editions
Servicing the needs of the Book Printing Industry
We are the quiet trade servant behind the scenes for several book printing companies (primarily digital book printing firms) who do not have their own in-house capabilities for hardcover bookbinding. Typical volumes still primarily hover in the short run length niche from 25 copies to 1000, with occasional projects exceeding that. Many of these customers have a narrower range of choices for their clients and speed of service is usually of utmost concern. Their final product is generally a retail (trade edition) book suitable for distribution into bookstores and libraries. Whereas many of the projects are beautifully done, the needs and requirements of these customers are usually different than a fine edition project.
Stacks of children’s books at Quality Control Checkout Department
public and school/university libraries
Serving this sector is where our company started. The needs of public and academic libraries may differ, so they cannot all be clumped into one category either. Services here focus on preservation, periodicals, newspapers, restorations, digitization and rebinding. There are a myriad of other specialized services we provide for the library market. We are one of the oldest “certified” library binding companies in North America.
Yearbooks, textbooks and textbook rebinding
Genealogy, family history and biographies
We work with several historical societies, genealogy publishers and individuals who may have been referred to our company through other satisfied customers over the years to produce short run length sets of a family history, memoirs or work of poetry as an example. Here again, the needs and range of work can differ from project to project. We are very experienced in producing the archival library binding style, durable, multi-generational treasures that will stand the test of time.
Family History Books, Memoirs, Biographies
As you can see, there are so many different ways to bind a book. No two projects are 100% identical. Especially yours! So before we begin our journey, tell us all about yourself and your project. After all, your book project- is not about us, it’s about you!
Your comments and questions are welcome.
Martin Pugh | Houchen Bindery Ltd. | 1-800-869-0420 | mpugh@houchenbindery.com
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
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Houchen Bindery Ltd. goes to Graph Expo 2012
For the second year now, I was able to attend Graph Expo, held at McCormick Place in Chicago Oct 7-10, 2012. The 4 day event features all the latest technology and new equipment offering from almost every equipment manufacturer and graphic arts related dealer in the industry from around the world. The sheer amount of information and options available are truly amazing.
An expanded array of colors and material choices for Pre made Hard Cover Cases
We went there to network with some of our strategic partners and show off some new innovations we have made in the area of pre-made cases for the photobook industry. We have been providing Pre-Made Hard Cover Cases in a variety of cloth, leather and color options for over a year now. Printers and photo labs who are producing photobooks in house have a need for high quality, hard cover cases. Convertible Solutions has been promoting our covers through an alliance we formed over a year ago and had displays at their own booth and the Duplo booth as well with new equipment now available to produce layflat photobooks more automated than ever before.
Houchen Bindery Ltd. developed a winning solution whereby photo book producers can order pre-made cases in very small quantities. No need to invest in large quantities of material that may sit on a shelf or never be used.
In our discussions with many of these customers over the last 18 months, we also found the need for more than a plain, non decorated cover. We answered this by developing the debossed cover style as shown above. A 4 x 6″ image can rest in a recessed rectangular area on the cover and add’s depth, color and brings life to the plain photobook cover.
Pete Pierson from Convertible Solutions displays the TRU-Flat® technonolgy used to make a photobook with Mohawk’s Panoramic Papers
In addition to all of the above, we got to seek advice from the top professionals in the industry, scope out possible new equipment purchases, attend a few valuable seminars and network with some great people. My favorite seminars were all held at the Printerverse (TM), put on by PrintMedia Centr, and run by Deborah Corn. I listened to Joe Schember of Mohawk Paper discuss how they have recently re branded their company while reinventing their business model, and how they can be a valuable partner to printers, Kevin Keane of IAPHC put on an inspirational talk on print and the future of the industry (you should have been there!), Molly Rosenthal also of Mohawk Paper later had an announcement on all of the pre die cut digital sheets they will now offer such as wine boxes, pocket folders and many other clever and useful applications and tips to help printers selling their wares. Mary Beth Smith’s Girls Who Print booth was also inside the Printerverse and National Girls Who Print day was on Oct 9th (congratulations on that and thank you for hosting the free lunch!). Right next to her busy booth was Docu Mobi and Kodak’s photobooth which featured the Graphitti wall, where I made an interactive video which was embedded in my photo on the wall. You can see that here. We ended it all with John and I duking it out in the Printerverse (TM) as you can see below here.
Once again I made new friends and contacts, caught up with old friends and learned ALOT! I even got to take John to Lou Malnati’s for some authentic Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza. A throwback from my earlier years growing up in NW Chicago. All in all a great time, but after a week on the road, it’s also nice to be back home and back in the bindery!
Convergence in the Printing and Binding Industry
“If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same results”
For printers (or binders) who have a solid base of business that requires no change in their plans, hat’s off! Typical businesses will lose about 10% of their customer base just through natural attrition. Do nothing, make no changes for 5 years and you can be looking at a 50% loss of business!
The marketplace is changing at a very fast pace today. Change is the only constant. If you are not focusing on how to replace that loss of business, you will quickly be facing a downward spiral. For the companies and people in this industry who refuse to stand still and keep searching, keep experimenting with new ideas, new technologies and new business models– Graph Expo. represents an excellent opportunity to converge and focus on new developments and opportunities.
I spent many idle hours driving this week, and the word “convergence” kept coming to mind. I am on my way over to Graph Expo in Chicago starting on Oct 7th. I was able to attend this event last year for the first time and look forward to going there again. The convergence of the entire printing, binding and affiliated industry to focus on numerous aspects of the business is really exciting. While some of the companies exhibiting there may perhaps compete with another vendor down the aisle, there is a definite sense of mutual respect amongst everyone in the industry as we all strive to address the fast changing business needs of the marketplace.
I had a meeting at one of my customers along the way out here to Chicago. They are a commercial and digital print operation that has grown recently through some acquisitions (there’s that word again–convergence). The president was mentioning the interesting aspect of how the changes in our industry (especially short run digital book manufacturing) have brought certain trends and techniques (such as good old fashioned book binding) together to come full circle in convergence with state of the art digital printing techniques to create fantastic new solutions in a growing segment of their business. Our continued communicating, partnering and “convergence” is an important part of that.
Graph Expo 2011
A few posts ago, I spoke about Deborah Corn and The Printerverse (TM) booth at Graph Expo and Mary Beth Smith’s Girls who Print. Both true examples of a convergence of ideas and people that are taking place right now in our industry. Kudos to both of their organizations!
Over a year ago, we formed an alliance with Convertible Solutions to produce pre-made hard cover cases for their TRU-Flat® customers, which is the patent pending technology developed by Convertible Solutions used in the production of Mohawk Fine Papers’ line of Panoramic products. This year, Convertible Solutions will showcase new developments with equipment makers to improve and automate the book making process which will be interesting to see. Again, the concept of evolutionary convergence is coming to mind.
In the last year, I have had many new types of customers and inquiries outside of the typical print/publishing industry we would normally serve–a Chicago based fabric manufacturing and retailer using our services for point of purchase displays, a major movie studio in New York using books as movie props, a financial firm in Ohio needing confidential high quality books bound for their board of directors, a Colorado based online photobook company requiring our hard cover cases to name a few. Perhaps this is “divergence”. Yet, to me it represents the “convergence” that is taking place out there. People are searching for solutions to various needs, and our industry is “converging” to answer them. In many cases, we (all of us in this industry) may need to partner with new suppliers, vendors and form other collaborations that in the past were not part of the former business plan. From that “convergence” and collaboration, new products, services and ideas will surely come.
It’s an exciting time to be in this business! I welcome your comments and conversations on this topic.
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved.
Convergence in the Printing and Binding Industry
Definition of Convergence: source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/convergence
