The Printerviews

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Theresa Hegel, Executive Editor for Special Projects and Sustainability at the Advertising Specialty Institute. Theresa has spent 12 years at ASI, built the industry's leading sustainability hub Promo for the Planet, won the Jesse H. Neal Award three times, and co-hosts the Branding Together podcast. Before ASI, she designed front pages under deadline at daily newspapers in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

We get into convergence, where print and promo are already overlapping and where the gap still lies. Theresa makes the case that the two industries share more clients, campaigns, and opportunities than most people realise, and that the main barrier is not opportunity but language. We also cover what commercial printers get wrong about moving into promo, starting with the assumption that it requires significant capital investment.

 Sustainability takes up a good stretch of the conversation. ASI ran a joint study with European partners and competitor PPAI comparing the carbon footprint of promotional products against five advertising mediums including digital. The headline finding was that promo has an eight times smaller carbon footprint than digital advertising, which surprises most people. Theresa explains why it makes sense, and why the industry needs to be part of that conversation now rather than waiting to be dragged into it.

Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Jess DeCola, who has recently movedfrom substrate distributor GPA to Blooming Color as their Director of Brand and Strategic Growth. With over a decade in the print industry spanning thermal films, food packaging, distribution, and marketing, Jess shares what it feels like to be on day five of a brand new role and why it already feels like coming home.

We explore what drew her to Blooming Color, from the leadership style to a culture where the CEO can tell you something personal about every single employee. Jess opens up about her eight and a half years at GPA, how she walked into a contractor role and told them they would have to hire her, and why she believes culture is the single biggest thing print businesses underinvest in.

We also dive into the She*t for Brains sessions at Dscoop in Denver, which left both of us still processing weeks later. From the keynote on resilience and leadership to audience members grabbing the microphone and sharing deeply personal stories, the sessions proved that our industry is hungry for spaces where people can be honest about what they are going through. Plus, Jess shares her advice for the next generation, inspired by an unforgettable panel moment where a room full of seasoned print professionals were told that they need to catch up with the younger generation.

Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Mark Stephenson, who recently concluded an incredible 27-year career at Fujifilm.  With nearly 50 years of experience in the print industry, Mark shares his journey from starting as a letterpress apprentice to selling Apple Macs in 1989.  We dive into the massive technological shifts he has witnessed over the decades and how his passion for seeing printed products jump from someone's brain into physical reality has kept him captivated by the industry. 

We explore the current state of inkjet technology, which Mark describes as finally becoming mainstream.  We discuss its ability to outperform offset when printing on expensive stocks by delivering a perfect first sheet with zero waste, as well as its dominance in high-speed variable data jobs.  Mark also reveals his brand-new venture, The Spark Organization, where he will be using his extensive network to serve as an MC, host, and presenter for the industry.

Whether you are a seasoned print boss needing to get a grip on your margins or someone looking to leverage trade shows for real networking, this episode is packed with invaluable advice.  Plus, we announce Mark's upcoming role as a host for our Print Mastermind sessions.  

Key Takeaways 

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Chris Edwards, Director of CVI Group and the CVI Training Centre. Chris is an industry veteran with over two decades of experience, but his start in the graphics world was entirely accidental. From washing cars on cold weekends to making Tasmanian Devil stickers layer by layer, he built his skills from the ground up on driveways and in workshops long before the advanced materials of today existed.

We dive into Chris’s personal philosophy of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. This mindset shift has been the catalyst for his recent success, pushing him to overcome a lifelong fear of flying to judge the World Wrap Masters and to take on high profile projects like wrapping Eddie Hall’s truck. Chris also shares the reality of opening a dedicated training facility, discussing both the financial challenges and the immense reward of seeing young talent transform in just a few days.

Whether he is talking about his passion for ice hockey or the technical nuances of a shark fin aerial, Chris’s energy for the trade is infectious. We explore why he believes every day is an apprentice day and why an open mindset is the single most important tool for any professional in the print and wrap industry today.

Accidental Beginnings: Chris entered the industry after getting fed up with cold hands while washing cars at a local garage.

The Power of Mindset: Adopting the motto "get comfortable being uncomfortable" has been the key to accelerating his career in recent years.

Overcoming Barriers: He conquered a major fear of flying specifically to accept a role as a World Wrap Masters judge.

Training Reality: Opening a training center involves significant financial risk and "lessons" rather than just instant success.

Youth Development: Chris has seen 15 and 16 year old students surpass expectations by being receptive "sponges" for new information.

The "Shark Fin" Test: A signature part of his training involves teaching students to wrap a shark fin aerial in one piece to build their confidence.

Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with associations like Fespa UK and the BSGA provide a "work family" that prevents the isolation of being a one man band.

Eddie Hall Project: One of his proudest technical achievements was wrapping Eddie Hall’s truck with zero paint left on show.

Continuous Learning: Despite 22 years in the game, Chris lives by the rule that "every day is an apprentice day".

Openness to Help: He believes the industry would thrive if more people were willing to share knowledge and access the training resources available.

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Texintel, a primary resource for knowledge sharing and innovation within the textile and interior decor industries .  With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Debbie shares her journey from working as a designer in vertical manufacturing to pioneering digital textile printing in the UK .  We dive into the evolution of CAD, the early days of printing fabric on desktop HPs, and how her manufacturing background gave her a unique perspective on the entire product journey from design to the retail shelf . 

 We explore the current state of the industry, which Debbie describes as being at a tipping point where digital technology and consumer behaviour are finally aligning .  We discuss the growing demand for customisation and on-demand manufacturing, as well as the critical need for circularity and transparency in the supply chain .  Debbie explains why the biggest disconnect currently sits between design and production and how savvy printers can bridge that gap by sharing more technical data and specifications with their creative clients . 

 Finally, we look toward the future, touching on the upcoming Digital Product Passport and the importance of remaining naturally curious in an ever-changing landscape .  Whether you are a traditional large format printer looking to move into decor or a creative wanting to understand the production floor better, this episode is packed with practical insights on staying ahead of the competition and making print less wasteful . 

Texintel's Mission: A hub for knowledge sharing and innovation designed to help the industry navigate the complexities of textile and decor printing 

A Tipping Point: The industry is accelerating into a phase where technology and consumer demand for personalisation have reached a perfect alignment 

Closing the Gap: The most significant disconnect in the industry is between the design process and the production floor  

Waste Reduction: Up to 15% of material is often wasted on the cutting table; digital cutting and on-demand printing are essential for recapturing that profit  

The Future of Ink: True circularity may involve inks that do not last forever, allowing for easier recycling of the underlying components  

The Digital Product Passport: A major regulatory shift is coming that will require printers to provide detailed data to their customers regarding sustainability  

On-Demand Benefits: Manufacturing on-demand eliminates stock waste, but it requires deep collaboration to avoid causing chaos in the plant 

Democratisation of Print: Modern technology allows for a high-end textile mill setup to exist within the footprint of a standard garage  

Staying Curious: To move forward in this market, professionals must remain in a state of continual learning to stay ahead of the competition  

Defining Sustainability: The term is often overused; genuine responsibility involves efficient technology, collaborative knowledge flow, and innovation 

In this interview, Colin McDermott talks to Simon Wheeler to discuss his career, personal experiences, and his perspective on the future of the print industry.  Simon shares deeply personal stories, ranging from his battle with cancer at age 20 to unique professional highlights like meeting the Queen.  The conversation highlights Simon's commitment to vulnerability as a professional super weapon, arguing that being open and asking for help allows for the development of stronger, more authentic business relationships.

The discussion centres on the evolution of technology, from photographic and digital to 3D and Artificial Intelligence. It also covers the importance of nurturing the next generation of talent. And, in a Printerviews first, Simon even shares a poem, written specifically for the podcast, which is a call to action for veteran industry professionals to mentor and support younger staff.  The interview concludes with an emphasis on the work being done by Fespa UK’s Next Generation initiative to educate and entice new talent into the field.

Key Takeaways

In this episode, Colin Sinclair McDermott hosts Chris Minn and Bob Raus to discuss the upcoming Dscoop event and the significance of community and collaboration in the print industry. They reflect on the previous year's event, the excitement surrounding the upcoming hackathon, and the importance of AI and automation in business.

The conversation highlights the launch of the Automation Club, practical applications of AI, and the need for ongoing dialogue within the community to navigate industry challenges.

Takeaways

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Fiona Robinson, the UK Country Captain for print.com. With over 20 years in the industry, Fiona has worked in almost every department of a print business, from sales and marketing to finance and operations. We discuss her journey through the explosive growth of the printing.com franchise network and how she eventually transitioned from being an employee to an employer by running her own print franchise.

 We explore the unique origin story of print.com, a pan-European platform that was co-created alongside 100 print professionals. Fiona explains how the business started with a domain name and a customer-first perspective rather than a printing press, allowing them to build a 'sweet shop' for marketing professionals. We also discuss the importance of the human element in a digital-heavy world and why print.com relies on 'test pilots' to refine their offering for the UK market.

Fiona shares her insights on the current resurgence of tactile print experiences, specifically in packaging, booklets, and gifting. We look at the challenges creatives face when specifying print and how tools like unbranded 'look books' help bridge the knowledge gap.

Key Takeaways

In this episode, Colin Sinclair McDermott hosts Peter Van Teeseling and Chris Hyde to discuss the Dscoop community, its evolution, and the importance of engagement within the digital print industry.

They explore the mindset required to benefit from community events, the impact of COVID-19, and the role of AI in marketing. The conversation highlights the value of sharing knowledge, bridging generational gaps, and creating meaningful connections at events. Personal anecdotes and insights into the community's dynamics provide a deeper understanding of the unique culture within Dscoop.

Takeaways

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Gerard Baglieri, a partner at Visualize with over 35 years of experience in technology sales across global giants like Motorola, Cisco Systems, and Avaya. From his home turf in Denver, Colorado, Gerard joins the podcast to discuss his extensive background in sales execution and his upcoming session at Dscoop in March. He shares how his journey as an individual contributor, manager, and executive has shaped his approach to building effective sales journeys across various vertical markets.

Gerard explains the power of the Value Selling framework, a methodology he first adopted as a client before becoming a partner at Visualize. He highlights how this process allowed him to grow business by over 100 per cent during a three-year stint in Southeast Asia, managing eleven different geographies. This conversation bridges the gap between high-level tech sales and the print industry, using his recent work with local print shops to demonstrate that successful sales execution always aligns with the specific goals of the client.

The discussion delves into common sales team gaps, such as the struggle to reach economic buyers and the importance of speaking an executive's vernacular. Gerard provides practical advice on using AI for research, the necessity of being a proactive listener, and why print providers must shift from selling products to solving problems. He also emphasises the value of regular, purposeful communication cadences to expand existing accounts and avoid becoming unhooked by the competition.

Key Takeaways