In-Plant Impressions

07/14/2025

Color consistency is a crucial part of maintaining an organization's brand – a top priority for in-plant printing operations. But achieving accurate color reproduction can be a challenge, especially when your organization has stringent criteria.

This is where the G7+ calibration standard takes center stage.

Get the full rundown at the link in comments.

07/11/2025

In-plant Impressions eNews updates in-plant managers on developments at other in-plants, events for the in-plant community, best practices, new in-plant research and more.

Subscribe today: https://www.inplantimpressions.com/newsletter-ipi-e-news-subscribe/?src=ADSM

07/09/2025

While many in-plants strive for excellence in the work they produce, the Print and Mail Services division at the University of West Georgia (UWG) takes that goal to the next level.

With five full-time staff and a rotating crew of student interns and assistants, operating out of a 9,400-sq.-ft. space in Carrollton, Georgia, the in-plant has grown to serve not only the university, but also a growing list of outside clients.

Read the full overview at the link in comments.

07/07/2025

The In-plant Printing and Mailing Association infused tons of energy into Spokane, Washington, during the second week of June.

One of the topics that had the more than 125 in-plant managers in attendance buzzing was artificial intelligence (AI) — and for good reason. According to David Rosendahl of MindFire, "AI is going to come for your job," so it's important to stay a step ahead and be prepared.

Read the full breakdown in comments.

06/25/2025

🔥 New press, who dis?

University of Alabama Birmingham just ditched their decades-old Heidelberg for a sleek new five-color RMGT 970 with a coater and LED-UV curing — and the results are wild.

No more drying time. They’re printing, stitching, and delivering 4,000 books same day

Solids on covers? Cut and coated same day

100K postcards? Printed and mailed. No waiting.

Bonus? The LED-UV + coater combo is pulling in new work from other schools — even UA is sending jobs their way. Offset may not be trendy, but it’s clearly still a workhorse when you’ve got the right gear (and a crew who knows how to use it).

Curtis and the team at UAB are setting a new bar for what in-plants can do. Speed. Quality. Flex. 💪

Full story here: https://www.inplantimpressions.com/article/new-press-new-power-university-of-alabama-birmingham-in-plant-supercharges-offset-capabilities/

06/24/2025

💡 Running both toner and inkjet in your shop? You’re not alone — and there’s a smart way to make the most of it.

Join in-plant leaders Dina Kessler (Kessler Creative) and Steven Vid (Merlin Printing) for a free webinar on how to balance toner and inkjet without losing your mind (or your margins).

They’ll cover:
🖨️ Which jobs belong where — and why
📄 Paper, color, and workflow tips that actually make a difference
📦 How to run mixed-tech jobs without chaos
📈 The real benefits of keeping both in-house

📅 June 26 | Free to attend
❓ Live Q&A included
📺 Can’t make it live? Register anyway and catch the replay

👉 Hosted by In-plant Impressions and sponsored by Canon USA

06/23/2025

The 2025 IPMA Conference in Spokane wasn’t just another industry event — it was a full-on reset for the in-plant world.

From new faces (45 first-timers) to familiar conversations (automation, AI, staffing), nearly 300 people came together to talk shop, swap stories, and see where things are heading. Some highlights:

🧠 Big ideas from leaders like Bob Neubauer, Frank Mallozzi, and Dave Rosendahl on marketing, AI, robotics, and evolving in-plant strategy
🎨 Creative sessions on wide-format, promo products, and how in-plants are doing more than just printing — they’re branding, building, and innovating
🏆 Awards that gave well-earned shine to shops at UT Austin, Mayo Clinic, and more
📈 Real talk about labor shortages, new tech, customer experience, and how to grow in-plant value without burning out

And yes — there was a paper mill tour, a retrofitted steam plant party, and plenty of late-night sidebars that didn’t need a PowerPoint.

Catch the full recaphere: https://www.inplantimpressions.com/article/spokane-sizzles-as-in-plants-converge-for-ipma-2025/

Already counting down to Greenville in 2026.

06/20/2025

In a historic English mansion, 41 in-plant pros from 22 institutions gathered for three days of insights, innovation, costume dinners, and camaraderie in the name of “Influencing for Success.”

Last week in Cheshire, England, dozens of higher-ed in-plants from all over the U.K. met for the 2025 Association of Creative and Print Managers in Education (ACPME) Annual Conference.

06/20/2025

Oregon State just pulled off something rare: a smart move that actually makes things easier and better.

They took five different departments — marketing, events, design, even internal licensing — and rolled them into one self-funded, in-house creative powerhouse. It’s all under the wing of their already solid in-plant print shop, now renamed University Marketing Services & Solutions.

The result?

Streamlined services across campus

Faster turnaround on creative work

Print jobs designed right the first time

One team that actually talks to each other

Instead of waiting on red tape, OSU departments can now get everything from posters to promo merch to event coordination in one place — and pay for what they use. No fluff, just function.

Jeff Todd, who built the in-plant’s reputation on quality and service, now runs the whole thing. And from the sound of it, it’s working.

More proof that print is far from dead — especially when it’s got strategy behind it.

📍 Full story here: https://www.inplantimpressions.com/article/oregon-state-university-adopts-in-plants-self-funding-model-to-boost-campus-services/

06/18/2025

Installation of graphics is a growing service in-plants are providing, but learning to do it right is essential. Here's how one in-plant trained its staff to properly install graphics, and how this knowledge has helped the shop expand its business.

Discover how Hillsdale College’s in-plant leveled up wide-format installs with PRINTING United Alliance’s Architectural Films Certification — adding serious value to their print services.

06/18/2025

Stuck explaining to your boss why you need to go to PRINTING United Expo?
We get it. "It's just a trade show" doesn't exactly open the budget floodgates.
But what if you had the exact talking points that work? The ROI calculations they actually care about? The objection responses that turn "maybe next year" into "book your flight"?

PRINTING United Expo | Oct 22-24 | Orlando

800+ exhibitors, targeted in-plant education, and networking with peers who've solved the problems you're still fighting.

Get the Guide that breaks down exactly how to pitch this: https://www.printingunited.com/attend/about/convince-your-boss/

Register Now once they say yes: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=284

06/17/2025

Mesa Public Schools' in-plant is going full steam ahead into new services to expand its operation.

Mesa Public Schools’ in-plant is thriving thanks to smart investments in wide-format, apparel, and envelope printing. It's all part of a bold plan to future-proof operations and fill the gap.