Columns
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When do you start to think about the end of your career?
I saw an interesting quote from LeBron James, the NBA’s premier player. He was being asked about his career trajectory, and he waxed philosophic in a way that rang true with not only me, but I’m sure many of my clients. “As you g…07.13.18
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Now is the month of Maying…
When merry lads are playing. And here in France they had lots of time for it this month. The first (Mayday), eighth (VE Day), 10th (Ascension Day) and 21st (Whit-Monday) were all public holidays. Then we have the tradition of the “Pont,”…John Penhallow 05.25.18
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What’s On The Outside Is What Counts
With one-third of consumer purchasing decisions based on packaging alone, premium packaging has a huge influence on buying decisions and creates ripple effects in word-of-mouth advertising and social media. In addition to sparking interest and pushin…Jared Powell 05.25.18
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We’re Still at Code Red After Five Years
It was five years ago that I created “12 Code Red Seller’s Mistakes.” This downloadable PDF was designed to be a timely guide for printing owners looking to sell their business. Timely has now become timeless. Five years later…Rock LaManna 05.25.18
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Ink and Branding: Cost Considerations
Creative thinkers focus on reducing print costs through design.Jack Kenny 05.25.18
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Passing Gas, Keeping Score
First, apologies for that photo in the April issue. Suffice it to say, I had no idea our editor would connect it to my comments on California’s Cap & Trade scheme, as well as my admiration for Governor Jerry Brown. Nor had I looked closely…Calvin Frost 05.25.18
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‘Jane Walker’ Label Stirs PR Pot
When I was a regional marketing director for Ringling Bros. my boss once said that any publicity is better than none, even if it’s negative. I don’t generally agree, but a test of his statement rolled out recently with the “Jane Wal…Mark Lusky 04.09.18
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Flexible packaging student winners
The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has announced the winners of the FPA 2018 Student Flexible Design Challenge. This year’s first place winners were a team of students from Iowa State University. Two students from University of Wisconsin…04.09.18
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Handle the Truth: How to keep a printing business M&A out of court
One of my favorite movies of all time is “A Few Good Men,” and in particular, the iconic lines delivered by Jack Nicholson’s character, Colonel Jessup. “You can’t handle the truth!” he barked while on the witness…Rock LaManna 04.09.18
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Tariffs: Impact on industry
US plans for steel and aluminum tariffs would affect printing and packaging.Jack Kenny 04.09.18
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Californication
There’s a wonderful article in Mother Jones called “Dreamers of the Golden Dream.” Mother Jones has always been one of my favorites: liberal, investigative, irreverent, and holds no hostages. In this case, however, Gabriel Kahn was…Calvin Frost 04.09.18
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Viva Italia!
Readers who remember the Converflex and Grafitalia shows in Italy will be surprised not to find them this year. Along with the Inprinting show, they have all been amalgamated into Print4All (they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,…John Penhallow 04.09.18
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Make sure customer service doesn’t sound like a sales pitch
There should be a distinct line between providing helpful, how-to customer service solutions and selling. Too often in today’s frenzy to improve the bottom line, “customer service” morphs into thinly-disguised sales pitches –…Mark Lusky 03.09.18
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API gives irony to new bourbon
A hot stamping foil from brand enhancement specialist API is adding texture and sophistication to the bottle of an exciting new bourbon. Hopes & Dreams, which wittily satirizes stereotypical handcrafted whiskey marketing in its promotion, feature…03.09.18
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The tail wagging the dog: How exclusivity agreements can hurt sellers
Exclusivity deals were created as a means to establish trust between parties and ensure a merger or acquisition is done efficiently. Unfortunately, Wall Street has used it as a tool to manipulate Main Street sellers in what’s become a familiar…Rock LaManna 03.09.18
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Food packaging: Innovation required
Ready meals and cans adapt to changing needs and lifestyles.Jack Kenny 03.09.18
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Taking on a new life
In my last column I wrote about a study on the incredible growth of the plastics industry and a similar growth in plastics going to the landfill. The study concluded: “Thus without a well-designed and tailor-made management strategy for end…Calvin Frost 03.09.18
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Roll-to-roll solar energy
The name of Count Lev Perovski may not be familiar to all readers of this column, but it was he who, in 1839, discovered and named perovskite, a compound of calcium, oxygen and titanium. This remained a geological curiosity until 10 years ago when a…John Penhallow 03.09.18
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Marketing labels, packaging to a moving target
What do you do when a carefully crafted marketing campaign gets jolted by a “higher force” making ominous pronouncements? Such is the case with cannabis and the jarring impact of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ threatened crackdown…Mark Lusky 01.26.18
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‘Easy’ shrink sleeves and festive lids from Clondalkin Flexible Packaging
The Easy range from Easy Cleaning Solutions Ltd (Formerly Jeyes) has rebranded part of its household and utility range with a decorative shrink sleeve packaging solution from Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Bury (formerly Chadwicks). Two variants of…01.26.18
