Make 2020 the Year You Reach Your Profit Goals

As the last decade was wrapping up, we began looking at 2020 as being full of possibility. But we’re not too naive. We know today’s print service providers are faced with lots of challenges, such as rising wages and benefits costs, pressure to enter new markets, a thin workforce of available, skilled workers and more. So we decided to take a look at two areas where LexJet can help, not just as a materials provider, but a business partner as well.

At the SGIA/Napco Research Key Industry Trends & Insights Research presentation during Printing United, we learned a lot about these challenges. While nearly every sector in the print industry saw growth in sales (yay!), the increase in profits didn’t match up. How could that be? Perhaps investment in equipment, wage increases (and more to come), lost productivity, training up staff in new market segments, or maybe you were paying too much for the wrong products.

One of the startling revelations was PSPs who stated they were “so busy, we don’t have time to figure out what would be profitable.” Yikes! So let’s look into two current, major pain points and see how we can help.

Adding a New Product Line or Entering a New Market

You can diversify the products and services you’re offering your customers, but let’s look at some smart strategies. While it may seem like everyone is jumping into vehicle wraps, ask yourself if you’ve got the proper print technology, installers with experience and product lines you trust. If not, that’s a steep climb before you get out of the red. If you are set up to tackle vehicle wraps, consider starting with simpler applications, such as box trucks, before you get into intricate designs like sports cars.

Inkjet Canvas Decor by MyPix2

Another supplemental market that may have a quicker ramp-up, in terms of production, is décor. This segment covers a pretty wide gamut of applications, from canvas prints to wallcoverings to windows treatments. If you’re in the wide-format space now, you likely have equipment that you can use to expand into décor printing. For instance, if you have an aqueous printer, many materials exist for you to print wall art, such as canvas wraps, fine art reproductions or portraits. Wallcoverings and window graphic materials (like Squid) are decor focused, and can be printed on solvent or latex print technology. Dye-sub printers used for fabric open a new door for upholstery, drapery and more. Your capital expenditure may include finishing tools or machinery, so scope those out and plan accordingly.

Some growing interest in customized décor printing include hotels, restaurants, healthcare facilities and corporate offices, so consider customers you already have in these spaces and market your new capabilities to them!

Combating Material Costs

Another ongoing pain point is material costs. This is always top-of-mind for all of us here at LexJet, as we launch new or next-generation products. We are constantly looking for ways to pass on savings to our customers.

One strategy is to opt for multi-purpose, quality products. When you opt for a “Swiss Army Knife” product, you save on inventory space and production set up time as well as costs savings, much of the time. One such material is FlexTek 170g, also available as FlexTek SUV 200g. FlexTek is a budget-beating, non-woven technical fabric that works in a variety of applications, including wall art, banners and canvas wraps. It can be finished with grommets or it can be sewn or wrapped or folded. It’s recyclable and has a long shelf life — talk about an inventory win-win!

Our print specialists at LexJet can also help you fine-tune your materials and supplemental products that fit into your budget and help your profits soar! Call us today at 800-453-9538.

Three Major Wide-format Trends to Watch in 2020

If you’ve been in wide format printing for a while, or even if you’re new here, you’ve probably noticed that things move pretty quickly in this space, from customer expectations to equipment upgrades to new material launches. These changes, upgrades and improvements are never-ending, so here’s a quick list of what we see as the hot topics to watch as 2020 gets started:

Strategic Convergence. You heard a lot about convergence at Printing United, specifically. There was a wave of chatter about diversifying and jumping into different segments to stay relevant, serving at least two segments, like sign & graphic, apparel or packaging. Sales and profitability were both up the most in 2018 for sign & graphic producers, according to NAPCO Research and SGIA. But when diversifying, businesses may have growing pains from adding staff or lacking focus. Working with a good partner who supplies material as well as education and business consultation is key to helping you make the best decisions of material inventory, equipment upgrades and workflow efficiencies. Get a handle on these issues, and your team can converge strategically.

Environmental Responsibility. If there’s one topic on everyone’s tongues, it’s sustainability. At Printing United, some customers who visited our booth were only interested in eco-friendly material options. There’s a generational divide to keep in mind: While Baby Boomer customers tend to embrace their brand loyalty, Millennials and younger are willing to pay more for products made with sustainability in mind. This is true in the consumer world, and growing increasingly true in the business decisions they make. Our industry is working hard to find ways to make materials from recycled or reclaimed items, like plastic water bottles, and, in turn, ways for those products to be recycled or reused to create a circular economy that the print world hasn’t seen previously. Stay tuned for product releases that are better for the earth so you can plan to market them to the customers who are the most receptive to them.

Increased Competition. This isn’t competition from the sign shop down the street. It’s competition from your own customers, who now have access to lower-priced, entry-level printing equipment that’s allowing them to do their own in-house printing — like retail outlets, schools and more. Combat this by excelling in areas they can’t, such as more complex decor applications that require more intense set up and installation; investment in new technology, like dye-sublimation, which can advance you into textile printing; or offer customization in printing with software that allows your team to use variable data to create unique prints (like these serialized decals). Wow your customers with your experience, craftsmanship and innovation, and they won’t want to do it without you.

We Joined the Printing United Convergence!

Last month, the LexJet team joined our parent company, S-One, to host a comprehensive booth at Printing United in Dallas, with the theme Media Matters. At LexJet, we know how important it is to pair the right media substrate with the right printer for the right job — every time.

This year, SGIA partnered with NAPCO to create Printing United, which celebrated the convergence of printing segments that aren’t so segmented any more. Many printers are expanding their offerings into signage, décor, commercial and packaging.

Squid window graphic demonstration

With this industry-wide convergence going on, some print service providers are struggling with juggling too much, according to industry experts. During the Key Industry Trends and Insights Research Breakfast, SGIA’s Chief Economist Andy Paparozzi discussed pain points for companies that are affecting the bottom line, such as rising wages and benefits costs, shortage of skilled personnel, workflow inefficiencies and cost of materials.

To help PSPs make smarter material purchasing decisions, we showcased a number of innovative, versatile products available exclusively at LexJet, including:

  • Squid, the innovative new self-adhesive textile for window graphics in retail, healthcare, residential and corporate spaces.
  • HP Grip Matte Polymeric Air, a high-tack, aggressive adhesive-backed vinyl for rough surfaces and low-energy plastics.
  • Fredrix Metallic Gold Canvas, the 2019 SGIA Product of the Year – Media – Textile – Canvas, along with its Metallic Pearl counterpart.
  • Sunset SUV Fine Art Paper 210g, the new-to-market option for large-volume fine art décor printers looking for a cost-conscious option that also has on-point quality.

If you couldn’t make it to Printing United, you can still experience our booth. Please check out the video below. Our print specialists are also available at 800-453-9538 to answer any of your questions about making smarter materials purchases or focusing on the segments you specialize in.

Discover Media That Matters at Printing United

We are beyond excited for Printing United later this month. This year is sure to be full of exciting trends, new innovations and award-winning ideas. You can find your LexJet favorites in booth #6810. Our focus is on the hand-selected, state-of-the-art media offerings that provide versatility, production excellence, environmental consciousness and cost awareness that allow you to create amazing signage, graphics and more, while balancing your business-building budget.

In booth #6810, you’ll get a hands-on look at several samples, and be sure to check out our installation demos, too. Our team will be standing by to guide you to the right media for any project, from vinyl wall wraps and soft signage displays to elegant retail décor and fine art reproductions, and much more. Our teammates from S-One Labels & Packaging will also be displaying the latest in sustainable packaging materials and specialty coatings for a variety of applications.

Be sure to check out some of our most buzz-worthy media products, including:

  • Squid. This is the new self-adhesive fabric for window displays that everyone is talking about. It’s easy to install and provides an elegant look for retail environments or can add privacy in a corporate setting.
  • HP Adhesive Vinyl & Laminates. The new line of products is changing the game for printers. We’ve added even more products, like HP Grip, with a strong adhesive, and a new cast overlaminate. See them in action!
  • Award-winning Canvas. We’ll be displaying the 2019 SGIA Product of the Year – Media – Textile – Canvas: Fredrix Metallic Gold Canvas; as well as last year’s big winner: HP Recycled Satin Canvas, made from 100% recycled water bottles.
  • Fabrics. We’ve got several options here, whether you prefer latex or dye-sub. We’ve got options for a variety of applications, like soft signage, backlit displays, tableskirts, SEG frames and more.

We’ve got Show Specials, too, that you won’t want to miss! See you in Dallas later this month!

Still need a Printing United Expo Pass? Go to THIS LINK and use promo code 76842.

Get Your Free Printing United Expo Pass Today!

If you’re planning on attending Printing United this year, we’ve got you covered with a free Expo pass for the trade show in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 23-25 (a $35 savings). This year’s show brings the best of SGIA together, including wide-format along with textile, commercial and package printing, all under one roof.

To receive your pass, please use promo code 76842 on THIS LINK.

During the show, you’ll see the latest offerings in each of the market segments, and learn about the latest trends, techniques and workflow strategies. You’ll be able to view the 2019 SGIA Product of the Year Awards, which includes Fredrix Metallic Gold Canvas, a LexJet exclusive in the U.S.

In booth #6810, you’ll also discover some of the latest advancements and trends on the media that matters for your business today. We’ll feature printed samples of the HP Adhesive Vinyl portfolio, upscale wallcoverings and other décor products, sustainable print material solutions, as well as unique window graphic materials, like Squid.

This year, more than 600 exhibitors will take over 720,000 square feet at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Get your Expo pass and meet us there!

Streamline Your Inventory to Save Time and Money

Many print service providers have a fight on their hands for prime real estate known as “roll storage.” If you have limited space, you know how difficult it is to find room for the different products that you keep on hand for everyday use and the specialty products that are taking up space and collecting dust.

Keeping the right products on hand to reduce inventory will help you save money and storage space. When looking to consolidate, it is important to make sure you select versatile products that will meet the needs of the applications your customers request most often.

Take a look at your current inventory. Do you have different products stocked to create indoor signage, outdoor signage, die-cut stickers, fleet graphics, clear window graphics and to laminate? If so, consider finding products that allow you to streamline your inventory, which means you have fewer rolls to organize, an easier workflow and ensures you have the right product for the right project.

If you have been looking for ways to reduce your print shop inventory by using versatile products, the HP Adhesive Vinyl and Laminates line that was introduced at SGIA last October is a good place to start. A roll of HP Optimal Gloss Air GRP can produce a variety of signage and fleet graphics as well as stickers, while HP Matte and Gloss Polymeric Overlaminates are printable, which means they can be used as protection and when customers request graphics on a clear backdrop.

Noting the importance of having a multipurpose product, William Roll of Signarama in Dothan, Ala. says that his team loves the new HP Adhesive Vinyl line of products. “They grab it for every application they can use it on,” he says. With a high-quality, versatile product in the print shop, you can meet the demands of your customers as well as the needs of your team.

If you would like additional ideas on how to consolidate your print shop inventory or have questions about the HP Adhesive Vinyl and Laminates, contact one of our sales specialists at 800-453-9538 or visit us at LexJet.com.