Industry Influencer

Industry Influencer: Lisbeth Lyons Black

March 18, 2025

Lisbeth Lyons Black became the first-ever director of Women in Print Alliance in December 2022, following more than 20 years of representing the voice of business and industry on Capitol Hill – including 15 years focused on the print, postal and packaging sectors – as a federally registered lobbyist. In her current role, Black directs strategic industry initiatives designed to attract, retain, advance and advocate for women in the printing industry through education, personal and professional development, networking and community building.

How did your career develop in the print industry, and what is your role now?

I came to the printing industry two decades ago to serve as the chief US government and political affairs officer for a leading graphic communications trade association. As part of my portfolio, I advocated on labor and workforce development policy. (I lobbied many issues, like postal reform and tax provisions, but labor secretly was my favorite!)

When PRINTING United Alliance announced it would back the infrastructure – including hiring a dedicated, full-time director – to formalize the Women in Print Alliance volunteer effort into a key industry initiative, it was the perfect marriage of my policy background, industry experience and my personal passion to advocate for women in the workforce. I’ve been in this role since December 2022, where I direct membership, communications, programming, special events and basically anything and everything associated with the initiative.

Tell us more about the Women in Print Alliance and the reasons it was created?

Our origin story is very home-grown. Women in Print Alliance was founded by a small group of dedicated female industry professionals united in the belief that a career in the printing industry holds great opportunity for success, but that a formal initiative to attract, retain, advance and advocate for women in the industry was needed. These women started by hosting an annual breakfast in conjunction with PRINTING United Expo but pushed for a year-round effort to connect women – thus, the “official” Women in Print Alliance was launched in December 2022.

That annual breakfast, started by the volunteers, has turned into a premiere industry sell-out networking event; last year we had a standing-room-only crowd of 250 women. In August 2024, Women in Print Alliance elevated its offerings by launching a paid membership option for corporations and individuals, plus a complimentary student membership to help cultivate the next-gen pipeline of talent.

What are the goals of the Women in Print Alliance, and how do you believe the Alliance can be a positive influence for women in the printing industry?

Our goals are to attract, advance and advocate for women working in the printing industry at all levels and in all functions. At its core, Women in Print Alliance is an initiative geared toward two outcomes: workforce development and community building. By showing women the myriad career pathways available to them in print and then supporting them as a community through educational programming and networking opportunities to help propel their career success, we can fulfill our goal of attracting and retaining more women to print – and at the same time create an industry culture in which those women can grow, thrive and shine.

What are some of the biggest challenges women in the printing industry face? How can women meet these challenges and grow opportunities for themselves and others?

Many of the challenges are the same faced by women in the workforce broadly here in the US and even globally. Issues include career advancement, pay equity, working through pregnancies or menopause and balancing work with caregiver responsibilities while maintaining physical and mental well-being. Specific to print, there still is a feeling of being an “only” (or one of very few) – such as, the “only female” on a sales team, or on a production unit or in a C-suite – and this can lead to feeling isolated or falling susceptible to “imposter syndrome.”

Data show that younger women face challenges to climb that first rung of a career ladder in a predominately male-led industry. Anecdotally, older women are struggling to remain relevant and effective while managing intergenerational Millennial and Gen Z teams. It’s a lot! Women in Print Alliance has a wonderful advisory council that works to identify current challenges (and opportunities!) for women working in print so that we can tailor education, programming and events to meet the moment and help women advance both personally and professionally.

What trends have you seen emerging with women in print, and what changes do you believe will take place in the future for opportunities for women in the print industry?

Most of the trends have been driven by technology, namely the rise of digital printing. Printing companies are cleaner than they used to be. Automation has reduced some physical barriers of the job that may have turned women off from certain roles. And even shift work, which in another era may have been unfathomable to women responsible for traditional childcare roles while their husbands worked, now mirrors what workers of all genders say they want – flexible hours to better manage home life.

And the environmental sustainability strides the print industry is making should not be discounted as a “horn to blow” to attract new female workers – especially GenZ women, who are zeroed in on working for a company or industry that reflects their values. Generational shift also is present in the print industry, which still has many family-owned businesses. This is leading to more gender diversity in the C-suite, with more daughters or granddaughters taking the reins or executive positions, and that will continue.

Looking ahead, we should embrace and encourage educating women in STEM since so many production jobs rely on science; this is a public policy of interest to Women in Print Alliance. Ultimately, I believe the opportunities lie in the fact that there are so many career pathways and industry niches to explore, some of which even can pair work with personal interests, such as apparel decoration printing and fashion or wide-format and the entertainment industry. It also is highly mobile; print manufacturing is everywhere and offers women the opportunity to chart their course (or trail a partner) in a new city, state or even country, knowing they can find employment options.

The key here is to showcase the individual, unique pathways of successful women in print to inspire other women to become part of the industry – and then provide networking and mentorship to support those women to ensure they have long, rewarding, prosperous careers in our industry. In short – attract, advance and advocate – which is the mission of Women in Print Alliance.

Industry Influencer: Gary Cohen

June 11, 2024

Gary Cohen is the executive director of RadTech International North America, a trade association devoted to promoting the use and development of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) processing as an industrial technique offering energy savings, elimination of pollution, greater productivity, higher yields and the opportunity for improved, new or unique products. The association serves as an international forum and reliable source of education and information for individuals and organizations involved in the use of UV and EB processing or who supply equipment, chemicals or other materials to such users. With a background that includes work at the US International Trade Commission, Cohen is focused on supporting US manufacturing across a wide variety of industries, including print and packaging.

How did your career develop into your involvement with RadTech North America and the UV and EB curing industries?

I was born and raised in the Washington DC area – so, way too many lawyers and lobbyists concerned about politics. I started out at the US International Trade Commission looking at imports to the US that may be unfairly harming US industry. From that time on, my work always has focused on manufacturing, with subsequent positions at the Association for Manufacturing Technology and the Consumer Electronics Association / Consumer Electronics Show. That broad manufacturing perspective, focused on technology users, seemed to be a good fit for RadTech as UV/EB has so many applications across industries.

How do you see the industry embracing global trends, such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from manufacturers, brand owners and consumers?

The UV/EB industry is all in on circular economy and sustainability. In fact, it is members who encouraged us to tag our 2024 biennial event as UV/EB for Sustainable and Responsible Manufacturing. Over the years, our industry had grown a bit frustrated as we always have offered low to no VOC, CO2 and Hazardous Air Pollution solutions, but it was difficult for many companies to make the investment to change their processes. Moving to UV/EB means not just changing equipment, but also much of the process. Many of our members used to say that our real job was “changing mindsets” to get the word out about the various operational benefits of UV/EB that come with a more sustainable process.

What are the biggest challenges the UV, UV LED and EB curing industries are facing? How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

Understandably, it is hard for many manufacturers to make major changes to their processes. In some instances, companies have been running successfully for generations with their equipment, and change always comes with some perceived level of risk. The challenge of the UV/EB industry is to demonstrate not only the benefits of the technology, but that the technology may be implemented seamlessly
and easily.

As we are seeing federal and state regulations pop up around sustainability, UV/EB sometimes are excluded by regulators as they are not familiar with the technology and/or may have heard some misconceptions. Education is the key opportunity for our industry.

What trends are emerging in design and production that will influence the future of the UV, UV LED and EB curing industry? How do you believe this will affect the printing and packaging industries?

With increased computing power and artificial intelligence (AI) design programs, the ideas we have been talking about for years, such as mass customization, are becoming a reality. This technology is perfect to implement for inkjet, customization, direct to object and special effects. UV/EB offer nearly infinite tuning and precise curing.

Which markets/verticals are growing their use of UV, UV LED and EB curing technologies?

The graphic arts industries are by far the largest segment for UV/EB in North America. UV/EB seems to be accelerating its growth in food packaging and all types of printing, offering safe, sustainable solutions to printers for a range of substrates. That includes metal can decorating and coatings, and coatings and decorations for various flooring and wall covering applications.

While sustainability certainly is a driver to the growth of the technology, the main driver for UV/EB always has been the fact that it is an “enabling” technology, offering enhanced capabilities to print, coat and adhere on a wide range of substrates that may not be practically done in any other way. In addition to the environmental benefits, the hyper-speed (UV/EB cure nearly instantly, in most cases, with products ready for pack and ship immediately), increased capabilities to make new products and the efficiency of the UV/EB processes offer manufacturers real opportunities to benefit their bottom line.

What are your predictions for the UV/EB industry in the next five to 10 years?

I have been in the UV/EB industry for a long time, and part of the reason is because the technology and applications are rapidly evolving, making me very fortunate to be involved with this exciting technology. Big, amazing surprises about new applications and processes almost are a certainty, if the past is any indicator.

If the emphasis on energy savings, CO2 emissions and sustainability continues, the outlook for this technology is very exciting. In many cases, I am not sure there is any better way to meet such enviro-goals while enhancing product and process performance.

Industry Influencer – Vicki Strull

March 18, 2024

Vicki Strull is the complete package. Graphic designer. Branding enthusiast. Motivational speaker. She’s a big-picture thinker who’s passionate about unpacking consumer behavior, following trends and industry innovations, and leading packaging and design strategy. Strull is the principal behind Vicki Strull Design. Over her 25+-year career, Strull has worked with major brands like Sappi, Hershey’s, SC Johnson and Pizza Hut, to name a few.

Strull says she thinks like a CXO – chief experience officer – when working with companies, bridging business growth outcomes with the consumer experience. When she’s not working with brands on identity and creative direction, she’s sharing her insight through energizing speaking engagements.

PostPress caught up with this visionary designer to find out how she landed in the packaging and design industry, what she sees for the future of packaging and why the sense of touch is an important component to the overall design strategy.

How did your career develop in the packaging design industry?

Back in the 90s, when I was honing my skills as a graphic designer, digital marketing didn’t exist. So naturally, my expertise and interest primarily revolved around print design. As print technologies advanced, I enthusiastically familiarized myself with short runs, variable data and digital finishing. About 10 years ago, recognizing the tremendous potential for growth, I shifted my focus toward packaging design. I consistently emphasize to my clients that a brand’s packaging is its most crucial touch point. Even in an increasingly online and virtual world, a brand cannot truly exist without packaging in the real world.

Tell us why you started your business.

I’m a graphic designer by trade, but people often say to me, “You’re not like any graphic designer I’ve ever met.” And that’s because for every client I’ve had, I connect design concepts to business goals. No design decision is arbitrary, and every design choice advances the vision of the business. For the past 25 years, I’ve operated a design business to create conceptual, meaningful, memorable experiences while supporting my clients’ businesses so that they grow and thrive. Good design choices become great business opportunities.

How is the industry embracing global trends such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from brand owners and consumers?

I’ve observed many significant changes in the industry in recent years. Increasingly, brands are becoming more environmentally responsible as consumers hold brands accountable. As a result, I’ve seen brands shift their packaging to renewable resources, reduce waste by changing the packaging structure or explore packaging that can be repurposed. Suppose we can produce a compelling, lighter package that uses fewer materials while still protecting the product – that makes both business and design sense. Everyone, including shoppers, wins.

In a recent Sappi webinar, I highlighted some health and beauty and household product brands reformulating their products into concentrates, allowing customers to add water once the products are at home. If brands create products that use less water, the product’s volume is reduced, requiring less packaging, which weighs less and uses less fuel to transport, thereby saving money, energy and water. It all adds up. For example, what if a bar of shampoo became the norm? So much good could result for the environment.

What trends are emerging in design and production that will influence the future of the print packaging industry? How do specialty effects such as metallics and coatings fit into this future?

I cannot stress enough the importance of physical things in a progressively online world. In the print packaging industry, we have an opportunity to bridge both worlds.

Think about all the packaging you have saved over the years. Almost everyone I know has at least one saved Apple box. Why? None of us will return our iPhones or iPads, yet we keep that box. Somehow, we feel an emotional connection, and it has meaning for us.

It’s scientifically proven that we remember things better and have a stronger emotional connection to objects when we touch them. Several years ago, Sappi published a piece about the importance of haptics and the endowment effect. That research was groundbreaking in helping designers and converters attach science to the ROI of adding textures, embellishments, foil stamps and tactile finishing to their clients’ print and packaging.

Touch is essential not only in stores on the shelf but also in e-commerce unboxing experiences. Adding metallics, raised coatings, embossed elements and textures to packaging entices people to touch, pick up and hold products. These haptic elements on the packaging also influence perceptions of quality, luxury and value.

What are the biggest challenges in the print packaging industry? How should the industry respond?

Unboxing experiences! Often, with online-only brands, the first time someone encounters the brand in the physical world occurs at home. A package is delivered, someone opens a box and they either are elated, disappointed or ‘meh’ about what they see.

Everything is so beautifully presented and curated online that the arrival of the actual product can be a letdown unless the unboxing experience matches or exceeds the online experience. To earn trust and loyalty, brands need their customers to be thrilled about their unboxing so people will share the experience with their ‘friends’ online, give a good review and write glowing testimonials.

What are your predictions for print packaging in the next five to 10 years?

As consumers become savvier about the circular economy and what is truly good for the environment, brands and suppliers in the packaging industry will shift solutions to consider packaging’s entire life cycle. By reconsidering the supply chain – material sources, chain-of-custody, energy usage and water consumption – brands can address climate change holistically rather than the end-of-life, recycling piece. As designers and converters, it’s our job to educate our clients on the best solutions for their applications.

There are leaders in the industry who already are thinking and working on this more nuanced approach to the circular economy, and I expect that they will lead the way in not only creating a healthier paradigm for packaging but also in educating the public on how recycling is one piece of a circular economy rather than the end-game within a linear economy.

Vicki Strull will give the keynote presentation, “How Embellishments Support the Power of Touch,” at the Print Embellishment Conference in Dallas, Texas, on April 10, 2024. The conference runs April 9-11. Register for the conference at www.fsea.com/print-embellishment-conference. Learn more about Strull at www.vickistrull.com.

Industry Influencer: Christine Yardley

December 11, 2023

Christine Yardley believes the world of art and design often pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with print. And she loves to push those boundaries. The industry veteran, who now serves as president of Print Panther Direct, a commercial print services company located in Oakville, Canada, has worked hard to make sure her company is poised to be a part of the print evolution.

PostPress posed questions to Yardley to tap into her embellishment expertise, get her thoughts on emerging trends and discover how Print Panther Direct pushes the boundaries of print.

What excites you the most about the print and embellishment industry?

Evolving our print to meet our clients’ needs is both what excites us and keeps us in our leadership position. Being able to offer specialty inks and embellishments pushes our business beyond commodity print. Beyond CMYK.

We want to print print that matters. If that can create or recreate a brand – then we have succeeded.

How did your career develop in the print industry?

I did not start out owning a printing company. I was a typographer. I loved and breathed typography. That abruptly changed in 1984, and I remember thinking we had lost an art form. But technology won out and today I see that in the printing industry as well. Digital embellishments have defined our business. Technology is winning again. But this time I am so ready for it. I guess practice makes perfect.

You’ve said embellished print is next-generation print. Explain what you mean by that.
Next-generation print is technology driven but at the same time evokes emotion. It maintains and sustains a true sense of purpose. Better print, better future.

Seven years ago, when we embarked upon our embellishment journey, we were not thinking about tactile engagement, emotional connection, perceived value or packaging psychology. I am quite certain most printers did not think about it. We just knew our clients wanted more. And technology was a great place to start in wanting more for the printed page.

What trends are emerging in design and production that will influence the future of the print and embellishment industry?

Brands will continue to strive to reinforce their connection with their consumers, and the ones that innovate and stay current and relevant with all the facets of their brand are the ones most likely to keep succeeding. The physical appeal of print must communicate its relevance with its contemporary look and tactile feel. We live in an age where people expect change and “newness” to keep them engaged. Embellished print engages.

Talk about the digital printing process Giclee and how Print Panther Direct is using it with digital embellishment.

We work with artists and designers who continually explore embellishment techniques to create visually stunning and thought-provoking pieces. Giclee prints are extremely high-quality, archival-grade, digital prints that use an ultra-fine inkjet printing process to produce images of intense color and vibrancy. Embellishment with digital foils and spot varnish add another dimension to giclee prints, making each print a unique and collectable, stunning piece of artwork.

Which markets are growing the use of embellishments in print? What is influencing that growth?

The science behind the focused power of embellished print is a multifaceted field that combines design, psychology and marketing. Understanding the influence of print – especially when enhanced with embellishments – can shape consumer behavior and drive brand success no matter the industry. Brands now are understanding that.

What are your predictions for the print industry in the next five to 10 years?
I was reading an article I wrote for www.EATPRINTLOVE.com back in 2018. An excerpt mentions that the volume of digital print enhancement and embellishment printing was growing at a rate of 27% CAGR from 2015 to 2020 and was expected to reach 25 billion pages of embellished printing by 2020. With the pandemic, I am not sure that happened. Regardless, [the quoted report] also found that profit margins on digitally embellished pieces range from 50% to over 400%! This should excite any printers reading this right now, as it stands to radically transform the growth rate of their businesses.

One of the reasons for this opportunity is simply to add value to digital print pages, but there is an interesting synergy between digital print and CMYK+ special effects. CMYK+ allows high-value effects to be done affordably in shorter runs and with quicker turnarounds than with conventional methods. The personalization capabilities of digital print also make it possible not only to add the special effect, but also to make each printed piece unique. So, I guess my predictions have not changed in the last five years. They still hold true. High-value effects = happy clients and additional profit.

How does having the right equipment change your business?

Print Panther Direct has built a great team of young people with transformative ideas and no fear of technology.

The acquisition of our new Konica Minolta MGI JETvarnish 3D Evolution with its larger sheet size opens up exactly the kinds of opportunities we like to seize and our clients like to take advantage of. Brands always will be about their emotional pull as well as their physical appeal, and the two should be inexorably linked.

Just as their emotional appeal must keep abreast of the latest consumer insights, so the physical appeal, has to communicate its relevance with its contemporary look and tactile feel. We live in an age where people expect change and “newness” to keep them engaged.

What inspired you to create your black tux with silver holographic foil?

I love the bling; I am not an overly blingy person though. So having fun with the gold foil dress I did during the pandemic and now the more serious business black tux with holographic is just about putting a little fun into the workday. I remember when we first acquired our Xerox Iridesee Press with fluorescent pink specialty ink – the staff all donned “Hot Hot Hot” T-shirts and we danced to the song “Hot Hot Hot” by Arrow. When the artist was asked why he wrote this song, his reply was, “‘Feeling Hot Hot Hot’ makes you forget that there’s a volcano and remember there’s fun to be had.” That is why I do what I do. There is fun to be had.

Industry Influencer: George White

September 1, 2023

George White can make the case for greeting cards in today’s digital world. The greeting card industry veteran has witnessed industry changes over the years to include e-cards, m-cards and social media, but what hasn’t changed is the strong need for more authentic, lasting connections. That’s where greeting cards shine. Sixty-five percent of consumers agree that receiving cards in the mail lifts their spirits. ¹ White has spent most of his career making sure those special moments continue.

PostPress recently sat down with White to discuss the challenges facing the greeting card industry and where White sees the industry going in light of a more digital world and sustainability demands.

How did your career develop in the greeting card industry, and what is your role now?

I was hired as the general manager of the Alternative Markets Strategic Business Unit at Gibson Greetings in 1997 – a job for which I had zero experience and less training. But that was the point: The president of Gibson previously had worked with me when I was a consultant on entertainment trading cards, and he wanted someone to bring a fresh perspective to the greeting card industry. Two years later, I was managing all greeting cards at Gibson – and then the company was sold to American Greetings, so I left the industry for a few years.

I then became president of Up With Paper, the original pop-up greeting card company, in 2004, and retain that title today, although my main role now is as CEO of CM Paula, a holding company that owns Up With Paper and three other firms across highly diversified industries. I also have been on the Executive Committee (EC) of the Greeting Card Association (GCA) since 2007, served as president in 2020-21 and will rotate off the EC later this year.

How do you see the greeting card industry embracing global trends, such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from consumers and others?

The most important thing a greeting card can do is to facilitate and/or further the relationship between two humans. That has been and will continue to be the number-one driver in how greeting card makers design and produce their cards, and in the cards consumers purchase.

That said, sustainability is of growing importance for both makers and consumers. We will see accelerating growth in efforts to produce more sustainable cards, such as the use of recycled, alternative or FSC paper for card production; a reduction in the use of non-recyclable polybags or other packaging; an emphasis on more sustainable embellishments; and production and/or processing in net-zero facilities. Europe currently is ahead of the US in this department, and the solutions to more deeply embed the greeting card industry in the circular economy vary dramatically, but adherence to those solutions in the US is accelerating.

What are the biggest challenges the greeting card industry faces? How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

The obvious challenges are to ensure that retailers of all sizes and types understand how well greeting cards will sell for them – well beyond traditional stationery stores and large grocery and drug stores – AND to combat lazy media stories that greeting cards are no longer relevant. That could not be further from the truth based on the strong sales of cards to millennials.

Frankly, our biggest challenge may well be the health of the US Postal Service, which traditionally has delivered nearly 60% of purchased greeting cards to their final recipient. The rapid price increases, deterioration of service and the inability of USPS to well handle thicker, heavier and odd-sized envelopes with the types of unique cards millennials prefer are combining to make it much more difficult for consumers to send the cards they want to their friends and family. If that continues, it will put a lot of negative pressure on card sales.

It is hard to envision an alternative that can deliver to any household in the US, quickly and at a reasonable price, so our response has to be to halt the negative slide at USPS.

What trends are emerging in the design, production and distribution of greeting cards that will influence the future of the industry?

As indicated, as the influence of millennial consumers continues to grow in our industry, the design, production and distribution of greeting cards will need to continue to change to meet that demand. That means more small and diversified designers and makers; more small-batch production with more embellishments, done more sustainably; and broader and thinner distribution – meaning more stores will carry cards, but with a lower number of cards in each location, with the cards carried matching the customer psychographics of that location.

What are your predictions for the greeting card industry in the next five to 10 years?

The greeting card industry is in a good place. We have a record number of small makers in the industry, and while our largest card buyers by volume, baby boomers, are declining, our largest segment by dollars, millennials, are only now entering their primary card-buying life stages – getting married, having babies and buying a house (not necessarily in that order!) – as they are now 29-42 years old.

I would expect mass-market card sections in Walmart and Kroger stores to get smaller, but the number and variety of retailers carrying greeting cards will continue to expand.

Embellishments will continue to drive sales and pricing as millennials continue to look for differentiated cards that reflect who they are AND their relationship with recipients of their cards.

Overall, I expect greeting card volume to continue a slow decline, but overall greeting card dollar sales to enjoy a slow increase. In short, the next five to 10 years are a good time for small makers, for suppliers able to help them produce unique, differentiated cards for the millennial market and for small retailers who have women customers with money and taste and carry the right greeting cards for them.

Reference

“Greeting Cards – Facts and Info to Know,” The Greeting Card Association, www.greetingcard.org

Industry Influencer: Adam Peek

June 5, 2023

Adam Peek is passionate about family. He’s also passionate about packaging. The
husband and father of five children has found a way to combine his passions into a fascinating and rewarding career as a self-proclaimed evangelist for the packaging industry. Over the 15 years that Peek has been in the packaging industry, his resume reads more like an adventure book: packaging company executive, ordained Baptist minister, podcast host, sustainability consultant, trainer, global speaker, soon-to-be-published children’s book author… and part-time rapper.

Peek graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then earned a Master of Business Administration with blockchain and supply chain concentrations from Quantic School of Business Technology. Peek is a licensed and ordained reverend through the Southern Baptist Convention.

Peek recently partnered with PostPress magazine to talk about his career, sustainability in the packaging industry and emerging trends.

How has your career developed in the packaging industry?

I started with Peek Packaging (our family business) and it was a great job, but then I moved back to Colorado Springs to start a church with some friends. I thought I was done in packaging and eventually would be a full-time pastor. While the church was taking longer to get off the ground, I got a job at WS Packaging Group in sales, and that was really where I figured out packaging was awesome! From there, I had a short season at Fortis during the COVID-19 pandemic before accepting my dream job at Meyers Printing, a Minnesota-based packaging, label and retail display company, where I’m currently the senior vice president of sales.

You describe yourself as an “evangelist for the packaging industry.” What is it about packaging that gets you fired up?

Evangelist means bringer of good news, so I really try to focus on finding good news to share about the industry. There’s always going to be negativity because ultimately we are creating trash, but there’s so much value and goodness that can be found in what problems packaging actually solves that I choose to get excited about those areas, for sure!

How has the packaging industry embraced global issues such as circular economy and sustainability?

I think out of necessity the industry has been forced to adjust to the demand for larger-scale sustainability, along with innovating to create unique advantages in the marketplace. We haven’t yet done a great job of telling the stories about what it is we actually are doing, and I hope I’ve helped make a small dent in sharing through my podcast, weekly news show on LinkedIn and children’s book, Packaging Peeks and the Sticky Situation, coming out in August 2023.

Embellishments, such as foils and specialty coatings, continue to be very popular with packaging (carton and label) applications. Why do you think this is the case? What advantages do you believe special embellishments bring to the table for the brand owners?

Brands have very little time to capture attention on the shelf. Not only are they competing with the other brands, but with cell phone use at such a high rate, they also are having to compete with the screen. Even DTC (direct-to-consumer) brands need to create unboxing experiences and attention-grabbing packaging in homes. So, embellishments continue to be used by these brands as a means to grab attention.

The advantage brand owners get is the ever-sought-after currency of attention and eyes on their product. Even though the cost of attention is much higher, the cost of lost sales and market share is catastrophic in many cases.

Meyers recently went through a brand refresh to reflect its leadership in the sustainable packaging industry. Explain what it means to you to work at a company that shares your passion for sustainability.

Along with the brand refresh, we also compiled a free 64-page e-book about sustainability in packaging. It has helped to define our “why” as a company and to work with people who have similar passions. I’m one of those people, so being tapped to be a co-author on the book really showed how much the company values me and how committed it is to the new company direction.

You’ve talked to a lot of people through your “People of Packaging” podcast. What’s the best advice you’ve received from a guest?

Honestly, it is really, really hard to nail down one thing as “best advice.” I will say one person who has stuck out is Darrell Jobe in what he’s built at Vericool. His
story – from being a gang member to the CEO of one of the more sustainable packaging manufacturers in the world – is remarkable! Editor’s note: Listen to Peek’s People of Packaging Podcast at www.peopleofpackaging.com.

What are the biggest challenges facing the packaging industry?

There are many challenges for sure, but one of the biggest is that we are not attracting young, innovative and diverse talent to our industry, which will stagnate our ability to make the changes necessary as the industry moves forward.

What are some of the emerging trends that you believe will influence the future of the packaging industry?

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is going to come in really strong across the planet, so the industry, along with brands, will have to learn to navigate both consumer demand and political regulations, which will vary from country to country and state to state. There also will be a significant challenge in how we feed 10 billion people while doing minimal to no damage to our climate. Packaging will play a significant role there as well, I think.

What advice do you have for people entering the packaging industry?

Surround yourself with people who will foster a growth mindset in you. The industry is wonderful and full of many incredible people, and we get to solve big, incredible problems together. Find the people and career path where you experience joy and you’ll realize what I did – that packaging is awesome!

Industry Influencer: Emilio Corti

March 15, 2023

Emilio Corti is the region business director, Americas for BOBST.

Emilio Corti is fluent in four languages – something that likely has come in handy over the course of his expansive career. Today, Corti is based in the United States, serving as region business director for BOBST, where he’s responsible for the company’s capital business throughout the Americas. PostPress magazine posed questions to Corti to tap into his expertise in folding cartons and find out what he thinks of the future of the industry.

How did your career develop in the folding carton and packaging industry?

I have worked in the industry since the early 1990s, specializing in initiating, restructuring and managing local sales and services branches. I joined the BOBST team in 2003 as marketing and sales manager of the folder-gluers product line.

My earlier career with BOBST included a move to Mexico, where I became CEO of the North Latin America business. Working with outstanding teams, I was able to re-establish the company’s leading market position in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean by building new working procedures and processes and increasing overall efficiency. From there, I moved to Switzerland, where I led capital sales worldwide for the folding carton and corrugated board industries. In January 2021, I moved back to the US to serve in my current role.

Over the past two years, we’ve seen tremendous growth in certain segments of folding cartons, such as pharmaceuticals and food. Do you expect this to continue in 2023?

Yes, absolutely. Demand for folding cartons is predicted to grow in several end-use segments, including “on-the-go” eating, pharmaceuticals and beverages. “On-the-go” eating growth is due to continuing urbanization, busier lifestyles, more working women and single-parent/single-person households, and time pressures.

Growth in the pharmaceuticals sector, meanwhile, partly is due to changes in regulations, and partly because growing health awareness among consumers, especially since the pandemic, is increasing demand for cartons for pharmaceutical products.

Folding cartons are one of the most sustainable forms of packaging. Do you see more brand owners switching to folding cartons as a more sustainable solution?

Demand for sustainable packaging remains a main driver for growth, and many brand owners have committed to sustainability goals – such as 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. There certainly is an increased utilization of paper instead of plastic and increasing government regulations and legislation for non-recycled material.

Sustainability covers the entire packaging spectrum, and it requires collaboration. We are in a very exciting period for sustainable packaging, and at BOBST, we believe we’ve reached a defining moment. We have introduced oneBARRIER FibreCycle, which is a full paper, mono-material, recycle-ready solution, developed in response to increasing demand in the industry for more paper-based packaging options.

Both as an industry and as a society, we need to keep collaborating and talking. Education is a significant part of this; we need better home education for consumers on waste sorting and recycling, and improved collaboration, not only with the entire packaging spectrum but also with waste management companies, for example. It is a process, but huge steps forward have been made.

What are the biggest challenges facing the print/packaging/folding carton industry? How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

There have been some significant pressures on our industry in the last year or so, due to factors including global economic instability, global supply chain challenges, human resource shortages and the energy crisis.

As we look at the year ahead, our hope is that many of these challenges settle down, but the human resource shortage is an example of a challenge that likely will be ongoing for some time. When we speak with converters, we still are hearing that many of them are struggling to find skilled machine operators or to retain or find skilled personnel.

Companies, like BOBST, can help, whether that’s supporting the training of operators or through the automation and digitalization of the production process. This includes automating the setup of the machines and changeovers, making production for our customers easier, more reliable and therefore more efficient; or automating the machine to enable it to process a PDF file to set up the machine automatically for production – right up to the end product being ready to be shipped to the client.

It’s a challenge but also an opportunity. We can make the process smoother and faster. This industry always has been about adapting and evolving, and we will continue to do that and help our customers to do the same.

What other trends in folding cartons do you predict for 2023 and beyond?

There are three key trends we foresee in 2023: zero-fault packaging, automation and digitalization.

Zero-fault packaging will continue to be a non-negotiable factor. Zero-fault packaging puts the onus on the manufacturer to provide completely fault-free packaging in short lead times. Low quality is not sellable. It means waste and higher costs, and it lowers the converter’s profitability.

Automation of plants will continue to be a key focus. With job runs getting shorter, automation is required for quick changeovers. The ongoing challenges around the lack of skilled manpower and increased production rates will drive further automated solutions. In the near future, companies will have to offer solutions to answer the latest market demands, including robotics and more.

Meanwhile, the digitalization of the industry will continue throughout the complete supply chain. Cloud-based reporting integrated into the quality assurance monitoring systems of equipment enables converters to receive real-time data.

Industry Influencer: Warren Werbitt

December 12, 2022

Warren Werbitt, print industry commentator, influencer and industry veteran.

Print executive, family man and avid fishing enthusiast, Warren Werbitt built a successful printing company based in Montreal, Quebec, which he owned and ran for almost three decades. At its peak, the business was highly profitable, employing 120 people and generating $18 million in annual sales. PostPress caught up with this “hook, line and thinker” commentator, influencer and outspoken industry veteran to get his opinions (which he is never shy to reveal) on some important issues facing the industry.

How did your career develop in the print industry, and what is your role now?

I got into the printing business in 1992 simply as something to do. My father worked in print in a small way. Suddenly, I realized, first and most importantly, that every single person in business needed print. In other words, everyone I met was a potential customer. Over the years, I built the company up by offering more services. At one point, I declared that we were “the first one-stop shop in print.”

We had a 40″ offset press and a 56″ UV offset machine. We had the first IGEN5 in the world with three extra colors and a large sheet size of 24 x 16″. We offered large-format roll-to-roll and flatbed printing. We had an HP Indigo 4500 digital printer, a Mark Andy 10-color flexographic press and digital cutters. We were the first to be FSC-, PEFC- and SFI-certified. Basically, I didn’t want to leave anything out. We also were Pantone-certified – probably one of only 20 companies in North America at that time.

While I was running and building the company, I made it a point to go to every industry tradeshow, join all the key industry associations, be an active and outspoken member in industry peer groups, and make sure that everybody knew about me and my company. I even created a video that went viral called Printing’s Alive. Even though I no longer had a company, I simply couldn’t leave print, because as I’ve always said, “Ink is in my veins.”

Currently, I’m partnering with Takitful President Kevin Abergel and helping consumers connect to brands using the science of touch – and digital embellishment printing technology. Basically, we work with equipment manufacturers to help them and their clients – the printers – succeed. We are offering sales, operations, design, go-to-market and estimating expertise to help more companies sell more touchable, embellished, sexy print.

What are the biggest challenges for the print industry, and how should it respond?

I think the challenges that the industry faces really have to do with just life in general. Everything constantly is changing. Printers, most importantly, must step up their game. There are a lot of good commercial printers that do everything right. But there are a lot that don’t, for whatever reasons. I think they need to sit down and closely examine their businesses and adapt to what their customers need. They must “get in front” of their customers and have some serious conversations.

So how do printers “get in front” of their customers? Well, they prepare programs, bring samples, talk to them, ask the hard questions, ask how their business is and most of all, ask how the printer can help them. There are so many ways that the printers can become a valued partner. As far back as I remember, the industry always has faced challenges. Think back to when there were negatives in platemaking, paper plates and cutting Rubyliths. Then computer-to-plate (CTP) technology came in and that was a gamechanger. Aqueous coating was a gamechanger. UV printing and embellishment were gamechangers. In short, printers must, must, must embrace ongoing change.

But what is the industry really doing about this? Manufacturers must make sure that their customers are buying the right equipment for their specific needs. Print companies need to make sure they’re buying equipment that’s right for their own production operation, as well as their customers’ needs. There must be better communication. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are out to sell equipment, and rightfully so. But once they sell it to a printer, printers are stuck with it. They’ve got to pay for it. If a printer doesn’t know how to sell to his/her customer what this new piece of equipment produces, there’s a huge problem.

I think more than anything, the industry needs to come together. I think that we need to work more as a team. I know we often hear comments like: “Oh, it’s tough out there. We’re going to see companies close.” Yes! Some companies do, indeed, shut their doors, and some manufacturers do merge. The bottom line is that manufacturers, suppliers and printers need to work together for our industry to flourish.

What trends are emerging in print that will influence the future of the printing industry?

Like I said before, everything’s always evolving in this industry. So, when I think about trends and I think about print, I generally think about several areas – digital adoption, color management technology, workflow automation and robotics, print embellishments, targeted direct mail using variable data, and so on. All this technology will make the industry better, but printers and their staff must learn it, embrace it, and promote it to their own customers. We could talk about this forever, but if no one does anything about it, then where is our industry really going?

There are all kinds of solutions out there. Printers must take an objective look at their own company and explore what areas or operations could be improved. For example, just the other day I heard people talking about getting into the label-printing business. Yes, many label businesses are booming. What they didn’t discuss was that, if you open a label company today, you can’t get proper substrates because most already are allocated. So yes, the price of a digital label press has come down – but they didn’t consider the finishing, the rewinding, the diecutting or the embellishments.

Yes, the packaging industry is on fire. But are companies prepared to warehouse a million dollars’ worth of inventory? Because the packaging industry works quite differently in those specific markets. Entering new, lucrative markets can be very exciting, but at the end of the day, I’d really do my homework and have conversations with the people who can help ask the right questions and get the right answers.

There’s so much exceptional technology out there, but its success depends on three factors – what the customer wants, what a commercial printer needs and the future direction in which a company wants to go.

Which markets/verticals are growing their use of print and what is influencing that growth?

Well, we see a lot of large-format printing these days. Wayfinding and directional signage are on fire. Labels and print embellishments are on fire. At the end of the day, I think companies must look at where the opportunities lie, but be realistic about their equipment, budget and in-house capabilities. Each company must understand who its core customers are and what they want. If printers are going to look for new customers, they likely will have to learn and invest in new technology. They’re not just going to walk into a new market and hit the jackpot.

In terms of what’s influencing current growth in specific markets, I can’t really tell you, to be honest. All I know is the more we are bombarded by digital messages, the more we’ll see print cutting through the noise.

What are your predictions for the print industry in the next five to 10 years?

So where do I see the industry in five to 10 years? I don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball. I do think print always is going to be around because there’ll always be a need for print. From the minute we wake up to the minute we go to bed, everywhere we look, there’s print.

If a company is lucky enough to be in this industry, keep an ear close to the ground. Be in constant communication with core customers. And understand what those customers are doing and why. That’s the best strategy, in my opinion.

Industry Influencer: Keith Whisler

March 22, 2022

PostPress

The Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA) exists to promote the value of paper-based communications and, in particular, envelopes and printed products. EMA is dedicated to the business activities of manufacturers and envelope printers, forms companies, packaging companies, market intermediaries and the suppliers that support the industry. EMA works closely with state, national and global legislative and regulatory authorities to ensure business remains successful and to protect the industry.

EMA’s Senior Director of Technical Services Keith Whisler spoke with PostPress to discuss trends, changes in envelope manufacturing and what the future holds – in both predictions for the industry and upcoming events.

What changes have you seen in envelope manufacturing in the last few years? What are some of the trends happening in direct mail and envelopes?

The increase in digital communication and e-commerce continues to change the landscape of the direct mail and envelope industry, as well as alternate mail product solutions also impacting the industry. As a result, marketers and mail providers are finding success with creative messaging that takes advantage of the physical features of paper communications. Finishing techniques such as embossing, diecutting, foil treatments and special coatings bring a higher quality level to the mail piece, which increases open rates. Of course, personalization and multi-channel communications also take advantage of the power of physical mail.

What are the biggest challenges the direct mail and envelope industry currently is facing? How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

Digital communication continues to threaten both transactional and marketing mail communications. Ensuring the relevance of direct mail in multi-channel communications creates an avenue for growth.

From a manufacturing perspective, the availability of qualified labor is quite a challenge. The aging workforce continues to be difficult to replace – not just in the paper industry, however. Other industries are competing for the same labor pool, while the training of new replacements can be time consuming. Alternative recruiting efforts and new training methods will help the industry move forward.

We know EMA is one of the association sponsors for the upcoming Amplify Print event. Embellishments, such as foils and specialty coatings, continue to be very popular in the production of envelopes and direct mail. Why do you think this has been a trend? Do you believe it will continue to be a trend in the future?

The Envelope Manufacturers Association is looking forward to participating in the Amplify Print event to endorse the value of using creative finishing techniques in envelopes and direct mail. As the only trade association dedicated to envelope manufacturers and the suppliers who support them, EMA will share the advantages of membership and how we work to improve the longevity of the envelope and direct mail marketing.

The impact of non-verbal, haptic communications through the sense of touch can be extremely powerful. This only can be achieved through a physical item, such as paper, which delivered via mail is an incredibly effective avenue to reach the intended audience. These techniques will continue to develop new creative means to impact emotional responses.

What predictions do you have for the envelope and direct mail industry in the near and long-term future?

The envelope industry will continue to take advantage of creative print and finishing techniques to increase the value to the envelope. It also will continue to expand product offerings such as lightweight packaging, folded mailers and other mail industry services. Long-term, we will see an increase in digital printing and personalization combined with other media to create robust and creative marketing communications.

Industry Influencer: Mickey Fortune

September 9, 2021

PostPress

RadTech International North America’s mission is to promote the use and development of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) processing as an industrial technique, offering energy savings, elimination of pollution, greater productivity, higher yields and the opportunity for improved, new or unique products. The association for UV and EB technologies recently promoted Mickey Fortune to associate executive director, education and outreach. Fortune has been with RadTech for nearly 20 years, spearheading a number of important new opportunities and initiatives, while overseeing RadTech conferences and educational programming.

Fortune spoke with PostPress to discuss his time in the industry, educational programs he’s involved with and challenges RadTech has encountered as a result of the pandemic.

How did you get your start with RadTech International North America and the industry?

I began in my early 20’s at a concert promotions company in the DC/Baltimore area handling all the grassroots marketing for club shows and outdoor music festivals. It was a great job, but you get burned out quickly because the hours were insane. When I left that company, I took a position in the association business as a membership marketing manager at an aviation maintenance association. The people on staff were nice, but the association moved too slow for me. It took months to get projects off the ground, so I started looking around for something new, leading me to RadTech. I interviewed with Gary Cohen for an admin/support position at RadTech and 20 years later, I’m still working with Gary, but now in a larger role.

What educational programs does RadTech offer for UV and EB curing technologies?

We feel like everything we do is educational at RadTech as our mission is to educate potential and current users about the many benefits of using UV and EB curing technology, while supporting our members as they develop new products and enter new markets. Some of our main educational products over the past few years have included webinars (especially over the past year and a half), conferences, website updates, health and safety posters, 10-minute email courses and a multi-module health and safety video series we developed especially for our membership.

How do you see the industries involved with UV, UV LED and EB curing embracing global trends such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from brand owners and consumers?

Our members have worked hard to fully embrace sustainability demands from brand owners and consumers, while participating in the circular economy. The challenge always has been the additional cost required to develop and introduce sustainable materials. UV and EB curing always have been sustainable processes from an energy-use perspective, but lately our members have been super focused with end-of-life considerations for products that contain UV- and EB-curable technology. For instance, the recyclability and compostability of food packaging or other paper and plastic products that have UV and EB curable inks, coatings, labels, etc., are receiving extra attention.

While brand owners and consumers demand sustainable products, I am concerned that all the adjacent industries still struggle with what sustainable means. Also, not all recycling plants have the proper technology to accommodate the de-inking of food packaging, which presents a problem that should be rectified by the recycling and waste management infrastructure to really allow for proper recycling of all packages.

What trends are emerging in UV/EB curing that will influence the future of print, packaging and related industries?

In addition to sustainability, we will continue to see growth in the use of UV-curable resins for 3D printing and additive manufacturing applications. We recently had a webinar with Ford Motor Company where the company outlined all of the various ways it plans to use photopolymer-driven additive manufacturing in the coming years. From sneakers to football helmets, this highly adaptive technology will continue to forge ahead into new markets, and UV- and EB-curable technology will be there to enable creativity and innovation. Personally, I would be interested to see how the future of home delivery for groceries and other items affects packaging development. I would assume brand owners would be looking for inks and coatings with enhanced durability properties for longer stays in warehouses prior to shipping to a consumer.

Which markets and verticals are growing their use of UV and EB curing? What is influencing that growth?

As I’ve mentioned previously, 3D printing and additive manufacturing will continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, especially as material properties improve toward production-ready parts to serve unique, localized markets with bespoke needs. I also believe that because of the updated report released by the United Nations on climate change, there will be an even stronger push toward greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sustainable solutions. UV/EB technologies always have been a part of the greenhouse gas reduction solution and will play a large part across all manufacturing channels as we work to meet reduction goals.

What are the biggest challenges the UV/EB curing industry faces? How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

Over the past year, we saw several supply chain shocks across the industry, which will continue to persist as long as COVID-19 persists. Even before that, we saw difficulties in obtaining a variety of chemicals and materials because of other supply chain issues. In addition, we struggle with a variety of regulatory agencies that are slow to approve new materials, which stifles the growth and innovation necessary to offer more sustainable products to brand owners and consumers. Looking toward the future, the key to successful growth is in new materials, developed in a more distributed fashion to mitigate supply chain issues, while also being able to better support and serve local users and developing markets.

What are your predictions for the UV/EB curing industry in the next five to 10 years?

UV/EB curing technology always has been a responsive and flexible technology, enabling and supporting new markets. In the next five to 10 years, we will continue to see growth in UV/EB materials to support emerging market needs, including a continued drive for sustainable products that offer anti-microbial properties.