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 Production & Printing

Consolidation transforms the printing industry landscape

Jennifer Mann March 01, 2012

While consolidation has been a growth and hang-on strategy for some in the printing industry, the space is undergoing such a seismic shift in its expanding arrays of services that the old metrics and measures no longer apply.
 

Bluestem signs new Quad/Graphics services extension

December 13, 2011

Printer Quad/Graphics signed a $135 million multi-year agreement with long-term partner Bluestem Brands on Dec. 12. Under the terms of the new agreement, Quad/Graphics will increase its media services up to 2,000%, said Jeffrey T. Brogle, Quad/Graphics Midwest sales director.
 

Plug-ins: printing & production

November 01, 2011

The printing and production sector has undergone major transformation in a digitally dominated market, and many marketers can now use the dual impact of print media and technology to communicate marketing messages to customers. At the same time, there has been a recalibration of expectations for improved sales and greater return on investment.
 

Q&A with Christa Carone, CMO of Xerox Corp.

August 01, 2011

Christa Carone discusses Xerox's b-to-b client retention strategy.
 

Paper and ink prices rise, but industry executives more troubled by postal hike

Mercedes Cardona May 01, 2011

War and natural disasters won't slow the rise in printing costs. Conflicts in the Middle East, especially the Libyan civil war, drove oil prices from $90 a barrel in early February to more than $112 in April, and that puts pressure on prices of raw materials, including many of the precursor ingredients for inks.
 

Rising paper costs, postal price increases force adjustments

March 01, 2011

Marketers sound off on how rising costs are impacting strategies
 

Quad/Graphics launches commercial, specialty division

Ben Comer December 16, 2010

Printer Quad/Graphics has created a commercial and specialty print division, combining the recently acquired HGI Company operations with those of its magazine, catalog and book-printing business.
 

Brands plot b-to-b campaigns to showcase vertical expertise

October 01, 2010

Several major brands recently launched global b-to-b campaigns, emphasizing their expertise in new areas and signaling a change in their overall marketing strategy. UPS, Xerox and Zurich Financial Services all debuted significant business-facing campaigns in the past month.
 

Marketers brace for paper cost increase

August 23, 2010

Direct marketers and catalogers are preparing to face paper cost increases this fall, while also planning for a possible significant postal rate increase in January.
 

Post Quad/Graphics-Worldcolor acquisition, companies combine forces

July 14, 2010

Now that Quad/Graphics' acquisition of Worldcolor is complete, Quad is beginning the integration portion of the deal.
 

Variable data helps make print personal

March 15, 2010

Direct marketers know they can use variable data printing to create highly personalized marketing pieces. Our experts discuss the best ways to segment and measure these VDP efforts to optimize your ROI.
 

IWCO Direct to acquire Transcontinental Direct's US locations

February 10, 2010

IWCO Direct, a Chanhassen, MN-based company specializing in direct mail, has acquired the US direct mail operations of Transcontinental, a Montreal-based printer. The deal, announced February 10, is expected to close this spring. Terms were not disclosed.
 

Quad/Graphics to buy Worldcolor

February 01, 2010

Quad/Graphics plans to acquire rival print and digital services firm Worldcolor this summer, the two companies announced last week.
 

As the printing press turns

November 30, 2009

Advances in printing technology have already dramatically changed the face of direct mail in the past three decades. The biggest issue printers face now is finding a way to communicate what is possible to marketers.
 

Digital printing is smart, cost-effective

Jan Riecher, VP and GM, Americas Graphics Solutions Business, HP September 28, 2009

Digital print production can be a turning point for marketers to increase their competitiveness and grow even while gaining cost savings and a faster ROI on campaigns.
 

New VDP platform from Advanced Image Direct integrates Salesforce

September 25, 2009

Advanced Image Direct (AID) has patented Cloud2Mail, a variable data digital print platform that processes orders from the Web and prints four-color envelopes and letters simultaneously.
 

UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc. conduct localized effort to promote Web printing service

September 22, 2009

Local branches of Mail Boxes Etc. and the UPS Store, both UPS companies, are conducting a multifaceted marketing effort to promote online printing services, which allow consumers and businesses to publish documents from the Web. The initiative targets small to midsize businesses.
 

National rollout of FedEx Office print platform completed

September 21, 2009

FedEx Office has completed the rollout of its Design & Print Center platform, which was announced in May. Working with commercial printer VistaPrint, FedEx Office has created a digital self-service tool for small business owners to create and order custom business cards, letterhead and marketing collateral. The service is available in the more than 1,100 FedEx Office stores either via an in-store kiosk or from the computer terminals available for customer use.
 

HP and RRD partner on digital inkjet initiatives

September 14, 2009

Looking to improve its position in the direct mail, transactional and transpromo markets, HP announced a technology alliance with RR Donnelley last week to develop digital printing solutions for inkjet-based digital presses.
 

HP and Pitney Bowes partner to offer integrated print and mail system

September 11, 2009

HP and Pitney Bowes announced an alliance at the Print 09 trade show on September 11 through which Pitney will manage sales of the HP Inkjet Web Press for the transactional and trans-promotional print markets. Pitney will offer the product as part of the Pitney Bowes IntelliJet Printing System, which is used by large volume mailers. The system includes the HP T300 Color Inkjet engine, a high-speed Pitney Bowes mail finishing system, and a single service and support team.
 

Vertis appoints Calta first CMO

September 08, 2009

Vertis Communications named Kathy Calta its first CMO, effective September 1. She most recently served as partner at interactive agency Rosetta. The goal of creating the position, Calta said, is to help the company work more closely with its clients.
 

HP helps marketers reach consumers' printers directly

September 08, 2009

HP has announced a series of relationships with marketers anxious to reach consumers with material they can print at home. In addition, HP has launched the HP APP Studio, a Web site where consumers can access print applications that connect a printer to the Web, without the need for a computer, so they can print movie tickets, coupons and other content.
 

Do oversize postcards add value to mailings?

August 31, 2009

The rush to stand out in the mailbox, as well as advances in mail technology, has led some marketers to consider larger mailers. But are they worth it? Two experts examine options.
 

VDP's evolution leads to many new options

August 17, 2009

Some marketers don't always understand how sophisticated variable data printing can be, because they haven't used it extensively. Four experts discuss what VDP offers to help smooth out the learning curve.
 

Sinclair Oil, InfoPrint deal brings transpromo to b-to-b space

August 10, 2009

In one of the first significant applications of transpromo techniques in the business-to-business arena, Sinclair Oil Corp. has chosen InfoPrint Solution Co.'s transpromo software to drive usage of a fuel and expense card for truckers. "This is significant to see relevant content being used in this way move into the b-to-b space," said Lee Gallagher, manager of direct marketing solutions at InfoPrint.
 

Harte-Hanks brings new talent into Shoppers business

July 16, 2009

Harte-Hanks made a pair of recent hires to its Shoppers business as it looks to build synergy between its print strategy and its online and mobile marketing. So Young Park has been named VP, marketing for PennySaverUSA.com and will oversee brand and consumer marketing for PennySaverUSA's network of sites. Doug Williams has been named VP, e-commerce for PennySaverUSA.com and will oversee online sales, b-to-b partnerships and advertising products.
 

Johnson & Quin acquires certain assets of Staples' direct mail division InteliMail

July 06, 2009

Direct mail production and printing services provider Johnson & Quin has acquired certain assets of Staples Print Solutions' direct mail division InteliMail. The deal brings Johnson & Quin customers in the financial services, retail and government arenas as well as additional bindery, lettershop and affixing capabilities.
 

Printers look to merge in slowdown

June 12, 2009

Print service providers are responding to one of the most challenging economic environments ever by joining forces and expanding services to compete.
 

FamilyFun plays up Disney connection, launches custom pub division

June 11, 2009

FamilyFun magazine is rebranding and launching a line of spin-off products and a custom publishing line in a rare growth push for media companies in this economy. The moms- and kids-focused monthly will be known as Disney FamilyFun, after its parent company, as of the August issue. The company's magazine publishing division is also changing its name, to Disney FamilyFun Group, all in an effort to make the most of combined brand power of Disney and the 2.1 million-circulation FamilyFun.
 

Quebecor World declines RR Donnelley's offers

June 10, 2009

Ailing printing company Quebecor World has rejected RR Donnelley & Sons latest offer to acquire it and, instead, has decided to proceed with a reorganization plan currently underway as a result of bankruptcy proceedings. Quebecor World has said it could emerge from creditor protection by mid-July.