The student-run printing and design operation at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic to produce campus directional and COVID-19 safety signage.

As this strange summer winds down, one of the hottest topics in the news has been the reopening of schools. No matter what the decision is, in-plants are doing what they do best: adapting to changing circumstances and adding value for their parent organizations.

Expect the printing industry to grow in 2021, boosted by a sharp upturn in the American economy. We can be sure, however, that the upcoming recovery will be selective, giving some companies a lift, while shutting others out.

According to NAPCO Research and the PRINTING United Alliance, graphic and sign producers were hit hard as the pandemic forced closures in March and April. Since then, things have improved dramatically, but the average change is still negative.

The coronavirus pandemic has wiped out many of the print jobs in-plants relied on. What types of work can replace this vanishing event-based work? And how is the work mix at in-plants changing as the result of COVID-19?

During the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, printers have stepped up to ensure their customers have the essential resources they need to survive. Here are just a few examples of their efforts.

In an age when six feet apart is the norm, how will in-plant production meetings take place from now on? Will employees continue to gather in conference rooms? Are video calls really a workable substitute? In part two of our report on the future of in-plants after COVID-19, we talked with nearly a dozen managers about this and other key issues.

This article highlights the efforts of three printing companies, and provides recovery-focused strategies presented by a well-known industry consultant.

The National Association of Manufacturers launched “Wear a Face Covering,” an ad campaign designed to keep our economy growing and protect American families. It will run in key manufacturing states, such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio, among others.

PRINTING United will be a comprehensive online experience this October and in-person once again in October 2021. Exhibitors learned of the sequence of events that led to the change in an online announcement on June 24.

The repercussions from COVID-19 will be felt for a long time to come. What will your in-plant look like in the months ahead as we continue to live with the coronavirus? And which changes will be permanent? Here’s part one of an in-depth report on the future of in-plant printing.

Roland DGA developed Social Distancing Signage Solutions with packages that include the materials, hardware, software, and design templates needed to produce health and safety graphics.

Canon imagePROGRAF customers can now download and customize templates to print signage and posters highlighting COVID-19 safety guidelines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Faces Behind Masks, a nonprofit organization based in Israel, has debuted a platform to connect digital printing companies with hospitals to provide stickers with photos of medical professionals' faces to adhere to their PPE.

To save time and money for its members, PRINTING United Alliance professionals created a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan designed to meet local government’s requirements. Here are some key elements included within the plan.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-plants with wide-format printing capabilities have been busy printing social distancing signage and other related graphics. In a webinar next week, you’ll learn how your in-plant can better adapt to the new world of work and be more proactive with your customers. 

During the pandemic, in-plants have been forced to develop new ways to operate or reexamine how they work. We have been working with them to build new workflows or help them take full advantage of the systems they already have, so they can work smarter with fewer touches and staff, on-site or remotely.

Print buying habits are going to change as a result of COVID-19, says analyst Marco Boer. Print will get more expensive as paper costs rise, short runs will dominate, and print will need to provide more value. But there are opportunities for in-plants to thrive in this new environment.

The economic lockdown is easing. Businesses are reopening. There’s pent-up demand for all the things we haven’t been able to do or purchase in months. This is what can be expected when the economy begins its recovery.

In a new blog post, Andy Paparozzi, chief economist for PRINTING United Alliance, answers some of the questions printers are asking about the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.