In-plants have been dealing with the pandemic for a year now, suffering through sickness, productivity losses, and greatly reduced print orders. Here’s a closer look at how they are faring.

In-plants have been dealing with the pandemic for a year now, suffering through sickness, productivity losses, and greatly reduced print orders. Here’s a closer look at how they are faring.

This is the fourth in a series of reports that examines the effects of COVID-19 on the printing industry, how printers are responding, and how they can create a path forward.

By now, you know where your in-plant stands in the eyes of your parent organization during the pandemic: you are either essential and busy, or you’re slow and wondering about your future — and that status is largely a result of the types of applications in which you specialize.

"This is Our Shot" urges industries to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as a pivotal step toward saving lives and returning the manufacturing economy to normal operations.

At one busy Midwest health system during COVID-19, the long-time manager was working hours of overtime printing vinyl banners and signs for hospitals. Then he tested positive for COVID-19, and his world turned upside down.

On January 21, President Biden issued an Executive Order focused on OSHA’s approach to managing COVID-19.

Beginning January 1, the new reporting requirements for COVID-19 exposures became effective. These new requirements impose obligations for employers to notify employees, as well as employers of subcontracted employees, of COVID-19 exposures and to notify public health officials of outbreaks in the workplace.

HR 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, provides approximately $900 billion to bolster the U.S. economy amid the continued spread of COVID-19 and includes targeted economic relief for specific print verticals that have been especially hard-hit during the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 70% of printing businesses were able to continue operations last year in large part due to securing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Now, a second draw is available for continued support. But there are several key changes that accompany PPP 2.0.

In a well-attended virtual conference on Dec. 1, nearly 100 U.K. in-plant managers and suppliers, as well as a handful of U.S. managers, gathered online to discuss how they are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and share ideas for new services they are implementing.

This is the third in a series of COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research reports tracks key indicators across a cross section of printing companies, including commercial printers, graphic and sign producers, apparel decorators, functional printers, and package printers/converters. 

The In-plant Forum was devoted entirely to in-plants, and it kicked off with a keynote presentation by Consultant Howie Fenton detailing how in-plants can prepare their operations to thrive after the pandemic.

This morning, Marco Boer kicked off the third day of the PRINTING United Digital Experience with a sobering examination of print market trends and how they have been impacted by COVID-19.

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.

Even before the pandemic hit, Ball State University Printing Services was disappointed it couldn’t print more of the university’s wide-format work. But when the need for campus signage exploded this year, it got the green light to bring on a new device to help meet demands.

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?