Spring Forward

The groundhog has spoken, folks. If you trust Punxsutawney Phil, arguably the world’s most famous fur-covered meteorologist, we have six additional weeks of heavy coats left. Keeping with the spirit of the season, the pandemic continues to write the monotonous script that fails to keep its audience engaged. Yep, our industry is still grappling with staff shortages, overworked employees, supply chain challenges, freight issues and conflicting public health guidance.

As a trusted news source, it’s our job to report on industry health and other happenings to help you make informed choices for your business — and our February issue is no exception. This month, our cover story explores how print and promo professionals are handling price increases. Our jumbo rolls feature draws attention to the paper problem. And our T-shirts story addresses inventory issues (and how to work around them). That said, we’re making space for brighter days, whether they’re six days, six weeks or six months from now. So, we’d like to use this section of the magazine to tell you about some exciting things we’re working on.

First up, Power Meetings and Distributor Connects — you know, those productive networking events with the white-glove service you’ve come to associate with our respective brands? They are back this year! In person! We’re offering seven chances for distributors to connect with the industry’s elite suppliers, with the first event kicking off April 11 in New Orleans. Just reach out to your designated Print+Promo Marketing sales contact (if you don’t know who that is, send an email to me or Sean Norris).

Speaking of Sean, who’s too modest to boast about his talents, he spent much of Q4 2021 brainstorming content with Cassie Green, PPM’s senior content editor, for our parent company’s new brand dedicated to the decorated apparel community: the Apparelist. Led by a veteran team with extensive knowledge of all things apparel, the Apparelist is a channel created by PRINTING United Alliance and NAPCO Media as “a voice to connect the apparel decorator community through invaluable membership, editorial excellence, custom content, e-learning, video services, research, and customized experiences, both online and in person.”

We’re talking color trends, direct-to-garment, screen printing, print on demand, and, yes, supply chain issues, pricing strategies and powerful partnerships. It’s all waiting for you at apparelist.com.

Now, it’s your turn. What is your good news — have you recently launched a new initiative, welcomed a new hire, celebrated a big win, collaborated on an inspiring campaign, changed out of your pajamas? Drop us a line.