Traditional Forms Yield Modern Function

Distributors can still experience consistent sales with basic forms.

It was French author Alphonse Karr who once said, "The more things change, the more they are the same." Karr made the profound statement during the 1800s, yet it still rings true today. Even in the world of business forms, labels and systems, where e-commerce, on-demand printing and modern alternatives seem to be taking the industry by storm, one will still find a constant—a continued demand for some very basic traditional products.

Take, for instance, just how much traditional products account for overall sales at Web Graphics, Glens Falls, N.Y.—70 percent. And, at Highland Computer Forms (HCF), Hillsboro, Ohio, they account for 80 percent of sales. Interestingly, the numbers for some of those products at both companies are increasing. "Here at Web Graphics, we still have a constant demand for unit sets and checks. And, actually, the sales of these products have increased over the past two years," said Robert Mongin, regional sales manager. "I think the reason that these still-popular products continue to have a calling is because items such as unit sets fit a market that is geared toward the lower-volume end-user who just wants to keep it simple."

Rob Jones, plant manager at HCF, also reported an increase in demand for select traditional products. According to Jones, HCF's custom continuous single, continuous multiple-part forms and custom cut-sheet forms still fill a basic need in certain core markets, which distributors can easily tap into.

Other traditional products presently drawing in profits at Web Graphics include everything from unit sets and continuous forms to carrier-mounted envelopes, forms and checks. At HCF, choices run the gamut from stock tab continuous one-part forms and stock tab continuous multiple-part carbon interleaved to HCFA/CMS/UB92 stock health-care forms, unit sets, copy paper, continuous checks and custom cut-sheets.