Business Forms

Rank: 1 Company: Ennis, Midlothian, Texas Forms Sales $(000): 233,380 Total Sales $(000): 559,397 Rank: 2 Company: PrintXcel, Montrose, Ala. Forms Sales $(000): 84,976 Total Sales $(000): 84,976 Rank: 3 Company: Printegra, Peachtree City, Ga. Forms Sales $(000): 65,780 Total Sales $(000): 87,706 Rank: 4 Company: DSFI, Addison, Ill. Forms Sales $(000): 63,650 Total Sales $(000): 67,000 Rank: 5 Company: Wise Business Forms, Alpharetta, Ga. Forms Sales $(000): 63,000 Total Sales $(000): 70,000 Rank: 6 Company: Highland Computer Forms, Hillsboro, Ohio Forms Sales $(000): 43,712 Total Sales $(000): 43,712 Rank: 7 Company: Wright Business Graphics, Portland, Ore. Forms

Selling to insurance markets hasn’t gotten any easier. Since e-forms started to topple traditional, paper-based markets, nothing has surfaced to put distributors and manufacturers back in high demand in this field. Laser forms have also usurped much of the work from traditional printers. With each passing year, it seems distributors have a harder time making in-roads into the insurance market. The problem is further augmented by the merging of insurance providers. While the conglomeration of corporate giants may benefit the largest printers and most prominent distributors, it has proven detrimental for smaller companies and independent printing professionals. “I think years ago there were a lot

Fact: The major directs are loosing their stronghold in the marketplace. Fact: Within the independent channel, many manufacturers of continuous forms have abandoned the product in lieu of more value-added products. Fact: Laser cut-sheets simply can’t cut it in certain industrial environments. The upshot? Some astute industry professionals are turning what others consider a dying product into a viable commodity. For example, Quick Tab II, Tiffin, Ohio, does business with a software vendor that sells its products to auto glass companies, where the dust-and debris-ladened environment wreaks havoc on laser printers. Vice President Mike Daughenbaugh explained these businesses still use Okidata-type, continuous feed printers. The shops that tried

The health-care industry is arguably one of the most advanced business sectors in the United States. Despite this, the number of medical error-related deaths continues to escalate and a complex health-care system still compromises patients’ quality of life. As a result, society is involved in an ongoing blame game with no conclusion in sight. But evidence points to functional health literacy, which the Council of Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association defines as “the ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles, appointment slips and the other essential related materials required to successfully function as a patient.” In addition, prescription fraud continues to threaten

E-forms are exploding onto the scene. As a result, educational institutions operate by a different set of procedures today than they did when young adults of the MTV generation started to receive their college diplomas just a few years ago. For example, students can now take tests online, register for Internet courses, fill out financial aid applications via the Internet, and those in college can obtain semester grades from their school’s Web site. All of these acts eliminate the unnecessary costs of ordering traditional paper-based forms. In addition, the use of e-forms lowers expenses for keying data, printing and distributing. Add budget cuts to

TFP Data Systems’ tax form products catalog includes basic educational information distributors need to start selling.

Filling out tax forms is a major drag; selling them is anything but. While technology has brought about the demise of many form products and left others mortally wounded and gasping for air, tax forms remain extremely lucrative, in-demand products. Consider the fact that a trip to the local post office, library or state building to obtain tax forms simply won’t cut it for most enterprises, given their varied and voluminous needs. “This might be an option for very small companies with no more than three employees, but, local government offices have limited quantities and are not designed for large give-aways,” explained Jim Magdaleno,

we live in electronic times. Because text messaging, e-mailing and video conferencing are modern modes of communication, many businesses have adapted new technology to better serve a quicker pace of information exchange. Yet, has the business forms industry been dragging its feet? Some say “yes.” As the demand for traditional forms continues to decline, many in the industry have adapted to modern forms, but have not necessarily delved into e-forms. Why? According to Mike Miller, vice president and general manager of the custom solutions division, Cardinal Brands, Lawrence, Kan., and William Akel, president, Synapsis, Las Vegas, it all comes down to the myth that

Cardinal Brands offers a new kit called Xpaper, which includes a digital pen that captures data for download into an e-form when used with the specially designed paper. The pen is inexpensive and prevents companies from losing valuable information. Cardinal Brands is currently in the early adopter phase of this new technology. The product made its grand debut to the forms industry at a recent trade show.

Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., Redi-Tag presents Cram Cards, a stylish and functional alternative to index cards that makes studying more fun. A binder ring in one corner not only keeps the sheets ordered and all together, but opens so they can be easily rearranged. The ring also makes it easy to attach Cram Cards to a backpack or binder. Colorful polypropylene front and back covers keep the sheets from tearing and curling. Available in 21⁄4x31⁄4" and 3x5˝ sizes, Cram Cards come in purple/pink and blue/green color combinations. Each pack contains 75 sheets in three color-coordinated shades. The products are merchandised in a