Adcraft Decals

The Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA) is adding even more charm to Baltimore this year.

It was Frank Sinatra's kind of town. And the Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA) agrees with Ol' Blue Eyes.

It's not just famous for its inner harbor and crab cakes. It's not just the backdrop of HBO's now defunct The Wire. Many know it as "Charm City," but for the printing industry it's the site of PSDA's annual Print Solutions Conference and Expo from May 24 to 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

A little change never hurt anyone. With that in mind, this year’s big show promises a change of pace, a change of scenery and a change in demand. The newly revamped PSDA (formerly DMIA) will host its annual Print Solutions Conference and Exposition on Oct. 23-25 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore. This year’s featured general session keynote speaker will be Charlie Pesko, founder and president of InfoTrends, a leading market research and consulting firm in the digital imaging and document solutions industries. Technological advances and refined marketing strategies are just some of the issues gaining momentum in a slowing economy. To encourage print

1 Ennis Headquarters: Midlothian, Texas Annual Sales $(000): 584,713 Principal Officer(s): Keith Walters, Chairman, President, CEO Employees: 6,200 Locations: 44 2 Champion Industries Headquarters: Huntington, W. Va. Annual Sales $(000): 145,188 Principal Officer(s): Marshall T. Reynolds, CEO Employees: 740 Locations: 22 3 Western States Envelope & Label Headquarters: Butler, Wis. Annual Sales $(000): 117,900 Principal Officer(s): Mark S. Lemberger, President Employees: 731 Locations: 5 4 Printegra Headquarters: Peachtree City, Ga. Annual

DMIA’s annual Print Solutions conference and exposition will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The conference will provide three days of educational sessions, including a presentation by this year’s keynote speaker, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and co-author of “Contract with America.” Join Gingrich as he analyzes the current political climate in Washington, DC, and educates attendees on effective leadership. This year’s conference will feature equipment demonstrations, offering distributors better insight into how various applications are produced. In addition, exchange centers will be located on the show floor with more than 34 hours of

With new technology and processes, silkscreened labels continue to hold their own in an ever-changing industry. Silkscreened labels continue to stand the test of time. Known for their durability and staying power, they have helped users be a little more organized, a lot safer and, as times would have it, more politically aware. Running the gamut from bumper stickers and equipment labels to hard-hat decals and political signs, silkscreened labels remain an important component in the printed products industry. "Silkscreened labels are generally made for surfaces that are frequently exposed to the elements and that go through regular wear and tear," explained Jim

Successful silkscreened label projects start with the order taking process. Silkscreened labels have proven to be a distributor favorite throughout the years. The roles that distributors play in the production of these high-quality labels are many, and remain increasingly important when it comes to creating a product that customers will be pleased with. According to Bruce Turner, purchasing manager for Adcraft Decals, Independence, Ohio, "The role of the distributor in the processing of an order is crucial. It is important that every detail is attended to so that the customer's wishes are met," he explained Barry Smith, director of sales for Tapecon, Buffalo,

Stick with this profitable product By Stacey Wenzel What exactly is a decal anyway? Are there differences between a decal and a label? They are both adhesive products, but depending on who you ask, the definition for each varies. Some may think labels are typically used for short-term applications, while decals are designed for more durable, longer use. Decals are often printed on stronger materials like vinyl, whereas labels are normally printed on paper. In addition, the use of heavier, thicker inks for decals differentiates the two. Whatever your criteria are for defining a decal, one thing remains the same. The market is growing and can provide high

The silk may be gone, but screen printing is here to stay By Stacey Wenzel Although screen printing is one of the oldest forms of printing, it shouldn't be thought of as ancient history. Screen printing, formerly known as silk screening, still has its niche within the industry and is a popular printing method for labels, decals and advertising specialties. The technique is similar to stenciling, where an image is transferred onto a screen that is typically made from polyester. The ink is poured on top of the screen and forced through the open areas with a squeegee. This allows the ink to be placed directly onto the material. "It's