Allegheny Printed Plastics

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

Plastic products redefine their role in the industry. It has become so intertwined with our lives that we often overlook its significance. We find it in various formats necessary for the ease of monetary transactions, efficient luggage tracking, coast-to-coast calling and room privacy. All-purpose plastic has transformed itself into a plethora of products that make life a whole lot easier. The plastic card has carved a clear and definite path for itself in the plastic products industry. "Plastic cards represent over 80 percent of our printed plastic division's annual revenue," said Dean Boustead, sales manager for Allegheny Printed Plastics, a plastic card manufacturer and

Plastic products can be a lucrative niche for those who know how to approach it. It's almost always more durable than paper, is usually nicer to look at and has a higher perceived value. The profit margins are generally higher and there are fewer of your competitors selling it than you may realize. The material is plastic—and while it's not always an easy sell, it can be well worth the time invested for distributors willing to learn the ropes. One of the keys to profiting from this material is knowing how the product will be used. Russ Herman, general manager, Allegheny Printed

New and old uses unite to expand the market for plastic cards. Plastic cards are breaking the mold. From artistic attributes—including oil-stamped logos and holograms—to out-of-the-ordinary shapes and multi-purpose designs, plastic cards are growing not only in diversity, but also in popularity. "People are adding a lot of things to cards," said Jim Brown, vice president of sales and marketing, Plastic Printing Innovations, San Diego. For example, instead of the typical four-color process, clients want silkscreen, pms color and foil stamps. "We've had a lot of interest lately in using card and key tag combinations in retail loyalty applications," noted Jerry Sumner, director