Paper Clips

ASI was just one of the printing industry partner organizations that joined forces with PRINTING United Alliance in Washington DC for the two-day 2026 Fly-In. Representatives from Book Manufacturers Institute Inc.  (BMI) including MIDLAND'S Bill Rojak, Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA), Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association (PPLA), Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), and Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI), came together with more than 60 participants from across the printing industry. The participants met with more than 60 congressional offices to discuss key issues affecting the industry, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), U.S. Postal Service, tariffs, and the “Patient’s Right to Know” legislation. A Collective Voice for Printing The Fly-In took place over the course of two days with the first day dedicated to prepping the attendees for what to expect during the congressional meetings. When the day on the Hill commenced, attendees joined small groups to meet with representatives from their home state or district. Attendees were given a statistics sheet intended to empower them to share the true power and magnitude of the printing industry as it is the No. 3 largest U.S. manufacturing industry by number of establishments; the No. 10 ranked by total employees nationwide; and when combined with the mailing industry is responsible for 7.9 million jobs and $1.9 trillion in annual revenue.

At Dscoop Edge Rockies, HP unveiled new AI-driven software and press innovations designed to help commercial Print Service Providers (PSPs) unlock profitable growth through simplified operations, higher productivity and greater control across increasingly complex production environments. For HP, the future of work is anchored in enabling PSPs to generate profitable growth and fulfilment through technology, delivering innovation that empowers nonstop digital printing at scale. HP has strengthened its long-standing commitment to the A3 mid-range commercial print market with the launch of the HP Indigo 7K+ Digital Press. Built on the proven 7X00 platform, with more than 2,200 presses installed worldwide and a proven track record, the new press delivers enhanced cost efficiency, versatility and operational simplicity by aligning with HP’s broader vision for nonstop digital printing. “Our nonstop digital printing journey continues at full speed.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month in 2026, the theme of “sustainability” — encompassing environmental, educational, and economic leadership — provides the perfect framework to recognize the remarkable women whose contributions have powered a viable printing industry while also championing women whose roles are currently shaping the future of print. Women in Print Alliance is honored to serve as the connective tissue to industry sustainability, bringing women from all roles, segments, and career levels together to network, develop and polish professional skills, and share dialogue on topics like business expertise, work-life balance, advocacy, and more.

Sheridan, a leading provider of print and publishing solutions, announced the launch of Digital Select™, its proprietary next-generation print-on-demand (POD) solution designed to give publishers greater flexibility in short-run and ultra-short-run production. Powered by Sheridan Select™, Sheridan’s proprietary automated central print management system, Digital Select™ enables publishers to print from 1 to 2,500 copies with expedited turnaround times, professional-grade quality, and dedicated service support. As publishers continue shifting toward zero-inventory and digital-first strategies, the need for flexible, reliable short-run production has grown. Digital Select addresses that need by allowing publishers to print exactly what they need, when they need it — reducing warehousing costs, minimizing forecasting risk, and keeping titles continuously available.

Printing and packaging companies have long considered themselves manufacturers — and they are. But as customer data increasingly lives in a digital environment rather than in physical files, brands are expecting their print service providers (PSPs) to keep their data secure. Artificial intelligence has only intensified that expectation, says Amy Servi-Bonner, vice president, consulting, Applied AI & Printing Technology for PRINTNG AI. “AI automation, portals, [and] integration have now moved customer data farther than ever before — and often before anyone stops to ask where the data lives, who touches it, or how it's protected,” Servi-Bonner says. “Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Your customers already assume that you have answers to these questions, even if your organization really hasn't caught up yet. And that's why AI and cybersecurity are no longer IT conversations. They're trust conversations, sales conversations, and revenue conversations.”

Sustainable print is no longer a niche request from a handful of environmentally conscious brands. It is now a procurement requirement. Corporate buyers are actively searching for terms like eco-friendly printing requirements, ESG printing requirements, and sustainable print procurement. If your print company cannot confidently answer those questions, you are not just missing opportunities. You are being excluded before the bid even starts. In 2026, winning sustainable print contracts is about more than offering recycled paper. It requires operational transparency, documented processes, and a sales strategy built around measurable environmental impact. This guide will show you how to align your print business with sustainable print marketing expectations and position yourself as the partner corporate buyers are looking for.

Quad/Graphics will permanently close its Thomaston, Georgia, printing plant in early March, as the US printer continues to reshape its footprint amid long‑running declines in traditional publication print and a strategic shift toward higher‑value offerings. The closure marks the end of more than three decades of Quad’s operation in Upson County and reflects sustained pressure on long‑run print categories such as magazines, driven by rising postal costs and changing consumer media habits. Work currently carried out at the Thomaston site will be transferred to Quad’s Wisconsin manufacturing platform. This report from Fastmarkets- Pulp and Paper News.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the January 2026 Printing-Writing Monthly report. According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 13% in January compared to January 2025. U.S. purchases of total printing-writing papers decreased 16% in January compared to the same month last year. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels increased 3% when compared to December 2025. Using the latest available trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau, November 2025, across the 3 major printing-writing categories — uncoated free sheet (UFS), coated free sheet (CFS), and mechanical (MECH) — exports declined 19% while imports declined 10%, compared to November 2024.

For magazine, directory, journal, and alumni publishers, binding can feel like a small production detail — until it isn’t. The binding you choose affects how your publication is read, how long it’s kept, how it mails, and how your brand is perceived. Whether you’re planning a recurring magazine, an annual directory, or a special-edition sourcebook, understanding the strengths of saddle stitch and perfect binding can help you make smarter, more cost-effective decisions from the start. Check out this blog from Schumann Printers.