Editor’s Note
Focus on the Future
Planning every detail in your home-life isn’t always a good idea but planning in business is
where success begins.
I have always been a major planner. I live off of to-do lists, calendars, schedules, and the
like – just ask my husband, if plans change, it takes me a while to accept the new arrangement
and move forward. Hey, it takes a lot of work to organize a well-thought out
plan! It is something I have had to work on and I’m learning every day how to embrace
the fl ow and go with whatever changes are in my path.
Embracing the latest technologies is at
the top of many shops’ lists. When our Top
Shops anticipate which technology will
most impact their businesses, they spoke
of workfl ow automation, online portals/
storefronts/ecommerce, UV print technologies,
electronic/digital displays/digital
Fabrics, textiles, décor, and wallpaper
are all the buzz among our Top Shops
this year and many of our respondents
mentioned looking at these applications to
expand their shop’s off erings.
And while I’m over here learning that
even my best thought out 5-year and 10-
year plans are going to take some turns
and jumble up my schedule, go ahead
and make a plan for the future of your
printing business. With careful thought
and consideration of the goals you have
and how to obtain those through avenues
such as new people, new technology, and
investigating new markets, you can continue
to innovate and have great success.
Find this article at
PrintingNews.com/12338297
By Jennifer Wilberschied
Editor
Jennifer Wilberschied is a seasoned
journalist who has been captivating
niche audiences in various industries
for 10-plus years. She brings her
award-winning talent and fresh
perspective to the ever-changing
print and graphics industry, exploring
the issues, challenges, and technology
revolving around the commercial,
digital, sign, and wide-and grandformat
markets. Jennifer graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Journalism from Columbia College
Chicago with a major in magazine
journalism and minor studies in
marketing.
Frayed Not
And while being a little over-planned
out in your personal life can cause a stir
for some, planning ahead in business is
well, good business. And, that is exactly
what our 60 Top Shops this year are doing.
Th ey are planning for new talent acquisitions,
getting into new markets, and discovering
new technologies – all of which
will help their businesses, and others stay
on the top of their game.
Top Shop #1: Coloredge Inc. in New
York City, which has been at that coveted
spot four consecutive years now, notes
that they do whatever it takes to continually
stay ahead of their clients, by keeping
their eyes out for innovative technologies
and services.
Th ose companies that are putting
an emphasis on fi nding new talent are
setting themselves up for future success.
Duggal Visual Solutions, which found a
home at spot #3 on our list this year says
they are very aggressive on fi nding talent
and building their own pipeline of skilled
employees.
One important consideration in textile cutting is that when
you cut a fabric, you are exposing the threads that comprise
the fabric. If you have ever made your own cut-off denim
shorts, you know what can happen: the threads get more
signage, among others.
Go make a plan!
and more frayed. So the edges need to be sealed. Learn
how those in the fabric printing realm deal with this issue
and more in our fourth installment of our Become a Fabric
Finishing Expert Series starting on page 21.
PrintingNewscom June 2017 Wide-Format & Signage 5
