Supply Chain Shortages Are Hitting Print

Posted on July 12, 2021 Written by

The scale of the pandemic’s impact on supply chains, manufacturing, labor and costs eclipses anything most manufacturers have experienced before. As these conditions hit the print industry, we’re seeing material costs across all categories increase over 10%. Have you been watching the supply chain? The New York Times article “How the World Ran Out of Everything” takes a deep dive into Just In Time (JIT) manufacturing, inventory shortages and the global shipping chaos. CNBC reports that supplier price increases climbed 6.6% in May – the largest 12-month increase on record. Reuters imparts that manufacturing is slow-going due to shortages of inputs and rising demand in their article “Supply chain bottlenecks amid roaring demand slow U.S. manufacturing”.

We are on top of it
Buying raw materials and manufacturing products requires a dependable and undisrupted supply chain. The increased demand and limited availability of materials and services has had a huge impact on turn times and the final cost of goods across all industries. It takes creativity and careful analysis in order to stay on top of the fluctuations and navigate the disruptions. That’s why we are closely monitoring seven core markets that effect our business, allowing us to gauge the impact on us as well as how it impacts our valued distributors.

Markets we’re watching and a snippet of current findings

  • Paper Market
    • All graphic paper costs have increased and availability on just about every grade of paper is limited.
  • Label Market
    • Pricing pressures, substantial inflation and paper pulp price increases compounded with domestic freight and ocean transportation disruptions are causing imbalances to the market.
  • Retail Signs & Graphics Market
    • Pivots in product demand, rising costs and surcharges are a few of the conditions shaking things up.
  • Packaging Market
    • Demand is elevated while earnings are down and prices are way up.
  • Promotional Market
    • The promo market continues to grapple with rising prices and inventory issues.
  • Logistics Market
    • Fuel costs, truck scarcities and TL rate increases continue to challenge freight markets.
  • Labor Market
    • Employee scarcities, a high number of job openings and demand for higher pay will take a while to sort out.

We go into much greater detail of the impacts on the print supply chain along with providing mitigation tools for you in our digital flipbook: Supply Chain Impacts on the Print Market, A distributor’s strategic guide for navigating price increases. In this overview you will find insights into the print markets, the impacts to manufacturing, and mitigation steps we’re taking to minimize the impact. We also share specific steps you can take to reduce the impact to your business. It is filled with resources and content to help you understand so you can take action from an informed position.

Benefits amid the changes
Some good news for you in all of this is the benefit you have with working with Navitor. Prices are increasing across the board in our industry and we are seeing much higher increases than ours rolling out in competitive companies. Because we have scale, it minimizes the percentage of increase so you don’t have to absorb the entirety of the price increases.

We’re here for you
Staying on top of market trends and industry conditions gives us the means to help you deliver the best customer experiences. To make sure you’re giving your customers what they need and addressing topics important to them, rely on us as your go-to resource for thought leadership and innovation.

Filed Under: Education, News, Print Products, Resources

CBD and Cannabis Sales Start with Shelf Presence

Posted on February 18, 2021 Written by

Imagine you’re walking through a dispensary or a retail store that sells CBD. There’s definitely no shortage of new and interesting products to choose from on the shelves. How purchase decisions are made is part art, part science. Packaging plays a more important role in those decisions than you might think. It is a driving factor in determining what product you walk out of the store with. Since packaging is often a consumer’s first introduction to a product, it pays to be innovative and unique in order to stand out on a crowded shelf and get noticed.

The importance of product packaging is multi-faceted and can make all the difference in ensuring a great first impression and lasting brand loyalty. Here are a few tips and tricks for strategic product packaging:

Functionality
Keeping the product safe for its journey from production through distribution, and from store shelves to buyer’s homes is where it all starts. Preventing damage with a sturdy and reliable package is foundational, followed by convenience and ease of use. There are plenty of standard options with a wide range of weights to ensure functionality and convenience and also differentiate the packaging. Once fit-for-purpose and functionality are checked off, you can move into the more artistic points that attract customers and encourage them to buy the product.

Image
Packaging is the primary marketing medium in the cannabis industry, making first impressions everything. Buying decisions are influenced by how the packaging promotes and displays the product inside. On average, it takes only seven seconds to form a first impression. With such limited time, the best way to stand out on the shelf is with unique, high-quality, and creative packaging. This includes both printing and finishing methods that help the consumer perceive the value of the product and provide a great experience. We specialize in making the packaging more appealing and attractive while adhering to brand standards and necessary regulations.

Brand Awareness
Product packaging is not just a reflection of the product inside, but the brand as a whole. Innovative packaging differentiates brands. To influence buying and create brand awareness, it’s important that consumers can easily determine what the product is and make associations with the brand. Combining exceptional printing processes with high-quality materials yields a more memorable experience with a brand. Choosing the best substrates and impactful, high-resolution images on the package can help boost brand awareness.

Special Touches
Custom finishes and coatings add uniqueness and help step up shelf visibility. They highlight design elements, elevate the tactile experience and add dimension. Processes like debossing, embossing, foil stamping, spot color, and intricate die-cutting transform the appearance of products on the shelf. Finishing extras such as UV gloss coating, spot UV, soft-touch lamination, aqueous satin, and raised UV give packages a snazzy, polished look.

Integrated Elements
An effective way to set products apart and help them stand out on the shelf is through creative integration with additional elements including matching bottle labels, inserts, and hangtags around the packaging.

Collaboration with Navitor, your trusted packaging expert, is key to making your product stand out on the shelf. Our innovations and ideations will bring your vision to life. Check out Packaging now.

Filed Under: Design, Education, Folders, Marketing, News, Print Products

Pricing Will Hold Steady

Posted on November 16, 2020 Written by

In an effort to make things a little easier for you in the coming year, we’re
holding our catalog pricing through 2021. So, hang on to your current catalogs, and keep an eye out for a mini-catalog with recent innovations and trending products on its way to you soon.

  • As always, utilize our digital catalogs for the most up-to-date product information. Even rebrand them with your own logo using ZOOM Catalog.
  • Coming Soon! Mini-Catalog

Sneak Peek!

Filed Under: Education, News, Print Products, Resources

The Holiday Shopping Season Redefined

Posted on October 6, 2020 Written by

It’s snow joke – we are in for a holiday season unlike any other we’ve been through. The traditional merriment we look forward to each year involves eating, drinking, and singing together in a cozy room … all among the highest risk scenarios for transmitting viruses. It’s pretty unlikely we’ll see shoppers lined up before sunrise for Black Friday deals, or rushing to crowded stores for last-minute gift buying. No matter the circumstances, this is the time of year when retailers and other businesses start to mull over their holiday plans and prepare for what promises to be an unprecedented holiday season. How will the pandemic affect what has traditionally been retailers’ busiest time of year? Rest assured, we have some ideas around what can be expected. If unprepared, yule be sorry … but by preparing for what’s to come and offering innovative ideas and options, yule be sleighing it.

Where the holiday dollars will go
Money typically spent on heavily attended parties and festive gatherings, travel, and enormous grocery bills for huge dinners instead will go toward gift-giving, albeit with some differences. Experiential gifts like concert and event tickets, restaurant gift cards, and massage certificates are out, while popular merchandise categories – things you can hold in your hands (after sanitizing, of course) – are in.

Shoppers starting early
Gift-givers will be coming out of quarantine as holiday shopping season starts earlier than normal. Opting to shop during less volume-heavy times, consumers are likely to buy sooner rather than later in order to avoid crowds and to make sure the items on their lists are even available. From a shopper’s standpoint, one of the biggest challenges during the pandemic has been product availability. Supply chains are compromised and inventory is low. Making matters worse, deliveries take longer than normal because as the volume increases, shipping delays only get worse. To avoid out-of-stocks and account for anticipated shipping delays, shoppers will be starting early.

Business gift-giving
Businesses reaching out to customers and employees at the holidays this year will opt for cards and gifts as alternatives to dinners and parties. In order to show their gratitude and appreciation for the loyalty of their customers and employees over the past year, corporate giving will likely be at an all-time high. Branded promotional products are sure to be in high demand as businesses manage their customer and employee gift-giving from a distance.

Retail shopping holiday makeover
Without question, COVID-19 has transformed the retail shopping experience. The holiday shopping season will look quite different this year as retailers find themselves mired in the coronavirus. Here are some of the changes in store for us this year:

  • No more Black Friday lines – large retailers like Target, Macy’s, Foot Locker, JCPenney, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Best Buy have all announced that they’ll close stores on Black Friday
  • Buy online, pick up in-store – COVID-19 pushed shoppers online early in the pandemic, and not only has that trend not slowed, but it will also pick up speed in the coming weeks
  • Still social distancing – but in a more festive manner – soon all those banners, signs, floor and window decals will look very merry
  • Pop-up sales outside – expect to see outdoor pop-up shops in cities with climates that can accommodate them
  • Extra sanitation – safeguarding the health of staff and shoppers will require sanitation stations and signage throughout stores, especially near return counters
  • Curbside pickup – emerged early this year, and expectations among shoppers are that this option will be made available across all retail brands
  • Heavy communication and signage – to cut down the need for face-to-face conversations, directional signs, infographics, posters, and decals will be used to inform shoppers and direct traffic flow
  • More gift buying – with travel money squashed and big gathering spend down, that means a bigger bankroll for gifts

Stand-out products
With all the social and shopping changes brought about by the pandemic, there are still innovative products in high demand. Some of the top holiday options include calendars, greeting cards, glitter stock items, custom packaging, promotional products, custom gift wrap, labels, face coverings, holiday signage, direct mail, and much more. Communication and information exchange are not the only things going contactless this holiday season: Expressing gratitude and thanks will be done through gift-giving and showing appreciation without the typical holiday get-togethers.

The takeaway
To really make an impact this year, make sure you’re giving your customers the information they need – and preparing early is critical. Have your stocking stuffed full of ideas your customers will love (from head to mistletoe). Even though most hugs will be saved until next year, we’re still here to help you navigate the 2020 Holiday Season. We’re your go-to resource with ideas and innovative ways to work through the challenges you’re facing and uncover the opportunities this shopping season brings. For some great options, check out our online booklet Reinventing Holiday Traditions in the Next Normal.

Filed Under: Design, Education, Marketing, News, Print Products, Resources

Are you ready to help your customers get through the cold and flu season?

Posted on September 28, 2020 Written by

What a remarkable and unprecedented year it has been. As 2020 comes to a close and we head into cold and flu season, it is unclear whether COVID-19 will persist at its current pace, if there will be an onslaught of smaller outbreaks, or if a larger second wave is on the horizon. To further compound matters, flu season is right around the corner, generally lasting through January. This overlap has many concerned – are we facing a double whammy? Or will social distancing and our new hygiene habits stave off the spread of influenza this year? Either way, we are in for an interesting season, and because this flu season may be quite daunting, there will likely be a lot more customers looking for products to prepare for it.

Time to have the conversations
We may be looking at a different and broader purchasing season this year as businesses gear up for flu season amid a pandemic. Because of that, it is high time to discuss readiness options with your customers. Checking in with them and offering products and solutions to help them prepare for what’s to come may ultimately lessen the impact, one community at a time.

Topics to get ready for
Sure to be front and center this winter are the differences between COVID-19 and the flu, and COVID-19 and the common cold. Posters, signage, decals, postcards, flyers, and envelopes will lend a hand in informing the public about what’s what. Similarly, many will need to communicate flu shot information, including companies offering flu shot programs to their employees. All public access areas continue to require social distancing products, and will certainly be emphasizing the importance of hygiene and sanitizing. Additionally, with a second potential shutdown looming, retail stores trying to lessen stockpiling will need signs, banners, and decals reminding folks to take a limited number of essential items. Nonprofits, governments, and other agencies will need products and communications informing people of where they can get ahold of emergency services and supplies. As hospitals and clinics approach maximum capacity, their need for materials increases as patients increase. There is also a new topic on the block: screening supplies. No more rushing off to work or rushing kids off to school with the sniffles – there will be more hesitation, more mindfulness, and symptom screening.

Who’s buying?
The current circumstances are opening new areas of “who’s buying” and “who’s interested.” Undoubtedly, the employers in the community, retail shops and stores, governments, nonprofits, schools, healthcare, manufacturers, banks, insurance, financial institutions, and more will need readiness products and communications solutions to help gear up for the next five months.

How can you help?
Start having conversations with everybody you can think of. No one is exempt from what the world is experiencing right now. Helping your customers and prospects solve their challenges centered around informing, directing, notifying, and protecting makes you an essential piece of the puzzle. We have created templates with specific cold and flu messaging that may help get some ideas in front of your customers as well.

Next steps
Are you ready? We are. And we are here for you. Navitor has a plethora of options, ideas, and support, and offers a free content page for distributors like you. We have over 100 pages of ideas, products, text, and imagery that you can use as your own. The solutions benefit top industries in need of new, important and often urgent messaging. Navitor members have access to exclusive, more detailed materials such as a social toolkit for each of today’s most predominant industries, customizable eBooklets where you can add your own name or branding, or even the actual slides to the webinars we produce complete with links and additional resources you can use with your customers.

Filed Under: Marketing, News, Print Products, Resources

Packaging Success Starts with Innovative Thinking

Posted on September 21, 2020 Written by

Whether you are shopping online or in an actual brick and mortar store, retail and virtual shelves are jam-packed with products. A major factor in determining the success of these products is the packaging. Packaging delivers one more brand message to consumers in the final stage before purchasing. A quality product is table stakes for repeat buying, but how much weight do you think packaging holds in that equation? More than you know. To break through the clutter of hundreds of other competing products, it pays to be different. We’re talking about being innovative and unique in order to get a product noticed. Packaging builds brands and gives a product personality. First impressions count, and even if we don’t want to be judgy, people do judge a product by what it comes in.

Grab attention
Let’s first look at ways to capture eyes in the aisles. Today there are a plethora of standard paper stocks as well as unique textures and specialty paper options in a wide range of weights to help differentiate the package. High-quality cartons that stand out with innovative printing and finishing methods while meeting product specifications and adhering to brand standards generate more attractive packaging and lucrative results.

Be recognizable
Consumers form an opinion about a brand the moment they see the packaging. Make it count. And once noticed, it’s vital that consumers can easily determine what the product is and make any brand associations that are important to them. There are both traditional offset and offset-quality digital printing methods that upgrade your branded packaging to a branded experience. Bring together quality print with premium materials for full-color impact and memorable outcomes.

Elicit emotion and action
Create awareness and excitement while showcasing elements significant to the brand and its mission. Maybe it’s quality, maybe it’s conscientiousness. Perhaps crisp folds, perfect sizing, strength or possibly flexibility makes the brand statement. It could be choosing to use certified recyclable materials, such as those endorsed by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) or SFI® (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), which are sourced from the highest available percentage of post-consumer recycled content from local mills. The power of great packaging gives a perceived image and value to the product. How it looks provides for better experiences and raises its profile.

Add a little extra
Custom finishes and coatings add pizazz and pop to retail packaging. Processes like debossing, embossing, foil stamping and spot color printing transform the appearance of products on the shelf. Finishing processes such as UV gloss coating, spot UV, soft-touch lamination, aqueous satin, and gloss coatings, intricate die-cutting, and raised UV give it a snazzy, polished look. These extras highlight design elements, elevate the tactile experience, and add dimension.

Set yourself apart
It’s not the complete package until it’s the complete package. Including related products such as labels, inserts, bottleneckers and hang tags rounds out a comprehensive, well-branded and highly visible product package solution. Tapping into the creative inspiration of organizations like the Retail Packaging Association, and working with consultative partners that bring comprehensive solutions and marketing savvy to packaging programs is your best bet.

Make design the focus of the packaging
Better packaging design sells more products. That’s the bottom line. It’s in the innovation where packaging can accomplish all of what we’ve covered here. Brand managers and package designers spend countless hours exercising their creative chops to develop the right look for their products. The packaging and unboxing presents an experience for the consumer that adds to the product’s appeal. Organizations like the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA), dedicated to promoting the benefits of paperboard packaging, recognize the importance of certain products, and influence preference for these materials in packaging design and selection. Companies that put innovation principles to work and rethink the design of their packaging create magical moments when consumers first spot it when they pick it up and feel it — all the way through their unboxing experience.

The takeaway
Opportunities for packaging innovation can be driven by pivots in consumer behaviors, attitudes, and interests, as well as other macro trends in the marketplace. But true innovation comes from blending consumer desire and product usability with production feasibility and brand voice. Sprinkle in cool packaging options and embellishments to ultimately connect brands with consumers and create moments that matter.

Our expertise, your value-add
We’re here to walk you and your customer through the process of designing and ordering standard or custom packaging. With our innovations, our Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) membership, and our experience in diverse industries, we are an excellent resource for creative packaging solutions that meet your customers’ needs. It’s this innovation and experience that allows us to deliver The Best Packaging Experience in the industry.

Looking for inspiration? We provide finished package samples for a number of strategic markets to inspire you and your customers. Request a sample kit. The best place to start is by contacting your sales rep. If you’re not sure who your rep is, give us a call at 866.628.3290. We’re here to answer any of your questions.

Filed Under: Education, Folders, News, Resources

Company Update: Operations are Strong

Posted on June 30, 2020 Written by

We’re committed to keeping your business going and continue to update our health and safety measures across our facilities.  As stay-at-home orders lift and reapply, as companies open and close, we know these times are excruciating. It is our commitment to keep operating, to be the least of your worries.

Resources for Distributors
Over three months ago, we assembled resources together to keep you updated on plant statuses and product ideas. Over 10,000 distributors sought out these resources.  

Recently, we just launched a new Comeback Solutions resource page on Navitor.com where we have free tools to use with customers plus hundreds of member-only tools as well. Each week we send an email update to our members with company updates and more.

Health and Safety in Manufacturing
We have a designated Incident Response Team to consistently monitor worldwide health conditions and adjust company policies accordingly. Implementing the guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we’ve rolled out sanitation measures and preventative hygiene practices in each of our facilities. 

We’re committed to serving you – here are some of the tactics we’re using to keep our facilities safe: 

  • Location-specific COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Coordinators lead rapid changes necessary to comply with CDC recommendations. These Coordinators also lead regular meetings with location leadership.
  • Each Navitor location has a customized written COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
  • Employees who can work remotely have been doing so.
  • We require cloth face coverings in all facilities across the country.
  • We also require employees to complete electronic symptom questionnaires prior to their shifts and follow through with any confirmed positive test results with self-quarantine and enhanced cleaning.
  • Implementation of enhanced cleaning/disinfection procedures according to a schedule.
  • Social distancing compliance of 6 feet or more means reworking production processes as well as installation of physical barriers where necessary.
  • All employees have been required to take COVID-19 safety training.
  • Lastly, we are sharing information transparently, timely, and in the manner that best suits our distributor partner’s needs. From websites to letters, to personal communications through our sales teams, everyone is working to ensure you’re safe and our customers can count on us to deliver to them the service and products that keep their businesses running.

The safety and well-being of our employees is critical to supporting your business growth and the promises you make to customers. Our commitment is to continue to bring you high-quality products and ideas for how to help support your community throughout the stages of this pandemic.   

Filed Under: News, Print Products, Resources

Your Partner for Architectural Signage

Posted on April 1, 2020 Written by

We know that architectural signage projects are different than a regular print order due to the custom nature of the product. It can be a complex process to audit an existing building’s signage and determine what additional signage is required to meet ADA laws or reflect a company’s new brand image.

That’s why we partner with you from the first call to the install.

Working for You
As with any big project, budget and on-time completion are at the forefront of our discussions. Our experts will collaborate with you to present different options at various price ranges. Starting with a site audit, our team will assess the current situation and help create the future vision. Following the completion of the job, we provide a signage report that can be used for reorders.

Inspiring Creativity | Transforming Spaces
A blank piece of paper can create anxiety for a client. We have tools available to spark creativity and aid in the design process. Our Architectural Signage & Visual Graphics Solutions catalog offers:

  • Over 50 pages of inspiration
  • Before and after photos showing the transformation that occurs when adding vibrant signage to different environments
  • An overview of our project management process – including details about the initial inquiry, assessment, proposal, production, installation, and completion of the job

Whether it’s temporary or permanent, architectural signage is critical to establishing a company’s brand. From a practical restroom sign to a feature wall recognizing donors, your options are limitless.

Tap into Our Expertise
We’re here to walk you and your customer through the process of ordering architectural signage. With years of experience in diverse industries, there is an excellent chance we’ve worked on a project similar to what your customer needs. It’s this experience that allows us to partner with you to bring a creative signage solution to your customer.

The best place to start is by contacting your sales rep. If you’re not sure who your rep is, give us a call at 866-628-3290. We’re here to answer any of your questions!

Filed Under: Education, News, Print Products, Resources

Weather the Elements with Outdoor Labels

Posted on March 18, 2020 Written by

The sun is shining, the temps are starting to rise and it’s time to head outside! Ok, that’s not exactly the case here in Minnesota but a dreary snow-filled day is no match for outdoor labels.

Luckily, Label Works has top quality options to meet all your outdoor label needs. We offer 1 to Process color printing on 8 standard outdoor stocks, including a removable stock option – perfect for labels that are not intended to take permanent residence on a surface. Plus, we also offer our new, reflective stock. This stock bounces the light back to the source, creating high-visibility in low-light, dark or poor weather conditions.

A free, gloss lamination is provided to our outdoor labels to protect them against moisture, scratching and outside elements while adding an extra sheen to enhance your label design. Looking for the added protection, but not a fan of high-gloss? We have just the thing! Our matte lamination provides the same great barrier against the elements…plus, it’s the perfect choice for labels that need to be written on.

Yet another option for protecting outdoor labels from fading and cracking is our sunscreen lamination. It protects labels by combating UV rays and may extend the fade resistance of some inks. It might not smell of coconut, but it sure works wonders to ward off those pesky and abusive sunrays!

But don’t let the name deceive you…these labels are great for indoor items that just need a little extra protection. Think freezer labels, shampoo labels and any other label that may need a shield from the elements.

How can we meet your outdoor label needs? Click here to get started or contact us at 1-800-522-3558 or customercare@labelworks.com to chat about all we have to offer for outdoor labels and more!

Filed Under: Labels, News, Resources

Custom Letterhead and Envelopes: A Perfect Pair

Posted on February 26, 2020 Written by

When consumers go out to their mailbox, what they see can make a big difference in whether their mail gets opened. Polished, branded envelopes and letterhead are an essential way to add your customer’s brand to every mailing.

Why Coordinate?
The first reason your customers probably think of for buying letterhead and envelopes together is to create a complete stationery suite, and that’s a great place to start. Stationery envelopes are meant to coordinate with your customer’s letterhead order, which means that they can easily match the stock and print to create a stationery look with the utmost professionalism.

And coordinating stationery pieces does create a more professional look. It will make your customer’s messaging look put-together, and that can help consumers see your customer as more professional.

Beyond Stationery
Envelopes aren’t just the finishing touch for your customer’s stationery suite, though. They can also bring your customer’s brand to every mailing they send out. Stationery envelopes are just one part of a complete coordinated print set for your customer’s business, and bringing it all together can help them look as professional as possible to consumers.

Business envelopes printed with your customer’s logo are a great way to bring their brand to everyday mailings like invoices and account statements even before the envelope is opened. Even better, consumers will know exactly who sent their mail, so they’ll know at a glance who the mailing is from. This makes invoices and account statements more noticeable.

And if your customer has a larger mailing to send out, envelopes can bring their brand to catalogs, large booklets, paperwork packets, and more. Not only are these pieces branded, but they can also help protect these larger pieces better than sending them as a self-mailer will.

Which are your customers’ favorite envelopes? Leave us a comment below to tell us more about how your customers use envelopes in their business.

Filed Under: Design, Marketing, News, Print Products, Stationery
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