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MILLCRAFT'S "IN STOCK"
Read Millcraft's quarterly industry magazine "In Stock" on line for insight into the paper, packaging and graphic arts industry
Pulp, Paper, Packaging, Tissue, Wood Products Take Center Stage During National Forest Products Week Oct. 16 - 22
Source: American Forest & Paper Association, October 17, 2016
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman this week issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s proclamation recognizing National Forest Products Week (Oct. 16 – 22):
“At home, school, the workplace and all points in between, pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products provide undeniable value to society and economies across the country. National Forest Products Week offers a welcome opportunity to underscore the value of these products to the nation’s economy and our everyday life.
“Paper and wood product manufacturers contribute to the economic backbone of communities across the country. The forest products industry employs directly nearly 900,000 men and women in family-wage jobs and rank among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 45 states. Our companies utilize renewable, recyclable materials in innovative and highly-efficient processes to make products Americans rely on today and will need tomorrow.
“Lives are made easier thanks to paper-based packaging, communications, hygienic and other specialty products along with innovating wood-based construction techniques. Across the production process, voluntary programs like Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 resulted in improvements that demonstrate the industry’s firm commitment to sustainability. With goals for further industry improvement already in place, the future for paper, packaging, pulp, tissue and wood products is a vibrant one.”
Featured Video: Two Sides Survey Reflects High Levels of Consumer Acceptance Relative to Paper Use Source: What They Think/Two Sides North America, October 14, 2016
Phil Riebel, President of Two Sides North America, shares with WhatTheyThink the results of a global survey designed to understand how consumers value paper. 88% of respondents in the U.S. felt it was acceptable to use trees from well managed forests to make lumber for construction or pulp for paper for printing, reflecting that their primary concern is that the industry does things responsibly. Watch the video for more details, including changes in messaging about paper from Starbucks.
Consumer Groups Urge SEC to Drop Rule on Paperless Shareholder Reports
Source: Consumers for Paper Options, October 13, 2016
Consumers for Paper Options (CPO), a coalition of individuals and organizations advocating for access to paper-based services and information, and its consumer group allies have urged the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rescind proposed Rule 30e-3, which would allow mutual funds to discontinue the mailing of shareholder reports and other important investment information. During an SEC meeting today, the agency voted to postpone a final decision on Rule30e-3, despite public comments in the media that the rule would be dropped.
Part of the broader Investment Company Reporting Modernization rulemaking, Rule30e-3 would allow mutual funds to simply post shareholder reports to a website and require investors to specifically request mail delivery – even though investors already have the ability to request this information electronically, and the majority have opted to continue receiving them by mail. More than 900 Americans, including individual investors and elected officials, have filed comments with the SEC in opposition to the rule and its negative impact shareholders who need access to paper reports.
“A significant portion of the population lacks regular Internet access,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League – a partner of Consumers for Paper Options. “Seniors, minority Americans, disabled Americans, and those living in rural areas don’t always have access or the ability to use the Internet. They depend on paper materials for the information they need.”
Greenberg added, “We understand the desire to cut costs and eliminate waste. However, we urge the SEC to recognize that Rule 30e-3 places a higher priority on efficiency than on consumer rights, investor transparency and disclosure, and to drop this rule.”
AF&PA Releases September Containerboard and Boxboard Production Reports
Source: American Forest & Paper Association/PaperAge, October 20, 2016
According to the American Forest & Paper Association's newly release September 2016 U.S. Containerboard Statistics Report, containerboard production was 2 percent higher compared to September 2015. The month-over-month average daily production compared to August 2016 was 1.4 percent lower. The containerboard operating rate for September increased to 97.4 percent, while the year-to-date operating rate of 95 percent was 1 percentage point lower compared to year-to-date 2015.
The AF&PA's September U.S. Boxboard Report said total boxboard production decreased 4.2 percent when compared to September 2015 and decreased 6.6 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month as last year and decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production decreased when compared to September 2015 and decreased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard decreased compared to September 2015 and decreased when compared to last month.
FSC® Honors International Paper as Responsible Forestry Champion
Source: International Paper, October 14, 2016
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) recently recognized International Paper with an FSC Leadership Award for forest certification commitment and program innovation. The FSC Leadership Awards celebrate organizations and people who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to responsible forest management and FSC. Winners were selected by a jury panel of professionals, FSC staff, and board members and were announced at the FSC Leadership Awards ceremony on Oct. 5, 2016.
International Paper was recognized for its innovative U.S. FSC certification strategy to increase the amount of FSC certified fiber used in packaging, pulp, and paper products. One of the ways International Paper increased the amount of FSC certified fiber was the development of its own FSC forest management group - Certified Forest Management LLC (CFM LLC). CFM LLC is managed by International Paper's fiber supply team and has become a cost-effective means for small private landowners to become FSC certified.
As a result of International Paper's efforts with CFM LLC and the creation and support of International Paper-supplier-based FSC groups, the company has influenced the growth of more than 1 million acres of FSC lands in the United States and currently supports 40 suppliers who have FSC Chain of Custody certificates. This growth has helped International Paper achieve a 28 percent increase in certified fiber over its 2010 baseline and increased its annual volume of FSC certified tons by approximately 1.6 million tons.
"We are extremely pleased with our fiber certification efforts and are thrilled with how many other landowners and wood suppliers have expressed interest," said Jeremy Poirier, International Paper fiber certification manager. "We continue to gain new members resulting in significant growth, increasing our CFM LLC group to a total of 342,500 acres. It is an honor to be recognized for our commitment to responsible forestry management."
Mohawk Specially Engineered Substrates Help Super-Charge Marketing Efforts with Magnets
Source: Mohawk Make Ready, October 2016
Mohawk offers a range of specially engineered substrates, available in semi-gloss paper and matte polyester face stocks across three different weights, each of which ships unmagnetized for ease of digital printing.
Transforming these papers into super-charged magnetized materials can be done in a snap. This transformation process involves easy-to-use and cost-efficient magnetizing equipment, which ranges from hand-held magnetic rollers to industrial desktop magnetizers in various sizes.
Why Not Purchase Pre-Magnetized Materials?
The answer comes down to runnability and strength. There’s a lot of metal in the paper path of digital presses. Pre-magnetized sheets come with the added risk of potentially causing a jam in the paper path due to the contact with metal. The other value of Mohawk Magnetic substrates is that they have three-times the magnetic strength compared to traditional pre-magnetized substrates. This means they can hold, on average, two to three sheets of 8.5”x 11” paper. Better strength translates to a longer shelf life for your customer’s marketing materials.
To learn more, Just ask your Millcraft account manager.
Print-Tech serves clients in small companies as well as in Fortune 500 companies, in Ann Arbor and throughout southeastern Michigan and beyond. With this acquisition, the company is now able to serve all former customers of First Impression. Once the owners of First Impression made the decision to retire, they chose Print-Tech for the recent acquisition, in large part because of its excellent reputation as a print provider that focuses on client needs, as well as its compatible capabilities.
New customers from First Impression will experience a seamless transition. Emails and phone numbers have been redirected to Print-Tech’s system, and all job files and history have been sent.
Dscoop Opens Registration for Dscoop Phoenix, Imagine
Source: Dscoop, October 13, 2016
Dscoop, the largest digital printing user group in the graphics industry, announced that registration for Dscoop Phoenix, Imagine is officially open at DscoopPhoenix.org. The conference, to be held on March 1–4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona is open to all HP Graphics Solutions users. Focused primarily on how end-users are using print, Imagine promises to bring together the Dscoop community and high-profile successful brands and award-winning creative agencies.
Dscoop members, industry leaders and Dscoop partners will benefit from fast-paced experiences that educate on innovative digital marketing technologies, inspire new business processes and cultivate a peer network. "This year, the conference includes the entire Dscoop communications eco-system. The sessions will be delivered by industry disruptors and creative leaders transforming their processes, campaigns and ROI through the use of digital print," says Kathy Wise, Dscoop board member and president of DME Holdings. A vibrant Solutions Showcase provides opportunities to collaborate and learn with Dscoop partners demonstrating the latest in equipment and solutions.
Conference registration, as well as opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors, can be found at DscoopPhoenix.org. Save $400 with the early-bird conference registration rate through November 30th.
The (Very) Political Chocolate Design Army Sweetens the Political Climate with Chocolate
Source: Neenah Paper Against the Grain, October 14, 2016
Whether you’re left, right, or ready to move to Canada to hide from the upcoming 2016 presidential election, you could probably use some sweet news and a good chuckle about now. Lucky you, we just so happen to know where you can get it. Take at look at this fun, politically charged collaboration between the Washington DC-based Design Army and DC chocolatier Harper Macaw.
Design Army Co-founder, Pum Lefebure says The (Very) Political Collection was of course inspired by the current political climate, yet at the same time a reaction to the turmoil, “We wanted to do something for DC politics to make it a little less bitter.”
The project is a collection of six different chocolate bars; each designed to add a more refined taste (and a little levity) to the current state of the state. No matter the party or platform, there’s a sweet treat to satisfy every political flavor: Tea Party; Filibuster; Flip-Flopper; Taxation without Representation; Red State, and Left Wing.
The bars are boxed in CLASSIC CREST® Cover, Avalanche White, 100C, Stipple, and printed 4-color. The bellyband that holds the collection features a patriotic red foil stamp. Lefebure says of the paper selection, “Just like the chocolate, we wanted a paper that would stimulate the senses. It’s very tactile and yet has a hard finish, which allows the pantone inks to really pop off the sheet.”
WhatTheyThink White Paper Highlights Top 5 Things to Automate in a Packaging Workflow
Source: WhatTheyThink, October 19, 2016
As demand for smaller, often versioned lots and faster time to market continues to grow, brand owners, agencies and packaging converters alike are looking for ways to take time and touches out of the packaging workflow. They are interested in increased automation and solutions that improve the quality of the packaging while keeping costs in line. The latest WhatTheyThink white paper, sponsored by Kodak, discusses the following Top 5 ways that packaging workflow can be automated to make the process as streamlined and cost-effective as possible without any compromise in quality.
Begin at the Beginning. By implementing prepress portals and web-to-print storefronts, packaging converters make it easier for their brand owner customers to submit jobs both large and small.
Automating Packaging Layout Creation. By automating this function, users can save up to two hours per job and make more efficient use of expensive substrates.
Optimizing Color. Increasingly, packaging operations are taking advantage of the benefits of fixed color palette printing using a fixed set of up to seven inks, typically CMYK plus orange, green and violet or blue.
Task-Based Management of the Creative Workflow. Without adequate project management, employees will work less efficiently and there is more risk of errors, print delays and rework, all of which adds up to missed deadlines and increased costs.
Managing Color Relationships. Color that does not meet brand owner expectations is the primary reason for rejects and rework.
New Survey: Direct Mail Tops TV, Digital Ads in Helping Swing Voters Decide
Spending on political direct mail increased by 50 percent since last presidential election Source: U.S. Postal Service, October 13, 2016
According to a new survey, more than half of swing voters responding (58 percent) said direct mail is either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful” in deciding how and whom to vote for, beating out television (55 percent), online (48 percent) and email (46 percent). Approximately one of three registered voters surveyed identified as a swing voter. Among those surveyed, 14 percent said they were “undecided,” and 18 percent said they “might change their minds.”
Not only do swing voters find mail helpful, the majority of them read it. The online survey, conducted by Summit Research, found 54 percent of swing voters surveyed say they read political direct mail immediately upon receiving it and 24 percent will save it to read later. There’s opportunity for campaigns: 52 percent of swing voters surveyed say they’ve not received any political mail at their residences. In comparison, 80 percent of these swing voters report seeing political television ads.
“When political races are tight, campaigns need to know what influences swing voters,” said Cliff Rucker, vice president of Sales for the United States Postal Service. “Political mail spending has increased nationally by 50 percent since the last presidential election. As campaigns use more mail, it’s all the more reason to explore mail’s impact.”
According to the Postal Service, spending on political mail increased from $176 million (October 2011–July 2012) to $268 million (October 2015–July 2016).
Additional key survey findings among all “likely” voters were:
Voters read their political mail. Sixty percent of voters read political mail about a candidate or issue immediately after receiving it, and 24 percent save it to read later
Voters find direct mail most helpful overall for learning voter registration deadlines. More than two in three voters surveyed (68 percent) say “direct mail sent to my home” is the top choice to inform them about registering to vote in their state, rating it either “very useful” or “pretty useful,” compared to ads on television (65 percent), online (52 percent) and radio (50 percent).
Voters find direct mail “most helpful” overall for learning about early voting deadlines. Sixty-seven percent of likely voters surveyed find mail “very useful” or “pretty useful” for information on early voting deadlines, compared to ads on television (65 percent), online (52 percent) and radio (50 percent).
Voters are issue-oriented when it comes to political mail. Voters are “most likely” to use political mail to learn about a candidate’s position on the issues (53 percent), followed by voting record or past statements (37 percent), biographical information (32 percent) and endorsements (28 percent).
“Direct mail delivers a civic education to the voting public, exerting an influence that goes wide and deep,” added Rucker. “Direct mail informs voters about candidates’ stand on issues, dates for state registration deadlines, early voting and much more.”
Source: Mark Hahn, What They Think, October 13, 2016
Since the beginning of the economic recovery in 2009, first class mail is down by -12%, standard mail (discounted bulk mail) down by -18%, and periodicals down a whopping -32%. Is there anyone surprised at this? Since 2000, per capita first class mail is down about 5 pounds, periodicals down 10 pounds, and standard mail down about 14.5 pounds...totally nearly 30 pounds per capita less mail.
What was the USPS reaction to their decline in sales from economic conditions and new competitors? Raise prices, of course. Those higher costs had to be balanced by less frequent and lighter mailings to tightly focused audiences, and greater emphasis on data base hygiene. Mailing is a more demanding niche than ever for the printers that specialize in it. Automation is critical, and new high quality ink jet printing technologies, some of which are already in the market with new ones yet to come, may change the costs of print and increase its flexibility in a manner that can make hard copy mail more attractive than it has been in recent years.
What If the Newspaper Industry Made a Colossal Mistake?
Source: Jack Shafer, Politico, October 17, 2016
What if almost the entire newspaper industry got it wrong?
What if, in the mad dash two decades ago to repurpose and extend editorial content onto the Web, editors and publishers made a colossal business blunder that wasted hundreds of millions of dollars? What if the industry should have stuck with its strengths—the print editions where the vast majority of their readers still reside and where the overwhelming majority of advertising and subscription revenue come from—instead of chasing the online chimera?
That’s the contrarian conclusion I drew from a new paper written by H. Iris Chyi and Ori Tenenboim of the University of Texas and published this summer in Journalism Practice. Buttressed by copious mounds of data and a rigorous, sustained argument, the paper cracks open the watchworks of the newspaper industry to make a convincing case that the tech-heavy Web strategy pursued by most papers has been a bust. The key to the newspaper future might reside in its past and not in smartphones, iPads and VR. “Digital first,” the authors claim, has been a losing proposition for most newspapers.
These findings matter because conventional newspapers, for all their shortcomings, remain the best source of information about the workings of our government, of industry, and of the major institutions that dominate our lives. They still publish a disproportionate amount of the accountability journalism available, a function that’s not being fully replaced by online newcomers or the nonprofit entities that have popped up. If we give up the print newspaper for dead, accepting its demise without a fight, we stand to lose one of the vital bulwarks that protect and sustain our culture.
Chyi and Tenenboim studied the total in-market (i.e., local) online readership of 51 top U.S. newspapers (excluding the national newspapers—the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today) and found depressing results. Few of them have experienced any growth since 2007, the point at which the online versions had been available for about a decade, making it a mature product. In fact, more than half have lost online readers since 2011, a finding that shocked Chyi, putting mean online readership for the 51 newspapers in the study at about a third that of print.**
As she explains, the circulation of the supposedly dying print product may be in decline, but it still reaches many more readers than the supposedly promising digital product in home markets, and this trend holds across all age groups. For all the expense of building, programming and hosting them, online editions haven't added much in the way of revenue, either.
Update: Chain of Custody Standard public consultation
Source: Forest Stewardship Council, October 14, 2016
The third public consultation on the FSC-STD-40-004 Chain of Custody Certification standard ended on August 31, 2016. The valuable feedback supplied by over 500 participants, 72 per cent of whom have been FSC certificate holders for five years or more, will be considered in the revised standard presented to the FSC International Board of Directors for approval in November 2016.
“It has always been our intention to address misleading claims in the FSC system,” says Achim Droste, Director of the FSC Policy & Standards Unit. “In terms of transaction verification, 43 per cent of respondents were in favour of the risk-based approach, while 57 per cent were against. However, the informed feedback we received has provided numerous solutions for us to consider moving forward.”
Approximately equal numbers of small, medium-sized, and large organizations provided feedback, and a majority of the stakeholders who responded were from the European region. Many respondents appreciated the improved clarity of the text, examples, and graphics in the draft standard. The section of the standard about transaction verification was the most commented upon, with many differing opinions.
Respondents were concerned about the risks to data security, an increase in costs, and increased complexity to chain of custody certification due to transaction verification.
Respondents suggested that various solutions for transaction verification should be tested before implementation, as its likely numerous solutions will have to work together to address supply chain challenges.
Respondents agreed that there should be clear consequences for falsifying claims and they should come into effect quickly when a certification body or Accreditation Services International (ASI) identifies a false claim.
Respondents agreed ASI should have a bigger role in monitoring and controlling purposeful fraudulent claims in the FSC system.
Respondents agreed that the Online Claims Platform (OCP) should remain available to anyone who wants to use it voluntarily.
“Reaching consensus amongst our stakeholders on this issue is not an easy task, but we encourage open dialogue about possible solutions because we are committed to strengthening the integrity of supply chain certification throughout the FSC system,” Droste continues. “To remain a respected and credible organization with the highest standards, we must continue to lead and push for an appropriate solution that meets the needs of our stakeholders, and the needs of the world’s forests.”
Postal Service Announces 2017 Shipping Prices Pricing Unchanged for Priority Mail International, First-Class Package
International and Priority Mail Express International Service
Source: U.S. Postal Service, October 19, 2016
The U.S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes for Shipping Services products to take effect next year, following the end of the holiday mailing season. The filing does not include any price increase for First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International.
The average Shipping Services price change is 3.9 percent, which results in an average shipping price of less than $5 per shipment across all shipping products.
The new prices, if approved, represent a modest price increase in Priority Mail by 3.9 percent and an average of 3.3 percent in Priority Mail Retail prices.
Visit Millcraft's website or contact Susan Morgan, Millcraft's Corporate Projects Manager, for additional information on Millcraft's business awards and national diversity and environmental certifications.
American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President & CEO Donna Harman this week issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s proclamation recognizing National Forest Products Week (Oct. 16 – 22):
According to a new survey, more than half of swing voters responding (58 percent) said direct mail is either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful” in deciding how and whom to vote for, beating out television (55 percent), online (48 percent) and email (46 percent). Approximately one of three registered voters surveyed identified as a swing voter. Among those surveyed, 14 percent said they were “undecided,” and 18 percent said they “might change their minds.”
What if, in the mad dash two decades ago to repurpose and extend editorial content onto the Web, editors and publishers made a colossal business blunder that wasted hundreds of millions of dollars? What if the industry should have stuck with its strengths—the print editions where the vast majority of their readers still reside and where the overwhelming majority of advertising and subscription revenue come from—instead of chasing the online chimera?
