There is more to PRINTING United Expo than just ink on a piece of paper. It allowed UV printing and apparel printing to be showcased in two large halls.
Both suppliers and distributors of promotional products attended the event. Some exhibited in booths while others strolled the show floor with other print buyers. Others were interested in purchasing new equipment for printing and decorating to improve their products and processes.
We spoke with some people in the promotional world, both on the distributor and supplier side. Sometimes we sat at cafe tables, other times at exhibit booths, to talk about what attracted them to the event. They also discussed how promotional products fit into the show.
Convergence
Print service suppliers have a unique position in the promotional products industry. They can use their print experience to become distributors of promotional items. It’s not too different, and they can jump into promotional products through apparel or signage.
The Pennsylvania-based company alphabroder showcased its apparel division as well as hard goods to show what promotional products have to offer.
Mitchell Wilson is the business development ambassador at alphabroder. He said, “For apparel, we have private brands, fashion brands, then retail evenly spread throughout the promotional product side of things.” We sell journals, mugs and pens. We do screen printing and embroidery as well as imprinting, pad printing, laser engraving, and other decorating on certain promotional products. We can help with decorating and also do wholesale for customers who want to decorate their own products.
Online Boom
Distributors on the show floor were receptive to this appeal for distributors who are looking for a variety of decorated items.
Jim Franklyn (Vice President, Business Development, Swag Promo) spoke on the demand that the internet created for direct-to -garment printing (DTG), direct-to -fabric printing (DTF), which was all over the floor.
Franklyn called it “interesting” and said that the show personified how traditional business models blurred: print and promotion, supplier and distributer. He said it reinforced his belief that online shopping for promotional items is a major factor in driving small orders.
Franklyn explained that “a lot of companies have massive programs, but also need one-offs or just smaller quantities to do a micro event.” “We are interested in DTF and UV DTF because we can offer these services to our customers. [offer] They provide full service.”
He explained that, even ten years ago, many distributors of promotional products might have shied from selling one-offs. However, now this is unavoidable because the internet allows end-buyers and their competitors to buy in small quantities.
Franklyn explained, “That’s only part of it.” “A customer must be able order online, even if it’s just one shirt.
Face-to-Face Interaction
Some suppliers, who are distributors or print professionals looking for the easiest way to enter the promotional products business, used exhibits to demonstrate how their products can be decorated and integrated into a campaign.
Miles Wadsworth – the president of Logo Mats – walked us around his booth, explaining what they had to offer to attendees who walked by their colorful booth.
Better Decoration
A second way suppliers took advantage of the show is to invest in a new printing technology. Many print companies were exhibiting on the floor and showing what they could achieve.
Rhonda Reilly was on the floor of Pilot Pen’s promotional products department looking for ways to upgrade Pilot’s UV digital machines.
She said, “I believe it’s going to be really beneficial for us because it will reduce our people’s time but increase our productivity.” “More importantly, that’s what we are looking for.”
Reilly claims that if Pilot invests in new decorating equipment, the distributor will be able to expect quicker turn-times thanks to the increased printing capacity.
She added, “For the distributor we would be able turn and meet urgent orders a bit better, as well as give a higher quality of imprints on pens.”
Matt Quinn, the president of QUINN also stated that his primary goal for attending was to gain as much knowledge as possible about new printing and equipment technologies as well as finishing systems and software management programs for flags, banners, and other products. His list included laser cutters as well as finishing systems, software management programs, and sewing capabilities.
Quinn was compelled to travel from Pennsylvania to Atlanta, even though he says that he does not attend shows of this nature very often. Quinn said he is betting on the ability of his company to handle any future challenges, because we’ve seen over the past few months how major industry (and global) shakeups are possible almost overnight.
He said, “I’m here because I believe 2024 will be a tough year in the industry and nationwide with all the things going on around the world. I like to do what’s the opposite.” “I really like to invest in my business and do more. When COVID hit and everyone was scaling down, I really invested and built the company. This included hiring people and looking for new equipment. It’s why I’m here. [to do.] I personally don’t go to many shows. I know people who go. “I’m here to make some important decisions.