Apparel & Functional at PRINTING United

3. Look for Partners.

Just as print buyers are looking for shops that can step up and be true partners in their business, helping them grow with suggestions and ideas they might not have considered on their own, printers should be seeking that type of relationship with their vendors as well.

“As attendees walk the show, it is important for them to not only look for machines that will help their business grow, but also really evaluate the company behind those machines,” notes Scott Schinlever, president of Gerber Technology (Booths 8833, 8850). “In order to truly be successful, you need a technology partner who fully understands which products are going to benefit you and is dedicated to helping you grow. You need a technology partner that is not only going to bring you success today, but is also constantly innovating to prepare you for the future as well.”

As you walk the show floor, look beyond the latest and greatest bells and whistles on display. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what the vendor has planned for the future — what types of products and innovations are they looking to improve and develop? What type of education program do they have to help the shop get the most out of their investment? What type of support is there after the sale is final? These are all questions to ask right alongside learning the the details and specifications of the products, substrates, and other equipment.

PRINTING United is a unique opportunity for printers of all sizes, shapes, and types to not just look for incremental improvements to the production of today, but to explore the truly diverse range of possibilities of where the shop could go tomorrow. As you walk the show floor, don’t lose sight of who you are, but don’t be afraid to dream big.