In-plants Featured at International Printing Week
Two in-plants took center stage at International Printing Week this week, an annual event hosted by Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department to commemorate Benjamin Franklin and promote the importance of today’s printing and publishing industry. Jimmy Vainstein, who manages The World Bank’s printing operations in Washington, D.C., and Jerry Hill, California State Printer, were both featured speakers at the event, which carried the theme “The Future of Graphic Communication.”
The five-day program included a lecture series, a banquet and a career fair today. The keynote speaker at last night's banquet was Michele Sordi, vice president of editorial at SAGE Publications, who discussed the future of printed textbooks, scholarly publications and periodicals.
During his presentation on Monday, Vainstein spoke about The World Bank’s acquisition of a new HP Inkjet T-230 production inkjet press along with the politics and logistics required to successfully complete the purchase and installation.
Yesterday, Hill explained to students that cost justification is key for an in-plant, and said in-plants need to focus on delighting their customers. Hill commented that in-plants are looking to add services beyond print to bring in new revenue. He explained that like commercial printers in-plants need to understand where the industry is going, and incorporate new technologies. Hill told the Cal Poly students in attendance that in-plants are responsible for 40 percent of the printing in the U.S. He reminded the audience that two Cal Poly students founded Kinkos.
Associate Professor Ken Macro, a former in-plant manager, was one of the organizers of International Printing Week. Having in-plants involved was important to him, he told IPG.
"I have made it clear that I want to expose the validity and prominence of the in-plant printer within our curriculum and our region," he said. "It is through the in-plant that the parent organization's knowledge is disseminated."
