IPG attended the 30th Texas Association of College and University Printers (TACUP) conference at the University of North Texas.

By Bob Neubauer

FOR 30 years now the Texas Association of College and University Printers (TACUP) has been meeting all over Texas. Last month, the University of North Texas (UNT) played host to the group, which included 42 managers from in-plants as far south as Brownsville, on the Mexico border. An affable group, they networked their way through 21/2 days of sessions and plant tours, finding plenty of time to laugh and learn.

UNT’s Jimmy Friend modeled the conference’s theme on the TV reality show “Survivor,” splitting attendees into two tribes, the Inkadinkas and the Paperwampus. Members fielded questions throughout the event, getting points for correct answers.

IPG Editor Bob Neubauer gave the kickoff presentation, which focussed on in-plant survival. He listed eight critical areas for in-plants to focus on if they plan to be around in the future:

• Online ordering/digital storefronts

• Digital color printing

• Marketing the in-plant

• Charging back

• Shop management systems

• Generating revenue/insourcing

• Supporting the university’s mission

• Adding new services

The Power of Digital Printing

In another session, Friend invited four of his shop’s biggest customers to testify to the advantages that the in-plant’s HP Indigo 3000 press has brought them—and they eagerly erupted with praise.

“Millions of headaches have been eased because of this process,” declared Jack Dunaway, undergraduate recruitment marketing coordinator. “It’s been a great, great help for us.”

He and others were excited about being able to print only what they need, avoiding ware

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Bob Neubauer Author's page

Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.

TACUP: A ‘Survivor’ Success Story