Ohio University's Apparel Printing Success Showcased at Higher-Ed In-plant Conference in Savannah
Higher-ed in-plant managers are meeting in Savannah, Georgia, this week at the 46th Southeastern University Print, Digital and Mail Conference (SUPDMC). Coordinated by Drew Burgering, manager of Columbus State University’s in-plant, the event has drawn managers from schools like the University of North Carolina, Duke University, Ohio University, Clayton County Public Schools and more.
IPI Editor Bob Neubauer gave a presentation on trends at higher-ed in-plants.
After opening speaker Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America, IPI Editor Bob Neubauer gave a presentation on trends at higher-ed in-plants, citing data from a 2024 IPI research report. He also addressed artificial intelligence (AI) in the printing industry and offered examples of how it’s being used to create direct mail campaigns and even analyze and summarize lengthy email messages.
Another interesting speaker, Blaine Gabriel of Ohio University, impressed attendees with a description of his in-plant’s busy apparel printing business, which is generating his shop’s second highest profit margin after wide-format printing. His staff produces 500-600 shirts per week using a new EZ-Jet Pro 24 direct-to-film printer from Equipment Zone and three heat presses. The Athens, Ohio, in-plant produces shirts for university groups and for local businesses.
Blaine Gabriel of Ohio University talked about his in-plant’s busy apparel printing business.
“We are just ecstatic with the way this thing’s taken off for us,” said Gabriel. “It’s a very big revenue maker for us.”
Other sessions covered different types of adhesives used on graphics, and ways in-plants can add value with wide-format, embellishment, and security inks. Mike Strand of edu Business Solutions led a discussion on Web-to-print systems in which he showed some in-plants’ ordering sites and discussed various features.
From left: Blaine Gabriel, Paul Jones and Steve Barrett.
An interactive discussion about production inkjet by Dave Matheu of R.J. Young covered the state of inkjet in the market, the difference between aqueous and UV inkjet presses, recent improvements to the technology, and more. The conversation inspired lots of questions from attendees.
The conference continues Wednesday with a session on mail lockers and a roundtable discussion on hot services. Then the group will visit the Savannah College of Art & Design.
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.
