Survey of School District In-plants

A FEW things have changed since we last surveyed school district in-plants in 2005. Fewer of them run offset presses now. Four years ago, 90 percent had them; today just 79 percent are inking up presses. Digital color printing, on the other hand, has grown from 62 percent to 82 percent. More are likewise providing design services. About 66 percent handled design in 2005 and 80 percent offer it today.
While school district in-plants print many of the same items they did four years ago, there’s been a noticeable increase in the number of shops that produce course materials, tests, posters and direct mail. Here are some other interesting facts we learned:
• 91 percent charge back for their services
• 71 percent compare charges with outside printers
• 61 percent market their in-plants
• 54 percent insource printing
• 33 percent have the right of first refusal
• 29 percent provide training opportunities to employees
• 18 percent have a high-speed digital color printer
• 08 percent operate a satellite printing/copying center
Our recent survey pulled in 86 responses. To view a PDF of the results, click on the link: