ders wouldn’t be a huge jump. Or maybe your shop is in the market for a new piece of equipment after delaying purchases due to COVID—consider adding a machine that can also handle corrugated. Due to the growth of online shopping and subscription services, one of the more promising packaging applications is printing on both the inside and outside of subscription boxes to elevate and customize the unboxing experience. Flooring. Digitally printed ceramic and vinyl flooring and simulated wood printing on laminate flooring are all growing. There are a few reasons for this. For one, the supply chain woes are affecting every market, and it can be easier to custom print flooring on demand versus trying to source it. In addition, as offices open back up, both employers and realtors are looking for ways to attract employees and clients back into the building. Transforming the environment through printed flooring and walls is one way they are doing this. Textiles. Tradeshows were always a huge market for soft signage and textiles, but as shows disappeared the last two to three years thanks to the pandemic, textiles diversified into other markets like décor. Unique applications like printed leather and printed shower curtains are in demand as people reinvest in their homes. Boer says the price per square foot skyrockets compared to other applications because these are more high-value products. Demand for custom apparel applications is also up as people once again venture out to socialize and attend events. Much like with flooring, many of these textile applications are now printed on demand or in shorter run lengths to counteract sourcing and supply chain issues. Across the board, the demand for many of these printed products has led to onshoring—the process of sourcing or relocating a business’ production operations within domestic national borders—in order to get better control of the supply chain, provide shorter lead times, and reduce waste. No matter what opportunity you explore, consider the advice of 2022 EFI Connect Keynote Speaker Kevin Warren, EVP & CMO of UPS, and be “default aggressive” and bold in all your business decisions. signshop.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MANAGE A SUCCESSFUL SIGN BUSINESS To run a successful sign shop, you need to run a successful business. Sign Builder Illustrated can help. Not only do we focus on the work you do on the shop floor, but we also focus on the work you do to improve the success and wellbeing of you and your team.
www.signshop.com
March 2022
Sign Builder Illustrated
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