| The Breadth of Services Offered by "Printers" |
|
Why not call us “binders”? What good does it do to print a magazine if it can’t be bound? Nearly one half of our employees work in our bindery. It consumes tremendous non-wage resources as well, and it is a major beneficiary of capital investment. An entire cottage industry of enabling technologies has elevated the complexities of the binding process to dizzying heights. Wireless communication hubs throughout, RFID tracking systems, robotics, JDF machine instructions, universal inkjet controllers, selective inside and outside messaging…all at output speeds in excess of 15,000 books per hour. Lane Press has embraced these technologies. We just finished the installation of a new 24-pocket perfect binding line and a new 20-pocket saddle stitcher, each with all of the bells and whistles expected of a commercial bindery. In fact, we know of no other “ printer ” that can equal our new inkjetting capabilities. So sure, Lane Press is a binder. Or why not call us “distributors” and “logisticians”. The cost of delivering a magazine to the reader often exceeds that of the manufacturing process. Add to that the time-sensitive nature of virtually everything we produce and it’s no wonder that we have become logistics experts, capable of optimizing the cost and time associated with distributing publications. Although hard to fathom, USPS rules and rates have become even more arcane and onerous, pushing “ printers ” to launch services and solutions that help preserve the vitality – and even the viability – of small publishers. Lane Press is no exception. We recently expanded our drop shipping agreement with RR Donnelley Logistics to include comprehensive logistics and distribution services. These include local mail entry, dynamic entry, co-palletization, co-mailing, and foreign mail forwarding. In addition, we have developed a service group capable of translating the world of USPS TLA’s (three letter acronyms) into language - and solid recommendations - that our customers can understand and use. So call us logisticians. Or perhaps we’re really a “consultancy”. Turning green? Let’s explore new papers high in PCW content. Want to do your own proofing? Here’s our recommendation for best-of-breed devices and a profile to install that will optimize the interplay between proof and press. Want a digital version of your magazine? Let’s construct a workflow that will eliminate duplication of effort. Trying to reduce production cycle times? Here’s a recommended schedule, starting far upstream, that earns you two more days. While Lane Press has always been more consultative than most of our larger competitors, the complexities of modern magazine production and distribution make these services even more imperative. It looks like Lane Press is a consulting firm. In the end though, they got it right. As the Bard would say, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. Lane Press is a “ printer ” . It’s simply that “ printers ” do far more than put ink on paper. I suppose this has always been the case, but it seems that the breadth and depth of the services we provide – many having nothing to do with dots - have never been greater. As it should be, this is a mirror reflection of the growing complexities of the publishing business. As you tackle information technology, digital media, brand extension, changing readership demographics, personalization and targeting, unique advertising solutions, environmental responsibility, shorter production times, and escalating distribution costs, you can count on our support. We have always taken great pride in our ability to understand and support the business goals of our customers. That’s why, as a “ printer ” , we do so much more than print.
|
Lane Press is a “ printer ”, or so this is how we’ve been known for the past 103 years of our existence. Like it or not, that is the moniker we have been graced with by our customers, suppliers, and competitors. Certainly, the name fits with our heritage and is derived from that portion of our operation most closely associated with a time-honored and noble craft. I have to admit to the proud use of that label myself when asked for an elevator-ride description of our business. It’s handy because it’s readily recognizable as a descriptor of our enterprise. However, it is increasingly less reflective of all that we really do here at Lane Press.