October 31, 2008

Did you know the first Halloween card was created in the early 1920's?  Today, over 28 million Halloween cards are sent annually.  U.S. consumers spend about $50 million on Halloween greetings.  Wow, or should we say, Boooo!!

September 29, 2008

Considered the celebration of the beginning of the Jewish New Year, an estimated 12 million Rosh Hashanah cards are exchanged annually in the United States.  Following an overall return to tradition and family, it's the third-highest religious card-giving holiday in the country, and the 10th largest card-sending occasion! 

September 24-27, 2008
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
La Jolla, CA

GCA's 67th Annual Convention promises a wealth of information with educational sessions for those involved in all facets of the greeting card and stationery industry.  If you're interested, join Independent Printing for our presentation entitled, Green Printing and What it Means to You!  We'd love to have you join us!  

It may look like summer, but for the greeting card industry Christmas is just around the corner.  While attending the show, we saw some of the hottest trends for the upcoming holiday season! 

** The green movement isn't so green anymore.  Fortunately, environmentally-friendly products no longer need to look "recycled."  Advances in technology and manufacturing processes allow us to achieve the look and feel we want, while minding our environmental responsibility.

** Chocolate browns and various shades of green were very evident throughout the show.

** Mod patterns, retro images, animal patterns and damasks were prevalent across the show floor.

** Owls and dragonflies are being used on a multitude of items.  Birds, in general, seemed to have taken flight this season!

June 15, 2008

Honor thy Father!  With 105 million cards sent annually, Father's Day is the 4th most "greeted" holiday; behind Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. 

Independent Printing was recently recognized and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a SmartWay Transport Partner.

The SmartWay logo identifies products and services that proactively reduce transportation-related emissions.  As a SmartWay partner, Independent Printing is devoted to protecting our environment and improving our air quality for future generations.  Independent has made, and will continue to make, significant, measurable air quality and greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emissions and/or pollutants. 

The SmartWay Partnership is the most recent addition to Independent Printing's environmental affiliations.  We are also proud to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Rainforest Alliance as a Chain of Custody supplier. 

Independent Printing adds yet another six-color press!  The new addition, a state-of-the-art Komori LS-640, joins our existing Heidelberg large press line-up. 

Bill Ziemendorf, President & CEO commented, "This capital expansion completes another vital step in our strategic growth plans, further strengthening our value proposition."