Printing United: Why In-Plant Managers Keep Coming Back
The energy of Printing United never fails to inspire. This year’s event brought together thousands of industry professionals eager to explore new technologies, strengthen relationships, and discover practical solutions for their operations. I had the pleasure of speaking with several IPMA members from higher education, insurance, utilities, and manufacturing operations at the show. Each with their own mission in mind, but all sharing a common goal: to learn, connect, and bring back new ideas to move their operation forward.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
For many in-plant leaders, Printing United offers a unique opportunity to see the industry’s full spectrum of print, mail and workflow solutions. Many more attendees were wearing rubber-soled shoes as they explored the vast displays of equipment and technology from wide-format, mailing equipment, and inkjet presses, to textiles, promotional products, AI tools and workflow solutions. One attendee told me their primary focus was to evaluate large-format options that could help bring rigid material printing back in-house. “Footprint size was the key factor,” they explained, “and I was able to find what I needed at a fair price.”
Another attendee emphasized the value of exploring technology across multiple disciplines. “My goal was to learn about new solutions by participating in a few sessions, as well as look into meter replacement options to comply with the USPS and investigate inkjet printers for future opportunities.”
When you’re responsible for a print and mail operation that serves an entire campus, utility, or corporation, every investment must balance cost, capability, and compliance. Seeing technologies side by side, while talking directly with supplier teams, gives attendees confidence to make those critical decisions. As one IPMA member put it, “Meeting in person with sales and customer support teams provides a better sense of how the various suppliers will support their products and services after the sale.”
Learning That Sparks Action
Trade shows are not just about walking the floor — they’re about uncovering what’s next. One of the most common takeaways I heard was excitement around workflow automation and data collection. Attendees noted their interest in solutions like Spencer Metrics to track utilization and performance in real time. Others explored AI-driven tools for scheduling, ink estimation, and capacity planning.
“I learned about AI tools to add personalization to print files,” shared one attendee. “These tools can help us improve efficiency and accuracy while planning for the future.”
Another highlight was discovering new equipment options tailored for specific needs — such as a lower-cost MICR solution for low-volume check printing from Riso. In an era of tight budgets and evolving business requirements, innovations like these can make a real difference for in-plants balancing service expectations with financial responsibility.
Unexpected Connections
Conferences also have a way of sparking unexpected moments. One attendee told me about running into someone they hadn’t seen in two decades — a former colleague who, as it turned out, had been instrumental in creating their first job opportunity in the industry. Encounters like these remind us that print and mail is a close-knit community built on relationships that span years and organizations.
Others were struck by just how far technology has advanced. “The speed of the new inkjet presses is impressive,” one attendee remarked. “It sparked my interest to investigate the options for insourcing our customer bills, which are currently outsourced.” That single observation could lead to major operational transformation in the months ahead.
Why Conferences Matter
When I asked these in-plant professionals if they plan to attend Printing United or other industry events next year, every one of them said yes. Their reasons were clear: continuous learning, understanding new technologies, and expanding their professional network.
“I plan to return to increase my knowledge of how the industry is changing and to explore new technologies and opportunities for our shop,” said one manager. Another added, “We need to understand more about our internal systems and how changes can impact downstream print and mail applications.”
For many, attending is also about benchmarking and connecting with peers. “Educational sessions with industry thought leaders and learning from peers running similar operations is invaluable,” said one attendee. “And seeing which suppliers and products will be most valuable for my organization helps guide our investment strategy.”
A Community That Keeps Moving Forward
Every conversation I had reinforced why shows like Printing United — and IPMA’s own annual conference — matter so much. They keep us informed, connected, and inspired. They remind us that even as technology evolves, the print and mail community thrives on collaboration and shared learning.
If you haven’t attended an industry conference lately, make 2026 your time to learn and connect. You’ll return with ideas, insights, new connections and renewed motivation to shape the future of your operation. I look forward to seeing the IPMA community in Greenville in June.