Commercial Printers Adding Packaging

"In lean times, companies didn't necessarily cut their marketing and POS spend, but then that strategy changed, and they got cut as well," Elbing notes. "Today, POS only makes up seven percent of our business. We saw it becoming more and more competitive."

Elbing points out that while competition is stiff for SBS board specialists, his company is adept at inking synthetic substrates including PVC, polypropylene, and polyester, along with foil board. The second key to the transformation is Service Litho-Print's ability to add embellishments: foil stamping, embossing, special laminations, and coatings. This allows the shop to pursue high-end cosmetics and other packaging niches.