That push toward relevance is baked into the idea of personalized learning: . For many education organizations, the challenge is scale. How do you create that level of relevance without turning every print run into a scheduling and inventory headache?

That is where variable data printing (VDP) comes in. By merging a design template with a data file, VDP lets you personalize text, images and content blocks from one printed piece to the next without slowing production.

What 鈥淐ustom鈥� Can Mean in Education

Customization is more than putting a name on a cover. In educational printing, VDP can support several levels of personalization and versioning, including:

• Student-ready materials: names, IDs, class codes, variable QR codes to the right lesson, differentiated practice sets
• Teacher and school versions: local branding, pacing tools, classroom pack labels
• District and state versions: standards alignment, bilingual editions, accessibility formats, updates by adoption cycle
• Targeted outreach: admissions and enrollment packets, catalogs and direct mail segmented by role or region.

The common thread is simple: your core design stays consistent, while the details change to fit the reader.

Why Customized Educational Printing Delivers Value

1) Relevance improves engagement

Print still plays a major role in learning because it is accessible, durable and easy to use in the classroom. often finds advantages for comprehension from print materials, especially with longer texts. 

When you pair print鈥檚 usability with personalization, the material feels immediately 鈥渇or me.鈥� That can be as simple as a student name on a workbook to reduce loss, or as advanced as unit-specific practice tied to diagnostic results.

2) Complex versioning becomes manageable

Education publishing is full of versions: state standards, district preferences, leveling, consumables. VDP supports 鈥渧ersioning with rules,鈥� so one job can output multiple versions based on the audience. Pair that with print-on-demand replenishment, and you can keep content current with less waste. 

3) Faster updates for tight calendars

Customization helps you respond to change without rebuilding everything. One practical tactic is a core book + variable section approach: keep the stable foundation the same, then swap in state pages, local examples or updated assessments as a variable signature or insert.

4) Better measurement for recruitment and retention

Customized print is not only for instruction. Education market companies and institutions use print to recruit students, engage families and drum up event attendance. VDP makes those campaigns not only personal, but measurable; variable QR codes or offer codes help you see what resonates by segment, then refine future versions. 

5) Equity and accessibility at scale

Digital access is not uniform. Students in rural areas may have lower rates of fixed broadband access at home than students in suburban areas. Print helps close that gap by delivering learning materials that do not require reliable home internet. Customization extends the benefit by letting you produce accessibility formats only where they are needed.

Data and Pre-Press Basics for Successful VDP

VDP projects work best when design, data and production planning happen together. A few practical guidelines:

• Clean the data early. Decide field formats, approvals and update timing before design finalization.
• Pick variables that matter. Early success often comes from two to five elements: name, school, standards set or QR code.
• Design for variability. Build templates that can handle long names and different language lengths without breaking layouts.
• Plan for privacy. If student data is involved, confirm that data handling aligns with and what counts as .听

Understanding 杏吧原创鈥檚 VDP Capabilities

If you want personalization that scales, an educational print partner鈥檚 workflow matters as much as the press. 杏吧原创 supports VDP using a mix of data services, inkjet imaging and variable data digital printing, designed to keep complex personalization projects consistent and repeatable.

杏吧原创 also offers storefront-driven customization through Traxion鈥檚 XMPie庐 uStore庐 web-to-print solution, which allows approved users to create template-based files, import mailing lists and route approvals through an online portal. For example, 杏吧原创 helped Ripon College develop a branded storefront, allowing departments to efficiently create and mail personalized materials.

A Simple Way to Start

VDP does not require a massive rollout. A controlled pilot can prove value quickly: one segment, a limited set of variables and a measurable response mechanism such as a QR code. From there, you can scale into deeper personalization, more segments and smarter versioning, all while keeping production efficient.

Create Customized Education Materials With 杏吧原创

Customization is not a luxury in educational printing. It is a practical way to increase relevance, reduce waste and support real-world teaching and learning needs. With VDP, educational publishers and education market companies can deliver materials that feel tailored while staying within budgets and calendars. If you鈥檇 like to learn more about how 杏吧原创鈥檚 state-of-the-art technology can revolutionize your print program, let鈥檚 talk.

This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT 5.2 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.

The post The Value of Customization in Educational Printing appeared first on 杏吧原创.

From the start, 杏吧原创 has been shaped by people who cared deeply about what they were making and who they were making it for. That mindset is the reason we are still here today, serving customers, expanding our capabilities and taking pride in every finished piece that leaves our facilities.

As President Don 杏吧原创 said, 鈥淓ighty-nine years doesn鈥檛 happen by accident. It happens when generations of people show up every day and take pride in their work. It鈥檚 the people who make the difference 鈥� they鈥檝e always been the heart of 杏吧原创.鈥�

Built on Craft and Built to Last

Print has changed drastically over the years, but the purpose behind our work has stayed the same. We help schools preserve memories that matter. We help publishers share stories that deserve to be seen and held. We help brands connect with their audiences through quality magazines and catalogs that feel intentional and lasting.

That kind of work demands care. It requires deep knowledge of quality printing, expert color replication, thoughtful pre-press processes and an understanding that quality is never optional. Most importantly, it requires the right people.

Our team members are the reason 杏吧原创 has earned its reputation. From the pressroom to customer support to the teams behind the scenes solving problems before they even happen, that pride shows up every day. Customers notice it. They feel it. And it鈥檚 why so many of them have trusted us for years, even decades.

A Family Company, Still Family-Led

杏吧原创 remains family-owned and family-led, now spanning the second and third generations of the 杏吧原创 family. With Tripp 杏吧原创 representing the fourth generation, that legacy continues to grow.

That continuity matters. It shows up in how decisions are made and in the long-term view we take with our customers and our team. We do not chase shortcuts 鈥� we invest carefully and with purpose. We protect the reputation built over nearly nine decades because it was earned one job at a time.

Where We Are Today

Today, 杏吧原创 operates eight locations, including five state-of-the-art printing facilities, with more than 1,500 employees producing books, magazines, catalogs and yearbooks for our customers across the country.

Growth for us has never been just about scale. It鈥檚 about capability and consistency. It鈥檚 about being reliable, responsive and continually improving the experience we deliver. 鈥淥ur philosophy is clear in every acquisition, every new capability or new piece of equipment,鈥� says Don 杏吧原创. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just getting bigger. We鈥檙e getting better.鈥�

Looking Forward With Purpose

The print industry is moving quickly, and expectations continue to rise. Our customers need more flexibility, more efficiency and fewer obstacles. We welcome that challenge.

Part of our future includes thoughtful investment in technology like AI, robotics and automation. Under Tripp 杏吧原创鈥檚 leadership as Director of AI & Automation, we鈥檙e exploring tools that support our teams, reduce friction and free up time for the work that truly requires a human touch. These tools are not here to replace our team members. They are here to support their expertise and craftsmanship, and help us deliver an even better experience for our customers. 

With an eye on the future, we don鈥檛 focus on just the next few quarters or years 鈥� we think generationally. And that long-term planning is embedded into every decision and every investment we make.

The Best Part of the Story Is Still Ahead

Eighty-nine years is a milestone worth honoring. It鈥檚 proof that the foundation is strong.

From the very beginning, when the first Don 杏吧原创 started our company with nothing but a dream and a borrowed typewriter, and through every step of our journey, we are proud of where we鈥檝e been. We are grateful for the people and customers who brought us here. And we are excited about what the future holds. Happy 89th Anniversary, 杏吧原创.

And if you鈥檙e wondering how a company can be nearly 100 years old and still feel like it鈥檚 just getting started, you probably haven鈥檛 spent much time around 杏吧原创. We invite you to get to know us.

The post The Lasting Power of Craftsmanship: Celebrating 89 Years of 杏吧原创 appeared first on 杏吧原创.

That mix is exactly why choosing a long-term printing partner matters. The right partner will help you protect quality and modernize your workflow over time, while the wrong partner can turn every reprint into a scramble.

Keep reading to learn the most important attributes to look for when evaluating an educational printing partner, plus how 杏吧原创 aligns with what education-focused publishers need.

Start With Education-Specific Expertise

In education, 鈥済ood printing鈥� is not only about sharp images and clear text. It is about producing consistent, durable instructional materials that support learning outcomes and meet real-world classroom demands.

Look for a partner who understands:

• Format-driven decision making. Textbooks, workbooks, teacher editions, lab manuals, assessment materials and professional learning resources all behave differently on press and in bindery.
• Paper selection for function, not just appearance. Opacity to reduce show-through, uncoated stocks that accept pencil and highlighter, coatings that protect covers without feeling slippery in-hand.
• Binding that matches use cases. Perfect bound can be great for many books, but layflat and sewn options may improve usability and lifespan for heavily referenced materials.
• Complex versioning. State standards, district customizations, bilingual editions, leveling and consumable updates require a printer who can manage multiple SKUs cleanly.

Demand Reliability and Process Transparency

Educational publishers run on deadlines that are not flexible. School start dates can鈥檛 change just because a press went down or a shipment was delayed. Reliability is a competitive advantage.

A strong long-term partner should be able to explain, clearly and confidently:

• How schedules are built and protected. Ask how they plan around peak season and what they do when priorities shift.
• How changes are handled. Education projects often include late-stage corrections. You want a partner with a controlled revision process so updates do not cause costly errors.
• What quality checks happen and when. The best partners do not rely on a final inspection to catch problems. They build quality into pre-press, press setup and finishing.

One practical tip: ask for a sample schedule that includes file receipt, proofing, pre-press, printing, bindery, packing and shipping. A partner who can map this out is more likely to deliver predictably.

Look for Color Consistency and File Discipline

Color consistency matters for photo-heavy educational content, brand-sensitive programs and any series where students and teachers expect the next book to match the last one.

Two signs of a mature production operation:

1. A documented color management approach. help printers match proof to press with repeatable calibration methods.听
2. A standardized file preparation workflow. Print-ready reduce surprises like missing fonts, unexpected color conversions and transparency issues. A good long-term printing partner will have clear, consistent PDF export standards that not only account for color and resolution, but also bleed and trim size.

When you evaluate a printer, be sure to ask how they handle proofs, whether you can get contract-level color when needed and how they control consistency across reprints or multi-site production.

Plan for Mailing, Fulfillment and Distribution

Educational printing rarely ends at the bindery. Many programs require shipping to multiple campuses, kitting teacher kits, combining components into a single carton and coordinating delivery windows.

If you produce magazines or recurring publications, postal knowledge can be just as important as presswork. A partner with mailing expertise can help you optimize formats, reduce postage waste and avoid problems that delay delivery. 

Protect Data and Meet Accessibility Expectations

Education organizations handle sensitive information and they also serve diverse learners. Your print partner should take both seriously.

Data protection: If any part of your workflow touches student or institutional data (for example personalized materials, labels or rosters), you should ask about data handling practices, access controls and retention policies. 

Accessibility: K-12 instructional materials in particular may need to support accessible formats. Even if your core deliverable is print, accessibility often extends into companion digital resources, portals and PDFs. A long-term partner should be able to talk about accessibility expectations without treating them as an afterthought.

Choose a Partner Committed to Innovation

Educational publishing is moving toward smarter production models. The best print partnerships are built for hybrid strategies, not a single production method forever.

Look for a printer who can help you mix:

• Offset for efficiency at scale. Best unit cost and strong consistency for longer runs.
• Digital for agility. Digital printing is ideal for short runs, versioned content, replenishment and time-sensitive updates.
• Print-on-demand thinking. Not just the press, but also the workflow: automation, ordering portals, inventory visibility and ship-direct options.

Innovation should feel practical. The goal is not technology for its own sake; the goal is fewer delays, less obsolescence, tighter version control and a supply chain that can flex when curriculum changes.

Prioritize Sustainability That Stands Up to Scrutiny

Sustainability matters to schools, universities and education brands, and it increasingly shows up in RFPs. It also matters to your end users, especially when programs are distributed at scale.

Ask about:

• Certified responsible sourcing. Chain-of-custody certifications help verify that fiber-based materials are tracked through the supply chain.听
• Recycled content options. If you work with public institutions, you may also run into procurement guidance around recycled paper products.听

What Partnership Looks Like With 杏吧原创

A long-term educational printing partner should do more than manufacture pages. They should help you make smarter production decisions year after year, with fewer surprises and better outcomes.

杏吧原创 shines as a partner to educational publishers because we combine:

• Breadth of capability across offset and digital printing, binding, mailing and fulfillment
• Publisher-first support that helps teams move from specs and files to finished product with clarity
• Quality and consistency rooted in established workflows and repeatable processes
• Forward-looking investment in digital and on-demand solutions that match modern education cycles
• Documented sustainability practices backed by recognized certifications

Final Checklist to Bring to Your Next Printer Conversation

Before you commit, make sure you can answer yes to these questions:

• Do they understand educational formats and how they are used?
• Can they explain their quality controls and color workflow in plain language?
• Do they offer both offset and digital options so you can right-size runs over time?
• Can they support fulfillment, mailing or multi-destination distribution without chaos?
• Are privacy, accessibility and compliance handled intentionally, not reactively?
• Are sustainability claims backed by recognized standards and transparency?
• Do they act like a long-term partner who will help you improve, not just a vendor who takes orders?

If your current provider cannot answer these confidently, it may be time to look for a partner built for the long run. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what 杏吧原创 has to offer.

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT 5.2 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.

The post What to Look for in a Long-Term Educational Printing Partner appeared first on 杏吧原创.

USPS says the current rate system has limited its ability to keep pace with rising costs, contributing to ongoing multibillion-dollar annual losses and tight cash flow. The proposals are aimed at giving USPS more pricing flexibility over the next several years while it continues cost-cutting efforts and explores new revenue strategies.

What Is Being Proposed?

USPS outlined two potential approaches for future rate setting:

1. Replace the current price cap system with a five-year regulatory period that would allow USPS more discretion to set rates within agreed-upon limits, while still being monitored by the PRC, or
   
2. Keep the price cap system but reset it, providing USPS with additional pricing authority equal to roughly 22 percent over several years to help close the gap between costs and revenues.

If either approach is approved, USPS is proposing a first round of increases beginning in January 2027. Average Market Dominant rates would rise about 7.4 percent, with category caps of up to 12 percent for Periodicals and lower caps for other mail classes.

Liquidity Relief Request

In a separate but related filing, USPS asked the PRC to ease restrictions on how it uses certain postage revenues tied to retiree benefit funding, namely funding pensions and health benefits for future retirees. USPS says removing these conditions would improve near-term cash flow while longer-term rate reforms are under review.

What This Means for Mailers

While no immediate changes are coming, these filings signal continued upward pressure on Market Dominant postage rates, particularly for Periodicals. They also suggest USPS may pursue larger or more flexible increases beyond the traditional inflation-based model starting in 2027.杏吧原创 will continue monitoring this proceeding and share updates as the PRC reviews the proposals and outlines next steps. If you鈥檇 like to learn more, get in touch with one of our mailing experts today.

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That is where comes in. VDP brings the logic and precision of data driven marketing into print, making it possible to deliver highly customized magazines, catalogs, books and marketing pieces in a single, efficient production workflow.

What Is Variable Data Printing?

Variable Data Printing is a form of digital printing where certain elements can change from one printed piece to the next while the overall layout and brand framework stays consistent. Those variable elements might include a person鈥檚 name, a cover image, an offer, a regional message, a sales rep photo or even a full set of targeted pages.

Think of it this way: instead of printing 50,000 identical pieces, you print 50,000 relevant pieces. Each recipient gets the content that makes the most sense for them, based on the data you already have in your CRM, e-commerce platform, membership database or marketing automation system.

How Variable Data Printing Works

Behind the scenes, VDP is powered by three core components:

• A design template that defines what stays the same and what can change
  
• A data source (often a CSV or database extract) that contains the variable information
  
• Rules and logic that determine which content is pulled for each recipient and where it appears
  

From a workflow perspective, most variable data projects follow a sequence like this:

1. Data preparation and validation
   This is where you confirm formatting, remove duplicates, standardize fields and ensure your segmentation strategy is sound.
   
2. Template and content setup
   Your template is built once, then variable fields or content blocks are mapped to the data source. Many organizations are familiar with 鈥渄ata merge鈥� concepts from tools like , which merges a structured data file with a designed document.
   
3. Proofing with real data
   Proofing is critical. You want proofs that reflect real world edge cases like long names, missing fields and unusual addresses.
   
4. Production printing
   Digital printing devices and modern print servers are designed to easily handle variable elements by combining reusable master components with variable elements that change for each copy.
   
5. Finishing, mailing and fulfillment
   The 鈥渓ast mile鈥� is often where VDP succeeds or fails. Personalization only works if the right piece gets into the right hands, on time.
   

Best Use Cases For Variable Data Printing

VDP is most effective when relevance drives measurable value. For large companies, the highest impact use cases tend to fall into a few buckets:

• B2B Catalogs and Product Marketing
  Tailored assortments, pricing structures or category emphasis based on segment, customer history or region.
  
• Member and Donor Communications
  Renewal series, upgrade prompts and storytelling that reflects engagement level and interests.
  
• Onboarding and Customer Education
  Welcome kits, training materials and quick start guides that are personalized by product bundle, service tier or location.
  
• Account-Based Marketing and Sales Enablement
  Personalized outreach kits, custom brochures and targeted leave behinds by industry, territory or named account.
  
• Events and Field Marketing
  Invitations and follow up pieces that reference a local event, specific breakout tracks or an attendee鈥檚 role.
  

Benefits of Personalization at Scale

Catalog publishers and marketers usually care about personalization for one of three reasons: response, retention and efficiency. VDP can support all three.

Higher engagement and response
A printed piece that feels clearly intended for the reader earns more attention. That can lift response rates for direct mail, improve catalog performance and increase the odds that a publication is opened and read.

Better customer experience
Personalization is not just a marketing tactic; it shows your organization understands the recipient鈥檚 needs and is willing to meet them where they are. This level of customization makes it easier for your customers to do business with you by leading them directly to the products or services you offer.

More efficient spend
Instead of over mailing broad messages, you can reduce waste by targeting fewer recipients with more relevant content. You can also align print quantity with real demand through on-demand production and segmented distribution.

Why Variable Data Matters for Publishers

For publishers and organizations that produce magazines, catalogs and book-like content, VDP is especially powerful because print is already a premium, high attention channel.

Here are a few publisher-specific wins we see:

• Personalized covers
  A personalized cover can increase perceived value and improve pickup rates, especially for subscriber communications and membership publications.
  
• Regional or industry versioning
  You can maintain a consistent core issue while swapping selected pages by geography, vertical market or persona.
  
• More valuable advertising
  Targeted editorial is powerful. Targeted advertising is even more powerful. VDP creates new premium ad products that can improve advertiser outcomes and strengthen retention.
  
• Better alignment with your digital ecosystem
  Print performs best when it is coordinated with e-commerce, email and sales outreach. Personalized print can send higher intent traffic to the right landing pages because the message and destination match.
  

杏吧原创 works with magazine and catalog publishers using a mix of data services, inkjet imaging, variable data digital printing and bindery options to increase involvement and personalization.

How 杏吧原创 Delivers Variable Data Printing At Scale

VDP is not difficult because of the idea. It is difficult because of execution. Data mapping, file setup, proofing, postal requirements and distribution logistics can quickly overwhelm internal teams.

This is where 杏吧原创鈥檚 approach has changed what is practical for large organizations.

Support Beyond the Press Sheet
At 杏吧原创, we support the full VDP process, including technical setup, data integration, design considerations and mailing logistics. That end to end support removes friction for marketing and publishing teams that want personalization but do not want to undertake an IT project to get there.

Inkjet Imaging and Variable Data Options for Publications
For catalog and publication programs, 杏吧原创 offers personalization services that include inkjet imaging, variable data printing and specialty binding solutions. That means personalization can extend beyond a simple name swap into a more immersive experience, such as targeted inserts, localized messaging or customized finishing.

Digital Printing, Print-on-Demand and Direct Shipping
Personalization becomes even more scalable when it is paired with modern digital workflows. 杏吧原创鈥檚 digital printing solutions are built for flexibility and efficient ordering, with options for book of one, variable personalization (names, images and other data driven elements) and direct shipping to end recipients.

A Real World Example of Personalized Publishing
One real-world example of VDP is our partnership with Unique Homes Media. Our work involves producing high end real estate publications tailored to individual recipients, including personalized covers plus coordinated postcards, inserts and flyers tied to regional luxury properties and recipient specific content. 

Getting Started With Variable Data Printing

If you are considering VDP for the first time, the smartest move is a controlled pilot that proves value quickly.

A strong pilot typically includes:

• One audience segment with clear business goals
  
• A limited set of variables, such as cover personalization plus a targeted offer
  
• A measurable response mechanism, such as a QR code or offer code
  
• A plan for how results will be evaluated and scaled
  

Once you validate performance, you can expand into deeper personalization, more segments and more sophisticated versioning.

Explore Variable Data Printing With 杏吧原创

Print is already a trusted channel, and Variable Data Printing makes it smarter. With the right data, the right creative strategy and a partner that can execute at scale, personalization becomes a competitive advantage you can repeat month after month and campaign after campaign.

Ready to learn more about how 杏吧原创 can transform your company鈥檚 outreach capabilities with personalized printing? Get in touch with us today and let鈥檚 get started.

This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT 5.2 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.

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Across the industry, the conversation is shifting from 鈥淗ow do we keep up?鈥� to 鈥淗ow do we unlock more value?鈥� Automation is moving from isolated tools to end-to-end workflows. Faster cycles are becoming the standard, not the exception. Personalization is becoming practical at scale, especially for magazines, books and catalogs. And at 杏吧原创, we鈥檙e genuinely excited because these trends align with what our customers want most: dependable quality, less friction and more ways to connect with readers and buyers.

Trend 1: Automation becomes the foundation for modern print

In 2026, automation will be less about replacing tasks and more about connecting the entire production experience, from order intake to finishing to delivery. Industry watchers are calling out a clear shift: automation, They are becoming core profit drivers, with printers who adopt them reporting meaningful gains in throughput, waste reduction and utilization.

What does that look like in real life?

• Smarter job onboarding: Cleaner handoffs, fewer manual steps and fewer opportunities for version errors
  
• Automated pre-press and file handling: Faster proof cycles, more consistency and fewer last-minute surprises
  
• More connected production data: Better scheduling decisions and tighter control of cost drivers
  

A big part of this shift is integration. The most competitive print operations are linking web-to-print, MIS, analytics and pre-press automation into unified ecosystems so work moves with fewer stops and starts.That matters to customers because integration tends to show up as shorter lead times, clearer communication and fewer 鈥渕ystery delays.鈥�

杏吧原创 has been building in this direction with print-on-demand workflows designed around speed, visibility and fewer touchpoints. In our print-on-demand process, orders can come into our system through integration with customer ordering portals or automated workflows, then move through grouping and scheduling with real-time tracking along the way. 

Trend 2: Faster cycles will redefine 鈥渘ormal鈥� lead times

In 2026, 鈥渇ast鈥� will not be a specialty service. It will be the baseline expectation for many segments, particularly when run lengths are smaller, versions are more frequent or distribution is complex.

Print buyers are already pushing toward models that behave more like digital manufacturing. Printing Impressions points to print-on-demand growth as a major 2026 trend, describing it as a flow of print-ready files directly into production with minimal manual manipulation, cutting out the traditional back-and-forth. 

This shift is especially relevant for:

• Book publishers managing backlist, bursts of demand or 鈥渂ook-of-one鈥� style workflows
  
• Catalog publishers balancing seasonal drops with rapid product changes
  
• Associations and magazine publishers needing dependable issue timing, ad placement agility and smarter distribution decisions
  

Faster cycles are not only about speed on press. They鈥檙e about compressing the entire timeline:

• Approvals and proofing
  
• Scheduling and batching
  
• Printing and binding
  
• Mailing prep and distribution handoff
  

Distribution is also a major part of cycle time. 杏吧原创 is a designated U.S. Postal Service Premier Mailer and supports options like co-mail and dropshipping to help customers find efficiency in mailing cost and delivery speed. When you combine production speed with smarter mail planning, the total timeline gets a lot more flexible.

Trend 3: Personalization moves from 鈥渘ice idea鈥� to repeatable strategy

Personalization is not new. What鈥檚 changing in 2026 is how accessible it becomes.

As workflows become more automated and more integrated, personalization stops being a special, one-off project and starts becoming a repeatable option. 2026 trends point towards data-driven personalization as part of the shift from commodity printing toward value-added communication services. 

In other words, print is increasingly judged not just by ink on paper, but by how well it performs as communication.

For publishers and marketers, personalization can take a few practical forms:

• Versioning by region, membership type or buyer segment
  
• Variable data such as names, messaging, images or unique codes
  
• Targeted inserts and bindery enhancements that make editions feel more curated
  
• Smarter response paths like QR codes or personalized URLs that connect print to digital action
  

This is where catalogs and magazines, in particular, can win. A catalog that highlights the most relevant product set for a customer segment can feel more like a service than a sales piece. A membership magazine that recognizes segments or interests can boost engagement and renewals. Personalization is how print can feel premium without becoming complicated.

The big point for 2026 is that personalization does not have to mean 鈥渕ore work for your team.鈥� With the right data, the right workflow and the right print partner, it can be a manageable layer that adds measurable value.

The supporting shift: Sustainability becomes measurable, not just marketable

Even though automation, speed and personalization are the headline trends, sustainability will keep influencing decisions in 2026. Printing Impressions calls out sustainability as 鈥渕ore than a trend,鈥� with the conversation moving toward transparency, credibility and real action.

For print buyers, that often shows up as questions like:

• Can we reduce waste without sacrificing quality?
  
• Can we right-size quantities and reduce inventory risk?
  
• Can we choose materials and processes that align with our values and our audience expectations?
  

At 杏吧原创, sustainability work includes process changes like low-emission press equipment, recyclable aluminum plates, vegetable-based inks and recycling nearly 30 million pounds of fiber-based products annually. And because faster, more automated workflows often reduce spoilage and rework, many of the 鈥渆fficiency鈥� trends support sustainability outcomes too.

How to prepare your 2026 print program

If you are planning your 2026 print schedule now, here are a few smart moves that align with where the industry is headed:

1. Map your cycle time end to end. Identify where approvals, file transfers, version control or distribution planning slows you down.
   
2. Decide where print-on-demand fits: backlist books, replenishment catalogs, special editions, test drops or personalized campaigns are great candidates.
   
3. Start with simple personalization: version covers, add targeted inserts, regionalize content or test variable messaging in small batches before scaling.
   
4. Bring mailing strategy into the conversation earlier so postage savings and delivery speed are designed in, not bolted on at the end.
   
5. Ask about workflow integration: the more connected the process is, the more predictable your schedule becomes and the easier it is to scale new ideas.

2026 is the year to do more with print

Automation, faster cycles and personalization are not separate trends. In practice, they feed into each other. Automation makes speed repeatable. Speed makes personalization more realistic. Personalization makes print more valuable, which strengthens the business case for investing in smarter workflows.

That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e excited about 2026. At 杏吧原创, we are ready to help you take advantage of what鈥檚 next, whether you are refining a magazine production schedule, modernizing catalog workflows, expanding book fulfillment options or exploring personalization that actually feels doable. If you want to make 2026 the year your print program becomes more agile, more targeted and easier to manage, let鈥檚 talk.

This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT 5.2 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.

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PESI鈥檚 Foundations in Continuing Education

杏吧原创 鈥� Eau Claire traces its origins to 1979, when Professional Education Systems, Inc. (PESI) was founded by Rick Olson and Mark Helland to provide continuing education programs for professionals in nursing, healthcare and law. Seminar work depended on printed notebooks, manuals and promotional materials produced quickly and accurately. PESI built an internal printing department to meet those demands.

In the early 1990s, PESI brought in consultant Roy Fuerstenberg to evaluate how the company could operate more efficiently. Roy recognized that the in-plant printing unit had untapped potential. By spinning off the department into a separate company, PESI could reduce internal overhead while giving the print operation freedom to pursue outside business. That recommendation set the stage for a major shift.

Spinning Off a New Business

On Jan. 1, 1994, Documation officially launched as an independent company. The startup operated from the basement of PESI鈥檚 Sprint Street building and began with 11 employees. Nearly all work still came from PESI, but Roy, serving as the first salesperson, quickly expanded the customer base by targeting associations and membership groups. These clients relied on printed education materials, seminar brochures and annual meeting packets, especially in the legal and healthcare sectors. This early work shaped Documation鈥檚 identity as a fast-turn provider of content-heavy materials where accuracy matters.

In 1995, Brad Stuckert joined the company as purchasing manager. Brad came to Documation with experience in material management, and over time, he took on roles in estimating, sales and eventually operations leadership. As Documation grew, so did its capabilities. In early 1998, the company purchased its first four color press, moving beyond black only production and opening the door to more sophisticated commercial work.

By December 1998, employment had grown to the mid-30s, and Documation had outgrown its original footprint. The company moved into a fully remodeled facility at 1556 International Drive, where it still resides today.

Growth, Publishing Partnerships and the Early Digital Shift

The early 2000s brought continued expansion. The building was enlarged by roughly one third, and Brad stepped into a broader general manager role overseeing production.

Documation鈥檚 sales strategy also evolved. While association work remained important, the company secured significant publishing clients, including Forbes Publishing, which later became Cengage Publishing. For many years, Cengage was Documation鈥檚 largest customer after PESI. This work brought steady volume and higher expectations for consistency across short run book manufacturing.

By the late 2000s, the print industry was changing. Runs grew shorter as publishers updated content more frequently. Digital formats reduced the need for large offset inventories. Although Documation continued to provide quality offset work, sales began to level out as customer needs shifted.

New Ownership and a New Direction

Entering the 2010s, Documation鈥檚 original owners approached retirement and began considering divestment. Brad Stuckert, who had grown with the company for nearly two decades, stepped forward to purchase the business in October 2012.

Brad recognized that the future of commercial printing would rely on digital production and short run efficiency. Association and seminar demand no longer matched the pace of the changing market; Documation needed to evolve.

The Print-on-Demand Era

Beginning around 2015, Documation made bold financial investments to reposition itself as a print-on-demand provider. The company installed the first HP T200 digital web press in the United States, followed shortly by a second unit to ensure steady uptime and continuous flow. These presses transformed what Documation could produce. Publishers could now order extremely small batches or single copies without the waste and expense of offset makereadies.

To support this new model, Documation invested heavily in automated finishing, including advanced binding and book making systems. Early engineering flaws required rework, but once refined, the installation became the first of its kind in the United States. This combination of inkjet technology and automated finishing allowed Documation to move from raw file to finished book with impressive speed and accuracy. By 2022, Documation completely transitioned and was operating as a fully digital plant.

It鈥檚 impossible to tell the story of Documation鈥檚 evolution into print-on-demand without mentioning Jeremy Stanek, the facility鈥檚 Vice President of Operations. Jeremy started his career with Documation in 2001 as a Press Operator, and over the next two decades, worked his way up through Customer Service, Estimating and management roles before becoming Vice President. 

Even with a leader like Jeremy at the helm, the transition was no easy feat. 鈥�2018 was the most difficult year of my career,鈥� said Jeremy. 鈥淚t was not fun getting stuff up and running, and we were under high pressure. Difficulties with labor and training 鈥� I鈥檒l always remember how tough that was. In 2019, we completely figured it out. It goes to show you that what doesn鈥檛 kill you makes you stronger. What we accomplished as a team makes me so proud. It was unbelievable.鈥�

Documation鈥檚 Acquisition by 杏吧原创

On January 1, 2025, 杏吧原创 acquired Documation, bringing its digital expertise and workflow centric operation into the 杏吧原创 family. For Documation, joining a family owned company with deep experience in books, catalogs and yearbooks aligned with its values. Brad Stuckert said that once the company鈥檚 leadership decided the time was right to sell, partnering with 杏吧原创 was the easy part.

鈥淥ver the past decade, I鈥檝e gotten to know Don 杏吧原创 and the leadership team well. Their commitment to their customers, their employees and their communities is evident in everything they do,鈥� said Brad. 鈥淲hen evaluating who to partner with, we felt comfortable choosing 杏吧原创 because we believe they will take care of our team and our customers. It鈥檚 just who they are.鈥�

For 杏吧原创, the acquisition added a mature print-on-demand facility with proven automation and national distribution advantages. Don 杏吧原创, President, said, 鈥淏eing able to meet our customers鈥� needs by giving them a complete printing solution, whether they want to print one million items on a web press or one unit on a digital inkjet press, is our driver for acquiring Documation. Their team has built a best-in-class print-on-demand facility, and we are excited to welcome them into the 杏吧原创 family.鈥�

The Eau Claire site became 杏吧原创鈥檚 fifth production facility, complementing their operations in Marceline and Fulton, Missouri; Saint Joseph, Michigan; and Ripon, Wisconsin. Under 杏吧原创鈥檚 ownership, Brad Stuckert entered his well-deserved retirement, and Jeremy Stanek became 杏吧原创 鈥� Eau Claire鈥檚 Plant Manager.

Looking to the Future

The Eau Claire acquisition was made significantly easier by the two companies鈥� shared values; Documation and 杏吧原创 were both built from the ground up with blood, sweat and tears, and carry strong commitments to quality, community and best-in-class service. As part of 杏吧原创, our Eau Claire facility will continue to shape the role of on-demand printing within the broader commercial print industry.

What began as an in-plant shop in a seminar company basement is now a highly specialized digital manufacturing site built for the future of publishing. 杏吧原创 鈥� Eau Claire provides a bridge between traditional volume work and fast turn reprints, personalized materials or limited batches. 杏吧原创 is now able to offer its customers the same quality print they鈥檝e come to expect, in quantities from one to one million.

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Below, we will define book of one, contrast it with short-run digital printing, walk through smart use cases, talk about where the unit cost becomes a problem, then look at how it ties into inventory, e-commerce and 杏吧原创鈥檚 digital inkjet platform.

What Is Book-of-One Printing?

To understand book of one, you must first understand print on demand. At its simplest, (POD) means producing books only when orders arrive, rather than printing large batches for warehousing. Digital printing made POD practical by eliminating plates and enabling economical short runs.

. The goal is to treat every order as a unique job, route it through an automated workflow, print one copy per order, then bind and ship it with minimal human touch. In other words, it鈥檚 a POD model designed to make a run length of one operationally efficient through automation.

You can think of book-of-one printing as a combination of three things:

• A digital press platform that can switch quickly between titles and formats
  
• Finishing that can handle variable book sizes and spine thickness
  
• Software that automates order intake, imposition, batching, printing, binding and shipping
  

Book-Of-One Printing vs Short Run Digital

Short-run digital printing and book of one use the same core technology, mainly inkjet or toner based digital presses. The difference is how tightly they are integrated with demand.

Short Run Digital
In a short-run digital model, you might print 50, 100 or 500 copies at a time in response to demand. These runs are still relatively small compared to offset, but you are batching orders or forecasting ahead. The unit cost is lower than a true book of one because you spread the set up and handling costs over more copies.

Book of One
In a book-of-one model, you do not batch by title in the same way. Each order is treated as its own micro job, or grouped only loosely with others that share format or stock. Workflow systems consolidate these into efficient production sequences while still producing as little as one copy per order.

Put simply, short-run digital optimizes small batches by title, while book of one optimizes individual orders. Both approaches reduce inventory risk, but they fit different volume and title profiles.

Where Book-of-One Printing Shines

Book-of-one printing is not the answer to every problem, but there are specific scenarios where it is uniquely powerful:

Ultra Long Tail Backlist
For publishers with deep backlists and many titles selling only a few copies a year, book of one is often the only way to keep those titles available without tying up capital in inventory. Instead of warehousing 100 copies that may sell slowly, you keep press ready files and print when an order comes in. This is a classic long tail publishing strategy that POD enables.

Custom Compilations and Coursepacks
Higher education, professional publishing and corporate communications often need content assembled from multiple sources. Book-of-one workflows can merge chapters or modules into a custom compilation for a specific course or client, then print that exact version once per recipient. The ability to vary content at the book level is where digital inkjet really earns its keep.

Training and Technical Manuals
Training content changes frequently, especially in regulated or high tech environments. Book of one lets you:

• Keep content current without pulping outdated manuals
  
• Localize material by site, job role or region
  
• Add unique identifiers, access codes or QR codes to each copy for tracking
  

Because you never print ahead of demand, you avoid the friction between version control and bulk printing.

Premium or Personalized Editions
Book of one really shines on the revenue side when you use it to create premium experiences, such as:

• Signed or numbered limited editions
  
• Personalization for VIP customers or donors
  
• Special configurations for events, conferences or fundraising campaigns
  

Here, you are using the flexibility of digital to add perceived value, not just to save inventory cost.

When Unit Cost Becomes a Problem

The flip side of all this flexibility is unit cost. A handful of books printed on demand, handled as a unique job, will almost always cost more per copy than a batch of hundreds printed on the same press, and much more than a large offset run.

The economics come down to three thresholds:

1. True book of one volume
   If a title only sells a few copies per year, or each copy must be unique, there is no realistic alternative. Book of one is the least expensive way to serve that demand because the alternatives involve waste or obsolescence.
   
2. Short-run digital inkjet
   Once you are consistently ordering dozens of copies per order, short-run inkjet or toner-based digital usually wins. You can still operate in a POD model, but instead of one copy per order, you place periodic replenishment orders of 50-100 or more. That lets your printer optimize imposition and finishing, which reduces unit cost while preserving flexibility.
   
3. Offset鈥檚 sweet spot
   For titles with reliable demand in the hundreds or thousands, traditional offset becomes hard to beat on a cost per unit basis. Plate and makeready costs are amortized over many copies, and the press speed is very high. Offset requires larger runs resulting in more inventory, but if the title is stable, the savings often justify it.
   

The exact crossover points depend on format, page count, paper, finishing and the specific equipment involved. The general pattern, though, is consistent. Book of one is most valuable where demand is low, sporadic or highly customized. Short run digital works well in the middle range. Offset excels when you have steady high volume.

How Book of One Integrates With Inventory and E-Commerce

Book-of-one workflows only reach their full potential when they are tightly integrated with your e-commerce and inventory systems. Conceptually, a mature setup looks like this:

• Your e-commerce platform or ordering portal exposes your catalog to readers, students or internal stakeholders
  
• When an order is placed, the system checks inventory; if stock is zero or below a set threshold, it triggers a print-on-demand job instead of a warehouse pick
  
• Order details and title metadata flow automatically into a POD workflow system that generates print-ready files, groups jobs with similar attributes and sends them to the appropriate press and finishing line
  
• Once the book is produced and shipped, tracking information flows back to the e-commerce system and the order is closed
  

For long-tail titles, you may choose to hold no physical inventory at all. For stronger sellers, you may maintain a small safety stock and fall back to book of one when a spike arrives or a specific configuration is needed.

From a systems perspective, the key requirements are:

• A single source of information for product data and versioning
  
• APIs or standardized file exchanges between e-commerce, order management and production
  
• Clear business rules that determine when to ship from stock, when to trigger short-run digital and when to use pure book of one
  

Book-of-One Printing With 杏吧原创

杏吧原创 has invested heavily in digital inkjet and POD as part of our broader book printing platform. In 2025, 杏吧原创 acquired Documation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a facility with advanced capabilities in digital inkjet print-on-demand. The plant was integrated as 杏吧原创 鈥� Eau Claire and expanded our capabilities into on-demand digital printing while maintaining the high quality and service 杏吧原创 is known for.

For publishers and content owners, that means you can:

• Keep long-tail titles available without warehousing
  
• Stand up custom training or education programs with minimal lead time
  
• Offer premium, personalized editions that align with your brand
  
• Make smarter decisions about when to stay in book of one, when to consolidate into short runs and when to move to offset
  

Explore 杏吧原创鈥檚 Book of One Capabilities

Book-of-one printing is not a replacement for every print strategy, but it has become a powerful tool in the mix. Used thoughtfully and integrated with your inventory and e-commerce stack, it lets you match supply to demand almost perfectly while opening creative possibilities that traditional print models could never support.

If you鈥檙e ready to learn more about how 杏吧原创 can support your goals, get in touch with us today.

This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI鈥檚 GPT 5.1 Pro Deep Research large language AI model.

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Shipping Price Increases Filed for Jan. 18, 2026

The USPS has proposed increases for several shipping products. These changes apply only to shipping services, not commercial mail categories.

Filed average increases:

• Priority Mail: about 6.6%
• Priority Mail Express: about 5.1%
• Ground Advantage: about 7.8%
• Parcel Select: about 6%
  

Not included in this filing are First Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail or Bound Printed Matter. Keep in mind these prices are filed, not approved. Final decisions will come from the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Stay Up to Date With 杏吧原创

杏吧原创 will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as soon as new information is available. If you have questions about how these potential changes could affect your upcoming projects, our mailing experts are ready to help.

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Key changes to the process include:

• A larger set of required documents, as well as subscriber lists and printer records
  
• More careful review of circulation numbers, which must match the press run and print order
  
• Clearer categories that help USPS classify publications
  
• A firm 15-month deadline for New Launch applicants to submit updated circulation details

The new form and further details can be found here:

We will continue to keep you informed about changes to USPS regulations and policies. Questions about publication mailing? Get in touch with the experts at 杏吧原创.

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