Case Study: SDI Innovations Transforms from Startup to Powerhouse with Canon Solutions America

SDI Innovations manufactures and markets printed books, particularly school planners, used in over 18,000 schools globally. Utilizing Canon Solutions America’s production inkjet technology, they ensure high-quality, customizable, and efficiently delivered products.

Founded in 1985 in Lafayette, IN, by Sharon Powers, SDI Innovations began as a kitchen-table operation aimed at helping her children stay organized. Powers created customized planning calendars that quickly gained popularity among local schools. By the end of the decade, her small business, School Datebooks, had grown to include nearly a dozen clients and as many employees.

As the business expanded, Sharon's son, Jeff Bapst, now COO of the company, joined, and they rebranded as SDI Innovations. To scale efficiently while maintaining quality, they invested in a Canon VarioStream 7000 series continuous feed digital toner press in 2004. This allowed them to bring small-volume, quick-turnaround projects in-house, but still required outsourcing for full-color elements.

In 2014, SDI Innovations adopted the Canon ColorStream 3900 inkjet press, transforming their production capabilities. This technology enabled high-volume web printing and small-volume digital printing, allowing for custom printing for smaller institutions and homeschooling programs, reducing the minimum custom book order to just 10. “We’ve had specialty schools with 20 students who want a custom book, and we can say yes,” said Bapst.

To keep up with demand and technological advancements, SDI Innovations upgraded to the ColorStream 6900. This press offered improved print quality and inline finishing capabilities, significantly boosting profitability by handling more production in-house. “We reached a point where it made sense to go for the print quality improvements and technology innovation afforded by the ColorStream 6900. That was easy ROI for me,” said Bapst.

ColorStream 6000 series

SDI Innovations also leveraged Canon’s PRISMAproduction workflow solutions to streamline their operations, allowing for easy job management and rapid response to last-minute demands. “Managing our workflow with PRISMAproduction gives us the ability to stop what we are doing and change what we’re running with incredible ease,” said Bapst.

Canon’s technology facilitated SDI Innovations’ expansion into new markets, such as e-commerce products like adult coloring books and journals, helping mitigate the seasonal nature of their school planner business. “The adult coloring book was a wave we caught early on. We can utilize our printing and internal binding capabilities during downtime to print these products,” said Bapst.

SDI Innovations maintains a strong commitment to the value of printed products, believing in their educational benefits for students’ academic, social, and organizational skills. “A lot of schools have gone away from the printed product. They may have a digital solution. But I believe that a printed product and writing things down is still vital to children’s skills,” said Bapst.

From a kitchen-table startup to a company producing millions of datebooks for students worldwide, SDI Innovations’ partnership with Canon Solutions America has been key to their growth and innovation. This collaboration has enabled them to expand into new markets, launch new product lines, and continuously improve their manufacturing processes, driving their continued success.