Embracing Change, Technology to Advance Printing's Future

Dean Demarco, director of operations, Middlestreet Graphics and Display

As he steps into the role of PRINTING United Alliance chair, Dean DeMarco sees tremendous opportunity for printers to leverage new innovations and diversify. He believes a strong industry association plays a critical role in providing education, advocacy, and resources to drive transformation.

PI: Congratulations on becoming chair of PRINTING United Alliance. Looking at the year ahead, what does this position mean to you most?
DeMarco: Thank you. It’s great to finally get to this point. I’ve been fortunate to have participated on the Alliance Board for the last ten years, and to see how important the Board and the chair are. For me, it’s an opportunity to provide direction and leadership that affects the Alliance’s ability to serve the whole printing industry. The leadership has done some great things in the past few years, and I want to work to carry those efforts forward.

PI: What do you see “on deck” for PRINTING United Alliance in the next year, and what would you describe as its biggest opportunity?
DeMarco: Looking at what the Alliance is doing today, I want to see it continue moving forward with industry advocacy — in addition to the preeminent content, education, training, and certifications it provides — and, of course, the Expo. In my view, there isn’t a better platform to get all of that at the tremendous value the cost of membership provides. For opportunities, the Board is working to position the Alliance, not just five to ten years, but even 20 years out. Just as we’re seeing consolidation in the printing industry, we’re also seeing it in associations.

PI: Based on your experience in the printing industry, what is really needed today to drive the industry forward?
DeMarco: One of the interesting things about the printing industry is it has a long history of transformation, going all the way back to wood-block printing and all the way up to the offset presses and other equipment we have today. It’s important for the industry to continue to embrace technology as it changes, with the goal of progressing the business to keep pace with technology. The Alliance works strongly to encompass the change going on in the industry, and I think those printing companies that embrace it will be the ones moving forward.

PI: What are you looking forward to most at this year’s PRINTING United Expo and why?
DeMarco: This is the first Expo for me in three years, and I’m more excited than I’ve ever been. The old saying goes, `you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,’ and during those years there was no Expo, I realized how valuable and important it was to me and my peers. For me, I plan on making a lot of large technology investments in `23 and `24, so it is important for me to see equipment. I need to see how the new technology can help my organization, share with peers in an in-person environment, and see what other markets I can diversify into.

PI: Over the past few years, what has changed in the broader printing industry, and what advantages does the Alliance’s approach bring to printers in a changing environment?
DeMarco: There are several things that have happened. Particularly, in the past decade, we have had consolidation. Companies are working to gain a greater footprint, so we’ve seen quite a bit of that. We’re also seeing convergence. Companies aren’t staying with a single application. We’re seeing them spreading out their portfolios. We’re doing it ourselves and I’m seeing it in other companies as well. With the changes in technology, that’s so much easier now than it ever was before – the cost of entry is a lot less than it used to be.

PI: What is the value of an industry association like PRINTING United Alliance, and why should printers of all stripes be involved? What has it meant for you?
DeMarco: We need a strong association that has a clear view and vision, both short and long term, of what the industry is going to look like. And The Alliance is looking at all parts of the industry. It draws on a talented group on the Board, which brings people from across printing, a knowledgeable staff, and executive leadership that focuses on government advocacy, education, and training. And, it has the best Expo our industry has to offer. I’ve made some of my best business decisions for my organizations because of the resources I’ve been able to get from the Association. I’ve also gained connections, friendships, and experiences that I cherish.