We here at thINK Plaza have been spending most of our waking hours reviewing data we've gathered from our surveys this summer.

We've discovered quite a few interesting patterns. First of all, most of you are seasoned professionals, professional printers or mailing experts. You use a variety of printing techniques and have multiple machines, each specifically designed to handle particular production jobs. While table tops far out number mail tables, most of your businesses are well equipped to handle a variety of challenging print jobs.

Diversification seems to be the name of the game. Many of you are looking into digital technologies, embossing and custom labeling as you stretch yourself up and down the customer need chain.

You experiment with a variety of inks, but use only a few consistently. Your volume has either been fairly consistent as of late, but for those of you who have seen an increase, most are putting their printers to work longer hours.

We'll be sharing the details of our latest research as well as introducing a new game and delivering the goods from the thINK Survey in early November. And we're eager to get your involvement to make this community grow. Stay tuned for updates....

Wendy