Margie Dana and John Zarwan Launch New Study: How Do Print Buyers Work with the Paper Industry?
BOSTON and CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI CANADA—July 23, 2014—Margie Dana is teaming up once again with industry consultant and researcher John Zarwan to develop a profile of how today’s print buyers purchase paper for commercial printing. Having surveyed hundreds of professional print buyers across the country in 2013 for their report on "The New Print Buyers," they are now taking a look at buyers’ relationship with the paper industry.
NPTA, the National Paper Trade Association, is a sponsor of this study.
“This study and the information we receive will allow us to better understand how the end user is sourcing and making decisions about paper at a deeper level than we have had before,” said Travis M. Mlakar, NPTA chair and president of The Millcraft Group. “The depth of knowledge contained the report will be valuable to ALL NPTA members.”
Dana and Zarwan developed the online survey to focus on how today’s print buyers source their paper. How many of them buy paper directly? How many have programs set up with their printers, mills or merchants? Where do print buyers learn about trends in paper? On whom do they most rely for paper insights and intelligence?
The team will collect and analyze the data over the next two months and write the final report, which will be available for sale from their Websites and from other partners.
“We’ve been wondering where print buyers get most of their information about paper, and whether they feel that the paper industry is providing what they need to do their jobs well,” noted Dana. “This study should shine a light on this issue, as well as many others. John and I are excited about our second study and thankful for NPTA’s support as the association representing the paper distribution channel.”
NPTA members will receive a copy of the report as part of their membership.
Print buyers, designers and marketers are eligible to participate in this short survey; printers, brokers and other service providers are not.
Survey participants will be eligible to win one of five complimentary tickets to NPTA’s Paper School this September 30th at GRAPH EXPO in Chicago.
Paper School is a half-day program that teaches the most important topics in paper and provides each attendee with a strong foundation of knowledge to build on. Five classroom sessions will be taught by paper industry experts from top paper mills. Paper School attendees will also receive complimentary access to the GRAPH EXPO show floor.
The Print Buyer & Paper Survey is accessible to those who are eligible at this link.
About Margie Dana
Long regarded as a print buyer expert and trade writer, Margie Dana launched her new business in 2013 as a marketing communications strategist with a specialty in printing and print buying. She is a sought-after presenter at trade shows and conferences and still writes her popular Print Tips blog each week. For details on her services and to sign up for her weekly blog, visit www.margiedana.com.
About John Zarwan
J Zarwan Partners works closely with a select number of companies, guiding them to develop and implement more effective and efficient business strategies. Their clients, which include commercial printing and packaging industry leaders, benefit from his extensive experience in addressing and managing change; market strategy and implementation; product planning and positioning; and market research. John Zarwan, founding partner, has been in the graphic arts, printing, and digital media industry for 30 years and is internationally recognized for his knowledge and insight on trends in the industry. He has spoken at major industry events and conferences around the world, and his articles on print markets and technology have appeared in various print and Web journals.
About NPTA
The National Paper Trade Association, founded in 1903, is the association for the $50-billion-plus paper distribution channel. The mission of NPTA is to actively support the success of member firms through the delivery of networking, education, advocacy and industry trends focused on the health of the paper distribution channel.
