Traditional practices of printing all materials domestically and then shipping them internationally are as changing as the tide. Over recent years, the industry has seen a fluctuation between offshore and domestic printing due to cost, supply chain issues, and geopolitical factors. Global distribution and print programs address these challenges by leveraging advanced technology and strategic global partnerships to offer a smarter, more sustainable, and cost-efficient solution for publishers. This program enables publishers to print closer to their intended audiences, reducing shipping times, lowering costs, and minimizing environmental impact.
Current trends: The future of printing in a global context
Today, the decision between domestic and offshore printing continues to be influenced by ongoing and potential shipping challenges. Regions like China and areas around the Red Sea have become focal points of concern due to geopolitical tensions and logistical uncertainties. These issues have prompted publishers to reconsider their printing strategies, looking for stable alternatives that can offer reliability in an unpredictable world.
Compounding the publishing industry’s logistical concerns, regulatory pressures to improve sustainability are mounting. The growing emphasis on reducing carbon footprints has led publishers to seek out printing solutions that verifiably align with eco-friendly practices.
Global distribution and print programs provide a viable and accessible solution for these pressing dilemmas. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to print closer to the audience, eliminating the long wait times, high costs, and environmental impacts associated with international shipping.
The benefits of global distribution and print programs
Global distribution and print solutions allow companies, particularly publishers, to manage the printing and distribution of their materials across multiple regions around the world. Instead of producing all materials in one location and then shipping them internationally, these programs leverage a network of local or regional printing facilities and distribution partners.
- Efficiency: By reducing the need for long-distance shipping and utilizing regional resources, companies can cut down on both logistics expenses and environmental impact. This approach can also reduce the need for large upfront print runs, allowing for more flexible and on-demand printing.
- Sustainability: Global distribution and print solutions align with growing sustainability goals by minimizing carbon footprints. By reducing the distances that printed materials need to travel, companies can significantly lower their greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation.
- Resilience: With the disruptions caused by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, these solutions offer a more resilient supply chain by reducing dependency on a single location. It allows for better risk management and ensures that materials can still be produced and delivered even if one region faces logistical challenges.
Partners in sustainable printing
Sheridan’s partnership with CPI — a leading print resource in Europe and the UK — provides a stable alternative for publishers targeting these regions. By utilizing local printing facilities, publishers can ensure more timely deliveries while contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for long-distance shipping. Sheridan and CPI’s dedication to partnering with printers that meet superior sustainability standards underscores the importance of this trend. By choosing partners who share a commitment to high environmental standards, publishers can be confident that their printing processes contribute positively to the planet.
Sheridan Select further enhances this efficiency by enabling immediate order processing and printing, streamlining the entire supply chain. This capability significantly reduces overall costs for publishers by cutting down on international shipping expenses. Moreover, the program’s efficient production processes lead to additional cost savings, making it a smart financial decision for publishers looking to optimize their operations.
Embrace the future of printing!
Printing closer to your audience is a win-win: It speeds up delivery and reduces costs while supporting sustainable practices that are increasingly important to consumers. There’s no time like the present to innovate your operations for better performance in the global market. As the tides change and rise, trust Sheridan to help you rise above them.
Take advantage of Sheridan’s Global Distribute and Print program to enhance your publishing efficiency and sustainability. Contact your Sheridan representative to learn how we can help you streamline your printing and distribution processes for maximum impact.
