On January 27, 2019 postage prices are going up, and for J&Q direct mail clients we estimate a $.007 to $.008 increase per package. In October the U.S. Postal Service filed a postal rate adjustment with the Postal Regulatory commission (PRC). If approved by the PRC, postage would increase an average of 2.5% for both First-Class and Marketing Mail (previously Standard Class). The PRC is expected to approve the adjustment by November 13.
Scott Dempster has recently joined J&Q as National Sales Director. Scott will be responsible for new business development and fostering relationships with accounts in a variety of vertical markets throughout the country. Scott has extensive experience working with market leading clients in a variety of industries to develop and produce their direct mail programs. He provides outstanding service to his clients and is knowledgeable in multiple production platforms and workflow solutions.
With so many security breaches at major companies in the United States and around the world, and the implementation of GDPR in Europe (European Unions’ privacy regulations), security has become a top concern in corporate boardrooms. How do we keep sensitive information safe from hackers who are persistently working to infiltrate computer networks (both corporate and personal networks at home) to steal identities, social media accounts, financial, health and other valuable personal information? It’s not enough to just say you have this data secured; you must be able to prove it.
Security is a big deal at Johnson & Quin. We process and print millions of records each year and most contain PII – Personally Identifiable Information – like names, addresses and other identifying pieces of information. Because security of data is critical to marketing communications, having the expertise to stay up-to-date with necessary processes, certifications and systems is essential. Manish Haria who has been with J&Q for 18 years was recently promoted to Vice President of IT and Security, and he will help us stay at the forefront of security and processing.
Johnson & Quin was recently featured in a press release from SCREEN Americas regarding the installation of the new Truepress Jet520NX inkjet press. This is J&Q’s second high-speed solution in just 3 years from SCREEN Americas, a long-time graphic arts equipment manufacturer.
With over 140 years in the printing business, J&Q has proven that innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition. J&Q’s executive vice president, Bob Arkema, explains: “We installed SCREEN’s Truepress Jet520ZZ 3 years ago, which revolutionized direct mail production for J&Q and our clients. It has enabled us to provide high quality personalization in color, combine versions in one print run, decrease postage and production costs and reduce schedules for our clients.”
“Now, with the new NX, we can offer high quality color personalization on heavier 12 pt paper stocks for postcards and self mailers,” he said.
Jim Onorato has recently joined J&Q and our Sales Team as National Sales Director. Jim will be responsible for new business development and fostering relationships with accounts in a variety of vertical markets throughout the country. He has extensive experience working with corporate clients in a variety of industries to develop strategic marketing plans for printing and direct mail programs. Jim has developed practical, cost-effective marketing solutions that meet client response and financial objectives. We look forward to the expertise and marketing solutions that Jim can provide for J&Q’s clients.
Running pony logo used by the U.S. Post Office Department before the creation of the USPS.
If you are in the direct mail business you know that postage rates increased in January with First Class stamps now 50 cents.
Did you know that the U.S. Mail first began in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general during the Second Continental Congress? When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, Congress was given the power “To establish Post Offices and Post Roads” – and the official Post Office Department was created.
The first postage rates were signed into law by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. Different rates were charged based on distance and weight, making the postage process complicated and often expensive.
Here we go again – another USPS price increase is coming up in January. The Postal Service filed its 2018 postage rate proposals in October with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has approved the price increases, and they will take effect on January 21, 2018.
Our clients, direct marketers who mail thousands and millions of packages each year, are interested in the Market Dominate Product increases which include First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail (formerly known as Standard). The average increase for First-Class and Marketing Mail is about 1.9%. Prices for individual sortation and entry points can vary from no change up to a 2.47% increase.
David Henkel, J&Q’s President and Leader Extraordinaire, was interviewed by Frank Romano, Curmudgeon Emeritus (his title, not ours) of WhatTheyThink.com in September at the Print17 Show in Chicago. View their conversation on the evolution of digital printing in the video that was recently published by What They Think?
Frank and David discuss Johnson & Quin’s entry into variable data printing in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, starting with a Xerox cutsheet black-only laser printer. Over the years J&Q has invested in many monochrome laser printers and more recently color sheet-fed printers. Three years ago, J&Q purchased their first high-speed color inkjet printing system, the Screen TruePress 520ZZ which is the most popular roll-fed inkjet press based on the number of units sold throughout the world.
Johnson & Quin began in 1876 when Nels Johnson founded the N.M. Johnson Company – Blank Book Manufacturers and Book Binders. The company’s first advertisement called Merchants, Bankers and Business Men to the attention of our superior facilities for the manufacture of blank books.
Today we call all Marketers to the attention of our superior digital technologies for the production of response-generating direct mail! One of the reasons J&Q has been successful over the years, is our ability to adapt to and utilize new print technologies PLUS our strong quality control procedures. Today most of the direct mail we produce is printed and personalized on some type of digital printer – most on high-speed color inkjet printing systems.
Kay Wilt