Did you know? US Federal Minimum Wage Increased!

Are you a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) covered enterprise with non-exempt workers? Then, as of last week you need to be paying your employees at least $7.25 per hour, with some states requiring more.

This brings a few issues to light for imagers, especially new or small businesses that may be uncertain of all the regulations with which they must comply. First, do you know if you're an FLSA covered enterprise with non-exempt employees? The US Department of Labor's regulations determining this can be complex, but there is a simple quiz you can take for guidance.

Second, do you know if your state has set a wage higher than the federal minimum? About 32 states have minimum wages at or below the federal minimum. If a state's mandated wage is below that set by the US federal government, the federal wage prevails. For the remaining states and the District of Columbia, their minimum wage is higher than the Federal one. If the state's mandated wage is above that set by the US federal government, the state's wage prevails.

Additionally, some states have indexed their minimum wage to the Consumer Produce Index (CPI) so that the wage increases every year. To sort all these varying state regulations out, SGIA has a resource that allows you to quickly and easily find the minimum wage for your state.

And, finally, do you know that if your FLSA covered, you need to display a minimum wage poster in your facility? You can download it in English and Spanish.

If you have any business regulation questions, don't forget that SGIA is here to help! Email me at katy@sgia.org.

Submitted by: Katy Lellelid, SGIA

Truth and Dare

Truth, ultra violet curable material science has grown to be big business. A billion dollar plus industry that cuts across a number of varied markets. UV curing as an inkjet technology has become the mainstay of flatbed digital printing, with one major drawback. That being the use of mercury vapor arc lamps. Traditional arc lamps operate at very high temperature (850-950C) requiring air extraction and an additional heat burden on a businesses air conditioning system. There are also issues relating to the frequency of bulb replacement and the drop in UV output over time that causes issues in yield and quality. Over the last 20 years electricity prices for industrial uses in the US have more than tripled . That makes end users pay closer attention to electrical requirements of their production equipment. At the moment, arc lamps are exempt from the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, but there are concerns related to having to change and dispose of these hazardous bulbs, and the ozone that is produced in the plant environment.

But UV curable has been the choice to go to when the only other option in inkjet ink systems is some form of solvent ink (besides aqueous and latex). With more and more local, state, and government regulations being written that tighten environmental regulations, UV is it.

UV ink has grown up, so to speak, as has the substrate market. What is next, is to jettison mercury vapor altogether and use some form of semiconductor light technology. With the development of high output LED lamps, especially LED lamps that output in the UV range, UV curable inks can now be tuned with the right photo initiators to match the wavelength of the solid state lamps output.

You will see this technology in more and more printers that are in development and put into the marketplace. I wish that current machines in the market, that are mercury vapor bulb based, would be retrofitted by the manufacturers ( I think businesses would pay for this upgrade) to a current solid state, tuned ink system. Who's first, come on, I dare you.

Jeff Burton, SGIA

Closing the Loop on Graphics Installation

The recent placement of PDAA, the Professional Decal Application Alliance, under the broader umbrella of SGIA is an exciting new development for graphics producers and installers alike. The new alliance is important because it addresses a significant area of the production chain by providing reliable support at the end of the process, also referred to as the installation of the finished piece. The word "reliable" is important here, because if all the hard work you do to create eye-popping graphics amounts to nothing because of a fly-by-night installer, your company's bottom line and reputation suffer. When something goes wrong, the blame is on you, the "graphic solutions provider," and not on the unqualified installer who produced numerous bubbles, creases, visible cut marks or worse. That is why installers recognized by a meaningful, objective certification are so important to your business.

If your company currently works with independent graphics installers, or plans to do so in the future, you owe yourself a visit to PDAA's Find and Installer Search, where you can locate PDAA Master Certified Installers nationwide. The "master certified" designation is a calling card that means the installer has the proficiency to do the job right. The truth of the matter is that there are a lot of installation companies in business today, but just because a company has the tools of the trade does not mean they know how to use them effectively. By working with a PDAA Master Certified Installer, you gain assurance, reliability and professionalism, period.

If you employ your own installation team, now is the time to raise the bar on what you offer your customers, by getting your company PDAA certified. The PDAA "badge" means your company is committed to quality from the start of a project to its successful completion. Further, companies that hold master certified status rise to the top section of the PDAA installer search. This offers higher visibility and an increased ability to make valuable business contacts. Small price, big benefit.

In today's business climate, where margins are thin and every penny counts (and, really, shouldn't it always), your company must have the ability to deliver the job as agreed, on time, and done correctly. There is no alternative. By using PDAA certified installers, you close the loop on the process.

Submitted by: Dan Marx, SGIA

Last to Move - First to Lose

Stuck in recession neutral? Waiting for the return of business as usual? Don't wait too long.

Businesses of all types are positioning themselves for the rebound as the economy begins to improve. Tomorrow's business leaders are investing today. They're investing in business development, improved technology and other creative ways to push their company to the front of the pack. They intend to break out of this recession, leaving their competition in the rearview mirror.

Risky? You bet. But, it's a calculated risk that can pay big dividends for those companies willing (and able) to step up.

The recession has given many companies the opportunity to re-evaluate. What business are they really in? What do they want to do? It's helped them focus. Many will come out of this mess better for the effort.

On the other side of this recession we'll have SGIA members that are more efficient, more-diversified in their print capability and better suited to a wide range of customers, large and small. In addition to these "one-stop shop" companies, we'll have other imagers providing very specific print capability for very specific customers. Regionalized production will also come into play. Through consortiums, or other arrangements, companies will share production capability. Regionalized production will add a new and valued wrinkle to this exciting mix.

Bottom-line. The imagers and suppliers that will lead the way out of the recession are beginning to stir...

Submitted by: Michael Robertson, SGIA

A Bit of History Passed Away

Upon hearing the sad news of the recent passing of Tom Frescka, Editor of Screen Printing Magazine, I knew that I had lost a good friend. Tom, a staunch supporter of the screen printing technology, also understood, accepted, and embraced the newer technologies used by our industry sector. Not only that, Tom supported both the environmental as well as safety and health agenda of SGIA -- he long served on the SGIA Safety and Health Committee and was more than willing to allow me to use the magazine's resources as a platform. He was a wonderful friend, father, son and colleague.

This occasion spurred memories of other notable people in our industry who have made notable contributions. Geoff McCue with several product inventions to his credit -- a patented registration system, die-cut stencil systems, and the first digital screen marking system. Don Newman-- inventor of the world patented Newman Roller Frame as well as other related patented technologies. Wolfgang Pfirrmann with new stencil quality management systems. Mike Ruff's color control system. Alex Zuckerman with his patented squeegee inventions. Michel Caza -- long touted as leading pioneer in UV technology.

These individuals, like Tom, have contributed to the continued success of the screen printing industry. And, like Tom, do not boast about their successes. They did what they did because they truly believe in and love this industry. As did Tom. We will miss you.

Printed Electronics

I recently returned from the SGIA 2009 Membrane Switch and Printed Electronics Symposium, held May 5 thru 7 in Overland Park, Kansas. This symposium brings together the some of the most proficient technical and engineering minds. The daily challenge in many of their shops is not matching color or printing rosettes (although they do that too). Instead, they are printing functional inks to achieve necessary conductivity and resistivity in the printed electronic products they produce, working with indium tin oxide (ITO) for touch panels, organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and removing the metallization from polyester (PET) to create circuits using laser technologies. They print for function, not for looks.

When he welcomed the attendees to the symposium, Chairperson Chris Walker summarized the role of the SGIA Membrane Switch and Printed Electronics Council as a group who strives to provide the latest technical information, educational opportunities and product innovations during the annual Membrane Switch and Printed Electronics Symposium. This group teleconferences almost weekly throughout the year as the educational sessions take shape to ensure a balanced, educational program. The symposium is the major avenue whereby industry leaders, thinkers and doers present a variety of topics directly or indirectly related to the industry. In a highly specialized and technical market, the annual Symposium provides a venue for networking as well as the opportunity to meet with suppliers and producers to discuss issues related to products, processing, manufacturing, marketing and new technologies.

However, the major difference in the programming this year included the broader range of Printed Electronics (PE). Historically, this has been more focused on membrane switch production; however, printed electronics has gained interest from this industry. I think David Sime of Soligie Inc. stated it best within the synopsis of his presentation entitled High-Volume Printed Electronics in Practice: The art of membrane switch manufacturing has provided a foundation for the emerging industry of printed electronics. In fact, membrane switch manufacturing technologies led to many of the techniques used today in printed electronics. You might find it interesting that printed electronics is one of the fastest growing technologies in the World. It is gaining interest from industries like chemicals, consumer goods, healthcare, military, electronics and publishing. It is allowing electronics to be used in places like never before. Plus, the number of companies involved is doubling about every 18 months or so, all hoping for a share of the estimated $300 billion potential market that includes applications like RFID, flexible displays, bio-sensors, and photovoltaics.

Many traditional membrane switch producers have branched out into these markets to capture additional revenue streams and many of the products associated with these new markets are produced with similar tools, equipment, methods and materials they use. A resonant assertion from the attendees I spoke with during the symposium was that they saw the connection between what they currently produce and what they could produce based on the information conveyed in the presentations that were presented.

Each member of the SGIA Membrane Switch and Printed Electronics Council deserves a hearty Thank You for their many efforts in developing this year’s highly advanced program. Without their time and dedicated support, the symposium would not be possible. A big thank you to Preco Inc and NazDar who sponsored tours of their facilities during the symposium. The Bar-B-Que was great! While on the subject of thanks, Dutch Drehle, SGIA Technical Services Associate, has been staff liaison with the Council for the past few years and is planning to retire in July. Dutch has served in the industry for fifty years and will be missed by all the many colleagues he has befriended. Dutch, thank you for all your many efforts and enjoy your retirement in Arizona.

Speaking of Arizona, work has already begun on the 2010 Symposium being held in Phoenix. We would be interested in your programming thoughts and suggestions so contact me a jshell@sgia.org. As we continue to develop and refine the symposium, our ultimate goal is to inexpensively provide an event with unparalleled technical information and networking opportunities.

Submitted by Johnny Shell, SGIA

Sticky Side Down

My son, Julian, is approaching three years old, and loves to play with stickers. In the parlance of our industry, we use the term "decals," though the difference does not seem to make much difference to him. Recently, he was about to place one of his stickers onto s piece of paper when he looked at me and said, "sticky side down." Good advice.

His words got me thinking that for many in our industry, "sticky side down" ia all that a great number of people in our industry know about vinyl installation. It is easy, right? The answer to that question is yes...and, no. To me, vinyl installation is a lot like playing the drums: Anybody can bang on the them and make some noise, but it takes a great deal of practice and experience to make "Sing, Sing, Sing" swing. It takes a master.

The recent placement of PDAA, the Professional Decal Application Alliance, under the broad umbrella of SGIA, serves to connect masters in graphics installation, those who have had their abilities tested and certified, with those who have graphics to install. PDAA Master Certified installers have the knowledge they need to install on flat surfaces, curves and complex curves with aplomb. Whether they are independent installers, or they work in-house for a graphics producer, they know what they are doing, and they can do the job right the first time.

But that's not all. It goes much farther than that. In a recent discussion with a representative of a major manufacturer of pressure sensitive vinyl, I heard a viewpoint that served to broaden my view of the graphics installation. The next step in my thinking goes beyond the skills needed to wrap a VW Beetle free of errant bumps, image distortion or wrinkles; and it goes far beyond how quickly the job can be done. It has to do with materials awareness.

For those who believe that "vinyl is vinyl," and that every product out on the market is pretty much the same, I offer that the world of adhesive vinyl has grown by leaps and bounds over that past couple of years. This includes the introduction of a growing arsenal of materials that allow imaging companies the chance to diversify their offerings and access new, interesting and profitable new markets. Those companies that will succeed, even dominate, these new markets are those that not only print the image, but also can ensure the print buyer that the print can be installed beautifully, and will stay on the surface - whether it is a window, a brick wall or a car - for its intended duration without peeling around the edges, popping out of concave areas, shrinking, or simply falling off.

A truly qualified installer, one who has used and been tested on the widest variety of materials, is the best possible resource for installations that look as good after a year or two or more as they did the day the job was done. That is the advantage that PDAA's Master Certified installers bring to our community, allowing SGIA members to provide their clients with total imaging solutions - design through installation. SGIA is thrilled to have PDAA on board, and to help SGIA and PDAA members alike make their businesses stronger and more profitable.

Submitted by: Dan Marx, SGIA