This is the sixth in a series of COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research reports that examines the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the printing industry, how printers are responding to the crisis, and how they can create a path forward.

In response to the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) revised guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon OSHA have revised and published their new guidance for those fully vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance stating that fully-vaccinated people can be indoors without masks. The latest guidance reiterates that employers may set their own masking requirements independent of CDC guidelines.

In the latest NAPCO Research and PRINTING United Alliance COVID-19 Print Business Indicators report, respondents expected plenty of growth in the packaging/converting segment. The economic boom ahead will create trillions of dollars of products that have to be packaged.

The index of current indicators, which tracks trends in sales, production, employment, prices and pre-tax profitability has reached 50.0 for the first time since the research began in April. It now sits at 52.2, which indicates more of the companies we survey report activity is increasing than report activity is decreasing.

A year into the pandemic, it is much more difficult to ask employees to continue to forego travel when doing so might carry the same amount of risk of other activities that are not banned. Employee travel situations present HR professionals with questions about how risky the travel was and whether the employee is increasing the risk of exposure within your facility.

On Jan. 21, President Biden issued an Executive Order focused on OSHA’s approach to managing COVID-19. The Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety requires federal OSHA to take certain actions regarding its approach to issuing guidance, regulations, and enforcing existing regulations.

When looking at certain economic and industry indicators, it is easy to see exactly when the COVID-19 pandemic began to debilitate business. Fortunately, the print industry was able to adjust and although we remain far from pre-pandemic levels, these same indicators have already shown plenty of recovery progress.

The COVID crisis has changed business and consumer behavior in many ways. But which of the changes are temporary and which are permanent? Which can we ride for a while before they peter out and which must we build into our long-range business plans?

In the waning days of 2020 (Sunday, December 27, to be exact), President Trump signed HR 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, a combination COVID-19 stimulus/relief and omnibus government funding bill passed by the House and Senate on December 21, 2020.

When the pandemic finally recedes, it will leave a deeply changed business landscape behind it. But, the new realities of a post-COVID marketplace may well prove to be advantageous for producers of labels and packaging.

The new Alliance launched in 2020 brings together the legislative, political and regulatory expertise necessary to advocate for a pro-print agenda. This allows the Alliance to leverage the voices of its member companies to achieve a successful business environment that will benefit the industry.

A year full of uncertainty is capping itself off in a similar fashion as questions continue to swirl around the results of the 2020 elections. However, it may be time to start considering how the new administration’s policy changes can affect both business and the industry as a whole.

In the COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research, respondents indicated that they see rising demand for certain products. In particular, packaging for food and pharmaceuticals were seen as potential growth areas.

As the U.S. economy continues its climb from the depths of recession, there are still many questions regarding the second stimulus package. Further delays in an agreement could possibly lead to a deceleration of economic recovery. A situation like this would certainly slow recovery and the longer the wait, the more urgent the situation may become.

In the second COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research report from NAPCO Research and the PRINTING United Alliance, the packaging segment of the printing industry has shown the least amount of negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, due to increased demand for essential products across multiple market segments.

At many companies, pandemic-related business pressures have obliged owners to ask themselves which jobs are and aren’t necessary. Although this can be uncomfortable, it is also a valuable opportunity to reconsider the interrelationship of staff size, payroll expense, and profitability.

If you think TikTok is a fad and choose to ignore it, you may want to think again. Learning more about the platform and experimenting with TikTok is a low risk, low cost investment that can elevate your brand and drive new business.

This article highlights the efforts of three printing companies, and provides recovery-focused strategies presented by a well-known industry consultant.

When Rafi Albo saw an opportunity to use his digital printing expertise to benefit people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, Faces Behind Masks was born. The nonprofit initiative connects digital printers to medical professionals to produce stickers of doctors' and nurses' faces that they can adhere to their PPE, making a personal connection in a challenging health care environment.