Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, – The Ben Franklin Honor Society (BFHS) and the Order of the Black Leaf Society merged after it was agreed that there is a good deal of similarity between the two honor societies. They share the same goals of promoting the industry, sharing knowledge, and providing scholarship support. Merging will better help these societies reach these goals and help to advance the graphic arts community. "Membership of the Ben Franklin Honor Society (BFHS) is a true cross section of printing industry executive leadership," says Ted Ringman, chairman BFHS. "It is with great pleasure that we welcome the members of the Order of the Black Leaf to join the BFHS and further broaden the scope of the Honor Society."

Ivars Sarkans, chairman of the Black Leaf Society, adds "Members of the Order of the Black Leaf, the honor society of the business forms manufacturing industry, welcome the opportunity to join the Ben Franklin Honor Society. For the Order of the Black Leaf, this merger represents a return to the historical printing industry roots of forms manufacturers as a special interest group within Printing Industries of America." The Black Leaf Society originally served a somewhat focused market segment and is considerably smaller than the BFHS. The Black Leaf Society has 72 members, while the BFHS currently has 275.

The new members of the Order of Black Leaf will be invited to the Ben Franklin Honor Society meeting in November to receive their riband and pin and to be formally accepted into the society. There will also be a business meeting on Saturday, November 12.