Cherchez LaPlume: A Massachusetts Printer Thrives Despite Challenges

Eighty percent of all U.S. printing companies have fewer than 20 employees. We often read about large companies acquiring advanced technology, but what about the small shops? It was the advent of offset duplicators that saw the spurt in new printing businesses in the 1950s. Many of those firms grew and became the base for today’s printing industry.

Digital printing became the “go to” technology for small printers after 2000. With flexible acquisition plans, small printers could compete effectively with full-color printing in many new markets.

Meet LaPlume & Sons Printing of Lawrence, Mass. In addition to multiple offset presses, they run a large contingent of digital devices. They were expanding into new services and things were going well, and then...

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About Frank Romano

Frank Romano has spent over 60 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia. Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers. He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.