The Print & Pkg Lab - Practical conversations for print and packaging professionals - Powered by PIA MidAmerica

Most people don’t plan on a career in print—and Zach Fargo didn’t either. In this conversation, Zach shares how he found his way into the industry, why he stayed, and what changed when he stopped focusing on selling and started focusing on helping. From restaurant rollouts and the surprising staying power of physical menus to

Gen Z isn’t “difficult”. They’re different. This 15‑minute brief breaks down five essentials aspects younger employees expect: Let’s dispense with the “young people don’t want to work” nonsense and lean in to the opportunities to fold them into our companies in ways that benefit everyone Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

Hazardous waste in print isn’t just about compliance—it’s about safety, cost, and day-to-day operational decisions. In this Production Foundations episode, Janie sits down with Xon Post (Clean Earth) and Teresa Campbell (PIA MidAmerica) to break down what plant managers need to know. They cover: Where print shops get into trouble What’s often misunderstood about waste

The Invisible Shortlist: How to Get Your Print Shop Chosen Before Buyers Ever Talk to You Modern buyers build their shortlists long before they talk to a sales rep. This fast, practical session shows you how to make your shop findable, credible, and irresistible online, so you stop getting cut early and start getting called

In this Wide Format Deep Dive, we sit down with Chris Manley, President of Graphco, to explore how print has evolved from engineering drawing reproduction to today’s highly automated, digitally driven production environments. The conversation moves beyond equipment to focus on where wide format is headed: the growing importance of digital finishing, increasing substrate complexity,

The 8-Touch Rule is dead. Today’s buyers often need 12+ thoughtful interactions before they’ll take a meeting. This 15-minute session shares a simple, modern multi-touch cadence, specific examples by channel, and practical tips to stay consistent without feeling spammy or burning out. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

In this Leadership Bites episode, Rob Styacich shares perspective on his career, the economy of relationships, what it is like to own a company, and perspective for peers and those up and coming in the industry.

Psychological safety is the missing link between culture, safety, and quality in and around your shop. In this 15‑minute brief, we’ll explore what it is, how everyday reactions from leaders shape it, and simple, repeatable behaviors that help people speak up before problems, mistakes, or injuries escalate. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

With over 50 years in print, Dave Pierson has seen the industry evolve from craftsmanship to modern manufacturing—but the fundamentals of running a successful operation haven’t changed as much as you might think. In this episode, Dave shares what he looks for the moment he walks into a plant, why workflow and communication often matter

Turn “we don’t have a marketing person” into a non-excuse. In this marketing  brief, you’ll get a simple weekly system any owner, CSR, or sales rep can run to consistently promote your shop, use print to sell print, and keep your pipeline warm. No marketing degree required. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

The annual PIA MidAmerica GraphEx Awards are just around the corner. This episode looks at ways to extend your win and use the honor throughout the year for brand awareness, client acquisition and retention, and for reinforcing positive and quality-oriented work cultures. Learn more at piamidam.org/graphex.

Habit stacking helps sales professionals build consistency by linking new business development actions to existing routines. By attaching small prospecting, follow-up, or planning habits to daily anchors, reps create momentum effortlessly. Over time, these micro-habits compound, transforming sporadic outreach into a predictable, results-driven rhythm for new business growth. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

In this Leadership Bites episode, Teresa Campbell shares perspective on industry priorities and the key initiatives guiding PIA MidAmerica’s work to support printers and packaging professionals across the region.

This brief explores how “nice” workplaces accidentally protect poor performance. This brief shows leaders how to mix clarity, compassion, and real follow‑through so accountability feels fair, human, and growth‑focused instead of harsh or punishing. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

Continuous improvement isn’t about reacting faster — it’s about solving the right problem. In this episode of the Print & Packaging Lab, Nikki Morrow of Hallmark Cards joins us to explore how root cause analysis strengthens operations across both manufacturing and corporate environments. With a background in printing and current experience in product safety, Nikki

Customers rarely vanish at random; they slip away at predictable friction points in your marketing and sales cycle. This 15-minute brief reveals why prospects disengage, how to spot the signals early, and simple, practical moves to keep qualified buyers moving confidently toward “yes.” Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

Reigniting Your Inner Drive: How to Manifest Motivation That Lasts in Every Stage of Your Sales Career  This 15-minute session helps sales professionals rediscover their inner drive by blending mindset, manifestation, and action. Learn how to reignite motivation at any stage of your career with simple, powerful techniques to clarify goals, reframe challenges, and align

Dye sublimation is everywhere — from sports apparel and trade show graphics to mugs, home décor, and retail displays — but many printers still see it as niche. In this episode of the Print & Packaging Lab, we share an excerpt from a September 2025 Wide Format Peer Group webinar featuring Gabrielle Crumpler of Mimaki

Use the Keeper Test question, “Would you fight to keep them?” as a lens for honest talent decisions, clearer expectations, and courageous feedback. This brief explores how raising talent density, while deepening trust and psychological safety, creates high-performance teams where top contributors feel valued, supported, and inspired. Learn more www.piamidam.org/thrive-series.

This episode introduces the core safety fundamentals of the print shop floor, including equipment hazards, PPE, environmental risks, and why safety culture starts with everyday decisions. Designed for operators, supervisors, and print leaders alike, this is the baseline every shop should share. Want to learn more about safety in the printing environment. Connect with us.

As part of our Thrive Series, Kelly Mallozzi brings us weekly briefs focused on marketing, sales and company culture. Thrive Marketing Brief: In today’s era of information parity, your customers have unprecedented access to knowledge. Success now depends on transparency, trust, and clarity. This brief explores how to transform information overload into opportunity: how to