Get the latest in print & creative agency business updates, trends, and inspiration from VMA.
Question: Are cost-of-living raises mandatory? Answer: Some state minimum wage adjustments are tied to the consumer price index, but otherwise, cost-of-living raises are not required by state or federal law. You just need to make sure you’re paying any applicable state and municipal minimum wages. That said, if the cost of living has increased in
The merger between VMA and Printing Industries Association (PIA) is now official, effective July 1, 2025. Driven by common challenges — such as declining membership, overlapping expenses, and an aging workforce—this strategic union positions both organizations for long-term sustainability and stronger member support. To protect VMA’s interests and preserve its unique voice, leadership engaged legal
Our Industry is Challenged, But Our Findings Show High Performers! We open by assessing our industry using Michael Porter’s Five-Forces model. Then, we share some findings from our February/March 2025 “Printing Industry Performance & Insights” study. Compared to our industry assessment, our study’s findings are a bit surprising. One might see our findings as “striking.” We
Question: An employee requested an unpaid leave of absence to complete their last semester of college. Do we have to approve it? If we don’t but still want to, what should we consider before approving the employee’s request? Answer: A leave of absence for educational purposes isn’t covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act,
Question: Who should be responsible for delivering disciplinary action in response to performance or attendance issues? Answer: In general, disciplinary actions should be delivered by the employee’s manager. It’s the manager’s job to define what success looks like in the role, set performance and attendance expectations, monitor the employee’s work, offer guidance, coaching, and feedback,
Introduction Do you ever wonder if you might not be getting the full picture of something? It could be regarding your production floor data, customer satisfaction surveys, or perhaps the sources for images that a client wants to use, which were generated using artificial intelligence (AI). A military study from World War II provides some
Question: Can we have a mandatory retirement age? Answer: With a few exceptions, no, you can’t have a mandatory retirement age. Forcing an employee age 40 or older to retire at a certain age would likely violate the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. You could, however, offer voluntary retirement plans or various post-retirement benefits for
In December 2024, the US Government Publishing Office (GPO) announced that it had awarded $469.2 million in print procurement program contracts with private-sector printing companies in its fiscal year 2024, which runs (as do those of other Federal agencies) from October 1st of the previous year to September 30th. The stated goal of these contracts
By Sonali Shah As sustainability becomes a critical component of branding, businesses must avoid greenwashing — making misleading claims about eco-friendly practices. Greenwashing risks not only backlash but also regulatory action, damaging trust and losing customers. For the print and design industries, authenticity in sustainability initiatives is essential to resonate with audiences and create genuine
By Sonali Shah As environmental concerns continue to be our biggest human challenge to date, designers are increasingly embracing sustainability. From minimalist packaging to AI-driven design solutions, the industry is evolving to meet the demand for more eco-conscious practices. Designers have a unique opportunity to drive change, shaping a future where creativity and sustainability go
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