Connected Magazine from VMA

A quarterly print magazine for business owners in the print and creative agency industry.

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Distributed to VMA members, Connected  is a print publication filled with VMA program updates, member news, upcoming events, and business news. 

Current Edition

2025 Q2 VMA Connected Cover image
Connected
Spring 2025 – Sustainable Print & the Planet

Features 

  • The Circular Economy Revolution: A Game-Changer for Printing & Design Businesses

  • Shell-ebrating Success: VMA’s 2025 Member Crabfest

  • Corefact’s Sustainability Journey: Small Changes, Big Impact

  • Shaping Tomorrow’s Graphic Arts Leaders for a Sustainable Future

  • VMA Student Contest Showcases Circular Creativity

  • Sustainability and AI: Transforming Print, Packaging & Design for a Greener Future

  • Print Smarter, Design Greener: A Sustainability Checklist for Your Business

  • Eco-Friendly Design Trends: How Designers Can Lead the Sustainability Movement

  • Revolutionizing Packaging: Sustainable Trends for 2025

 VMA Insider 

  • Discover Sustainable Solutions for Your Business

  • Affordable FSC Certification – Build Trust with Responsible Sourcing

  • PrintReleaf Sustainability Certification – Reforest with Every Job

  • UPS Eco-Conscious Shipping Solutions — Save Up to 65%

Upcoming Events

  • May 15 • Annual Baseball Networking Event • Sacramento

  • July 17 • ConnectUp at Impact Printing • Hayward

  • Sept. 25 • ConnectUp at Vintage 99 • Santa Rosa

Canon Corner

  • Canon: Sustainability Stewards

Industry News
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What You Need to Know

Member News 

  • RRD Delivers Innovative Labeling Solution for a Major Product Launch

  • Landa Press Powers Marketing Alliance Group’s Expansion with New S11 Installation

  • Canon Achieves Top 10 U.S. Patent Ranking for 41st Consecutive Year

  • BarkerBlue Partners with Impact Events to Elevate Rubrik’s Presence at RSA 2024

Ask the Experts 

  • The Sustainability of Paper: A Timeless Resource In A Modern World

    Jeff Jarvis, Vice President and General Manager, Kelly Spicers

     

  • Exploring the Role of Paper, Paper-Based Packaging, and Paper Products in a Circular Economy

    Jules Vansant, Executive Director, Two Sides North America

“I received the copies of the Connected, you all did a great job on the piece! Thanks for the work you put into it. We will being to share the article with prospects/customers.”
Lars Ho-Tseung
Custom Label

Archives

VMA Connected Magazine Q4 2024

Features 

  • Be Flexible, or Else You’ll Break: How Calitho Builds Through Constant Innovation

  • Leading the Leap Forward: Navigating the Future of Print

  • With the ZRX, Harris & Bruno Is Pioneering Print Automation

 VMA Insider 

  • Top Human Resource Law Pitfalls: A Recap

  • 50th Collective Conversations: “The 25 Best Sales Tips Ever”

Upcoming Events

  • ConnectUp at Harris & Bruno • Roseville • December 5, 2024

  • 1Annual CrabFest at PIASC • San Mateo • January 24, 2025

Canon Corner

  • Innovation with Canon is More Like ‘Ink-ovation’

Member News 

  • MCC Expands Smart Label Capabilities

  • Delta Print Group’s Hottest Printer
  • Kelly Spicers Partners with Italian Paper Maker Fedrigoni

Ask the Experts 

  • Prints Evolutionary Revolution

    Michael J. Pallerino, Director Of Content, Conduit, Inc.

     

  • Embracing AI: Transforming Small Business Marketing

    Kelly Mallozzi, Owner & Sales Coach, Success In Print

Summer 2024 Connected Issue

Features 

  • How Rising Print Star, Katie Pomerleau Combines Creativity with Technical Skills

  • Learning by Doing with Future Print Leader, Jacob Topete

  • How Sam Moore Is Turning His Creative Dreams into Reality

 VMA Insider 

  • Home Run Fun: Highlights from VMA’s Inaugural Summer Baseball Event

  • VMA Champions Next-Gen Talent at drupa

  • AI Marketing Makes a Mark: Collective Conversations Event

Upcoming Events

  • 09/19 Join us for the 2024 VMA Golf Tournament & BBQ!

  • 10/10 Kelly Spicer’s Wide Format Open House in Fremont

  • 10/16 – “Top 25 Sales Tips of All Times” with Bill Farquharson – Our 50th Anniversary Collective Conversation!

  • 12/05 – ConnectUp networking event at Harris & Bruno in Roseville.

Canon Corner

  • Canon’s Next Generation Programs

Member News 

  • Pacific Standard Print Adds New Diecutter

  • New Resource Videos from Canon

  • First-of-its-Kind Digital Embellishment System from Harris & Bruno

  • Iggesund Introduces Tactical Experience Paper

  • Andresen Creates Eye-Catching Tradeshow Graphics

  • Melrose Nameplate & Label Unveils Fresh Website Redesign

Ask the Experts 

  • Bringing Design to Life: A Graduate’s Journey in Print

    Trinity Baublits, Project Manager, Almaden

     

  • How to Attract Gen Z to the Workplace

    Kelly Mallozzi, Owner & Sales Coach, Success In Print

Spring 2024 Connected Issue

Features 

  • Customizable is Shaping the Next Generation of Print

  • Landa Digital Printing: Driving Major Innovation with Microscopic Droplets of Ink

  • After Years of Practice, Print2Fly is Ready to Soar

 VMA Insider 

  • Networking Event at Corefact in San Leandro

  • ConnectUp at On Line Bindery, Richmond

Upcoming Events

  • Join Us at Our Inaugural Baseball Networking Event
  • VMA & drupa 2024: Bridging Innovation

Member News 

  • Copa Design Shines: Wins Award at GDUSA’s 60th Anniversary Showcase
  • Moquin Press Installs Cutting-Edge Press
  • Canon Unveils Next-Gen Presses for Enhanced Productivity
  • Landa Introduces Advanced Press Models for Performance & Versatility
  • RRD Expands Label Capacity to Meet eCommerce Demands

Ask the Experts 

  • The Advance of AI for the Print Industry

    Tony Tarpey, COO, Smartsoft Inc.

  • What’s New With Canon!

    Rusty Davis, Senior Account Executive, Cannon Production Printing Systems

Labels

Features 

  • At Custom Label, Culture Is the Key to Growth

  • Vintage 99 Pours Passion into Every Label

  • Melrose Doesn’t Just Make Labels. It Manufactures Solutions.

 VMA Insider 

  • 2024 VMA CrabFest

Canon Corner

  • Green is Good

Member News 

  • Andresen Digital School Field Trip

Ask the Experts 

  • Labels, Often a Missed Opportunity 

    Sandy Franzen, Ceo and Founder, Creative Labels

  • Printing Safe In 2024: New Rules, Zero Accidents

    Steve Brooks, Owner & Operator, Safetynet Inc.

2023 Q4 VMA Connected - Fall

Features 

  • Building a Thriving Graphic Arts Business from the Garage

  • Family Business Fundamentals with Dr. Ralph Williams

  • Maintaining Values from Family to Family… to Family

 VMA Insider 

  • Print University – New On-Demand Print Industry Training

  • Get a Talented Fall Intern

  •  New Member Benefit: Priority 1 Freight

  • VMA Annual Golf Tournament 2023 – September 21

  • VMA Recent Events:

    • ConnectUp CMYK

    • ConnectUp LPP

Member News 

  • MCC Label Acquires Korsini

  • More Acquisitions: Kyocera buys Nixka

  • Case Makes’ Adds New Rainbow Sparkle Capability

  • BR Printers: Two HP PageWide Web Presses T240 HD Go Live

Ask the Experts 

  • Three Generations & Going

    Ernest Lompa, Owner, On Line Bindery

  • Because Everything’s Better With Print

    Joan Escover, President, Jp Graphics

Connected-Summer-2023

Features 

  • Building a Thriving Graphic Arts Business from the Garage

  • How TGS Elevate Reaches New Heights with Innovative Sales Techniques

  • Your Organization’s Sales Differentiator: You!

 VMA Insider 

  • Elevate Your Sales Strategies with VMA’s Innovative Resources

  • Unlock Industry Sales Excellence with The Sales Vault

  • Personalized Sales Training with Dave Mantel, Sales Trainer

  • VM Guide – A Cost-Effective Advertising Solution

  • Save the Date: Come Network at CrabFest 2024

  • 2023 VMA Annual Golf Tournament

Canon Corner

  • Inkjet Propulsion – Out of this World!

Member News 

  • Delta Print Group Expands with Robinson Anderson Print & Fulfillment

  • BR Printers Installs RMGT 8-Color Series Perfecting Offset Press

  • Copa Design announces Copa Breeze

Ask the Experts 

  • Try This Approach. I Dare You.

    Bill Farquharson, Owner & Sales Trainer, Sales Vault

  • Unlocking Sales Opportunities Through Your Trade Association

    Shannon Wolford, Director Of Membership & Sales, Visual Media Alliance

2023 Spring Connected

Features 

  • Check out VMA’s New Website

  • Free Energy Audit for Members

  • ConnectUp Live Networking

  • Crab-solutely Amazing CrabFest 2023!

  • “Print & Popular Culture” Student Design Contest Winners

  • Nurturing the Next Generation of Print and Graphic Arts Professionals

  • Check out VMA’s New Website

  • Free Energy Audit for Members

 VMA Insider 

  • Cal Poly GrC Program Member-Exclusive Career Fair

  • $500K in Scholarships for Current and New Students

  • Cal Poly Internships Offers Fresh Minds to Local Businesses

  • NEW Industry-Specific Training for Employees – FREE for Members

  • Student Networking and Field Trips 

  • VMA’s Career Center Assistance

  • Mentorships Evoke a Personal Connection

  • Engaging Students with Creative Design Contests

Member News 

  • Centurion 7 Advises MarkSYS on Sale to Endurance

  • Melrose Nameplate Solves Customer Crisis

  • Konica Minolta Signs CEO Action Diversity Inclusion Pledge

  • Almaden is Growing

  • New Partner and CTO at Rods and Cones

Ask the Experts 

  • Next Generation In Print & Design 

    Colleen Twomey, Professor At Cal Poly State University

  • Be a Magnet for the Next Industry Leaders

    Lauryn Kim, Third-Year Grc Student at California Polytechnic State University

Connected Winter 2023 Cover

Features 

  • UBEO Helps Printers Expand their Horizons (AND THEIR PROFITS

  • Corefact + HP: Pushing Print into the Future

  • How Canon Provides the Right Innovation at the Right Time

 VMA Insider 

  • VMA Technologies Suite:  

  • Kodak-Brand Special Rebates

  • Discount on Apple-Brand Products

  • PressWise – Workflow Automation & More

  • PrintReleaf Uses Technology for Print Sustainability

  • Save Big on Shipping with UPS

  • Working Advantage Discount Program

  • Upcoming Events

  • Ask the Professor “2023 Print Trends & Insights” Collective Conversations

Member News 

  • International Contact is Now Part of the Language Network

  • TGS Elevate Produces Multi-State Marketing Initiative

  • MCC Acquires Flexcoat Label Operations

  • New Color Management Solution by ESKO & GMG Partnership

  • Moquin Prints Packaging that Makes Flossing Fun

Ask the Experts 

  • Changing Climate Brings New Rules and New Ideas

    Laura Aitken and Erica Aitken Rods and Cones 

  • Implementing A Print Mis – Getting Your StaffOn Board

    Tony Tarpey, Chief Operating Officer at Smartsoft Inc.

2022-Q4-VMA-Connected_t_250

Features 

  • Delta Print Delta Print Group’s Secrets to Sales Success  
  • An Open Mind Closes Deals 
  • How Being an Active Listener Makes for a Better Salesperson 

 VMA Insider 

  • VMA Sales Suite including:  
  • Visibility and Advertising Opportunities in VMGuide + VMAccess.org, 
  • Sales and Marketing Expert Consultants: Bill Farquharson – Sales Coach, Leslie Groene – Sales Strategies Expert, Sonali Shah – Marketing Expert  
  • Sales Vault – Sales Coaching 
  • SalesCircle Events Sales Networking 
  • Upcoming events  
  • VMA Golf Tournament

Member News 

  • Multi-Color Corp. North America Wine & Spirits Wins at APS22!  
  • Find Your Flavor with GatoNegro’s #ShowYourPride Campaign  
  • Case Makes Launches New Sustainable Product 
  • 300FeetOut Becomes a Certified Green Business 
  • JP Graphics Buys Assets of Zion Press 
  • Advantage ColorGraphics Purchases Bert-Co Industries 

Ask the Experts 

  • 8 Selling Tips for the Second Half of 2022! 
    Leslie Groene, Groene Consulting 
  • 315 Words on Brevity 
    Bill Farquharson, Sales Expert, SalesVault 
2022-Q3-VMA-Connected_t_250

Features 

  • When You Need to Hire Workers, But Nobody Likes the Work 
  • Wrangling the Right Employees at Western Trade Printing 
  • 7 Creative Ways to Recruit Employees 

VMA Insider 

  • Health & Other Expected Benefits 
  • VMA & Partner Employee Education & Training 
  • Surveys and Reports to Make You Competitive 
  • Developing Fresh Talent  
  • Upcoming events

Member News 

  • Packaging Buys Dome Printing 
    Canon Launches Exciting New Digital Press 
  • Affinity Creative Fun Design for Dough Ball Whiskey 
  • SWM and Neenah Paper to Combine 
  • BR Printers Acquires C&D Printing

Ask the Experts 

  • Joy in the Workplace: Why it’s Good for Business  
    Karina Margit Erdely, Mineral 
  • How Conducting Exit Interviews Can Help You Increase Retention 
    Kyle Cupp, Mineral 
Spring_2022_connected_tn

Features 

  • Earth Day Design Contest Winners 
    Sustainability, Good for Your Bottom Line 
  • Strategies & Tactics to Easily Go Green 
  • SAVING THE WORLD – One Small Step at a Time 
  • Straight from the Source, How a Woman Owned Company Encourages Sustainability 
  • Can Sustainability Help You Find & Retain Employees? Yes, it Can! 

VMA Insider 

  • VMA Programs for Sustainability  
  • Save 50% with QuickBooks® Online (QBO) 
  • Save on Shipping While Being Sustainable 
  • PrintReleaf Sustainability Certification – Reforest with Every Job  
  • FSC Certification – Ensures Products Are Sustainable 
  • Upcoming events 

Ask the Experts 

  • Offset Your Paper Footprint with Printreleaf 
    Jenny Dela Cruz, Sustainability and Print Expert, Snow 
  • Sustainability is Important for Everyone  
    Jeff Jarvis, VP & GM, Kelly Spicers
2022-Q1-VMA-Connected_t

Features

  • Creating a Competitive Advantage to Take on 2022 
  • Standing Out With Storytelling 
  • How to Design a Powerhouse Team 

VMA Insider 

  • VMA’s New Website 
  • Exclusive Kodak Discount  
  • Past Events: 
  • ConnectUp Networking Events 
  • Informative Collective Conversation Events  
  • Holiday SalesCircle Event  
  • UpcomingEvents: 
  • CrabFest 2022 
  • Collective Conversations  
  • ConnectUp  
  • SalesCircle 
  • Americas Print Show APS22 

Member News 

  • Fun Redesign of Carmel Valley Ranch by Square Peg Design  
  • BR Printers Acquires Book and Catalog Printer 
  • Pitney Bowes Gears Up with Automation & Expanded Workforce 
  • Konica Minolta Donates Equipment to Cal Poly 
  • Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) Wins Award for Environmental Leadership 

Ask the Experts 

  • Rethink Your Sales Call 
    Bill Farquharson, Sales Expert, SalesVault 
  • It’s All About the Personal Connection
    Shannon Wolford, Sales Expert, VMA
     
2021-Q4-VMA-Connected_t

Features

  • The Secret Sauce to Your Business: Employees 
  • Mission Possible: How Moquin Press is Solving Staffing Challenges 
  • What Small Business Can Teach Us in 2021

VMA Insider 

  • It’s Open Enrollment Time 
  • Finding Local Talent Made Easier  
  • Small Business Cyber Attacks are on the Rise – Cowbell to the Rescue 
  • Upcoming VMA Events  

Member News 

  • Stunning Pebble Beach “Rendezvous” Work By Andresen 
  • Lowest Price Print Acquires Volume Press  
  • JP Graphics Harnesses the Sun 
  • Resource Label Expands California Presence 
  • MBD Receives Prestigious Awards 

Ask the Experts 

  • Employees are a Reflection of Your Business  
    Barbara Stephensen, Chief Experience Officer 300FeetOut 
  • Happier Employees Make for Happier Everybody  
    Jennifer Wiegley, Attorney  
2021-Q3-VMA-Connected_t

Features

  • Getting to the Light at the End of the Tunnel 
  • A Positive PivotCapitalizing on Challenges to Create Opportunities 
  • On Line Bindery is Forging Ahead with Positivity and Not Being Afraid to Get a Little Weird

VMA Insider 

  • VMA Works to Protect Our Industry 
  • Print Industry Regional Associations Become Independent 
  • ThinkHR Rebrands As Mineral 
  • As Things Re-Open, Make Sure Your Business Is Covered 
  • Sales Made Easy with New Sales Vault Portal 
  • NEW VMA Website Coming Soon  
  • Upcoming VMA Events 

 Member News 

  • Affinity Creative Rebrands Napa Valley’s Brandlin Estate 
  • Kelly Spicers Acquires California Supply North, Expanding NorCal Packaging Footprint 
  • Chen Design Creates An Immersive Website Experience 
  • Copa Wins Silicon Valley Business Journal Latinx award  
  • Northern California’s First Only Performance J Press Sheetfed Inkjet Press  

Ask the Experts 

  • Marketing & The Future 
    Sonali Shah, Marketing Expert, VMA 
  • Restart Faster With The Right Price 
    Bob Lingren, Printing Consultant  
2021-Q2-VMA-Connected_t

Features

  • The Art of Networking
  • Building Credibility and Sustaining It with Relationships:Sales Secrets From Daily Digital Imaging
  • The Power of a Good First Impression

VMA Insider

  • Save on Home & Auto Insurance with MetLife
  • Increase Your Value Props with PrintReleaf Sustainability Certification
  • Mineral – Free HR Perks
  • AT&T Member Discount
  • North Califronia Print, Packaging, Label, Design-focused Job Center
  • Business Risks on the Rise, VMA’s Biz Insurance Dept. Helps Protect
  • $20K in Scholarship Awarded

Member News

  • North California Printer Looking for Investor
  • BR Printers Acquisition Creates Perfect Book Printing Platform
  • Devilish Designs for Olive Oil Brand Diavolicchio
  • Creative Use of Cut-Outs Captures Brand Concept
  • RRD Creates Commercial Print Center of Excellence

Ask the Experts

  • Define Your Value Propositions!
    Leslie Groene, Groene Consulting
  • Can I Have Your Attention Please?
    Bill Farquharson, Sales Expert, SalesVault
Connected image

Features

  • 8 Important Resolutions for Small Businesses
  • For Impact Printing, Good Planning Is All About Positioning
  • Creativity and Compassion Drive 2021 Planning

VMA Insider

  • Our Membership Drive Success
  • Collective Conversations – A Positive Value
  • PRINTING United Virtual Tradeshow Success
  • Welcome Aboard Ian Flynn – VMA’s new President
  • VMAccess Rebuild and Stats
  • A New Health Care Option
  • MetLife: A benefit to protect the things that are important to you

Member News

  • Andresen Acquires MegaSolutions
  • BR Printers Acquires CMC On Demand
  • Spicers Exciting New Offering
  • GMG ColorCard Revolutionizes the Industry
  • Affinity Creative Group Awakens the Spirit of Alaska
  • Lahlou’s Youngest Client Supports Otters

Ask the Experts

  • Sales Strategies for the New Year
    Leslie Groene, Groene Consulting
  • New Year Tech Prep
    Mick Wolcott, Goldman Lockey Solutions, Inc.
connected_2020_Q4_t_155

Features

  • COVID-19 Requires a Customer-Centric Strategy
  • Responsiveness and Relationship Building: GM Nameplate’s Keys for Customer Satisfaction
  • How Adduci is Delivering Customer Value in the Pandemic

VMA Insider

  • VMAccess.org New Site
  • Collective Conversations a Hit
  • Job Board Restarted, Features New Website
  • PIA is Now PrUA, Our Industry’s New Super Association
  • New “Print is Everywhere” Materials Just Released!
  • VMA Marketing Campaigns
  • This Open Enrollment, Get Set with a Broker Dedicated to Your Industry & Your Success

Member News

  • Andresen Designs Unique Multi-piece Project to Steward Responsible Tech
  • Kelly/Spicers Acquires American Packaging, Expanding Its Packaging Business
  • Aslan Graphics Celebrates 25 Years in Business
  • Canon Releases New High Volume Color Printer Models

Ask the Experts

  • Technology for the Work-From-Home Times
    Mick Wolcott, Goldman Lockey Solutions, Inc.
  • Sales Reentry Strategy: Are You Ready?
    Leslie Groene, Groene Consulting
connected_2020_Q3_t

Features

  • Adjusting Your Sails: Business Crisis Requires Resilience
  • Perfecting the Pivot: How Pacific Color Graphics is Surviving the Crisis
  • Courage, Compassion and Communication: Copa’s Keys to Surviving the Crisis

VMA Insider

  • Print is Essential: Wins at All Levels of Government
  • SGIA and PIA Merge Create Super Association
  • Reopening Guidelines
  • The 2020 Buyers Guide and the New Version of VM Access
  • VMA Works to Keep Members Resilient

Member News

  • Spectrum Litho’s New Ventur CartonXPress Offers Easy Custom Packaging Solutions
  • Affinity Creative Group Bolsters Brand Strategy Capabilities with New Hire, Bob Kerstan
  • Delta Print Group Christens New Facility
  • Chen Design Offers Creative Package for Challenging Times

Ask the Experts

  • Staying Abreast of COVID-19 Legal Issues
    Jenny Wiegley, HR Labor Law Attorney
  • COVID-19 Federal Program Overview
    Dr. Gerry Bonetto, Government Affairs Specialist
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