LATEST ISSUE

Technology Feature
The Science of Solving Plastics Adhesion Problems: Contact Angles - Surface Wetting - Chemical Activation

Decorator's Profile
CPS Resources, Inc. Decorating the World, One Customer at a Time

SPE Decorating & Assembly Division
TopCon Hits Nashville

Assembly Update
Exploring the Ultrasonic Welding Stack

Special Report
IML Solutions - Five Experts Share Advice

VIEW THE ONLINE EDITION

CALENDAR

Sept. 28-30
HBA Global Exposition & Conference, New York City, N.Y., (203) 846-0083, www.hbaexpo.com/home

Sept. 28-30
Plastec Midwest (MD&M Midwest, Design & Mfg. Midwest, Assembly & Automation Technology Expo, Electronics Midwest, Green Mfg. Expo) Rosemont, Ill., (310) 445-4200, www.canontradeshows.com

Sept. 29-30
IMLCON™ & IMDCON™ 2010, Miami, Fla., www.awa-bv.com

Oct. 12-15
2010 SGIA Expo, Las Vegas, Nev., (888) 385-3588, www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia10/

Oct. 31-Nov. 3
Pack Expo International 2010, Chicago, Ill., (703) 243-8555, www.packexpo.com

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Copyright 2010 Peterson Publications, Inc.

Plastics Decorating Magazine 
2150 SW Westport Dr., Suite 101 
Topeka, KS 66614 
(785) 271-5801  Fax (785) 271-6404

Plastics Decorating Magazine offers the latest news and technologies in the world of plastics decorating and assembly. We cover hot stamping, pad printing, screen printing, heat transfers, in-mold decorating, as well as ultrasonic welding, heat staking, and other plastics assembly techniques.

If you are not currently receiving the magazine, fill out the online subscription form and we’ll get you on the list! If you are a supplier to the industry, look through our advertising rates and editorial schedule. Because we have a targeted circulation of 10,000, you will find our rates as low as ½ the price of more general plastics magazines.

NEWS

June 15-16, 2010
Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Franklin, Tenn.

The SPE Decorating & Assembly Division 2010 Topical Conference (TopCon) will take place June 15-16, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. This year’s event is packed with programming that will provide attendees with a wealth of information on the latest technologies in plastics decorating and assembly, including surface modification, green solutions in pad printing, laser marking, in-mold decorating, chrome plating, painting methods, welding of bio-plastics, ultrasonic welding, and much more.

New this year, “Tune into Innovation” will feature a ½-day breakout session specifically devoted to emerging technologies in plastics assembly processes. Take a moment and look over the papers that will be presented at the 2010 TopCon, which also will feature a special Supplier Trade Fair on Tuesday, June 15, where attendees will be able to visit a variety of suppliers to the plastics decorating and assembly industry.

For more information on programming, schedule, hotel, and registration, click here. Questions? Call (785) 271-5801.

Tips for Advertising in an Uncertain Economy
With all the talk about a slowing economy, business owners are looking for ways to cut costs. However, cutting advertising during an economic downturn is not a sound business practice, says Mac McIntosh, a business-to-business marketing consultant located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

It’s been proven over and over that companies that advertise during a slowdown “are the first to come back,” says McIntosh. They also experience “faster growth at the other end [of a slowdown],” he says. McIntosh tested this theory firsthand in 2001-2002 when the economy hit the skids. He continued to advertise and found his business doing well when things turned around; some competitors who had foregone advertising ended up out of business, he notes.

What should you do to market your company during tough times?

• Tweak your advertising message, he says. In a downturn, consider running ads that focus on products or services that are most profitable, the easiest to sell or those most applicable to potential customers.
• If your budget is tight, hold off running “image” ads. Instead of promoting your company’s image or brand, design ads with offers or calls to action.
• Include a variety of offers tailored to customers at different places in the buying cycle. You might want to offer free samples to those thinking about trying out your firm, as well as a tool or checklist for those further along in the sales process. Coupons work, says McIntosh, whether customers actually clip them or cite the special offer when they are ready to order.
  
• If you don’t currently track leads from ads, start now, says McIntosh. Doing so is easier and less expensive than you might think. You can use unique extension numbers for phone numbers used in ads in different publications, promote a specific web landing page in each ad, or use a unique email address, he suggests.
• Determine if your suppliers offer a co-op marketing program, enabling you to share the costs.