Letter from the Chairman A new year has arrived, bringing with it many opportunities. One thing we do not often look at is the scope of technologies and disciplines that make up plastic decoration. As I mentioned in the last association news, we serve many industries and access many technologies to produce parts and products for our customers. As a result, it is of critical … [Read more...] about Association News
2016 Jan/Feb
Automotive Trend toward Customization Adds Complexity
by Dianna Brodine, Plastics Decorating December ended on a high note for US automakers as the year closed with a new domestic sales record for 2015. A Reuters Market update by Bernie Woodall, dated Jan. 5, 2016, reported, "For full year 2015, US sales hit a record of 17.47 million vehicles, breaking the mark of 17.41 million vehicles in 2000, according to Autodata Corp. … [Read more...] about Automotive Trend toward Customization Adds Complexity
Build a Culture of Volunteered Accountability
by Randy Pennington, The Pennington Group Accountability is apparently a big problem. A 2013 survey of leaders by AMA Enterprise, a division of the American Management Association® reported that: 11 percent of survey respondents said more than 50 percent of their employees shirk responsibility, and 21 percent of business leaders believed the percentage of … [Read more...] about Build a Culture of Volunteered Accountability
Methods and Materials for Difficult Pad Printing Applications
by John Kaverman, Pad Print Pros LLC Applications requiring pad printing on easy-to-adhere-to substrates are becoming increasingly rare as ABS, PC, PVC and other similar, ink-friendly substrates are being replaced with materials such as LDPE, silicone and TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers, a class of copolymers that consists of materials with both thermoplastic and … [Read more...] about Methods and Materials for Difficult Pad Printing Applications
Q&A: Plasma Treating
by Andy Stecher, Plasmatreat Plasma provides plastic part suppliers a safe, cost-efficient, easy-to-operate and environmentally friendly way to clean and improve the adhesion of inks, coatings and adhesives to plastic. Yet, for many, plasma remains a bit of a mystery. Here are some of the basics. Question: What is plasma? Answer: Plasma is produced in items as … [Read more...] about Q&A: Plasma Treating