We can rely on change in the printing industry, but not always in ways we like. Enter tariffs. While the industry trade media, analysts and economists have much to say about tariffs now, they were completely silent before the US election in November. It was clear that the printing industry and print business would be affected by tariffs, so why the silence? Too political? Too divisive? Printers can’t handle the truth?
As shared with me by a respected analyst who presented at a recent event, “I cannot get up there and tell everyone the full reality of the situation. No one would buy equipment, and I wouldn’t have a job.”
I appreciated the honesty. The truth still hurts, but I will leave that paraphrased comment with you and implore you to research the current state of the US and global economy and where we are headed from a non-biased resource. Talk to your account and financial advisor, and make the best plans possible to protect your print business and what you can.
So, how do we plan for tariffs and supply chain disruptions instead of constantly playing defense? Let’s look at five strategic questions every print business should ask right now to keep your company strong no matter what comes next.
Is Supply Chain Risk Management a Cost or an Investment?
No one likes spending money on what-if scenarios. It’s easier to put out fires as they come instead of building a fireproof business from the start. But here’s the problem, waiting until a crisis hits is always more expensive than planning for one.
Think about the supply chain mess during COVID. Companies with backup suppliers, diversified sourcing, and strong logistics planning survived with minimal disruption. Others were left scrambling, paying top dollar for scarce materials, and worse, lost customers.
The reality: Investing in risk management today can mean survival tomorrow. Tech-driven solutions, like AI-powered supply chain visibility tools, are helping businesses spot risks early and act before problems snowball.
💡 Team Discussion: What’s one area of your supply chain that feels like a single point of failure? How can you start building a backup plan today?
PS… I asked about supply chain risk management during a GelatoConnect webinar last week: Tariffs in a Changing World: How Local Production Can Unlock Growth hosted by CEO and Founder, Henrik Müller-Hansen, with panelists Paul Hudson, Owner and CEO, Hudson Printing and Vincenzo Cirimele, CEO, PressUp. This open, honest discussion is worth watching for advice and strategies to mitigate your revenue and supply chain exposure.
If Your Top Supplier Went Out of Business Tomorrow, How Quickly Could You Pivot?
Here’s a scary thought: What if one of your big suppliers has to shut down? Minimal warning, no backup plan, just gone. How fast could you secure new materials, equipment, and service without missing deadlines or blowing up your budgets?
Some companies have started building relationships with multiple suppliers, even if they don’t always use them. It’s like having a “break glass in case of emergency” plan.
Another strategy? Exploring suppliers in different regions. With ongoing trade tensions, relying too much on one country can be risky.
According to TechSpot, HP Inc. plans to shift 90% of its production for the North American market outside of China by the end of its fiscal year 2025, which concludes in October 2025. This strategic move is aimed at lessening the impact of tariffs and enhancing supply chain resilience. Smart!
💡 Team Discussion: How many reliable suppliers do you have for your most critical materials and machines? If one went under today, where would you turn first?
If a Key Material Became Permanently Scarce, What’s Your Plan B?
What if one of your essential print materials – paper, ink, toner – suddenly becomes unavailable or prohibitively expensive? With profit margins tighter than ever, what’s your next move?
This isn’t just theoretical, it’s already happening. Paper shortages and reduced paper stock production, aluminum printing plates, and electronic components have pushed print businesses to investigate sourcing alternatives and even move to digital printing from offset to avoid plates – where possible.
💡 Team Discussion: What’s one material or piece of equipment in your supply chain that feels irreplaceable? What alternatives could you start testing now, just in case?
Can Your Business Become Tariff-Proof?
Can you make your business resilient to tariffs so no matter what happens in Washington D.C., Beijing, the EU, Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere, your pricing can remain competitive and your business can stay open?
Domestic production avoids international tariffs altogether. Even if prices are higher, having more control can outweigh the current risks of outsourcing. I spun it as a sustainability story to share with customers, and if they are behind you in this movement, price is not always the first consideration. Read it here: Print-To-Table: The Best Business Idea You Haven’t Tried – Yet!
Bulk purchasing with other printers to lock in pricing before tariffs hit can work for some businesses. Your local/national printing organization should be able to help with this, and if they can’t, research and find one to join that can.
And let’s not forget technology. AI-driven supply chain platforms can predict tariff impacts in real time and help companies adjust as needed. I attended the GelatoConnect session to gather intel on this.
💡 Team Discussion: If tariffs doubled your material costs tomorrow, what three steps could you take immediately to protect your margins?
Are You Playing Defense or Offense?
Tariffs and supply chain disruptions aren’t going away. The smartest print businesses don’t react to change, they anticipate and plan for it.
So, here’s the challenge: Are you waiting for the tariff disruption to hit, or have you started making moves that will keep your business strong no matter what happens?
Start the conversation. Challenge your team.
And most importantly act before you’re forced to and while you still have options.
PRINT LONG AND PROSPER!
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See Deborah’s recent post: Read Print-To-Table: The Best Business Idea You Haven’t Tried – Yet!
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist, international industry speaker and blogger, and the cultivator of Print Production Professionals, the #1 print group on LinkedIn. She provides printspiration and resources to print and marketing professionals through education, events, Podcasts From The Printerverse, ProjectPeacock.TV, and an array of community-lifting initiatives including International Print Day and Girls Who Print where she serves as the Executive Director of the global Nonprofit Organization.
Deborah also helps companies create more meaningful and profitable customer relationships by utilizing 25+ years of experience as an agency, brand, and corporate print buyer who has assessed, hired, and worked with hundreds of printers and service providers.
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