Printing's Alive

Welcome to Printing's Alive—the podcast that explores everything print and beyond! From traditional techniques to modern innovations, we dive into how print shapes industries, businesses, and our everyday lives

Unlocking Profitability in Print: Strategies, Challenges, and Innovations with Nick Gawreluk

S1 E22 • Jun 17, 2025 • 61 mins

In this episode of Printing's Alive, Warren Werbitt chats with Nick Gawreluk from Print Profit about print industry profitability. They discuss traditional vs. modern costing methods, contribution margins, and job profitability. Nick shares his industry challenges, highlighting the significance of sales, pricing strategy, and customer value. They also cover generational leadership, MIS integration, competitive pricing, and collaboration. The episode addresses ROI on equipment, support for small print shops, rising operational costs, and business ethics. Tune in for insights on navigating the evolving print landscape.

Key Points

Printers need to modernize their approach to costing, pricing, and profitability to ensure sustainable success in an industry with razor-thin margins.
The mindset shift from traditional hourly rates to understanding true variable costs and contribution margins can empower print businesses to make more informed and profitable decisions.
Collaboration, open-mindedness, and leveraging modern software tools are essential for both small and large print companies to navigate challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities.

Speakers

Warren Werbitt

Host • 62%

Nick G

Guest • 38%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction of Nick G from Print Profit
1:47	History and Evolution of Print Industry Profitability
2:39	Traditional vs. Modern Costing and Pricing in Printing
4:11	Nick G's Passion for and Challenges in the Print Industry
7:19	Understanding Contribution Margin and Job Profitability
10:02	The Role of Sales and Simplifying Cost Analysis
14:12	Fixed Costs, Contribution Margins, and Profitability Software
17:22	Changing Mindsets and Modern Pricing Methods
21:27	Customer Value, Data Clarity, and Pricing Strategy
23:30	Diversity of Experiences Across Print Company Sizes
28:25	Generational Leadership and MIS Integration in Printing
34:22	Competitive Pricing and Relationship Leverage in Print Sales
42:47	Industry Collaboration and Resource Optimization
44:46	Evaluating ROI on New Printing Equipment Investments
46:30	Support and Peer Groups for Small Print Shops
48:24	Case Studies on Large Format Printing Press Investments
50:06	Rising Operational Costs and Business Ethics in Printing
51:47	Positive Energy and Addressing Pain Points in Printing
55:09	Persistence, Opportunities, and OEM Support in Printing
57:41	Excitement and Risks in Printing Equipment Investments
58:17	Future Plans for the Podcast and Industry Support
59:11	Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Transcript

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