AI only creates value when it hits the P&L. Amy Servi-Bonner explains why most print companies are getting AI wrong, and how to build the governance, metrics, and knowledge capture needed to make it pay off - before the hype leaves you behind.

Colin Sinclair McDermott, the Online Print Coach, continues the Printing United Expo series with Amy from Printing AI, whose career spans 30 years of business technology transformation, ERP, e-commerce, cloud, retail operations, and now sovereign AI in print. Amy shares how she moved from California to Michigan and into the print industry, how an early AI workflow for customer inquiries changed her perspective, and why she became convinced that AI is not a trend to watch, but a capability to manage strategically.

You'll discover why so many AI projects fail to deliver commercial value, why the print industry's history of failed ERP and MIS rollouts has made teams understandably cautious, and why starting with the tool is almost always backwards. Amy breaks down her MAP-style governance approach through decision authority, override ownership, baseline metrics, and review cadence, and explains why the right question is not "What can AI do?" but "What problem are we solving, and how will we measure it?"

She also makes a strong case for sovereign AI and knowledge sovereignty, arguing that one of the biggest opportunities in print is capturing the tribal knowledge locked inside experienced operators, estimators, and production leaders before it walks out the door. With the average commercial inkjet operator now around 48 years old, the stakes are real: if that knowledge is not captured, businesses risk costly disruption, lost customers, and a dangerous overreliance on tools that do not understand their workflow.

Amy also previews the Printing AI Pavilion at Printing United Expo in Vegas, where the focus is on real P&L impact, curated sponsors, deeper conversations, and practical use cases, not a vendor petting zoo. Add in her book Owning the Machine, her no-nonsense take on overhyped AI use cases, and a quick-fire round that reveals the tools and processes she actually trusts, and you have an episode packed with straight-talking insight for print leaders who want to move from experimentation to real business outcomes.

Essential listening if you're in print, operations, technology, or leadership and you want AI to do more than entertain you.

Trade shows are not dead - they are where industries still make the deals, meet the people, and spark the ideas that change everything. Joshua Carruth, Executive Vice President of Expositions at Printing United Alliance, reveals why the best events are built on buy-in, serendipity, and a lot of controlled chaos.

From hurricane evacuations on dive boats in the Cayman Islands to bomb threats, sprinkler disasters, and even a live goat request, Josh shares the wildest moments from a career spent keeping major expos running when everything threatens to go sideways. But this conversation goes deeper than behind-the-scenes stories - it’s a sharp look at what makes a truly great trade show, why virtual events can’t replace real-world connection, and how Printing United is building spaces where the right conversations happen on purpose. You’ll discover:

• Why exhibitors, not organizers, are the real owners of a great trade show
• How convergence is reshaping print and why technologies spread faster when industries collide
• What the Spilled Ink District is designed to unlock for attendees, from peer roundtables to headshots and workforce support
• Why the AI Pavilion is becoming a must-see destination for practical, business-changing ideas
• How unexpected hallway conversations can lead to business shifts you never planned for

Joshua also explains what surprised him most after entering print through the apparel world, why the industry is far more connected than outsiders realize, and why live events came roaring back after COVID. If you care about trade shows, print, or the power of getting the right people in the same room, this one is essential listening. Perfect for exhibitors, printers, marketers, and anyone who believes the best opportunities still happen face-to-face.

In this episode, Colin Sinclair McDermott speaks with Ford Bowers, CEO of PRINTING United Alliance, about his unconventional path into print, the lessons he learned running production operations, and why he believes the industry is stronger when it works together.

Ford also shares the thinking behind Printing United Expo, the challenges of membership growth, and why advocacy, workforce development, and promoting print as essential are now central to the alliance’s mission.

Key Topics Covered

• How Ford accidentally entered the print industry
• Learning print production from the ground up
• Managing a vertically integrated retail print operation
• The collegial, supportive culture within print
• The difference between running a print business and leading an association
• How SGIA evolved into Printing United Alliance
• Why unified industry advocacy matters
• Workforce development and attracting new talent
• The role of Printing United Expo in the industry
• Membership growth, value, and the challenge of long-term engagement

In this episode of The Printerviews, host Colin Sinclair McDermott sits down with Warren Werbitt, the Print Whisperer, for a candid and entertaining conversation about print, marketing, leadership, resilience, and reinvention.

Warren shares the story of building Pazazz into a multi-million-pound print business, why marketing and culture were always central to his approach, and how a simple, fun video helped put him on the map across the industry.

He also opens up about the hard lessons that came later - from financial crisis and bankruptcy protection to losing the business he spent decades building - and what he learned from navigating some of the toughest moments of his life.

Together, Colin and Warren explore what successful print businesses often underestimate, why transparency and follow-through matter so much, and how personal branding, mentorship, and honest conversations can make a real difference. They also touch on mental health, coaching, industry change, and why supporting the next generation in print is so important.

Funny, honest, and full of hard-earned insight, this episode is a must-listen for print business owners, marketers, and anyone who wants to build a stronger business while staying true to themselves.

Listen now for real-world lessons from one of print’s most outspoken and passionate voices.

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Debbie McKeegan, CEO of Texintel, a primary resource for knowledge sharing and innovation within the textile and interior decor industries . With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Debbie shares her journey from working as a designer in vertical manufacturing to pioneering digital textile printing in the UK . We dive into the evolution of CAD, the early days of printing fabric on desktop HPs, and how her manufacturing background gave her a unique perspective on the entire product journey from design to the retail shelf .

We explore the current state of the industry, which Debbie describes as being at a tipping point where digital technology and consumer behaviour are finally aligning . We discuss the growing demand for customisation and on-demand manufacturing, as well as the critical need for circularity and transparency in the supply chain . Debbie explains why the biggest disconnect currently sits between design and production and how savvy printers can bridge that gap by sharing more technical data and specifications with their creative clients .

Finally, we look toward the future, touching on the upcoming Digital Product Passport and the importance of remaining naturally curious in an ever-changing landscape . Whether you are a traditional large format printer looking to move into decor or a creative wanting to understand the production floor better, this episode is packed with practical insights on staying ahead of the competition and making print less wasteful .

• Texintel's Mission: A hub for knowledge sharing and innovation designed to help the industry navigate the complexities of textile and decor printing

• A Tipping Point: The industry is accelerating into a phase where technology and consumer demand for personalisation have reached a perfect alignment

• Closing the Gap: The most significant disconnect in the industry is between the design process and the production floor

• Waste Reduction: Up to 15% of material is often wasted on the cutting table; digital cutting and on-demand printing are essential for recapturing that profit

• The Future of Ink: True circularity may involve inks that do not last forever, allowing for easier recycling of the underlying components

• The Digital Product Passport: A major regulatory shift is coming that will require printers to provide detailed data to their customers regarding sustainability

• On-Demand Benefits: Manufacturing on-demand eliminates stock waste, but it requires deep collaboration to avoid causing chaos in the plant

• Democratisation of Print: Modern technology allows for a high-end textile mill setup to exist within the footprint of a standard garage

• Staying Curious: To move forward in this market, professionals must remain in a state of continual learning to stay ahead of the competition

• Defining Sustainability: The term is often overused; genuine responsibility involves efficient technology, collaborative knowledge flow, and innovation

In this episode of The Printerviews, I am joined by Chris Edwards, Director of CVI Group and the CVI Training Centre. Chris is an industry veteran with over two decades of experience, but his start in the graphics world was entirely accidental. From washing cars on cold weekends to making Tasmanian Devil stickers layer by layer, he built his skills from the ground up on driveways and in workshops long before the advanced materials of today existed.

We dive into Chris’s personal philosophy of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. This mindset shift has been the catalyst for his recent success, pushing him to overcome a lifelong fear of flying to judge the World Wrap Masters and to take on high profile projects like wrapping Eddie Hall’s truck. Chris also shares the reality of opening a dedicated training facility, discussing both the financial challenges and the immense reward of seeing young talent transform in just a few days.

Whether he is talking about his passion for ice hockey or the technical nuances of a shark fin aerial, Chris’s energy for the trade is infectious. We explore why he believes every day is an apprentice day and why an open mindset is the single most important tool for any professional in the print and wrap industry today.

• Accidental Beginnings: Chris entered the industry after getting fed up with cold hands while washing cars at a local garage.

• The Power of Mindset: Adopting the motto "get comfortable being uncomfortable" has been the key to accelerating his career in recent years.

• Overcoming Barriers: He conquered a major fear of flying specifically to accept a role as a World Wrap Masters judge.

• Training Reality: Opening a training center involves significant financial risk and "lessons" rather than just instant success.

• Youth Development: Chris has seen 15 and 16 year old students surpass expectations by being receptive "sponges" for new information.

• The "Shark Fin" Test: A signature part of his training involves teaching students to wrap a shark fin aerial in one piece to build their confidence.

• Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with associations like Fespa UK and the BSGA provide a "work family" that prevents the isolation of being a one man band.

• Eddie Hall Project: One of his proudest technical achievements was wrapping Eddie Hall’s truck with zero paint left on show.

• Continuous Learning: Despite 22 years in the game, Chris lives by the rule that "every day is an apprentice day".

• Openness to Help: He believes the industry would thrive if more people were willing to share knowledge and access the training resources available.

In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Swanston, the Managing Director of Nutshell Creative and Chair of the Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP). With over 20 years at the helm of Nutshell, Lucy shares her journey from starting a business in her back bedroom during a recession to leading a multi-award-winning agency that bridges the gap between creative strategy and print production.

We discuss the importance of staying in your lane while remaining agile, and how print remains a vital, enduring ecosystem in an increasingly digital world. The conversation delves into the shift from a 'manufacturing-led' mindset to one that leads with value and strategy.

Lucy explains why consistency is the most critical word in marketing, warning against the 'New Year’s resolution' approach to social media that quickly falls by the wayside. We also explore the surprising resurgence of direct mail among younger generations and why, as we look towards 2026, building credibility and human trust is more important than simply churning out automated content.

Key Takeaways

• Consistency is the foundation of visibility and long-term marketing success.
• Transitioning from a 'printer' to a strategic partner requires leading with value rather than machinery.
• Younger generations have a high engagement rate with physical mail because it feels tangible and personal.
• Authenticity in AI-generated content is vital to maintaining trust with your audience.
• Specialising in a specific sector or 'vertical' allows you to become a specialist rather than a generalist.
• Values like trust and transparency must be lived and breathed, not just used as marketing buzzwords.
• Effective time management is the biggest challenge for print leaders trying to grow their business.
• Integrated campaigns that blend digital and physical channels are far more powerful than single-channel efforts.
• Leadership success often comes from hiring for personality and cultural fit first.
• Print is a resilient, thousands-year-old ecosystem that continues to evolve rather than disappear.

This episode is different. I recorded it live at Printing United Expo in Orlando with Megan O'Reilly and Maurice Harold from Pitch Black Printing Co. They'd just got married, and they chose the expo as part of their honeymoon. That tells you everything you need to know about how much print matters to them.

Pitch Black Printing has been going for ten years. It started with music and DIY screen printing. Now it's a respected Reno business that does fine art, commercial work, and numerous community projects. They're fiercely independent. And they've built something special.

We talked about their journey. How they've stayed involved in local causes. Why they charge fairly and keep learning. Their location in the Brewery District serves as both a gallery and a coffee house, allowing them to constantly build relationships with artists and clients.

We also got into the challenges. Managing a multifaceted business. Working as partners in life and work. What they've learned along the way. And, as always, there's the quick-fire round that shows their eclectic tastes and some quirky print adventures.

This episode is all about embracing creativity, collaboration, and community. Megan and Maurice are doing it right.

Key takeaways:

• Megan and Maurice advocate using print as a gift to support community fundraising and charitable causes actively.
• The business started when they realised they could screen print their own band's merch cheaper than outsourcing.
• Their unusual business model includes a front-of-house gallery and coffee shop to attract print customers.
• A key business lesson learned was the necessity to charge appropriately for their high-quality work.
• Coming from an art background allows them to use creative problem-solving on commercial print jobs.
• They stress that true sustainability goes beyond recycled paper and includes eco-conscious operational choices.
• The co-owners' success is based on their completely opposite and complementary skill sets in art and operations.
• They are excited about new equipment, like a specialised scanner for capturing oil painting brushstrokes.
• A highlight for their business was printing covers and wedding stationery for well-known musicians and actors.