OSHA inspection frequency has increased, and the full impact of the agency’s new penalty policy is being felt by printers. OSHA continues to inspect printing operations due to the industry being classified as a high hazard sector. Our national EHS staff is averaging two calls a week from members that have been inspected. OSHA is increasingly citing the more common violations and because of its new penalty policy is tripling its fines. For example, one member was fined $2,900 for not having a current MSDS, $2,380 for not having a label on a blanket wash container, $2,400 for having improper electric plug receptacles, and $2,380 for not conducting training for power lift trucks. In settlement meetings OSHA can only initially reduce the penalty amounts by 30 percent. An additional 20 percent reduction can be applied under certain circumstances including if a company is willing to hire a consultant or use their consultation program to develop and institute an overall safety program. If any of your members want to utilize our services to avoid such penalties, please contact us.

VICTORY! Health Care Reform: 1099 Mandate Repealed.

Thanks in large part to the grassroots action of thousands of small business owners - including Printing Industries of America member companies - lawmakers finally got the message and voted to repeal the onerous 1099 tax paperwork mandate that became law as part of health care reform.

This week, the Senate voted 87-12 to approve H.R. 4, the House-passed version of repeal. (To see how your Senators voted, click here.) Now that both the Senate and House have taken action the bill will be sent to President Obama, who is expected to sign repeal into law. Without repeal of the 1099 mandate, printers would have been required to track and report to the IRS most business-to-business transactions above $600 in a calendar year. For many in the printing industry, this could have amounted to hundreds of new reportable transactions, which would have involved sending a 1099 to both the IRS and the reportable business.

Prior to the Senate vote, Printing Industries of America and its allies in the Small Business Affordable Health Care Coalition sent a letter to all 100 Senators urging passage of repeal. The letter highlighted an SBA study that found the cost of complying with the tax code is already 66 percent higher for small business as compared to a large business, and reminded Senators that small businesses could better use capital to reinvest and in their businesses and create jobs rather than diverting resources to comply with the 1099 mandate.

Following passage, Printing Industries of America joined other organizations in applauded the move stating, "Small businesses are finally cheering the repeal by Congress of the 1099 tax reporting requirement. The ill-conceived mandate was intended as a way to pay for the health care reform law, but instead the looming tax paperwork mandate created a costly accounting challenge for small businesses everywhere. If Congress allowed it to go into effect next year, it would have crippled job growth. We urge President Obama to sign the repeal bill without delay."

Printing Industries of America thanks its member companies who took the send the message for repeal to Capitol Hill!

If you have a question about any of the issues above or other government affairs-related concerns please feel free to contact us at govtaffairs@printing.org or (202) 730-7970.

PIA San Diego and other PIA Affiliates Launch 1st Group
FSC Certification for Printers

PIA San Diego joined 16 Printing Industries of America affiliates to form the Regional Affiliate Certificate Group offering manufacturing printers access to FSC chain of custody certification at group, which is the first printers group created in North America. Although the group is limited to only accepting manufacturing companies with sales of less than $5 million, there is still a great potential for many firms across the US.  A large number of printers are companies with sales less than $5 million and have struggled with the process and cost of FSC compliance.  By partnering with a group manager and a well-respected auditing firm, we have utilized the advantage of association membership to provide our members a way of meeting their customer’s needs at an affordable price which is less than half of a single certification.

The group has engaged Shonstrom Consulting, a former SmartWood consultant, to manage the group as well as provide trademark review and approval for all members.  American Green, a Burlington, VT based audit and certification firm, and also former SmartWood auditors, conducts the external audits of the group and is assisting with group organization. 

By aggregating participating firms, costs are substantially lower than with individual certification.  The full costs are prorated across the entire group. An additional benefit is the availability of the group manager to assist members with compliance, document preparation, advice on organization of records etc. which is generally not part of single audit procedures.

For information, contact PIA San Diego.

Malware Creation Goes Off the Scale in 2010

Roughly 33 percent of all malware in circulation was created in 2010, and social media, black hat search engine optimization techniques, and zero-day vulnerabilities were the most common conduits of infection, according to Panda Security's annual report. The security vendor's database currently contains 134 million unique files, of which malware constitutes 60 million. Trojans are most prevalent, trailed by viruses and worms. Sham antivirus solutions have propagated rapidly since 2007 to account for 11.6 percent of all malware. However, the rate at which the number of new threats is growing fell over the past year, Panda says. New threats had more than doubled every year since 2003, but increased by just 50 percent last year. Last year also was notable for the heightened success with which law enforcers and other officials fought the growth of cybercrime. The report concludes: "Even though there is a long way to go before we can feel truly secure, at least we are heading in the right direction."

From "Malware Creation Goes Off the Scale in 2010"

V3.co.uk (01/05/11); Muncaster, Phil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          

San Diego Designers Selected for the New PIA Expo
Local Design Team Announces Theme for the Multi-Channel Campaign
 (SAN DIEGO – Dec. 1, 2010) - The Printing Industries Association of San Diego (PIA/SD), the largest local association serving the San Diego printing and graphic arts industry, has selected the designer firm and theme of the 2011 PIA Expo.  ideaworks advertising will be the lead designer for the print elements, as well as the lead in designing the web presence.  Located in Carlsbad, ideaworks will work with PIA/SD, to develop all creative elements of the PIA Expo promotional campaign.  The theme of this year’s event will be “The Power of Partners,” which emphasizes the powerful partnership between print, web, mobile, social media, marketing, and interactive media within the world of graphics and communications. The PIA Expo will run February 21-25, 2011 with a full week of seminars, expo, tours, and celebration of print and media communications.

Ideaworks advertising, LLC is a small yet solid agency founded by partners Sean Ashcraft and Kristin Barret. In business since 2003, ideaworks has gained a reputation for offering carbonated creative and brainy marketing. They were excited to accept the challenge of designing the materials for PIA Expo 2011. Sean said, “Being asked to design the PIA Expo materials this year validated our thought that we can hang with the cool design kids. As a philosophy, our company is proud to go the extra mile for clients – and leave the ego behind. We’ve always dug our '70s Duotron pinball machine with its retro-futuristic robots, and now we’re creating our own metaphorically fun and fantastic "bots" for the design community to see. It's really inspiring to design pieces that will be seen by our peers and hopefully motivate them to attend the newly concepted print expo. And of course it is fun to design characters that are individual and creative … like us!”

The official theme of the 2011 PIA Expo is “The Power of Partners.”  The world of marketing has drastically been changed due to new technology – and today’s savvy marketer is partnering print with non-traditional media to create campaigns that reach the masses.  PIA/SD is combining the multiple facets of marketing, design and advertising to create a cohesive resource for San Diego graphic arts & communication professionals.

          The PIA Expo Trade Show will be held Thursday, February 24, 2011, at the San Diego Convention Center and is expected to draw over 1,500 attendees. The week also includes tours of the U.S. Postal Office, The Union-Tribune, and concludes with a celebration cocktail party. Additionally, tours of local print and finishing plants in San Diego will be given throughout the week. In addition, PIA/SD will also partner on education session with the San Diego Ad Club, Mail Systems Management Association and other professional communication groups.
For more information on the new PIA Expo, exhibitor information, or sponsorship opportunities, call PIA/SD at (858) 571-6555 or visit our websites at www.piasd.org.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Printing Industries Association of San Diego, Inc. is a non-profit trade association of over 200 member companies organized to provide support to the graphic arts industry in San Diego through education and information.

PIA San Diego Hosts Annual Harvest Food Drive

Print Industry Teams With San Diego Food Bank to Feed San Diego Families In Need

            (SAN DIEGO –­ November 9, 2010)—The Printing Industries Association of San Diego (PIA/SD), the largest local association serving the printing and graphic arts industry, will be hosting its annual Harvest Food Drive, beginning Monday, November 15,  and running through Tuesday, November 23, 2010.  Harvest Food Drive donations will be accepted from area businesses as well as residents and will go toward feeding low-income families, senior citizens and individuals in San Diego County.

                        The PIA/SD Sales Club teams with the San Diego Food Bank every year to collect donations for San Diego’s families in need, on behalf of the printing and graphic arts industry.  In addition to donating food, people can also make monetary donations to the San Diego Food Bank by visiting the PIA/SD website for a link to donate directly to the Food Bank.  Every one dollar contributed can provide enough food for three meals.

            Suggested food items that are highly needed this year include: canned meats & tuna, canned soups, canned fruits & vegetables, peanut butter, canned beans, spaghetti, dry cereal, rice, and macaroni & cheese.

                        Donations can be dropped off at one of two convenient locations: PIA/SD in Kearny Mesa, located at 3914 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite A157, San Diego, CA 92123 or at Precision Litho in North County, located at 1185 Joshua Way, Vista, CA 92081.  Donations can be made between the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.  All companies who donate will be recognized on the PIA/SD website and in its monthly newsletter, the Messenger.      

Find out more or call Andrew at (858) 571-6555.

To make a virtual donation online, follow this link!

New Law Extends Investment Incentives for 2010; More Certainty is Needed

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 27, 2010--The Printing Industries-supported provision to extend bonus depreciation and increase small business expensing was signed into law today. Global Printing CEO Jon Budington will take advantage of the new law, which he urged Congress to pass earlier this year in testimony before the U.S. House Small Business Committee.

Today, President Obama signed into law the Small Business Bill H.R. 5297, which temporarily extends bonus depreciation and increases the small business expensing limit. Printers can take advantage of the 50 percent bonus depreciation deduction on new equipment purchased and placed in service in 2010. Also helpful to printers is the law's provision which increases the small business expensing limit to $500,000--its highest level ever. Printing Industries pushed for the inclusion of these tax relief provisions and is pleased to see them contained in the legislation signed into law today.

In July, Printing Industries of America and Global Printing CEO Jon Budington testified before the U.S. House Small Business Committee and urged Congress to pass pro-growth legislation. "Bonus depreciation is a winning proposition that our nation needs for economic recovery," said Budington. "By allowing Global to depreciate 50 percent of capital investments in the coming tax year, Congress reduces the up-front costs of those investments. As a result, bonus depreciation leaves Global with more cash resources for both investment and new jobs."

The Printing Industry-supported provision to increase small business expensing (Section 179) will allow printers to make immediate investments in their businesses. The law increases expensing limitations up to $500,000 and provides an increase in the phase-out threshold amount to $2 million for 2010 and 2011.

"Bonus depreciation and increased small business expensing are tools needed by printers and companies in a broad cross-section of industries to maintain viability, save jobs, and make investments," said Printing Industries of America CEO Michael Makin. "These provisions are steps to relieve the current credit crunch, but access to credit will not matter if there is a lack of print customers. As long as uncertainty abounds regarding tax, health care, and regulatory policy, that uncertainty will continue to prevent a healthy recovery in our industry. Moving forward, Printing Industries would like Congress to consider making these provisions a permanent part of the tax code."

Printing Industries Association of San Diego Installs
 2010-11 Officers and Directors
New Leadership Will Lead San Diego’s $1.1 Billion Print Manufacturing Industry

            (SAN DIEGO –­ Sept. 1, 2010)—The Printing Industries Association of San Diego (PIA/SD), the largest local association serving the printing and graphic arts industry, elected Greg Gould, President of Eyecomm as Chairman of the Board of PIA/SD for his first term.  Mr. Gould and the 2010-101Board of Directors were installed at the association’s Annual Meeting in Del Mar last month.  In addition to the Chairman of the Board, the other elected officers are: Dave Pauley, President of Neyenesch Printers is the association’s Vice-Chairman; Brad Reimers, President of SOS Printing is Secretary/Treasurer; and President of Tabs, etc, Chris Hamm is the Immediate Past Chairman. 

            The directors of the organization installed were Ian Barrow (Blend), Angela Benson (Nationwide Paper), Steve Cady (Kieran Label), T.D. Christian (San Diego Die Cutting), Joel Green (L+L Printers Carlsbad), Jim Lakdawala (VDP Direct), Jay Pardo (Specialist Printing & Direct Mail), and Jerry Rollins (Imaging Plus). Karen Fulton serves as the president of PIA/SD.

            PIA/SD installed its Board of Directors at its annual meeting held at the Del Mar Race Track. After a great afternoon of networking and horseracing the association held a raffle for an Apple iPAD and then got down to business. After all of the board members were sworn in both the President and Chairman of the board spoke of the great opportunities that lie ahead for the printing industry in the coming year.

Get 15% off Adobe CS5 today!!

Just by being a member of PIA/SD you are entitled to 15% off Adobe's latest Creative Suite 5. Find out more information on our group buying page and save on your purchase today. Adobe has been accepting pre-orders, and claims to be shipping the first series out now.

COBRA subsidy extended again…

As a result of the Continuing Extension Act, the COBRA subsidy is extended to May 31, 2010. The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated its fact sheet on the COBRA subsidy to reflect this announcement. DOL has also created an FAQ web page focused on answering COBRA questions related to the new health care reform laws. For more information on federal and state compliance Click Here.

PIA San Diego Hosts Important Seminars On Sales Tax

Industry Expert Advises Printers and Designers on Difficult Tax Laws

 (SAN DIEGO –­ April 22, 2010) —The Printing Industries Association of San Diego (PIA/SD) will present two seminars, “Sales Tax for Printers” and “Sales Tax for Designers and Advertising Agencies,” aimed to simplify the process of applying sales tax to the variety of transactions and services  printers and/or designers provide.  Each seminar will be held at the PIA/SD classroom located above the fitness center at 3954 Murphy Canyon Rd in San Diego, CA.  The “Sales Tax for Printers” seminar will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2009 at 9:00 am; the “Sales Tax for Designers and Advertising Agencies” seminar will also be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2009 at 2:30 pm.

Seminar attendees will gain a better understanding of the tax laws as well as how and/or where to apply them correctly – potentially saving a company from costly mistakes.  These seminars will also demonstrate how to approach various transactions using sample invoices from the printing industry so that attendees will learn how to better comply with these confusing rules.
It is crucial for every printer (and prepress house), and designer to be aware of the accurate application of the sales and use tax regulations for the printing and graphic arts industry.  Improperly implemented, these regulations, and several others, could expose a company to substantial tax liability down the road.  These seminars will not only show attendees how to avoid common errors that lead to stiff penalties and legal action, but also how to keep one’s company audit-ready, and how to streamline current record keeping systems.

The speaker, Dr. Gerry Bonetto PhD, is the Vice President of Government Affairs for the Printing Industries of California.  He not only represents members of the printing industry to ensure that they are up-to-date on statewide compliance issues, but also represents the industry when addressing small business, manufacturing and other economic impact issues being proposed by regulatory and governmental bodies.  Dr. Bonetto is editor of the Guide to California Sales and Use Tax for the Graphics Arts Industry.  He has advised scores of printers facing sales tax audits and helped write the current sales tax code. 

Check-in begins fifteen minutes before each seminar.  The cost is $45 for PIA/SD members. For non-members which wish to attend the “Sales Tax for Printers” seminar the cost is $60 and for the “Sales Tax for Designers and Advertising Agencies” seminar the cost is $55.

For more information or to register, visit the PIA/SD website at www.piasd.org or call (858) 571-6555.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Printing Industries Association of San Diego, Inc. is a non-profit trade association of over 200 member companies organized to provide support to the graphic arts industry in San Diego through education and information

View a PDF of this press release