The Paper Predicament

The paper supply puzzle doesn’t have to derail your projects

​At a time when consumer interest in catalogs, magalogs and direct mail is peaking, the pandemic and other economic factors continue to wreak havoc on supply chains across the globe.

These disruptions are causing serious paper shortages and, in some cases, price hikes. Recent reporting from Bloomberg estimates the average price of paper went up as much as 16% last summer. 

And according to Kevin Mason from ERA Forest Products Research, “With some mills converting to cardboard to meet the spike in e-commerce deliveries and others shutting down altogether, more than 2.5 million metric tons of North American printing and writing paper capacity—or nearly one-fifth of 2019 levels—has come offline since the start of last year.”
 
Worker and truck driver shortages, port congestion and inflated wood pulp prices have all contributed to the crunch, and some experts say the paper shortage could last well into 2023.

​Don’t panic. The paper supply puzzle doesn’t have to derail your projects.
 
At Carlson Paper Group, we feel it’s important to alert our customers to potential concerns and challenges, but it’s our responsibility to provide creative solutions. Here are our TOP THREE solutions to potential paper problems.

Order early. Look beyond the next month or even the next quarter. If your business is cyclical, order packaging, direct mail, publications and collateral six months to even a year out. Not every organization will be able to do this, but if you know what’s coming down the pipeline and you can order your marketing materials well in advance, you are at a distinct advantage.
 
Don’t go it alone. Yes, we’ll pick up the phone, take your order, and deliver an excellent product on deadline (if we do say so ourselves!). But our sales and customer service representatives are standing by to help you map out a plan for the future of your printing needs. When you consult with us, we’ll let you know what we have in stock, what we can order and when, how to make it cost effective, and how to hit your target audience exactly when you need to.
 
Be flexible. Now is the time to lean into flexibility and creative options. Because of our quality printers and expert technicians, we can often substitute papers, substrates and finishes with the same or even more spectacular results. Carlson Print Group’s own award-winning corporate presentation folder was designed to hold collateral materials and showcase Carlson’s capabilities and creativity with a plastic substrate. The front panel of the folder transitions from a solid color at the top to clear at the bottom, and the riveting effect allows the collateral materials inside to show through the front cover. We are excited to extend these innovative designs to our customers.
 
Don’t let the paper push sideline your important products. We can help you get ahead of the crunch. Call us today at 952-886-3400 or email [email protected].