Starline on PRINTING United Expo: 'New ideas equal new opportunities'
Editor’s Note: This article was written for Promo Impressions. For more content on the promotional products industry and decoration, be sure to subscribe to the biweekly newsletter at PromoImpressions.com.
In case you haven’t heard, PRINTING United Expo is happening in Orlando, Oct. 22-24. If you’re a promotional products supplier, decorator, or printer of any kind, and you’re not already planning on attending, you’ll want to reconsider. From over a million square feet of equipment, tech, and trends to abundant education and networking opportunities — PLUS the Apparel Zone — there’s plenty to see and explore. To create buzz for the event, we’re chatting with attendees to find out why they’re attending and what they’re excited to check out.
Starline
A Top 40 Supplier, Starline provides retail-quality gifts and awards to the promotional products industry, according to Eric Warzel, vice president of operations. Products include bags, drinkware, electronics, knives, tools, and homewares, among others. “Starline began as a Canadian-based company and is celebrating 50 years as a member of the PPPC (Promotional Product Professionals of Canada),” Warzel shares. “In 1992, we opened our U.S. operations in Buffalo, New York. Today, Starline ships based on the distributor’s requirements, from both Ontario and New York factories. With two warehouses and over 200,000 sq. ft., Starline remains committed to deep inventory and diverse decorating capabilities.”
Promo Impressions: What made you decide to attend this year’s Expo?
EW: With increased competition in the digital print market, it’s important to see all that’s out there. As a leader in supplying drinkware, we want to stay ahead of the game and are always looking for new innovative ways of branding.
Promo Impressions: What equipment, processes, or exhibitors are you planning to check out?
EW: Digital printing is always at the top of the list, but we’re always looking for anything new that we can implement in our own way.
Promo Impressions: Are you planning to connect with any partners or peers while you’re at the Expo? What kinds of conversations are you hoping to have?
EW: Yes, currently we work with many vendors and can’t wait to see some of the new technology they’ve been working on. It’s always a great experience to see everything new in one space.
Promo Impressions: How does attending the Expo support your company’s broader goals over the next year?
EW: New technology can lead us in the right direction for adding more and different products we wouldn’t even consider. New ideas equal new opportunities for our future.
Promo Impressions: What’s one trend or challenge within promotional products decoration you’re keeping an eye on?
EW: Currently, we are about 75% digital in our decorating methods; some items are currently just not doable with digital print. We’ll be keeping our eye on technology that can change that.
