Complete Story
03/19/2025
5 Critical Questions That Can Save Your Print Business from Tariff Chaos
Source: Deborah Corn, Print Media Centr, March 2025
We can rely on change in the printing industry, but not always in ways we like. Enter tariffs. While the industry trade media, analysts and economists have much to say about tariffs now, they were completely silent before the US election in November. It was clear that the printing industry and print business would be affected by tariffs, so why the silence? Too political? Too divisive? Printers can’t handle the truth?
As shared with me by a respected analyst who presented at a recent event, “I cannot get up there and tell everyone the full reality of the situation. No one would buy equipment, and I wouldn’t have a job.”
I appreciated the honesty. The truth still hurts, but I will leave that paraphrased comment with you and implore you to research the current state of the US and global economy and where we are headed from a non-biased resource. Talk to your account and financial advisor, and make the best plans possible to protect your print business.
So, how do we plan for tariffs and supply chain disruptions instead of constantly playing defense? Let’s look at five strategic questions every print business should ask right now to keep your company strong no matter what comes next.
Is Supply Chain Risk Management a Cost or an Investment?
No one likes spending money on what-if scenarios. It’s easier to put out fires as they come instead of building a fireproof business from the start. But here’s the problem, waiting until a crisis hits is always more expensive than planning for one.
Think about the supply chain mess during COVID. Companies with backup suppliers, diversified sourcing, and strong logistics planning survived with minimal disruption. Others were left scrambling, paying top dollar for scarce materials, and worse, lost customers.
The reality: Investing in risk management today can mean survival tomorrow. Tech-driven solutions, like AI-powered supply chain visibility tools, are helping businesses spot risks early and act before problems snowball.
If Your Top Supplier Went Out of Business Tomorrow, How Quickly Could You Pivot?
Here’s a scary thought: What if one of your big suppliers has to shut down? Minimal warning, no backup plan, just gone. How fast could you secure new materials, equipment, and service without missing deadlines or blowing up your budgets?
Some companies have started building relationships with multiple suppliers, even if they don’t always use them. It’s like having a “break glass in case of emergency” plan.
Another strategy? Exploring suppliers in different regions. With ongoing trade tensions, relying too much on one country can be risky.
According to TechSpot, HP Inc. plans to shift 90% of its production for the North American market outside of China by the end of its fiscal year 2025, which concludes in October 2025. This strategic move is aimed at lessening the impact of tariffs and enhancing supply chain resilience. Smart!
If a Key Material Became Permanently Scarce, What’s Your Plan B?
What if one of your essential print materials – paper, ink, toner – suddenly becomes unavailable or prohibitively expensive? With profit margins tighter than ever, what’s your next move?
This isn’t just theoretical, it’s already happening. Paper shortages and reduced paper stock production, aluminum printing plates, and electronic components have pushed print businesses to investigate sourcing alternatives and even move to digital printing from offset to avoid plates – where possible.
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