John Lipari
John Lipari
Should APDSP change it’s name back to IRgA? That’s one issue that John Lipari, the new president of APDSP, would like to consider. Lipari, president of Plan & Print Systems in Syracuse, officially was elected president during the APDSP’s board meeting on September 7.
Association of Printing and Data Solutions Professionals (APDSP) changed its name from International Reprographic Association (IRgA) in 2016. At the time, the feeling was that the old name was somewhat outdated and that few people really knew what “reprographics” means. The new name was chosen to reflect a more modern vision of what the association’s members do.
However, Lipari – and many others – feel the new name never really caught on. It’s unwieldy and the acronym is difficult to remember. Furthermore, it does not truly distinguish reprographics shops from other printing industry businesses.
“The thing that defines members of the association is that they serve the construction industry, and APDSP doesn’t say that,” Lipari says. “And the acronym has five letters and two ‘Ps,’ so it’s hard for people to say or remember.”
The word “reprographics” means different things to different people -- some people recognize the word as meaning large color graphics, others as meaning AEC-related large-format document work in general -- but overall it is not a word that any other printing group uses. If the association were to return to using that word, it would be a defining term.
Changing the name back to IRgA would require a vote of membership and a revision of the association’s articles of incorporation.
Green, Again
Green reprographics issues were in the focus 15 to 20 years ago, but they faded with the 2008 recession when survival took center stage. With the climate crisis, however, green issues are again on people’s minds. Especially among younger people.
“The younger architects and engineers seem to be more impressed with green issues,” Lipari says.
Lipari says that perhaps APDSP should create some programs to help members embrace green issues, such as information about recycling programs and ways to reduce waste, so that they can better serve clients who value green behavior. Recycled reprographics bond is difficult to find these days, but there are many other ways a repro shop can be more sustainable.
Stay tuned for details about both of these issues in the coming year.