February 3, 2012

University to close internal printing operation

Johns Hopkins will be closing its longtime Printing Services operation, and the work it currently produces will be handled by outside vendors as the university seeks to rationalize operations and costs. The move is effective Feb. 24.

In announcing the change, Glenn Bieler, vice president for communications, whose office oversees Printing Services, praised the operation’s staff and their dedication to their clients.

“We are extremely grateful for the many years of service that these men and women have given to their jobs and their clients, and we are doing all that we can to make this transition as seamless as possible for them,” Bieler said. “This was a difficult decision, and one that we did not make lightly.”

Printing Services, located in the Wyman Park Building on the Homewood campus, was founded in 1954. It provides faculty, students and staff across Johns Hopkins with services ranging from the printing of letterhead and newsletters to the binding of brochures and booklets. The last day Printing Services will accept jobs is Feb. 15. Thereafter, clients will be asked to use local companies to meet their printing needs. A list of preferred vendors can be found on the university’s Purchasing/Shared Services website at http://ssc.jhmi.edu/supplychain/secure/news/news_jhu.html.

University officials said that the decision to shutter its internal printing operation was necessary to offset the rising cost of print materials and equipment. Officials also pointed to the need to keep pace with the ever-changing technologies in the printing industry, which was difficult for Printing Services to do under its current model.

“Outside vendors can offer us options that we are just not equipped to offer,” Bieler said.

To streamline the production of business cards and stationery, outside vendors have been supplied with the university’s templates. Clients should expect the same high-quality work that they are accustomed to, at cost-effective prices. A plan is in the works for an online ordering system that will accommodate business cards and stationery printing needs.

If additional help is needed in identifying printing resources, contact Glenn Simmons in the Office of Communications at 443-287-9900 or gsimmons@jhu.edu. For Purchasing-related questions, contact Bruce Schabdach at 443-997-5661 or bschabdach@jhu.edu.