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Print’s Good Bill of Health

I like to schedule my dentist appointments early in the morning so my teeth have that clean feeling all day long. The disadvantage is that I start thinking about work, since I know that’s where I’m headed afterwards.

The last time I went to the dentist, I started thinking about all the printed products I encountered. First, I arrived too early and had enough time to flip through three magazines before my appointment. Then I signed in, using a printed form. Printed medical records stored in folders were stacked on shelves behind the receptionist. In the examination room, there were posters, flyers and brochures touting different dental treatments. After my cleaning, the dentist gave me a toothbrush and floss imprinted with his name and logo. The receptionist set up my next appointment and gave me a custom reminder sticker and the dentist’s business card. I’m sure after I left that they processed my visit with a billing form. Even if they processed it electronically, I’m willing to bet they kept a paper copy for their files.

For all the hype about electronic medical records, there’s still an awful lot of print used in the medical market. Dentists, doctors, physical therapists and others still rely on print to operate and promote their businesses. Lots of other industries do as well, but few are growing as quickly as the health care industry. This issue of Print Solutions magazine features ways to make inroads with health care providers. Distributors can build a stable client base with traditional products and superior service.

Billing forms are one of the products that distributors should be selling right now. Recent changes to the forms take effect soon, and many doctors aren’t aware of them. Sales reps who help with the transition can prove their value goes beyond order-taking. Read “Health Care Forms Undergo Revision” on page 29 to learn more.

This issue of the magazine also features scented inks in “Scent Marketing Is Wafting Your Way,” on page 38. Ohio-based printer Silpon Designs offers an alternative to traditional methods that overwhelm consumers with scent or don’t smell strong enough. By themselves, scented inks are a novelty, but tied to a comprehensive marketing campaign, they’re an effective way to generate interest in a product and raise direct mail response rates.

Andy Brown
Managing Editor
abrown@PSDA.org

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