None, the lightbulbs are late.
Painful paper cuts continue as supply-chain shortages affect envelopes. The job of an envelope is to get opened. However, when there are no envelopes to be found an envelope is un-employeed.
We should be used to shortages by now, right? Well, you can add one more to the ever-growing list of items that paper supply issues are wreaking havoc with: ENVELOPES.
And that could spell potential trouble for Americans as they get ready to embark on election and tax season.
MAILING ENVELOPES:
The shortage stems from continued disruptions in the manufacturing of all paper-related products and is primarily due to the limited supply of paper coming from the mills.
TAXES:
While many people both file their taxes electronically and accept any refunds that might be coming to them as direct deposit, paper returns and communication from the IRS is still largely a paper world.
THE OFFICIAL MAIL GUIDE:
A trade publication self-described as “the journal of communication distribution” explains: “Supply chain disruptions, transportation network challenges, and various reasons for downtime at mills added stress to the already limited paper market.”
ELECTION:
Many election officials are concerned heading into the November midterm election and with 2024 looming around the corner, with supply chain issues causing paper shortages.
SOLUTIONS?
Be proactive. That can help you navigate the envelope market by incorporating alternative tactics into your marketing plan. Alternative formats and design is another solution. Other formats that do not require an envelope. For marketing try self-mailers, and postcards. For the office using the #10 window, ask for your envelopes in a hard box or consider a double window. You will pay more but they are more available. Another option, have your printer convert envelopes just for you. You can use alternative paper.
Add it all up and it spells troubling news for industries, businesses, and agencies that depend upon paper, specifically envelopes.
How long will this last? Paper lead times and envelope manufacturing timelines continue to grow to unprecedented levels. For many printing companies, the list of backlogged and pending orders keeps getting longer.
Our team at ALEXANDER CLARK PRINTING works hard to stay proactive by continuing discussions and exploring options that can be provided as solutions to you, our customers. While the rest of 2022 will continue to be challenging on this front, we remain flexible, creative, and steadfast and believe we will see strong returns in 2023 and beyond.
As one of the largest printing companies in the Treasure Valley, our allotment of paper and envelopes is top of mind with our suppliers and the mills. We are hopeful that the paper shortage will be resolved sooner rather than later.
Alexander Clark Printing continues to work directly with the mills and local suppliers. We began as a company focused on helping our customers succeed and remain steadfast to that commitment.
The bottom line: there should be an improvement in the paper supply in the months ahead. However, prices will continue to increase as demand exceeds supply. As with so many consumables, prices will remain above pre-pandemic levels.
As printers and mailers scramble to meet customers’ requirements, paper mills and merchants are projecting allocations and continued limited supplies well into 2023.
