Braintree Printing, a digital printing and offset printing company serving printers and print brokers throughout the Northeast, hosted an Open House in April for printing and graphic design professionals. Hundreds of guests turned out at the Braintree, MA printer’s second industry gathering to network, socialize and explore new printing trends and technologies.

“During the work week, we don’t have time to talk shop, throw around ideas or network with people in our busy trade. That’s what this night allowed us to do,” said Braintree Printing’s Jim Corliss who owns the firm along with Jerry Hogan and Jose Tafur. The company held its first Open House two years ago and was pleasantly surprised when 300 colleagues showed up. This year’s event was an even bigger success.

Corliss said printing pros came from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania. They included printers, paper merchants, equipment dealers, printing employees and graphic communications professionals. In addition to offering a night of good food and socializing, Braintree Printing used the Open House to inform customers about its new printing, finishing and packaging equipment. “This gives customers the chance to observe a lot of the equipment that is used in the manufacturing of their jobs,” said Corliss.

From the Open House’s turnout, it is evident that the field of printing is thriving. The industry has received a boost from two new technologies: 3D printing and laser technology. Braintree Printing showcased the company’s new 3D printer by Stratasys and Universal Laser System from the Tripp Company. Employees answered questions about what the machines can and cannot do. “It’s a team effort here at Braintree Printing,” said Tafur. “Our employees are cross-trained to run many different pieces of equipment and to work in several departments. In this day and age, that’s a must for a profitable shop to exist.”

Printing vendors who exhibited at the Open House included: Lindenmyer Monroe, Sappi Paper, Komori, Budget Card, Pasquariello Graphics, Skandacor Direct, The Tripp Company and Wexler Banding Company.