PRINT AGAINST WAR SUPPORTS ODESSA PRINTER

Print Against War, a non-profit initiative aimed at helping Ukrainian printing and packaging companies continue to operate during the conflict with Russia, has turned its sights to Odessa-based New Media to provide support.

Before the war, the printing and packaging industry in Ukraine employed around 100,000 people, working at more than 5000 print and converting companies. 

To support many of them, including now New Media, Print Against War works to assess their needs, give a face and a voice to every Ukrainian printing company that asks for help, and structure as much assistance as possible, with the help of market players and the broader global print community. 

Founded in 2014 and specialising in short-run printing, New Media employed 35 people (50 per cent women) before the war, and the company counts design agencies, retailers and several print houses among its clients. 

To revitalise its offerings, in 2020, New Media embarked on a plan to invest in new equipment, including a Konica Minolta AccurioPress for commercial printing, and AccurioLabel narrow-web press for labels, and a JETvarnish 3DS unit for digital spot varnishing and foiling. 

“We invested in technology to make a difference for our clients and partners, but the war stopped everything,” said Viktor Artyushchenko, owner of New Media.

“The communications industry in Ukraine is annihilated, and it will take years for the domestic market to restart.”

In the first month of the war, the company, which produces labels and top-notch packaging with digital embellishment services, lost 90 per cent of its turnover. The following month, it regained a small portion, but 100 days after the invasion began, turnover was about one-third of the pre-war level. 

This made it impossible for the company to pay equipment leases and salaries, and halted any plans the company had in terms of its future. 

According to New Media, its biggest concern is seeing its team of skilled professionals dispersed. 

“The conversation with Print Against War was unexpected,” Artyushchenko said. “For the first time, we felt that we were part of a global industry, and it forced us to look inward, redefine our priorities, and convince ourselves that we need to create the conditions to take our products beyond national borders.”

New Media started conversations with new potential customers and resellers in some European countries, especially those print houses that own the same technologies. 

Soon, the company aims to automate its workflows and create a multiple-language website and an e-shop to sell in Ukraine and abroad. To do this, they will need consulting, support and technology – three areas Print Against War will focus its efforts on in helping New Media.

If you would like to meet the New Media team, talk to them, and discuss how to help, join the Print Against War community here.

The group is a private and safe place to meet and cross-reference requests and offers of help.

On the Print Against War website, you can discover the stories and needs of many members of the Ukrainian print family.