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Written by: Shannon Polaski-Buchholz Keep positive and stay calm! Economic downturns. Inflation. Supply chain disruptions. Political tension. Global instability. And now — war. When geopolitical conflict unfolds, uncertainty spreads quickly. Financial markets react. Consumers hesitate. Manufacturing leaders pause hiring decisions. But here’s what history shows us: The printing and packaging industry is built to endure uncertainty. Because packaging is not optional. It is esse

In the printing and packaging industry, “stability” is one of the first things operators, supervisors, maintenance techs, and even sales reps ask me about when they’re considering a new role. And they judge it much faster than most companies realize. You may think stability comes across through financials, leadership, or years in business  (and yes, those matter). But for candidates, stability is something they feel  within minutes of looking at your job post, reviewing your

By- Shannon Polaski Buchholz The printing and packaging industry is facing a hiring environment that is both familiar and rapidly changing. As 2026 unfolds, companies across North America are encountering challenges and shifts that demand new strategies and fresh thinking. From the persistent shortage of skilled operators to a surprising surge in sales and customer-facing roles, the industry’s workforce needs are evolving in ways that affect every part of the business. This p

Written by: Shannon Polaski-Buchholz The printing and packaging industry is evolving quickly. Presses are more advanced, customer expectations are higher, and experienced operators and supervisors are becoming harder to replace. Yet one critical issue continues to hold many plants back: A lack of structured training and cross-training. For years, many plants have relied on tribal knowledge, informal shadowing, or “learning as you go.” While that may have worked in the past,

The flexible packaging sector is gearing up for one of its strongest growth periods yet. Industry research shows the global flexible packaging market was valued at roughly $281.8 billion in 2024  and is expected to grow to about $373.4 billion by 2030 , fueled by demand across food, consumer goods, and e-commerce. This steady climb is creating real movement in the job market for operators, technicians, prepress professionals, and leaders who understand how modern flex pack pl

By- Shannon Polaski Buchholz If 2025 proved anything, it’s this: Hiring the same way no longer works. For years, printing and packaging companies relied on a familiar formula — post the job, wait for resumes, hope the right person applies. In today’s labor market, that approach isn’t just outdated — it’s costly. As we enter 2026, the companies that adapt will win talent. The ones that don’t will continue to struggle with open positions, turnover, and production headaches. Thi

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people only change jobs when they’re unhappy. In reality, many of the professionals exploring new opportunities right now aren’t miserable at all. They’re stable. They’re competent. They’re respected. They’re just… thinking. Curiosity Isn’t Disloyalty...It’s Awareness Being curious about your career doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or disloyal. It means you’re paying attention. Questions like: “Is this role still helping me grow?” “Am I

Why Smart Printing & Packaging Companies Reevaluate How They Hire In today’s competitive hiring landscape, many companies in the printing and packaging industry  are feeling the pressure: skilled press operators, finishing technicians, and production supervisors are harder to find—and even harder to retain. But while it’s easy to focus solely on sourcing more candidates, a more effective solution might lie in how you're hiring , not just who you’re hiring. That’s where a hiri

In this labor market, packaging and printing companies are getting creative about how to stand out--better pay, flexible schedules, sign-on bonuses, you name it. But there’s one advantage that often gets overlooked: a strong preventative maintenance program. It might not sound flashy, but for many candidates (especially experienced press operators, maintenance techs, and production supervisors) it’s becoming a major selling point when deciding where to work. The Candidate Per

Written by Shannon Polaski-Buchholz The printing and packaging industry is facing one of the most significant hiring challenges in decades. As experienced operators retire and technology evolves faster than teams can adapt, companies are asking the same question: Where is the next generation of skilled talent going to come from? At Flexo Finders, we speak with operators, supervisors, and employers across the U.S. and Canada every day, and the message is crystal clear: the com

In the printing and packaging industry, sales reps are often seen as the face of the company — the people meeting customers, generating new business, and shaping expectations. But behind every quote, spec sheet, or promised turnaround time is a production team responsible for making it all happen. What many people outside the plant don’t realize is this: The strongest salespeople in our industry share one trait — they deeply understand their production floor. And the best way

Written by: Shannon Polaski-Buchholz Flexo Finders – Nationwide Recruiters in Printing & Packaging 📧 spolaski@flexofinders.net🌐 www.flexofinders.com If you’ve been in printing and packaging for any length of time, you’ve probably felt it: the industry is shifting again. New technology. Workforce changes. Investments slowing in some segments and skyrocketing in others. Companies are restructuring, consolidating, and tightening budgets. And for many people, that creates uncer

By- Shannon Buchholz The packaging industry is evolving faster than ever. Over the last decade, we’ve watched traditional printers — once focused solely on paper labels or cartons — shift into flexible packaging and digital print. The reason? Customers are demanding speed, customization, and sustainability  like never before. At Flexo Finders , we see this transformation every day across the companies we partner with. Here’s what’s driving the change — and what it means for b

Walk into nearly any print or packaging plant right now and ask the same question: “If your top three operators retired tomorrow, who’s ready to take their place?” For too many companies, the answer is silence. The skilled-labor gap in the printing and packaging industry isn’t coming, it’s already here. Across the country, converters are struggling to find press operators, die-cutters, and maintenance technicians who want to build careers in this trade. The good news? The sol

Written by- Shannon Buchholz Sales in printing & packaging isn’t just about products—it’s about people, problem-solving, and...

When most companies head to Pack Expo, their focus is clear: networking, lead generation, and exploring the latest packaging innovations. But as recruiters in the printing and packaging space, we also see another critical layer... workforce readiness.  The equipment on display is exciting, but it’s only as powerful as the people who know how to run it, troubleshoot it, and keep production moving. So, while you’re walking the show floor this year, here are a few workforce tren

By- Shannon Polaski Buchholz The printing and packaging industry is full of opportunity—but also competition. Whether you’re an...

If you work in printing or packaging on press, in converting, QA, procurement, or technical sales, you’re surrounded by tribal knowledge....

Written By: Shannon Polaski-Buchholz The printing and packaging industry is evolving faster than ever. With advancements in flexographic, digital, and offset technologies, the demand for skilled operators, managers, and technical experts is at an all-time high. Yet, many companies face the same challenge: attracting and retaining fresh talent. At Flexo Finders and Print Pack Careers, we’ve seen firsthand what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to engaging the next generatio

When I review resumes, one common theme pops up: candidates often list only their job duties  instead of their achievements . While it’s important to show what you’ve done, employers are much more interested in the impact  you’ve made. Think of it this way, job duties tell an employer what you were responsible for . Results show them what you can actually deliver . Why Results Matter If two candidates both write “Operated a 10-color flexographic press,” there’s nothing to set