Making the Most of the Off-Season: Growth Opportunities for Education In-Plants

When students leave campus and administrative demands slow down, higher ed in-plant print shops have a golden opportunity: summer. This often-overlooked off-season is the ideal time to step back, reassess operations, and make improvements that will pay dividends throughout the academic year.

Whether you're looking to optimize workflows, upskill your team, expand into new services, or modernize your fleet, summer provides the time and space to make strategic moves. Here are four key areas where your in-plant can gain an edge before fall rush begins. 

1. Invest in Staff Training and Cross-Skilling

With fewer print jobs in the queue, summer is the best time to offer professional development opportunities. 

• Certifications & Workshops
  Send your team to training sessions or online courses in color management, digital prepress, or variable data printing. 
  
  
• Cross-Training
  Equip staff to handle multiple roles, so you're never caught short-handed during peak periods.
  
  
• Software Mastery
  Deepen knowledge of RIP software, design tools, and often underutilized job submission portals.
  

2. Audit Your Workflow and Print Processes 

Use the quiet season to take a magnifying glass to your production process. 

• Conduct a Print Assessment
  Work with a trusted partner, like SumnerOne, to map out equipment usage, turnaround times, and bottlenecks. 
  
  
• Evaluate Job Costing
  Ensure you’re accurately pricing internal jobs to reflect real-time material, labor, and equipment costs.
  
  
• Evaluate Job Costing
  Ensure you’re accurately pricing internal jobs to reflect real-time material, labor, and equipment costs. 

3. Upgrade or Service Your Equipment

Breakdowns during the academic year can be disruptive and costly. Summer is the time to act. 

• Preventative Maintenance (PM)
  To extend equipment life, schedule tune-ups, calibrations, and cleanings.
  
  
• Fleet Modernization
  Replace aging devices with energy-efficient, higher-output systems.
  
  
• Technology Integration
  Explore new capabilities like inkjet, wide format, or digital embellishment presses.

4. Explore New Revenue Streams

The quieter season is perfect for piloting new services that could add value for campus departments.

• Wide Format Printing
  From signage to banners and window clings, wide format  expands what you can offer internally.
  
  
• Personalized Direct Mail
  Offer admissions, alums, or fundraising teams the ability to personalize communications with VDP.
  
  
• On-Demand Print Portals
  Make it easy for staff and faculty to order print materials 24/7 with a user-friendly online storefront.

Prep Now, Thrive Later

By proactively using the summer to train, audit, upgrade, and expand, in-plant operations can enter the fall semester stronger than ever. The off-season isn’t downtime—it’s prime time to sharpen your edge and prove your value across campus.

Need help with an off-season print assessment or planning your next equipment upgrade? Contact SumnerOne today to schedule a consultation.