Union Printing: The History of the Union Bug

Union printing can significantly impact a business’s reputation. To understand its importance, you should know its history and the role the union bug has played in it.

Use this blog as a guide to learning about:

What union printing is and its importance
The role of the union bug over time
Why you should choose a union print shop for your next printing job

What Is Union Printing?

Union printing is a system of printing that has been around for centuries. It has its roots in the unionization of printers and other tradespeople in the 19th century and remains an integral part of the print industry today. The distinguishing feature is the presence of a “union bug” on printed materials, which is unique to union print shops.

This unionization effort was part of a larger movement called “Luddism” that aimed to protect workers by limiting technology used in production processes. Unionized printers fought for better pay, safer working conditions, and control over their own products; plus, they could also influence the types of technologies companies could use in print shops. Today, the goal of union printing largely remains the same as it did then—ensuring fair wages and working conditions, creating high-quality products, and giving control to those who produce them.

The Importance of a Union Printer

So why is using a union printer necessary? There are several reasons why businesses should consider opting for union over non-union printing services. For one thing, doing so ensures quality assurance since all printers belonging to labor unions must adhere to standards established by their organizations to remain members.

This means that only qualified professionals produce your documents and prints, ensuring accuracy and precision every time you order with them. Additionally, opting for a union printer also helps support organized labor, which can have significant benefits for entire industries and individual companies within them.

Understanding the Union Bug and Its History

The union bug is a symbol created over a hundred years ago to signify union affiliation. Inseparable from union printing, it was first seen in the late 1800s when more and more workers joined labor unions to protect their rights.

At the time, it was difficult for employers to track who belonged to which union, so they needed a way to identify them quickly. The solution was a small emblem printed at the bottom of each page that identified the job as completed by a union print shop. Due to its miniature size, the name “Union Bug” quickly stuck due to its resemblance to a small insect.

Key Characteristics of a Union Bug

Union bugs are often found in books, magazines, newspapers, and other types of media. It serves as an identifier for union-made products and can help consumers and business owners determine where their prints were made. Typically, it contains a number identifying the union printing plant where it was created, is placed out of sight on print documents, and tends to be applied free of charge.

Over the last century, this practice has endured, with some modification. Today’s modern-day union bugs are usually much smaller than they were in the past and are often placed in less noticeable locations on documents such as invoices or stationery. In some cases, they may even be hidden behind graphics or text elements on documents that don’t need this particular identification mark.

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How Union Printing Companies Have Used the Union Bug Over Time

Today, the use of union printing is more relevant than ever before. As many companies move towards digital and web-based printing processes, it’s important to remember that many union printing companies remain in business and continue to offer quality printed materials. Union printing is an excellent way to ensure that your printed materials are produced with care and protection for workers’ rights.

Why You Should Choose a Union Printing Shop

Opting for a union print shop can also bring about significant cost savings compared to non-union alternatives due to lower overhead costs associated with labor unions and their collective bargaining power.

By working together, these organizations can negotiate better prices from suppliers and pass those savings onto customers through lower service prices. This could result in substantial cost reductions depending on how large an order is being placed, along with other factors such as quantity discounts or additional services offered by vendors associated with these organizations. Otherwise, these opportunities would be unavailable if each business worked individually with different suppliers or vendors.

Choose a Proud Print Union Shop Like Presort, Inc.

In conclusion, using a union printer for your print material is an essential step towards supporting organized labor and ensuring high-quality work with cost savings. By choosing a company like Presort, Inc., you can enjoy an array of direct mail, printing, and warehousing services. Regardless of the size of your printing job or campaign, we stick to our core values—delivering quality work with a side of integrity every time.

Improve your printing and direct mailing efforts with Presort, Inc.

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