Inside the Print Shop: In-plant Printers

Inside a Print Shop: In-plant – Episode Summary

In this episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew explore in-plants—internal print operations embedded within enterprises, government, and educational institutions. Often overlooked in printing industry training programs for new employees, in-plants are crucial to understanding the diversity of print service models. These “mini-commercial printers” serve internal stakeholders first, but many also operate as hybrid or for-profit centers with external clients.

Pat and Ryan explain three main types of in-plants: corporate, transactional (e.g., statements, billing), and educational (e.g., course packets, dissertations). Operating models vary as well—from cost centers and cost-recovery structures to full-fledged profit-generating departments. Some even become spin-off commercial entities.

The hosts highlight how in-plants manage everything from basic signage and reports to perfect-bound annual statements and wide-format event graphics. Their equipment choices—offset, electrophotography, inkjet, and wide format—mirror those of commercial printers but are typically sized to fit constrained spaces like basements or office annexes.

Challenges include constant justification of their value, preventing “print leakage” (jobs sent outside without consideration), and navigating tight capital budgets. Yet opportunities abound: centralizing enterprise print needs, leveraging automation, expanding services, and educating stakeholders. Executive sponsorship plays a key role in sustainability and strategic investment.

If you’re building a print shop employee onboarding template or creating outsourced training for print production staff, this episode offers vital insight into one of the industry’s most efficient and underappreciated segments.

You Will Learn:

• The 3 types of in-plants: corporate, transactional, and educational

• Operating models: cost center, cost recovery, and for-profit hybrid

• Key services: signage, course packs, statements, binders, reports

• Challenges: leakage, budget limits, staffing, internal awareness

• Opportunities: automation, internal marketing, executive sponsorship

Who This Course Is For:

Enterprise print managers, university and government PSPs, onboarding teams, facilities managers, and anyone designing lean manufacturing training for printing industry or MIS software training for print production

Time to Watch:

Approx. 23 minutes