Impressions - May 2020 - 42
think.
make.
do.
SHOP TALK
Like this article? Read more Shop Talk
articles at impressionsmag.com.
Fighting for
a Future
A&P Master Images shows resilience and finds a new path
forward in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BY DUSTIN SHRADER, MANAGING EDITOR
Sean Hogan,A&P general
manager, models the new
face shield the company is
producing for first responders
and medical personnel.
The COVID-19 pandemic has permeated nearly all facets of everyday life.The
deadly coronavirus shows no sympathy
to the public health and the nation's basic
economic structure; rather, it offers dire
consequences for large corporations, local
businesses and communities alike.
Howard Potter, CEO and owner of A&P Master Images,
has felt the effects of these consequences firsthand. The Utica,
NewYork-based company specializes in promotional-products
distribution using graphic design, screen printing, sublimation
and more unique, creative processes. Like many other business
owners, Potter didn't anticipate the pandemic's fallout to be as
drastic as it turned out to be.
"To be honest, we did not expect this when it first started,"
Potter says. "We were up 20% in sales before [the pandemic]
and within two weeks, sales dropped so hard we were almost
back to last year's numbers. During [those] two weeks we were
studying the numbers daily. We had to run several costs. What
are the exact bills we have to pay? What will be the lowest cost
of payroll to cover the basics? How many employees [should we]
keep and who, and what were we going to sell and to [whom]
would we sell it?"
As media coverage of the virus ramped up, Potter noticed the
immediate impact on A&P's sales.The company was inundated
with canceled orders, blanketing Potter and staff with uncertainty
as to what the foreseeable future would bring.
"Sales were plummeting day by day," Potter says."We are used
to selling a minimum of $8,000-$10,000 a day.We were dropping to $1,500-$3,000 within the first week of the pandemic
shutdowns. By the end of the second week, sales were between
$0 and $500."
Emotional Fallout
As Potter projected sales given the business's current trajectory, it
led to some very difficult decisions.The time for layoffs had come.
He distributed essential unemployment information to staffers
P.42
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I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M MAY 2020
4/15/20 4:30 PM
http://www.impressionsmag.com
http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM
Impressions - May 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - May 2020
Impressions - May 2020
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Expo Scene
Overheard
First Look
The Intersection of Innovation
Ahead of the Curve
Managing Today's Workplace
Pushing the Creative Comfort Zone
Shop Talk
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Direct-To-Garment
Ad Index/Classifieds
On Design
Impressions - May 2020 - Intro
Impressions - May 2020 - Impressions - May 2020
Impressions - May 2020 - Cover2
Impressions - May 2020 - 1
Impressions - May 2020 - 2
Impressions - May 2020 - 3
Impressions - May 2020 - 4
Impressions - May 2020 - First Impressions
Impressions - May 2020 - From the Show Director
Impressions - May 2020 - Expo Scene
Impressions - May 2020 - Overheard
Impressions - May 2020 - 9
Impressions - May 2020 - 10
Impressions - May 2020 - 11
Impressions - May 2020 - 11A
Impressions - May 2020 - 11B
Impressions - May 2020 - First Look
Impressions - May 2020 - 13
Impressions - May 2020 - The Intersection of Innovation
Impressions - May 2020 - 15
Impressions - May 2020 - 16
Impressions - May 2020 - 17
Impressions - May 2020 - 18
Impressions - May 2020 - 19
Impressions - May 2020 - 20
Impressions - May 2020 - 21
Impressions - May 2020 - 22
Impressions - May 2020 - 23
Impressions - May 2020 - 24
Impressions - May 2020 - 25
Impressions - May 2020 - Ahead of the Curve
Impressions - May 2020 - 27
Impressions - May 2020 - 28
Impressions - May 2020 - 29
Impressions - May 2020 - 30
Impressions - May 2020 - 31
Impressions - May 2020 - 32
Impressions - May 2020 - Managing Today's Workplace
Impressions - May 2020 - 34
Impressions - May 2020 - 35
Impressions - May 2020 - 36
Impressions - May 2020 - 37
Impressions - May 2020 - Pushing the Creative Comfort Zone
Impressions - May 2020 - 39
Impressions - May 2020 - 40
Impressions - May 2020 - 41
Impressions - May 2020 - Shop Talk
Impressions - May 2020 - 43
Impressions - May 2020 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - May 2020 - 45
Impressions - May 2020 - 46
Impressions - May 2020 - 47
Impressions - May 2020 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - May 2020 - 49
Impressions - May 2020 - 50
Impressions - May 2020 - Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - May 2020 - On Design
Impressions - May 2020 - Cover3
Impressions - May 2020 - Cover4
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS1
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS2
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS3
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS4
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS5
Impressions - May 2020 - ISS6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404S
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202303
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
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