advertorial Q&A with aaron kirsch owner What sustainability/eco-friendly practices do you use in product development? We do all of our printing using a process that releases no volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere like traditional printing processes do. We are able to do this while still producing a product that goes above and beyond in quality and durability. We also offer printing grounds that are pvc free and qualify for LEED credits as well as grounds that utilize recycled content. With these techniques we are able to meet our clients needs to be environmentally friendly and to do our part in looking after the environment. What is your company's philosophy? Our main focus has always been providing events and hire from local design institutions and this practice has given us an edge in the field. How do you see your company growing in the next five years? Our hospitality division has seen significant growth over the past few years and we only see that becoming a greater part of our future. But we are also committed to expanding growth in the retail market as well. We are looking to continue to innovate and experiment with prototyping on new grounds and printing materials. How has technology played a role in product development? How has technology changed the way you develop products? The advances we have seen in recent years in printing technology has allowed us to print on a wide range of substrates, match to a subtle degree in color and print at higher resolutions and speeds resulting in quicker lead times without sacrificing quality. With our whole production process going digital we have been able to finely tune our workflow to enable us to quality control every step of the process while not compromising turnaround times. What current trends are you keeping your eye on? We're always on the look out for new printing grounds and eco-friendly options. In pattern design we've seen the textured industrial look continuing in popularity while we're also seeing a lot of ombre and gradients with bold saturated colors coming into fashion. exceptional customer service and to realize our client's vision whether it be with the wallcovering industry's highest quality prints or fast turnarounds on custom design work. The wallcovering industry is fashion and design driven and it has been essential for our company to be at the forefront of design and to support the design community. We frequently sponsor design 040 May 2016 hospitalitydesign.com What's one thing people probably don't know about your company? One thing that sets Astek apart is that we try not to outsource anything. From design to print everything is done under one roof for fast turnarounds and complete control over the final product.http://www.hospitalitydesign.com