Why Union Printing Matters: The Value Behind the Union Label
Craftsmanship, Community, and Integrity — Built Into Every Print Job
If you’ve never worked with a union print shop before, it may not be obvious what sets it apart. But for organizations that value craftsmanship, fair labor practices, and work done right the first time, a union printer isn’t just a vendor — it’s a partner that reflects their own values back to them.
Honsa-Binder has been part of St. Paul’s printing landscape for more than 100 years, serving clients across sectors, causes, and political lines. And for at least half that time — likely since the early 1970s, if not earlier — Honsa-Binder has proudly operated as a union print shop, rooted in one of the oldest and strongest printing union communities in the country.
This is the story of why union printing still matters, what the union label represents today, and why union-affiliated organizations continue to choose Honsa-Binder for their commercial print needs.
We Come From Union Country — And It Shows
St. Paul has a deep union history. Its printers’ union dates back to 1856, and by the 1910s and 1920s, dozens of print shops across the city proudly carried the union label. Honsa-Binder has been part of this ecosystem for generations — not because it’s trendy, but because the company has always operated in a blue-collar, union-minded community where craftsmanship is taken seriously.
We proudly belong to the Printing Packaging Production Workers Union (PPPWU). Being a union printer is more than a business choice — it’s a signal of who we are, who we hire, and what we stand for. It’s also a niche market within commercial print that continues to offer both stability and purpose.
What Union Printing Actually Means (And What It Doesn’t)
If you’ve never heard the term before, a union print shop is simply a shop whose pressmen and production workers are members of a recognized labor union. In practical terms, that means:
- Workers are paid fair, livable wages
- They receive union-backed benefits
- They work in safe, regulated environments
- They have seniority protections and job security
- Skilled labor is recognized and valued
And while you might assume union printing automatically means higher prices, that’s more myth than fact. Wage gaps between union and non-union print shops aren’t nearly as large as they were decades ago — and some “cheaper” online printers make their money by adding hidden fees at the end.
Honsa-Binder honors its quotes unless a major scope change occurs. No surprises. No inflated invoices. No “oh, by the way” fees after the job is already done.
Experience You Can’t Automate
Union affiliation alone won’t magically make a printer better — but the people will.
At Honsa-Binder, the difference isn’t just that workers are union members. It’s that union affiliation has created stability, longevity, and a team of skilled pressmen who have:
- Decades of hands-on experience
- Low turnover
- A sense of pride in their work
- The protection and seniority that keeps them committed long-term
Some employees have even returned specifically because of Honsa-Binder’s union status — a level of career loyalty that’s rare in modern print shops.
To be transparent, the print industry no longer has the trade schools or apprenticeship programs it once did — something Honsa-Binder wishes would come back. That’s why the company launched a 10-week internship program for high-school students through Right Track — the only printer in St. Paul participating. It introduces young people to printing as a skilled trade and exposes them to jobs that don’t require a four-year degree.
In other words: the union isn’t just about wages. It’s about building the next generation of craftsmen.
[Link to or embed “The Power of Youth Career Pathways” and St. Paul’s Powerful Partnerships videos]
Why Union-Affiliated Businesses Choose Union Printers
If you’re a union-affiliated organization, the union label matters — because solidarity matters.
Many of Honsa-Binder’s clients choose them specifically because they are a union print shop, including:
- Local unions
- Democratic political organizations
- State offices (depending on administration)
- State agencies (minus the union bug, unless required)
- The Minnesota Department of Labor (they request the union label specifically)
The union label communicates something powerful:
“We hire people who share our values. We support fair labor. We invest in skilled workers.”
It’s not always about who produces the “better product.” It’s about choosing people who operate with the same integrity and principles.
Yes, union affiliation can be politically polarizing — it’s a double-edged sword. But for union organizations, the choice is clear:
Their first call should always be to a union printer.
Hands-On Service You Don’t Get Online
Union affiliation is part of the reason Honsa-Binder has the stability to offer deeply personalized service. Because it’s not a massive corporate operation and not a fully automated online printer, H-B can say yes to things other shops can’t:
- Last-minute commercial print jobs
- In-person press checks
- Mid-project changes
- Custom paper, specialty finishes, color matching
- File troubleshooting with designers
- Local pickup
- Human-to-human communication at every step
Example:
A client was printing a colored tablecloth design with a small white box they hadn’t noticed. By coming in for a press check, they caught the issue before printing — saving money, time, and corrections. Online printers simply can’t offer that level of flexibility.
Why Union Printing Matters for Fair Labor & Community Impact
Choosing a union print shop doesn’t just support your project — it supports the entire local economy.
Union workers:
- Earn livable wages
- Have job security
- Spend money locally
- Pay into the community
- Hire other union trades (plumbers, electricians, etc.)
It’s a chain reaction of dignity, stability, and economic strength.
In addition, Honsa-Binder participates in programs that reflect union values — including environmental initiatives, safety standards, and community engagement — because taking care of people is part of the company’s DNA.
Union Printing vs. Online Printing: The Real Differences
Clients who go the online route often encounter:
- Inconsistent colors
- Incorrect paper stock
- Delayed shipping
- Buried customer service numbers
- Automated systems with no human intervention
- Fix-it-yourself errors
Working with a union printer avoids all of this.
You get real humans. Real oversight. Real communication. And real accountability.
And for union-affiliated organizations, you get something more: alignment. Solidarity. A partner who reflects your values.
The Union Label: What It Really Means
To clients — especially union clients — the union label means:
- Fair wages
- Good benefits
- Ethical labor practices
- Skilled tradespeople
- A printer who shares their values
It isn’t a mark of higher cost or inflated pricing. The most common misconception is:
“Union printing is always more expensive.”
Not true.
Pricing is project-dependent, and in many cases, online shops end up costing more once hidden fees, changes, or reprints come into play.
Honsa-Binder honors its quotes. No surprises. No “gotchas.” Just transparency.
Final Word: Why Choose a Union Print Shop?
If there’s one message Honsa-Binder wants union-affiliated businesses to walk away with, it’s this:
Union printing reflects who we are.
Transparency, craftsmanship, fairness, customer service, and long-term relationships aren’t add-ons — they’re baked into the company’s identity.
Honsa-Binder’s values and its union values didn’t develop separately — they grew together. One shaped the other. And today, they’re inseparable.
That’s why working with a union printer isn’t just a purchasing decision. It’s a statement.
A commitment.
A vote of confidence.
A badge of honor.
And for St. Paul’s union community, it’s a partnership you can feel proud of.
For a union print shop you can depend on, reach out to Honsa-Binder today.