Colin Sinclair McDermott in conversation with Morten B. Reitoft

In this conversation, Editor Morten B. Reitoft speaks with Colin Sinclair McDermott, also known as the Online Print Coach, about his background in the printing industry and his work coaching print businesses worldwide. Colin shares how he entered the industry in the 1990s, lost a business during the 2008–2009 recession, and how those experiences shaped his mission to help other printers avoid the same mistakes. They discuss common challenges across the industry, including time management, owner bottlenecks, stress, personal financial risk, and the difficulty of delegating and letting go. A key theme is the importance of understanding business fundamentals such as break-even points, profitability, productivity, and core financial metrics, not just being a skilled printer. The conversation also explores cultural differences around failure in Europe versus the US, the value of coaching and accountability, the role of trade organizations and OEMs in education and promotion, and why the print industry must strengthen its capabilities in sales, marketing, and leadership. Colin reflects on networking, public speaking, and major industry events such as Printing United, drupa, FESPA, and Dscoop, and how visibility, education, and honest conversations can help move the industry forward, even if progress sometimes feels slower than desired.