SPI’s Collaboration with MagLiteracy to Grow Literacy Nationwide

At Schumann Printers, Inc. (SPI), we’ve always believed that print has a purpose. Every book, catalog, directory, and magazine that leaves our press carries more than just ink on paper — it carries ideas, creativity, knowledge, and opportunity. And sometimes, the most meaningful stories aren’t the ones we print. They’re the ones that happen because we print.

Recently, we had the privilege of partnering with MagLiteracy.org, an incredible national organization committed to increasing literacy by getting new and recycled magazines into the hands, homes, and hearts of readers who have limited access to reading materials. Their work fuels curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning — and we’re honored to be part of it.

When Great Magazines Meet a Great Mission

Two of our customers — Make: Magazine and Communication Arts — generously donated their magazine overruns to help support MagLiteracy’s mission. These aren’t just magazines; they’re some of the most high-value, high-impact publications in the country:

• Make: Magazine ignites STEM passions through robotics, coding, 3D printing, electronics, and hands-on learning. It’s where “I wonder if I can build that?” becomes “Look what I made!”

• Communication Arts showcases world-class design, illustration, photography, and advertising — inspiring emerging creatives and showing students what’s possible when artistry meets innovation.

For many young readers, educators, job-training programs, and mentoring groups across the nation, these magazines are more than reading material. They’re sparks — launching careers, building skills, fueling imagination, and opening doors.

A Thousand Futures Packed on a Pallet

At our Fall River facility, we loaded 12 pallets of Make: and Communication Arts magazines onto Quad’s semi for their trip to the MagLiteracy Magazine Literacy Bank in Ohio. It was a simple moment — but one that reflects what makes print special. When everyone along the supply chain does their part, great content ends up in the hands of people who truly benefit from it.

We appreciate everyone who helps move these materials the last mile so they can support classrooms, mentoring programs, and community organizations across the country.

“Moments like this always make me think about the kind of impact we hope to have beyond our walls. I’ve long admired Dr. Maya Angelou, and her reminder to ‘try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud’ feels especially fitting here. Knowing these magazines will brighten someone’s path makes this effort incredibly meaningful for our team. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who played a part in making this happen.”

— Brooke Schumann, Marketing Director, Schumann Printers, Inc.

A sincere thank-you to Steve Abts at PRINT + Solutions, the MagLiteracy team, and our SPI teammates — Kate G., Kim C., Meagan P., and Ariadna Guerrero Amaya — for coordinating, prepping, and making this effort come together. It’s teamwork like this that strengthens our industry and supports the communities we serve.

Why Print Still Leads the Literacy Conversation

Print magazines remain one of the most powerful literacy engines in the world. Across ages, interests, languages, and professions, magazines:

• Inspire creativity

• Strengthen reading comprehension

• Support skill-building

• Encourage hands-on learning

• Connect readers to new ideas and new futures

In the words of MagLiteracy: “Literacy ends poverty of the mind, heart, and pocket.”
We couldn’t agree more.

Every year, more than 2 billion magazines are printed in the United States. Through partnerships like this one — from paper to printer to publisher to logistics to literacy organizations — we help make sure more of those magazines reach the people who need them most.

This is industry-wide impact. This is purpose in motion.