Digitization and the Internet are breaking down barriers and transforming print from a local/regional industry into a national/international industry. Strategies for Management, Inc. will be taking “A Critical Look at Offshore Printing, ” in an upcoming study. The project will be directed by leading printing industry commentator and forecaster Dr. Joe Webb, and managed by Mr. Vince Naselli, formerly of TrendWatch Graphic Arts. WhatTheyThink, Senior Editor, Gail Nickel-Kailing, recently spoke with Dr. Webb for more insight on the study.

WTT: Dr. Joe, what’s the sudden interested in offshore printing?

DJW: I don’t think it's particularly sudden; I've always been curious about the realities of offshore printing. I have looked at import/export data from time to time and found it interesting, but over the last few months I've noticed a significant change in the kinds of questions about offshore printing that I get by phone and e-mail. That made me think I was perhaps missing something, so I thought I would look into it in a little more depth.