Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Throwing Shades: What You Need to Know About Textiles and Color Management

Published March 15, 2022

Cary Sherburne talks to Mike Scrutton, director of print technology and strategy at Adobe, and Ray Cheydleur, printing and imaging portfolio manager for X-Rite/Pantone, about the similarities and differences between color management for commercial print and for textiles, and some best practices for textile-based color management.

Is There a Robot in Your Future?

Published March 14, 2022

Robots and cobots are increasingly being used in a variety of manufacturing and warehousing operations, but they have not yet made their way at scale into apparel manufacturing. Do you have one in your home or business? I do. Three actually. Here we talk about how robots and cobots are being used today, and give an example of an apparel factory that is leveraging robots for increased accuracy and efficiency.

Ukraine’s Printing Industry Stands Strong

Published March 10, 2022

As the unprovoked war in Ukraine continues to unfold and the world watches in horror, we have been in touch with the leader of a print media company in Boryspil, a city not far to the East of Kyiv. In this heartbreaking article, Igor Agarkov, publisher of Print+ magazine, Polygraphy of Ukraine directory (Ukraine), and administrator of the Social network of printers, shares his experience, views, and request to the world, and those of some of his colleagues based on questions we provided to him after he reached out to WhatTheyThink.

Xeikon's CEO Bullish About the Future

Published March 7, 2022

In this sponsored video, Xeikon CEO Benoit Chatelard shares an update on Xeikon's 2021 performance and a bullish 2022 outlook. He also provides an update on company's strategic objectives, sustainability position, and its corrugated business. North America Director of Marketing Donna Covannon chimes in with some very interesting and innovative customer applications. Chatelard also teased some exciting announcements for the upcoming Labelexpo Europe event.

9FIBER Brings Sustainability to Hemp Processing

Published March 7, 2022

There has been a great deal of interest in hemp as a renewable source of fiber. But conventional processing uses toxic chemicals and results in a lot of waste. What if hemp could be sustainably processed, using the entire plant and reducing waste materials post-processing—AND could help save trees. Sound too good to be true? 9FIBER doesn't think so!

HP Indigo Brings New Products, New Energy to DSCOOP 2022: A Conversation with Haim Levit

Published March 7, 2022

DSCOOP is back to in-person and the Indigo team is excited to be there. In this sponsored interview, created from written answers provided by Haim Levit, he reviews Indigo’s 2021 performance, advances in automation, new products being launched at DSCOOP, and a DSCOOP update.

SPESA and Messe Frankfurt Gearing Up for TexProcess Americas in Atlanta

Published March 3, 2022

SPESA and Messe Frankfurt are excited to be getting back to an in-person show. This year's event, scheduled for May 17-19, 2022, in Atlanta, Ga., will feature the latest technology for the sewn products industry. In this interview, Michael McDonald, SPESA's president, and Nina McCormick, SPESA’s past Chairwoman and CFO at DAP America, Inc. and the show's largest exhibitor, give us a preview of what to expect.

EFI Reggiani TERRA Gold Digital Textile Printing Technology for Prestigious Shroud of Turin Replica Project

Published March 1, 2022

When The International Center of Sindonology in Turin, Italy, was seeking a way to create realistic replicas of the Shroud of Turin for distribution to selected churches and museums around the globe, EFI's sustainable pigment-based digital textile printing technology was selected. In this interview, Adele Genoni, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EFI Reggiani, shares the story. WhatTheyThink filmed exclusive video at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, so our members can experience this amazing replica.

HeiQ AeoniQ Aims for a More Sustainable Textile Industry

Published March 1, 2022

Last October, HeiQ, a company known for its many fabric treatment solutions, announced its first foray into fiber development with a 100% cellulosic filament yarn called AeoniQ. The goal is to be in full production by 2025 and enable the textiles industry to begin to move away from petroleum-based fibers such as polyester. Carmen Danner, Director Business Development, and Enrique Herrero Acero, Chief Technology Officer, provide details.

Put on Your Smart Glasses

Published February 23, 2022

Remote monitoring of all types of equipment used in printing operations has been around for some time. However, its value became even more evident during the pandemic, when it was not possible—or at least difficult—to send technicians on site when a customer had a problem. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne looks at the current state of “smart glasses” and other remote monitoring options.

ISAIC Continues to Drive Skills, Innovation for the Sewn Products Industry

Published February 22, 2022

In this interview, Jennifer Guarino shares an update on the activities at ISAIC in Detroit, where they focus on innovation and talent development for the sewn products industry. Their unique approach to workforce management has helped attract many young people to the industry, with an average age of 31!

Are We Really Doing the Right Things to Address Supply Chain Issues?

Published February 21, 2022

There’s a lot of talk about a broken supply chain for the textiles and apparel industry. But what’s actually being done to fix it? And what happens if we don’t? Last fall, the Sourcing Journal hosted a Sourcing Summit that addressed these issues. Some excerpts are included in this article, along with a link to the full report, well worth reviewing if you have any supply chain concerns at all!

Mimaki Continues to Innovate in Digital Textile Printing

Published February 21, 2022

In this interview, we catch up with Victoria Harris, Senior Textile Segment Specialist, Mimaki USA, who updates us on the latest developments from Mimaki for textile printing, from a new entry-level dye-sub printer to its unique dual-ink model, and more. She also talks about changing demands in North America as brands look to mitigate the supply chain issues driven largely by the pandemic.

Business Transformation at Core Publishing Solutions

Published February 17, 2022

Todd Roth, Vice President of Operations, Core Publishing Solutions, a Thomson-Reuters Company, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the transformation their plant has undergone since Sherburne's visit in 2016, driven by increasing demand for digital content in the legacy legal publications business. Today, about 70% of Core Publishing Solutions' output is commercial and educational publishing, a significant transition from its legacy business, which the company still continues to support.

BMC.fashion Brings Ultra-Automation to Apparel Manufacturing

Published February 16, 2022

In this interview, Kirby Best talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about his latest venture, BMC.fashion. This vertically integrated and highly automated factory will include two Kornit digital textile printers, Gerber cutting, and 120 sewing stations. Kirby explains how he has applied all that he has learned over the years about on demand manufacturing to create a unique, highly automated and very innovative factory, including a unique process for training sewing talent that should make it easy to attract and retain this valued asset.

King Pro: Custom Screen Printing with a Personal Touch

Published February 16, 2022

Dani Diarbakerly has leveraged her experience with screen printing into her own business. She offers a wide range of screen-printed apparel products including direct to garment, screen printing on blanks, and a cut-and sew operation, as well as embroidery. She believes the best approach to the business includes a personal touch to make sure that customers receive exactly what they are expecting, including design assistance where needed.

Are We Approaching Industry 5.0 Already?

Published February 14, 2022

With many of us barely beginning to understand what is meant by Industry 4.0, we’re now moving on to Industry 5.0! Acceleration is certainly a factor in today’s business and industrial environment. In this article, we define both Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, and provide examples of how the textiles and apparel industry in North America can accelerate along with the market trends.

PIM Launches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Accreditation Program

Published February 10, 2022

In the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, the Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) team decided to explore putting together a program to drive increased diversity, equity and inclusion in the printing industry. Today, the program is in pilot mode with a soft launch expected in the April timeframe. In this discussion, Kristin Davis of PIM explains the program, and Debby Boyd of JohnRoberts and Mariel Bolger of Bolger, two companies enrolled in the pilot program, talk about why the program is important to their companies and the industry.

Put on your Smart Glasses: Remote Equipment Monitoring Is Here to Stay (Audio)

Published February 4, 2022

Remote monitoring of all types of equipment used in printing operations has been around for some time. However, its value became even more evident during the pandemic, when it was not possible – or at least difficult – to send technicians on site when a customer had a problem.

Cotton: The Myths vs. Reality

Published January 31, 2022

In today’s world, we are inundated with misinformation and disinformation, and it is a constant daily battle to separate the wheat from the chaff, the truth from fake news. This is not limited to politics and healthcare. It’s also a factor in how the fashion industry—in cotton in particular—is portrayed. This article is a summary of a recent report by Transformers Foundation highlighting common myths about cotton. We recommend reading the full report and/or listening to a recent Supima webinar for the entire story.

Lux Research 2022 Foresight Report: Implications for Textiles and Apparel

Published January 31, 2022

In this conversation, Lux Research Senior Research Associate Tiffany Hua discusses the Lux Sustainable Innovation Model and identifies key elements that are applicable to a more sustainable future for textiles & apparel.

An AccuLink Update: New Applications, New Opportunities

Published January 27, 2022

AccuLink continues to diversify the applications being produced, ranging from dye sublimation on stainless steel products and camp mugs, Direct to Garment, and flexible pouches on demand. CEO Tom O'Brien provides an update. He also peeks into the future discussing new applications he plans to introduce.

Opportunities for Signs and Display Graphics in a Changing World of Retail

Published January 24, 2022

Much has been written about the Great Resignation and how worker shortages are affecting many businesses, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic. The retail industry is one that has clearly been heavily affected, leading to an increase in cashier-less checkout to help these businesses stay viable. This is a dramatic trend that also offers interesting opportunities for sign and display graphics businesses.

EFI Reggiani Update: Adele Genoni of EFI Reggiani Talks About the Latest New Products to Hit the Market

Published January 18, 2022

Cary Sherburne recently spoke with Adele Genoni, senior vice president and general manager at EFI Reggiani, to get the latest information on what the company has been up to. Despite the pandemic, it doesn’t seem that R&D efforts have slowed down, with three new products announced in just the past few months.

Will 2022 Be the Year of Consumer-Level Graphene Products?

Published January 17, 2022

Graphene, a much-touted miracle material, was only discovered in 2004. Since then, it has permeated many different industries with products and solutions that deliver improved performance or new and innovative capabilities. Now, just a short time after its discovery, it’s beginning to make its way into consumer-level products. Is there some graphene in your future? Let’s take a look!

An Exclusive Inside Look at eProductivity Software

Published January 12, 2022

EFI recently spun off its productivity software unit as an independent company, acquired by a private equity firm. Some 18 months after leaving EFI, Marc Olin has returned to the software business he founded in 1986 as Executive Chairman. In this video interview, he provides some background and a look what customers can expect from the resulting company: eProductivity Software. Olin and the eProductivity team will be participating in EFI Connect next week in Las Vegas.

A Fresh Look at the Dye-Sublimation Opportunity

Published January 10, 2022

Back in 2019, we pointed out the opportunity presented by adding dye-sublimation printing to the mix as a diversification strategy. A great deal has happened since then, not the least of which is the continuing impact of the pandemic. But one thing that has not changed is the opportunity this technology offers. Read on!

Coloreel Explained

Published January 5, 2022

In this conversation with Mattias Nordin, SVP of Business Development for Coloreel, he explains how their on-demand thread coloring technology works, the benefit of coloring thread for embroidery on demand and talks about a recent sale of 10 units in Portugal.

Why Limited Color Palettes are Important in Textile Printing

Published January 3, 2022

Mike Scrutton, Director, Print Technology and Strategy at Adobe, discusses how color management is different between commercial print and textile printing, and why limited color palettes are used in the latter. He offers advice for designers to consider when creating designs for textile printing in order to ensure design intent is met in production.

What’s the Deal with Denim?

Published January 3, 2022

We all love our jeans, but consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the massive environmental impact of the denim dyeing process—chemistry, water usage, potential pollution of water sources, and so on. But there are encouraging developments underway in the world of more sustainable denim. We explore a few of them here.

Textiles Year in Review: There Were Challenges and Successes

Published December 15, 2021

Cary Sherburne looks back at some of the notable new products and trends that the textile and apparel industry saw in 2021—from a growing emphasis on digital printing, new inks (especially pigment-based), and the reshoring of apparel production.

Graphic Communications Leadership Institute (GCLI) Completes First Full Year to Rave Reviews

Published December 14, 2021

As the Graphic Communications Leadership Institute (GCLI) wrapped up its first year of operation, we spoke with three participants to better understand the value they are getting from this three-year program. We also spoke with Francis McMahon of Canon Solutions America, who hosted this year’s final session.

Grossman Marketing: A Case Study in Successful Business Transformation

Published December 13, 2021

How many companies have been able to successfully transform their businesses multiple times over a century of continuous operation? Not that many. That’s why the Grossman Marketing Group’s story is so interesting!

Can the Fashion Industry Change Quickly Enough to Positively Impact Climate Change? Or Perhaps the Better Questions Is, Will They?

Published December 6, 2021

The fashion and textiles industry is one of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to impact on climate. There’s lots of talk from brands about how they will reduce this impact, but it’s not as straightforward as it may seem. To truly drive change, there are many friction points across the entire supply chain that need to be aggressively addressed. We discuss a few of them in this article.

Hudson Printing Installs 2nd Perfecting Landa Press in the U.S.

Published December 6, 2021

Paul Hudson, CEO of Hudson Printing, chats with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about his recent acquisition of a Landa S10P B1 digital press. The company still gains about 70% of its revenues from web offset, but also has Indigo presses. According to Hudson, the Landa offers a great bridge technology between the two. View the whole story.

Latest Updates: Printing Industry Affiliates

Published December 1, 2021

The printing industry affiliates, under their Operating Committee structure, work together in a number of ways to support members of more than 5,000 printing companies and the printing industry as a whole. WhatTheyThink Senior Editor Cary Sherburne recently spoke to the Operating Committee leadership team for an update.

Affiliates Update: New Leadership, New Energy

Published December 1, 2021

For the first time in the history of the Affiliates, the top three leadership positions are held by women. Teresa Campbell, Melissa Jones, and Christine Hagopian join Senior Editor Cary Sherburne to talk about the many Affiliates initiatives, how the Operating Committee helps to coordinate across all the Affiliates, and the value of membership in the local printing industry Affiliate organization, which gives members access to a broad array of services.

Leather Goes Vegan: Is This the Next Normal for Auto Interiors?

Published November 29, 2021

As the world continues to struggle with the climate change crisis, methane emissions have been tagged as a key contributor that needs to be mitigated. And cows are being targeted as a key contributor to these greenhouse gas emission levels. Do we eliminate cows completely? Or are there other solutions? This article dives into those issues.

Adding Textile Printing to the Mix? What You Need to Know about Color Management

Published November 29, 2021

In this interview, industry expert and Print & Packaging Portfolio Manager for X-Rite/Pantone Ray Cheydleur shares his thoughts on considerations for commercial print or display graphics companies who wish to add more textile printing to the mix, especially as it relates to good color management techniques. What's different, what's the same, and what types of instrumentation and processes work best for each.

Graphic Communications Leadership Institute: Preparing Future Industry Leaders

Published November 17, 2021

Industry veterans Joe Truncale and Mike Philie have implemented a new program that aims to bring leadership skills to printing company up-and-comers, filling a void that seems to exist in today's industry. Hear what they have to say about the program and learn how to get involved.

David Zwang on the Latest Developments in Inkjet

Published November 16, 2021

Cary Sherburne talks to WhatTheyThink contributor and industry expert David Zwang about some of the latest, post-COVID developments in production inkjet and industrial printing.

Strategic Focus: Omer Kulka Explains Kornit’s Shift of Focus and View of the Industry

Published November 15, 2021

Kornit Digital showed a 118% year-over-year revenue increase for the second quarter of 2021. The company also has shifted its strategy a bit and made a couple of acquisitions that reflect this shift. In this Executive Q&A, Chief Marketing Officer Omer Kulka shares insight about Kornit’s strategic focus and the state of the industry at large.

Duplo Stresses Workflow Automation for Successful Printing/Packaging Operations

Published November 11, 2021

Mistakes in the bindery are arguably the most expensive mistakes a printing/packaging operation can make, and with today's short runs and fast turn times, bindery waste is not an option for a profitable business. In this interview, Rick Salinas, Vice President of Marketing for Duplo, talks about all of the ins, outs and latest developments in finishing technology, including the importance of "beginning with the end in mind" when planning work and process integration across the entire workflow.

Leading Textile Operations Provide a Template for Increasing Sustainability in the Industry

Published November 8, 2021

We always talk about the fact that the textiles industry is the world’s second largest polluter. Raising this awareness is helpful, but only if companies take the initiative to change the way they operate to reduce pollution, water and energy use, shipping, and transport, all while treating workers well and providing a living wage. In this article, we document some of those initiatives that can act as a template for others to follow.

Curious About the Latest Research in Mask Efficacy?

Published November 8, 2021

Bryan Ormond, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, and his team received a grant from the CDC to take mask research to the next level. He explains it all in this video and also explains that you may be safer wearing different mask types in different conditions. We'll be back in touch with him as the research proceeds!

Elizabeth Gooding Offers Inkjet Insights

Published November 4, 2021

Cary Sherburne talks to Inkjet Insight’s Elizabeth Gooding about the latest trends in production inkjet. With physical installations down due to the pandemic, there has been increased activity on the software side, facilitating better remote vendor-customer and printer-client interaction.

Vehicle Visions: The Role of Textiles in Today’s Automobiles

Published November 3, 2021

You might be surprised at the volume and type of textiles being used in today’s vehicles—including woven, knitted, and nonwovens. Cary Sherburne takes nonwoven fabrics for a test drive, and identifies business opportunities—perhaps not so much in mass manufacturing of automobiles, but in customization of vehicles, which is growing in popularity.

LBS Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Published November 3, 2021

There are not all that many companies in our industry, at least in North America, that have been continuously operating for more than a century. It takes a lot of flexibility to evolve with the times and not only survive, but thrive, for that long! Rob Mauritz, President and CEO of Des Moines-based LBS, shares his story.

Koenig & Bauer: Powering Through the Pandemic with a Wide Range of New Products

Published November 1, 2021

Koenig & Bauer just reported one of their best years ever, despite the difficulties of the pandemic, and is looking forward to good momentum going into next year. In this interview, Cary Sherburne talks with Kilian Renschler, the new President & CEO for the Americas, as well as Senior Vice President of Marketing Eric Frank, to get the latest details.

Allan Creel Returns to the Printing Industry with Acquisition of Fenske Media

Published October 27, 2021

Following the sale of his printing and publishing businesses last year, Allan Creel has decided to jump back in and found a terrific business opportunity in the acquisition of Fenske Media in Rapid City, S.D. The deal closed last week, and Allan is now President & CEO, with the four Fenske brothers staying involved as Vice Presidents. In this video interview, Allan provides the full story.

SwagCycle: It’s All About Landfill Divergence for Textiles

Published October 25, 2021

Among the many sustainability issues the textiles and apparel industry is facing, textile waste in landfills is near the top of the list. In this article, we talk with Ben Grossman about SwagCycle, his attempt to give back with a goal of landfill divergence for textile-based products, contributing to a reduced footprint and increased circularity.

Back to In-Person with Americas Print Show

Published October 21, 2021

The industry is ready to get back to in-person events, and Americas Print Show will be a great opportunity. Scheduled for August 17–19, 2022, in Columbus Ohio, it promises to be an event chock full of opportunities to see the latest technology, hear from great speakers, provide education to staff, and network with your peers. Easy driving distance from a large part of the U.S. is also a key benefit. Hear Jim Cunningham of GMA and Ed Chalifoux of PIAS describe the key elements of this event. Visit www.AmericasPrintShow22.com for more details!

Grossman Marketing Group: A Century of Success

Published October 14, 2021

Grossman Marketing Group was founded more than a century ago as an envelope printer. In recent years, the company has focused on providing marketing materials to its customers, including collateral, event signage and promotional products. To continue expansion of its portfolio and customer base, the company has made eight acquisitions in the last several years. Co-President Ben Grossman tells the story.

Is the Apparel Industry Stepping Up to Climate Challenges?

Published October 11, 2021

As we look ahead to the upcoming COP26—UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties—in November, it’s a good time to take a look at some of the developments in textiles that will help the industry move forward in a more sustainable fashion. Just Style hosted a COP26 apparel panel discussion to explore these moves and we summarize here.

SwagCycle Aims at Landfill Divergence

Published October 11, 2021

Every year, tons of unwanted materials end up in landfills around the globe. SwagCycle, founded by Ben Grossman of Grossman Marketing Group, is a platform that matches donors with recipients for materials that can be re-used or recycled, giving them a second life and keeping them out of the landfill. This includes such things as donations to charities like Dress for Success and Boys & Girls Clubs to finding ways to use ground up materials in insulation, mattress stuffing, carpet pads and more. Ben shares the details in this video interview.

Koenig & Bauer Executives Share Product & Strategy Update

Published October 11, 2021

In this video, we introduce Kilian Renschler, President & CEO of Koenig & Bauer US & Canada. Renschler is joined by Senior Vice President of Marketing & Product Manager Eric Frank. They walk us through Renschler's background and reasons for joining the company, the latest details about new products and how they are helping customers be more flexible and efficient from prepress through finishing and across commercial and packaging segments, and talk about the very successful year they are having despite the pandemic as printing businesses and the economy at large recover.

American Litho Turns to HP PageWide Production Inkjet for Increased Flexibility, Productivity

Published October 5, 2021

In this article sponsored by HP, Mike Fontana, CEO of Illinois-based American Litho, explains the decision process behind acquiring two HP PageWide Production Inkjet Presses and the value the company has received from its investments. The ninth largest US direct mail producer touts quality, speed, and support as key decision factors.

Prime Rate Pursues a Digital Future with HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD

Published September 28, 2021

Tomcsányi Péter, CEO and Founder of Prime Rate, a printing firm located in Hungary, started his journey as a book author looking for a publisher and ultimately ended up starting his own printing company. In this article, sponsored by HP, Péter has been expanding Prime Rate’s digital capabilities by installing HP PageWide Web Presses and converting his entire digital color operation to an HP platform.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Sewn Products Industry

Published September 27, 2021

The pandemic placed stress on most industries, but arguably one of the most affected was the sewn products industry, which was already facing challenges pre-pandemic. In a recent interview, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne discussed the state of the sewn products industry with SPESA President Michael McDonald and steps that could be taken to ameliorate those challenges.

SPESA Gears Up for In-Person Executive Conference in Boston

Published September 27, 2021

In this conversation, Michael McDonald, President of SPESA, shares insight into what attendees can expect at the organization's upcoming Executive Conference, 27–28 October in Boston. He also discusses the challenges the sewn products industry is facing in a wide ranging conversation, from workforce development to supply chain to reshoring and more.

EFI Reggiani Launches Third New Digital Textile Printer in 2021

Published September 20, 2021

The EFI Reggiani R&D team has been busy, despite the pandemic constraints. The recent launch of the EFI Reggiani HYPER, which EFI categorizes as the fastest multi-pass digital textile printer on the market, has already seen good success. Senior VP and General Manager Adele Genoni talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about EFI Reggiani's 2021 product launches, the company's FESPA plans, and the general state of the market as digital textile printing continues to gain share.

The Year of Frank and the Museum of Printing Still Going Strong

Published September 14, 2021

The Year of Frank, which is designed to both celebrate Frank Romano's 80th birthday and his many contributions to the industry, as well as to drive fundraising and volunteer activities for the Museum of Printing, was looking forward to the opportunity to increase visibility at PRINTING United. Unfortunately, with the show being cancelled, that is now not possible. Frank and Jim Hamilton share an update in this video—donations, future plans and more. This is a must watch! Plus, be sure to visit www.museumofprinting.org where you will find a wealth of information and a big red Donate button! Please help us preserve this priceless industry asset and piece of history.

Franklin Printing: Committed to the Craft of Printing

Published September 14, 2021

Farmington, Maine-based Franklin Printing has a long history of leveraging technology to enhance the craft of printing. Most recently, the company has added an HP PageWide Web Press T250 HD, the first production web press to be installed in Maine, as part of its evolution into the future of print.

Textiles 2030: A New Sustainability Framework

Published September 13, 2021

Back in 2015, the United Nations adopted an aggressive sustainability agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve the environment. Participation is voluntary and adoption has been sporadic. That led WRAP, a global sustainability charity to establish Textiles 2030, also voluntary, but aiming to transform the way the UK supplies, uses and disposes of clothing and textiles over the next 10 years. Is this a framework the textiles industry in other countries can adopt?

Meredith Nichols On Challenges Facing Today's Printing Businesses

Published September 13, 2021

Meredith Nichols has been the Director of Print Media at Flagship Press in Massachusetts and involved in many innovative efforts at the company to automate workflows and continuously improve its wide range of services. Now she is taking that expertise "on the road" with the launch of Nichols Associates. She explains it all in this video interview.

AATCC Announces New Fiber Fragment Testing Standard

Published September 7, 2021

In this interview, Heather Elliot, previous chairperson of AATCC's RA-100 Committee and working for one of fashion's major brands, explains the role of the committee and what its fiber fragment measurement standard is designed to do. Our viewers may have heard the term microfibers, with respect to their contribution to pollution when they are shed during home laundry. Heather explains why they prefer not to use that term, and also provides suggestions about how consumers can minimize fiber fragment shedding as they think about how they launder their clothing.

How Prosumers Are Affecting the Fashion Industry—and the Role You Can Play

Published August 30, 2021

Are you a prosumer or do you know one? Or is it even a term you are familiar with? This article explains who prosumers are and the impact they can have and are having on the fashion industry, as well as how each of us can play a role as well in helping move the fashion industry to a more sustainable future.

How Near Infrared Drying Can Benefit Print, Packaging and Textiles

Published August 30, 2021

As the drive toward sustainability to address the climate crisis heats up (no pun intended), there are a number of technologies that are already working that can reduce CO2 emissions and operate with renewable energy. Near-Infrared drying technology from German company adphos is one of those. Frank de Jonge explains.

Vanguard Digital Set to Join Durst at PRINTING United

Published August 23, 2021

Dave Cich, President & CEO of Vanguard Durst, shares his thoughts about Durst's investment in his company, the driving factors for both companies, and some of the benefits the combination brings. He also reveals two new printers that will be unveiled at PRINTING United.

The Great Resignation: A Unique Opportunity for Textiles and Apparel

Published August 23, 2021

According to the U.S. Labor Department, more than 4 million Americans quit their jobs in April, a record high, and even more plan to do so as we exit the pandemic. If people are quitting due to boredom or unhappiness but still want to work, where will they look? And how can the textiles and apparel industry, which has long struggled to attract new talent, generate interest among those looking for something new?

Modern Litho Continues on Growth Path, Pursuit of Innovation

Published August 16, 2021

Over the last several years, Jefferson City, Mo.-based Modern Litho has experienced growth both organically and through acquisitions as it expands its footprint within Missouri. In this interview, Jeff Davidson discusses the company’s strategy, how acquisitions are key to its growth and diversification, and its latest investments in IT infrastructure.

Modern Litho Sees Growth Opportunity both Organic and Through Acquisition

Published August 16, 2021

In this interview, Modern Litho's Jeff Davidson, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and a member of the ownership team, provides an update on Modern Litho and background on its latest acquisition of Kansas City based Watkins Lithographic. If integrating an acquired company isn't enough, the company is also embarking on deployment of a MIS/ERP solution in partnership with Kodak.

Shutterfly and Spoonflower Execs Talk about the Acquisition

Published August 10, 2021

When Shutterfly announced it was acquiring Spoonflower, we sort of said to ourselves, well, that makes sense. Now, Michael Jones of Spoonflower and Dwayne Black of Shutterfly share the entire story with our viewers—how the acquisition benefits both companies and their respective customers as well as the industry at large. An exciting move!

What Does the Post-COVID Future of Apparel Look Like?

Published August 9, 2021

We’ve been speculating about how the textiles and apparel industry will come out of the pandemic—how much will change, how quickly, and how much will remain the same? To help with this thought process, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University has published a study entitled "Repeat, Repair or Renegotiate? The Post-COVID Future of the Apparel Industry." We summarize the results in this article.

A Unique Aspect to Sappi's Business You Probably Aren't Aware Of

Published August 9, 2021

Sappi is a well-known name in the printing industry, known for its high quality fine papers, its dedication to sustainability, and more. But did you know they have a product that can deboss wood grain on wood products that use printed laminate for products such as cabinets, or create a 3D paper-based structure that can imprint leather grain on artificial leather products? Nicholas Yardy, Director of Release Technology, explains this and more in this interesting video chat.

Heidelberg to Feature Smart Print Shop at PRINTING United

Published August 2, 2021

Felix Mueller, President of Heidelberg USA, shares his excitement about the company's presence at PRINTING United, which will feature a Smart Print Shop, whose core is software infrastructure that helps to reduce touches and make the manufacturing process more efficient. The booth will also feature a Heidelberg Versafire digital press and a Heidelberg sheetfed offset press, as well as a Polar cutter.

Sustainability in Textile Finishing

Published July 26, 2021

We’ve written a great deal about sustainability—or the lack thereof—in textiles and apparel on this site. In this article, we highlight some of the less discussed but equally important textile finishing technology that is driving sustainability in the industry

From B2B to B2C: The Challenges

Published July 26, 2021

Kristen Dettoni founded Design Pool in 2019 as a B2B initiative targeting interior designers with an extensive design library and a network of printers who could execute their projects. During the pandemic, she launched Domanda Designs, a B2C initiative. In this conversation, she discusses some of the challenges with gaining mindshare in a B2C environment and what she is doing to counteract those.

Amplify Print! A New Event Dedicated to Advances in Print Finishing

Published July 21, 2021

APTech and FSEA have teamed up to produce a new industry event: AmplifyPrint will be held 14-16 June 2022 in Minneapolis, a conference and exhibition dedicated to educating printers and designers about the latest possibilities in the realm of finishing. More info can be found at www.amplifyprint.org. Jeff Peterson and Thayer Long explain the event in this video interview.

Textile Tech: Are You Prepared for Change in Textiles and Apparel?

Published July 20, 2021

New players are introducing new technologies for textile and apparel production and are poised to up-end the industry. Upheavals in the supply chain and rapidly changing consumer demands are starting to increase a sense of urgency, and more brands are looking seriously at how to effectively work on-demand or made-to-order manufacturing into their go-to-market processes.

Book Printing a Growth Segment in the Overall Print Market According to Adi Chinai

Published July 19, 2021

Adi Chinai of Boston-based King Printing shares his thoughts on how the pandemic affected the book market, which segments are growing most, and how production inkjet printing has changed the business. He also talks about the growth in self-publishing and how digital technologies have made that more accessible to more authors.

How Direct to Consumer is Changing Retail

Published July 12, 2021

Direct-to-consumer retail for apparel, once the domain of upstarts, is now being more seriously pursued by larger brands, a move that has been accelerated by the pandemic. What does this mean for brands and retail? Is another upheaval coming?

The Value of Affiliates Membership

Published July 12, 2021

Adam LeFebvre, President of Specialty Print Communications and a GLGA Board Member, explains why it is important for printing companies to support their local Affiliate and shares some of the benefits he has received from membership and from donating his time to serve on the Board.

Adobe Expands Presence in Textile Design with New Creative Alliance

Published July 1, 2021

Adobe announced a creative alliance with Aquario Design and NedGraphics, two elements of the textiles portfolio of FOG Software Group, a division of Constellation Software. The alliance was announced by Adobe’s Mike Scrutton at the Smithers Digital Textile Printing conference underway in Arizona.

Looking Ahead with HP: HP’s GM Shares Insight and His Outlook for Production Inkjet Printing

Published June 30, 2021

Carles Farre, vice president and general manager, HP PageWide Press, talks about his background, current role, and views of the future of HP’s production inkjet business and the industry at large, including both commercial and corrugated applications.

EILEEN FISHER Renew Seeks to Extend Apparel Life Cycle

Published June 29, 2021

Cynthia Power, Director, EILEEN FISHER Renew, describes the various ways the brand is taking back, reselling, and upcycling garments as well as recycling efforts to reduce the amount of textile waste in landfills. She'll be discussing this as the upcoming Smithers Digital Printing for Textiles conference as well.

Reuse, Recycling, Upcycling: The Next Big Thing for Textiles

Published June 28, 2021

The pandemic has placed increased focus on supply chain issues in textiles and apparel, but a lot of this has been figuring out how to manufacture the same items more efficiently, especially Fast Fashion. But underneath it all, there is a burgeoning interest in better ways to extend the life of existing textile and apparel items—from reuse and recycling to upcycling. Will this be the next big thing for the industry, and how will it adapt?

New Yarn Production Process Designed to Minimize Shedding of Microfibers

Published June 28, 2021

Fernando Marin founded Clean Ocean Fiber Tech to develop a new way of making yarn that significantly reduces, or even eliminates, microfiber shedding, a huge environmental issue. Laboratory tests in Brazil reveal that the Clean Ocean Fiber Tech fabric shed only 4 microfibers during the test, while standard fabric shed over 7,000 with a similar sized sample.

The Promise of Pigment Inks

Published June 24, 2021

Dupont has been involved in production of inks for inkjet printing for more than 30 years. In this conversation, Eric Beyeler, Global Marketing Manager for Artistri® Digital Inks at DuPont, talks about their history, how their inks are distributed, and the promise of pigment inks for both commercial/packaging and textile printing. Beyeler will be speaking in more detail on this topic at the Smithers Digital Textile Printing US conference on June 30th.

Smithers Digital Textile Printing U.S. Adopts Hybrid Conference Model

Published June 21, 2021

As things start to return to normal, conference organizers are looking for creative ways to reengage with their audiences. In the case of Smithers Digital Textile Printing U.S. (and its sister conference, Digital Print for Packaging U.S.), they have chosen to adopt a hybrid virtual/in-person model for both presenters and attendees.

Home Decor to Take Center Stage at Smithers Digital Print For Textiles

Published June 21, 2021

Michelle Courtois is an experienced design professional with a passion for textiles, product development, and technology. While she started in apparel and has worked with many well-known brands, she is shifting her focus to home decor -- a booming opportunity as more people are choosing to continue to work from home and to spend more time and energy making their homes reflect their style and lifestyle. Michelle talks about the projects she will present at the conference and where she sees the home decor market going from here.

EFI Reggiani Announces New Products at ITMA Asia, Broadening Extensive Digital Textile Printing Line

Published June 14, 2021

In its first in-person trade show appearance since the pandemic began, EFI Reggiani displayed its dedication to ongoing innovation for textiles, even during this difficult time. Three new products were announced at ITMA Asia in Shanghai last Friday, as well as ink manufacturing capabilities in Asia and updates to the EFI Reggiani BOLT. Read the full story.

EFI Reggiani Adds Ease of Entry Printers, Localized Ink Manufacturing, to Portfolio at ITMA Asia 2021

Published June 14, 2021

Adele Genoni, EFI Vice President and General Manager at EFI Reggiani, joins Senior Editor Cary Sherburne to talk about the company's first in-person presence at a major trade event since the pandemic began. At ITMA Asia 2021, EFI Reggiani is launching two new ease of entry digital textile printers and teasing a third that will be launched later in the summer.

Affiliates Are Positioned to Support Local Printing Communities

Published June 10, 2021

Following PRINTING United Alliance’s acquisition of the Printing Industries of America (PIA), the 21 local Printing Industries of Americas Affiliates joined together to see how they could work together to continue to support their local print communities. Cary Sherburne spoke with members of Affiliate Operating and Education Committees about their plans for the future.

What Will the Post-Pandemic Textiles & Apparel Industry Look Like?

Published June 7, 2021

As we begin to see the end of the pandemic (we hope), we wonder what things will look like on the other end. WTIN recently conducted a very informative webinar that touches on this topic and more. Worth a view! This article contains a summary of key information provided.

Frank Romano and the Museum of Printing

Published June 2, 2021

Frank Romano, an industry icon who needs no introduction, spoke with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on the eve of his 80th birthday. He shared stories about how he got into the printing industry and some of his early career, talked about the Museum of Printing and a few of the unique items that are on display there, and provided sage insight and advice about the future of the industry.

First Place Winners of the AATCC Concept 2 Consumer Student Merchandising Competition Discuss their Project and their Futures

Published June 1, 2021

For the 2021 AATCC Concept 2 Consumer® Student Merchandising Competition, AATCC received nine entries, with 19 students participating from five colleges and universities. In this video, we interview Evietta Chapman and Keaton Springer, the first place winners with their Circular Edit project. They talk about why they are choosing careers in textiles & apparel, what their project consisted of, and what their plans are after graduation in June of 2021.

UBS Research Highlights Trends Fueling Fast Fashion Fires Threatening the Future of this Unsustainable Model

Published May 24, 2021

We recently suggested that the Fast Fashion trend should come to an end sooner rather than later, especially in today’s more sustainability-conscious environment and increased focus on solving climate change issues around the globe. In this article, we share insights from recent UBS and other research supporting this position and suggesting what happens if consumers cut back on fast fashion.

bluesign: Making Inroads on Increased Sustainability in Textiles & Apparel

Published May 24, 2021

With textiles & apparel being the second largest contributor to pollution, behind the petroleum industry, everything we can do to minimize that is important. In this discussion, Reinhard Umber of bluesign discusses the extensive process the company's partners must undergo to be able to use the prestigious bluesign logo and become a system partner.

SAI-TEX USA Brings Sustainable On-Demand Denim Apparel Manufacturing On Shore

Published May 17, 2021

With a goal to ultimately employ 300 people, and with some very unique and sustainable ways of washing, preparing, cutting and sewing denim products, SAI-TEX USA is not only playing a substantial role in reshoring of apparel manufacturing, but has also introduced benefits of on-demand production to this product category. SAI-TEX USA President Kathy Kweon explains.

Articles by Cary Sherburne