Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

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.

Are Smart Glasses Finally Hitting their Stride?

Published May 10, 2021

The pandemic has driven significant change into a number of aspects of our lives, many of which are likely to stick around long after we get through this difficult period. One technology that has seen an increase in adoption is Smart Glasses. We’ve got examples of how forward-thinking companies have leveraged this technology to keep revenues coming in despite pandemic restrictions.

Fiber is the New Computing Platform

Published May 10, 2021

We spoke with Sasha Stolyarov, CEO of AFFOA, about a year ago on the subject of fiber-based computing. Now, a year later, he has plenty of updates to share in this informative video interview. The future of fiber-based computing is here, and will only grow in functionality as AFFOA and others advance this exciting field for the textiles industry.

Kornit Boosts Quality, Durability, Flexibility for Digital Direct-to-Garment Printing

Published May 3, 2021

Kornit recently upped its direct-to-garment (DTG) game with announcement of the Kornit Atlas MAX printer, incorporating new technology that allows much more detail to be printed on garments than before. MAX technology is expected to be available for direct-to-fabric printing in the future.

The Nicole Saunders Story: A Passion for Graphic Arts

Published May 3, 2021

Recent RIT graduate Nicole Saunders has joined commercial printer Kirkwood and is currently working her way through various departments in the company under the mentorship of its managers. The goal is to determine where she feels she can deliver the most value and where her true passions lie. This is a great story that can encourage others to pursue a career in graphic communications.

Ziel Accelerates Growth of On-Demand Apparel Manufacturing

Published April 26, 2021

The best way to figure out how to deploy technology to accelerate adoption of emerging trends is to use it yourself in a real-life operation. That’s exactly what software and services company Ziel is doing. Learn how the company is leveraging its own on-demand apparel manufacturing platform to develop industry-changing solutions for those wishing to implement a sustainable, on-demand manufacturing model for their businesses.

New Entrants Bring New Ideas to On-Demand Manufacturing in Textiles

Published April 26, 2021

In this video, Marleen Vogelaar, who has a background in 2D and 3D printing, explains why she decided to enter the apparel industry with her company Ziel, and what the objectives and future plans of the company are, including stimulating on-demand manufacturing of apparel, and developing a software infrastructure that makes the process easier for manufacturers.

2021 Annual Print Shop Franchise Review

Published April 21, 2021

In WhatTheyThink/Printing News’ Annual Print Shop Franchise Review, Cary Sherburne takes a look at how the major print franchises fared in the past year, how they managed the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they plan to make up lost ground in 2021.

Robert Stabler Shares Latest News from Koenig & Bauer Durst

Published April 19, 2021

Cary Sherburne talks to Robert Stabler about the latest digital packaging product introductions from Koenig & Bauer Durst, as well as some of the changes the pandemic has brought to the press placement process.

Robert Stabler Talks about the Koenig & Bauer Durst Joint Venture and the New Products It Has Spawned

Published April 19, 2021

Back in 2019, Durst and Koenig & Bauer announced a joint venture to develop digital printing capabilities for the corrugated and folding carton markets. Fast forward two years, and the vision has become reality. Hear what Managing Director Robert Stabler has to say about the experience.

What Does Sustainability Mean in Print and Packaging?

Published April 12, 2021

Marci Kinter, Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs for PRINTING United Alliance, has significant knowledge and expertise on the various aspects of sustainability and what it means for a printing plant all the way out to the consumer and end of life of the printed product. In this interview, she offers insight into print, packaging and the circular economy.

PGSF: Helping Attract and Support New Talent for the Graphic Arts Industry

Published April 5, 2021

In this interview, Jules van Sant shares a Printing & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) update. Among the many industry-related hats she wears, she has taken on this volunteer leadership role to help get the word out on scholarships that are available to help or encourage students to consider a career in the broader graphic arts industry, from marketing and sales, to graphic design, to running a press and the myriad of other opportunities the industry offers.

Notable Developments in Sustainability for Textiles and Apparel

Published April 5, 2021

Sustainability is a hot topic in the textiles and apparel industry, as well it should be. Discussions have heated up even more as a result of the pandemic and the associated supply chain difficulties it has presented for the industry. Expect to see increased use of the terms recycling, upcycling, and even return of rentals as the industry works to adjust to a wide range of new realities. Lenzing Tencel is a good example of the type of environmental stewardship that is needed to make the industry more sustainable. Other examples are included in this article as well—and there are many more in the works or already in the market.

Affiliates and PRINTING United Alliance Part Ways, Affiliates Bullish About the Future

Published March 23, 2021

For the past two years or so, the former PIA Affiliates (now we are just calling them the Affiliates!) have been working behind the scenes to develop an infrastructure to help them better serve their local communities. This has taken the form of an Operating Committee and a number of sub-committees as well as a high spirit of collaboration among the individual Affiliates for the benefit of their members. In this video interview, several members of the Operating Committee share their views on a positive future for the industry.

Can We Put the Whole Fast Fashion Thing in the Rearview? Just Sayin’

Published March 22, 2021

Fast fashion became a thing around the turn of this century. It’s the process of churning out low-quality, you could even say disposable, clothing to take advantage of every passing fad and trend. But in this writer’s humble opinion, this has to stop! We are choking our oceans and landfills with junk clothes. Can we put more focus on quality and durability? Just sayin’.

Textiles, Sustainability, and Circularity: It's Not as Straightforward As You Might Think

Published March 22, 2021

Marci Kinter, Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs for PRINTING United Alliance, talks about the issue of sustainability and the circular economy as it affects the textile industry and the need to reexamine the supply chain to create a more environmentally conscious industry, especially in light of its fragility as exposed by the pandemic.

There's an Urgency to Fixing the Textiles & Apparel Supply Chain

Published March 16, 2021

John Thorbeck of ChaingeCapital.com has been working with Stanford University on a number of sustainability issues relative to the textiles and apparel supply chain. In this interview, he communicates a sense of urgency for brands to implement programs that reduce inventory risk, freeing capital for necessary changes in the supply chain. It's a fascinating don't-miss conversation!

Executive Q&A: Durst Expands Its Virtual Demo Capabilities

Published March 15, 2021

Cary Sherburne talks with Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst, and Christian Harder, Vice President of Sales, about the current state of their business, which segments were performing better than others, and how the company was helping customers to innovate, even during this pandemic, including holding virtual demonstrations, introducing new products, and more.

Durst Shares Optimistic View of the Future

Published March 15, 2021

In this interview with Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst, and Christian Harder, Vice President of Sales, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne discussed with them the current state of their business, which segments were performing better than others, and how the company was helping customers to innovate, even during this pandemic, including holding virtual demonstrations, introducing new products, and more. Gamper shared his view that we will come out of this stronger than ever, even though it may be later in the year before things completely turn around.

Cracks in the Crystal Ball: How the Pandemic Has Driven Change in the Printing Industry

Published March 8, 2021

There is no question that the pandemic had a deleterious—and immediate—impact on the printing industry and the economy as a whole. While both now look to be on the road to recovery, although slower than we ever could have anticipated, it’s interesting to look at how and when that might actually occur based on research largely conducted in the final quarter of 2020.

Phase 3 Marketing and Communications Leverages Organic Growth and Acquisitions to Diversify and Position itself for Growth

Published March 8, 2021

20 years ago, Ken Holsclaw and Max Nair founded Phase 3 Marketing and Communications as a digital printing company with eight employees. Today, the company has offices in five cities with 175 employees, offering marketing services from ideation to execution—including branding and public relations all the way to small and large format print, fabrication, installation and promo products. Their foresight and vision has enabled them to grow through two previous downturns, and the company is positioned well to return to pre-pandemic levels. It's a great success story in an industry that has been hard hit by the economic impact of the pandemic.

PIA Affiliates Speak Out About PRINTING United Alliance Relationship

Published March 4, 2021

Following the merger of PIA and SGIA to form PRINTING United Alliance, our understanding is the affiliates, for the most part, were supportive of the action. However, recently they were presented with a proposal from PRINTING United Alliance they felt took away one of the key values of the affiliate structure—the local presence and support their members depend on. In this WhatTheyThink exclusive story, Christine Hagopian of PINE, Tim Freeman of Printing Industries Alliance, and Lou Caron of PIA Southern California share their perspective on what this move means for the future of the affiliates.

PRINTING United Alliance CEO Discusses the Idealliance Acquisition

Published March 2, 2021

In addition to sharing his strategy for the overall PRINTING United Alliance organization, in this interview, CEO Ford Bowers talks about why the Idealliance acquisition was done and how Idealliance fits into the overall PRINTING United family, as well as some thoughts about where it will go in the future. He also addresses the organization's plans to hold the PRINTING United trade show and exhibition in Orlando in October.

GLS/NEXT Precision Marketing Rebrands As ENPOINTE

Published March 1, 2021

GLS/NEXT Precision Marketing recently announced a rebranding to ENPOINTE, a branding + marketing solutions company. The company, which has an in-house advertising agency as a result of an earlier acquisition, has had digital printing since 2003 and recently added a production inkjet press, along with its conventional printing resources, including heatset web. Founder and Chairman Gary Garner and Executive Vice President of Sales Todd Matuska, share their story in this video interview with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne.

Is the Apparel Industry in the Midst of a Systemic Change?

Published March 1, 2021

In a recent TexProcess/TechTextil webinar, panelists discussed what is happening with respect to the textiles and apparel supply chain, especially what has been accelerated by the pandemic. Has there been a sourcing shift? Is there a balance shift between Western and Asian sources? What key elements do brands and suppliers need to address to bring about needed systemic change? How many are even capable of driving systemic change? These were some of the questions and issues discussed in this very interesting session.

New Year, New Adventures: Marc Olin, Ken Garner and Michael Makin Make Their Exits…for Now

Published February 25, 2021

Cary Sherburne speaks with three printing industry veterans who have chosen to make a new beginning: Marc Olin, former COO at EFI; Michael Makin, former CEO of PIA and EVP at PRINTING United Alliance; and Ken Garner, former SVP for Content Creation at the Association for Print Technologies. As they start the new year with new adventures, we wanted to give them special recognition for all of their contributions and years of service to the industry.

Are Bio-Based Plastics the Answer to Increased Sustainability? The Jury Is Still Out…New Research Is Encouraging, but Consumer Behavior Also Has an Important Role to Play

Published February 22, 2021

A push toward a more sustainable textiles and apparel industry is underway, largely driven by consumer demand, and, to some extent, by brands who are working to restructure their supply chains post-pandemic. Key considerations include not only the adoption of more digital technologies, about which we have written extensively, but also the further development of fabrics created from bio-based materials, and a significant change in consumer behavior with respect to their wardrobes. Learn more about the pros and cons of bio-based materials, some of the emerging developments, and behavior changes that can reduce your personal textiles-based environmental impact.

Textiles Expert Lewis Shuler Talks About the Analog-to-Digital Transformation Underway in Textiles and Apparel

Published February 22, 2021

Lewis Shuler has worked at several well-known apparel brands and also spent 10 years working in China. He has tremendous insight to share about the current state of the industry and what it will take to accelerate both the analog-to-digital transformation and re-shoring of manufacturing. He also shares his thoughts on emerging technologies such as solid color spray dyeing.

Runway Kit: Making Manufacturing Easy for Designers and Entrepreneurs

Published February 15, 2021

Runway Kit, a subsidiary of Sri Lanka-based MAS Holdings, was established in mid-2019 with the goal of providing professional manufacturing support to designers and entrepreneurs. Either starting from basic provided designs or from the ground up with a custom design, Runway Kit works with designers to create professional quality tech packs to enable manufacturing with them or with another manufacturer, with minimum order quantities as low as 100. Nethmi Wickramasuriya, Digital Launch Entrepreneur, explains.

Trade Shop National Print Wholesale Sees Positive Future Outlook

Published February 8, 2021

A relatively new company, founded in Atlanta in 2016, National Print Wholesale, gained about 30% of its business from trade shows and exhibits prior to the pandemic. In this interview, Whit Copley explains how the company has pivoted to deliver new applications and find new customers during the pandemic and shares his positive outlook for 2021.

Virtual Events: The Pros and Cons

Published February 1, 2021

2020 and a good part of 2021 will be seen as the time of virtual events. It was either that or put everything on hold, which clearly was not an option. There was great hope that we would be back to in-person events by spring of 2021, but one by one, scheduled events such as drupa and Interpack, FESPA, TechTextil/TexProcess, and more were either cancelled, converted to virtual events, or postponed until late summer or fall. We spoke to a number of folks—organizers, sponsors and attendees—to get their views about the value of these events. We also included some virtual event questions in a broader survey.

Exclusive: Key Highcon Executives Share Updates and Vision of the Future

Published January 25, 2021

In this video interview, Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO, and Simon Lewis, VP Marketing, of Highcon, along with their newest addition, Alon Bar-Shany as Chairman, discuss the current state of Highcon following its very successful IPO, the target customer base, some of the changes driven by the pandemic, and their vision of the future in a dynamic, interactive discussion. Following this interview, Highcon and EFI announced a global partnership benefiting their common core of customers with ERP integration; Highcon also has a similar partnership with HP Indigo—and a common core of customers—where integration of print and finishing has offered many benefits.

Does Poshmark’s Overperforming Portend a Shift for the Apparel Industry?

Published January 18, 2021

Poshmark (ticker: POSH) shares entered the public market last week, with shares soaring nearly 142%, opening at $97.50 and hitting a high of $104.98, with a Thursday close at $101.50, making it up 141.7%. This kind of feels like the 90s dot-com boom. Will it lead to a bust? The Poshmark CEO thinks not.

Security Printing: A Tricky Business

Published January 18, 2021

Jim Fleet, CEO of Ashton Potter, talks about how security printing differs from other types of printing in this interview by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne. Using flexo, offset, and intaglio, plus serialization and track-and-trace technologies, Ashton Potter delivers a unique service.

COVID-19 and the Shift in Packaging Requirements

Published January 5, 2021

Mike Scrutton, Adobe's Director of Print Technologies and Strategy, shares his thoughts on changes in packaging, for both brands and converters, as a result of the increased use of ecommerce due to the pandemic, conditions he believes will continue to prevail post-pandemic.

Will the Humble Silkworm Soon Be Out of a Job?

Published January 4, 2021

If you are interested in textiles and how they are woven through human history (pun intended), The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World is a well-written and very informative history of how fabrics have been part of human history from the beginning. In this article, we take a look at silk—not it’s history so much, but at where it might go from here.

Domanda Lets Consumers Apply Professional Designs to Almost Anything

Published January 4, 2021

Kristen Dettoni founded Design Pool as a way to make her textile designs available to other designers and developed a network of printers who can execute those designs. More recently, she founded Domanda, an online store that enables consumers to use professional designs on a wide range of home goods. She talks about why she started these businesses, what she has been able to achieve, and how the pandemic has affected the demand for these types of services, especially in home and commercial decor.

Adobe's Mike Scrutton Discusses Print Redefined

Published December 17, 2020

Ever since Gutenberg, print and its uses have continued to evolve. That's true today as well, and that evolution has likely been accelerated by the pandemic. Hear what Adobe's Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Technology and Strategy, has to say about where we are with print today, where it's going, and how printing companies can take advantage of new opportunities offered by this continuing evolution.

Mimaki's Mike Maxwell Shares Update on Mimaki Solutions for Signs/Display Graphics

Published December 17, 2020

Mimaki offers a broad portfolio of solutions for the sign and display graphics market. Mike Maxwell, Senior Manager–Corporate Strategic Development at Mimaki U.S., provides a look at the range of applications customers are producing, including how customers can incorporate 3D printing into the sign and display graphics businesses.

AATCC Update and Industry Outlook: Q&A with Executive Vice President Diana Wyman

Published December 16, 2020

Cary Sherburne talks to Diana Wyman, Executive Vice President at the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), about the state of the association, the occasion of its 100-year anniversary, and its upcoming plans.

Marc Olin on Life After EFI

Published December 15, 2020

Marc Olin co-founded ProGraph in 1989 right out of college and has stayed with the same company through its many iterations since, through formation of PrintCafe and acquisition by EFI. Effective December 1, 2020, Olin has left EFI to explore his next chapter. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Olin to revisit history and get a look toward the future for this industry veteran who has contributed much to the industry over the years.

Textiles in 2020: A Year Like No Other

Published December 15, 2020

The COVID crisis laid bare the weaknesses and fragility of the textiles supply chain, and brought to the fore a renewed interest in and need for digital textile production and more environmentally sustainable practices. Cary Sherburne takes a look back at the year in textiles.

Brother's Rick Frye Talks Sewing Automation

Published December 15, 2020

Sewing is often referred to as the "last mile" in the manufacture of sewn goods in terms of an overall automated workflow. Huge progress has been made in the level of automation, and an operator can be quickly trained to execute sewing of some types of items. But the fine work of sewing apparel is still out of reach. Rick Frye shares his thoughts about the current state of sewing automation, and describes Brother's new Bridge sewing technology.

Shutterfly and HP Discuss Recent Landmark Agreement for Indigo Digital Press Rollout

Published December 15, 2020

Cary Sherburne speaks with Dwayne Black, COO of Shutterfly, and Haim Levit, General Manager, HP Indigo. Shutterfly, the US-based online personalized products and photo leader, last month signed a landmark agreement with HP Indigo for more than 60 new HP Indigo digital presses, as it expands its capabilities to supply the growing demand for printing photo memories.

AATCC/PRINTING United Alliance Host Successful Digital Textile Printing Conference

Published December 14, 2020

As was the case with so many events this year, the Digital Textile Printing Conference, hosted by AATCC and the PRINTING United Alliance, was held virtually over two days. The inability to meet in person didn’t stop these organizations, their speakers, and attendees from spending quality time reviewing the latest trends and looking ahead to 2021 and beyond.

Michael Makin Looks Back and Ahead

Published December 14, 2020

In this discussion, Michael Makin talks about his experience in the SGIA/PIA merger that created PRINTING United Alliance, the benefits for PIA Affiliates, and the industry of the merger and his view of the future of the industry.

Mimaki Brings Digital Textile Printing Versatility to North America with Hybrid Fabric Printer

Published December 10, 2020

Victoria Harris, Textile Specialist at Mimaki USA, discusses the Mimaki TX300P-1800 MKII hybrid printer, which easily switches between pigment ink printing for direct to fabric and dye-sublimation inks for printing on heat-transfer paper, as well as other digital textile printing solutions from Mimaki.

EFI Reggiani BOLT Wins an InterTech Award

Published December 10, 2020

Adele Genoni, General Manager of EFI Reggiani, talks to Cary Sherburne about EFI Reggiani’s BOLT being awarded an InterTech Award—the first textile product to win an InterTech Award.

APTech and Innovatis Group Join Forces to Better Serve the Industry

Published December 9, 2020

Thayer Long, President of the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech), and Eric Hawkinson, Senior Vice President at Innovatis Group, explain APTech's partnership with Innovatis Group to enable the association to broaden its offerings and increase its value to its members and to the industry.

Executive Q&A with EFI: Chief Revenue Officer Frank Mallozzi Shares the Latest Updates

Published December 8, 2020

Cary Sherburne talks to EFI’s Frank Mallozzi about the launch of the second-generation Nozomi digital corrugated press, its trade event plans, and winning an InterTech Award for the EFI Reggiani BOLT digital textile printer.

How Much Sewing Automation is Enough?

Published December 7, 2020

Manufacturing automation in textiles and apparel is moving ahead apace, accelerated by advances in digital technology. But the remaining “last mile,” sewing, continues to be a barrier to reshoring of apparel manufacturing on a large scale. This article explores some of the efforts underway to automate sewing and what impact that could have on the future of apparel manufacturing in North America and Europe.

Articles by Cary Sherburne