Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Digital Innovation Key to Business Growth, Says Ron Sizemore of Influence Graphics

Published August 1, 2017

Ron Sizemore, Partner at NYC-based Influence Graphics, describes his digital-only shop and a variety of wide format inkjet technologies. He describes the value of community events like Dscoop as a venue for innovation and inspiration that has helped him keep his company on a growth path.

Digital Embellishment Still a Hot Topic: JetFX to bring offline sheetfed solution to Print 2017

Published July 25, 2017

Digital embellishment was a hot topic at drupa 2016, and more companies are entering the fray. We came across JetFX at an event earlier this year and were intrigued by their approach. Read more about JetFX approach to foiling, spot varnishing, embossing, and high end digital holograms.

Print and Marketing: An Awesome Relationship

Published July 18, 2017

Cece Smith, President of Toolbox Studios, worked for P&G for many years and brought her marketing expertise to SmithPrint. Now with her branding and marketing business operating as a sister company to SmithPrint, the two exploit the symbiotic relationship the two businesses offer to their respective clients. Smith cites her attendance at Dscoop as a key turning point for realizing how the two could be blended. She provides invaluable insight on how to create programs where print is not commoditized.

SmithPrint and Toolbox Studios: A Perfect Match

Published July 11, 2017

Ryan Smith, Vice President of Business Development at San Antonio based SmithPrint, talks about the company's unique relationship with its sister company, Toolbox Studios. The symbiotic relationship helps SmithPrint deliver cross-media services and variable data printing using its HP Indigo 7900 , HP Scitex FB 700 and its Heidelberg offset presses. Toolbox Studios also benefits from the ability to offer printing services along with her branding and marketing services.

How do the Danaher companies help streamline the packaging supply chain?

Published July 10, 2017

Joakim Weidemanis, Vice President at Danaher, talks about the Danaher family of companies that play in the packaging supply chain, how they work together, the challenges they address, and where the company might go for future acquisitions.

The New Xerox: What It Means for Software Strategy

Published July 4, 2017

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne recently spoke with Xerox executive Jacob Aizikowitz about his new role as head of the new Xerox Software Products Group to learn more about how the new Xerox is bringing together its diverse software development efforts.

How does a Ph.D. Petroleum Engineer become a printer?

Published June 27, 2017

Fadal Iskander, VP of TPSi in Tulsa OK, reports his company has been offering digital printing since 1978. Today, the company has a robust portfolio of HP Indigo and wide format presses it uses to produce a variety of applications, from transactional printing to wedding invitations. Despite his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering, Iskander has dedicated his career over the last 40 years to printing!

Sappi 2020Vision: One Paper Company’s Aggressive Plan for the Future

Published June 27, 2017

What’s the future of the paper business? One company has a bright vision of its future and is making the requisite changes to get there. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Mark Odgers, Director, Packaging Grades at Sappi North America, to get more details.

HD Flexo Wins Awards, Customer Approval, for ProAmpac

Published June 26, 2017

Joe Lydic, Art Director at packaging converter ProAmpac, talks about how Esko HD Flexo has benefited the company in its analog to digital platemaking transformation. Its first commercial job earned the company a Print & Packaging award. ProAmpac was the first printer in the Western Hemisphere to be HD Flexo certified. He also talks about how Esko workflow helps the company be more efficient.

Former Xeikon CEO Wim Maes Lands at Summa NV.

Published June 23, 2017

People seem to move around a lot in our industry, and sometimes it is hard to keep track. In this edition of “Where Are They Now?” we share Wim Maes’ thoughts on his new gig at Summa NV.

O'Neil Printing: Staying at the Top of its Game with Investments in Digital Printing and Wide Format

Published June 20, 2017

Anthony Narducci, President of O'Neil Printing in Phoenix, explains that the company has been operating in Downtown Phoenix for more than a century. But being a century-old company certainly doesn't mean they are old and stodgy! Narducci talks about its recent digital and wide format acquisitions and how they help O'Neil stay at the top of its game.

Automation in Sign & Display Graphics Business at PSP Retail

Published June 19, 2017

Ronald A. Whitfield, Automation Systems Manager at PSP Retail, a sign & display graphics provider, has taken a 4-person prepress department that was an operational bottleneck to a one-person department that is no longer a bottleneck and processes even more work. Find out how.

Mailers Weigh in on USPS

Published June 14, 2017

How is the United States Postal Service perceived by key members of the mailing supply chain? A recent Idealliance study lays it all out, the good, the bad and the ugly. While there is certainly room for improvement, and it is unclear what the USPS response to this study will be, be sure to read to the end for a view of what mail and communications would be like if the USPS wasn’t functioning as well as it is!

Esko Hosts 26th EskoWorld with record-breaking attendance, new product announcements

Published June 13, 2017

Udo Panenka, President of Esko, shares news about the 26th EskoWorld. 2017's event, the largest ever, attracted 500 customers, which included 100 brand owners from 40 companies. The event was the launching pad for three major announcements: Esko Platform for Brands, a new browser-based interface for Automation Engine and pre-configured automated workflows for label production, and expanded 3D rendering capabilities

EskoWorld: A Unique Experience

Published June 13, 2017

Last month, I attended EskoWorld for the first time. This was the 26th EskoWorld, so I am a little slow on the uptake. But the event was well worth attending and had quite a different feel from other user groups I have attended.

DME's Mike Panaggio: No Excuses Are Allowed In Our Business

Published June 13, 2017

Mike Panaggio, CEO of Daytona Beach based DME, tells Senior Editor Cary Sherburne, "We never want to have to apologize to a customer; no excuses are allowed in our business!" He also shares advice for his peers.

Heidelberg OmniFire: Printing Direct to Object

Published June 5, 2017

Dan Mauer, Vice President of Digital at Heidelberg, represented the company at the recent InPrint USA show, where the company's OmniFire direct-to-object printer. It capitalizes on the emerging demand for personalization in the industrial printing market with the ability to print in high quality on spherical, cylindrical or other objects.

Hederman Brothers' Digital Strategy

Published May 29, 2017

Terri Mascagni is Senior Account Executive at Hederman Brothers, which has been in business since 1898, is a family owned commercial printer located in Mississippi. The company recently acquired an HP Indigo 12000 to bolster its digital capabilities. She talks about the many changes the company has recently gone through to maintain its competitive position.

New Xeikon President Benoit Chatelard Shares Vision for the Future

Published May 25, 2017

In late March, Xeikon announced that Benoit Chatelard, at the time the Vice President, Production Printing, for Ricoh Europe, would be joining the company as President & CEO Digital Solutions, Flint Group, Xeikon’s parent company. Chatelard began his new role May 8th, and speaks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about his vision for Xeikon.

Direct-to-Object Printing: Do Converters Need to Redefine their Role?

Published May 22, 2017

Joe Morgan, formerly CEO of Standard Register and now Founder and CEO of Be Safe. Be Inspired. Be YOU. shares his insights on the InPrint USA show and the opportunities he sees for printing businesses in functional printing applications, particularly for packaging. He sees this as changing the role for the converter and requires businesses to redefine the role they will play in the future.

Omni-Channel Communications: Secrets of Success

Published May 16, 2017

Marketers’ love affair with a digital-only strategy has begun to wane, and while they are continuing to invest in digital channels, print is regaining ground as an important part of the overall media mix. This opens the door to a more active role for print service providers in moving upstream and becoming engaged with helping marketers develop and execute an effective omni-channel strategy that aligns with the way consumers want to interact with brands. We spoke with some experts to learn their secrets of success.

Where Are They Now: Joe Morgan, former CEO of Standard Register

Published May 10, 2017

We recently caught up with Joe Morgan, formerly CEO of Standard Register, to find out what he is up to these days. Now Founder and CEO of Be Safe. Be Inspired. Be YOU, Joe is translating his 20+ years of experience as a CEO into a consulting business that helps companies improve leadership and transform corporate culture to better meet the market needs of today.

Moving Industrial Applications to Digital Technologies

Published May 9, 2017

Jim Lambert, Vice President and General Manager of INX Digital, talks about the company's role in industrial digital printing. The goal is to be the company that helps its customers make the transition into digital in the industrial world. This includes the continued move from screen and pad printing to digital technologies. He explains how non-contact printing direct to objects is enabling new applications, showing real-world examples.

Electron Beam Curing versus UV Curing: What's the Difference?

Published May 9, 2017

Karl Swanson, Vice President of Global Sales for ebeam Technologies, explains the company's electron beam curing technologies, discussing the benefit of electron beam versus UV curing, especially where ink migration is a concern.

What's on Tap for Dscoop Americas

Published May 8, 2017

Ken Mead, the new Dscoop Regional Director for the Americas for Dscoop, shares a little about his background and why he decided to take on the Dscoop role. He also talks about the future of Dscoop and where he sees it going under new management, including more local events, brand owner focus and 24/7/365 member support and resources.

NPES, PIA and Idealliance: The Strategy Moving Forward

Published May 4, 2017

Last month, NPES announced it was taking on sole ownership of the Print/Graph Expo show franchise in order to give it the flexibility to make necessary major changes to the show. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with both Printing Industries of America and Idealliance to get their take and to better understand what their involvement would be moving forward.

Global/Local Marketing with Location-Based Marketing

Published May 4, 2017

Gerhard Martterer of Eversfrank Gruppe shares the company's success with location-based marketing using LOCR maps, enabling global/local advertising. Hear how his company has implemented this for magazines with circulation as high as 600,000 using digitally printed wrappers.

Spectrum Printing Weighs in on Idealliance’s G7 Master Facility Qualification Process

Published May 2, 2017

Tucson-based Spectrum Printing recently underwent the Idealliance G7 Master Facility Qualification process by leveraging G7 Expert, Jeff Collins, National Color Solutions Manager for Konica Minolta. We checked into learn more about the process and the early results. We’ll touch base again in about a month to find out what longer term benefits the company has achieved.

What Do Esko's Pre-Configured Workflows for Labels Mean for Smaller Label Converters?

Published May 2, 2017

Jan De Roeck, Director of Solutions Management at Esko, explains Esko's recently announced pre-configured workflows for label production. Leveraging its dozens of years of setting up workflows, the company has turned its expertise to helping label converters address workflow automation with an out-of-the-box solution that can be up and running in 3 days.

Frazer Chesterman on the Developing US Industrial Printing Market

Published May 2, 2017

Cary Sherburne talks to Frazer Chesterman of Mackbrooks talks about bringing the InPrint show to the USA and the developing industrial printing market in the United States.

The State of Digital Printing in Europe

Published May 1, 2017

Ralf Schlözer, Director of On Demand Printing and Publishing for InfoTrends, shares insights into the state of printing in Europe. Overall the industry is flat in Europe, but there is quite a bit of uptake for production inkjet and interest in automation. He talks about the differences between Europe and North America in this regard.

Esko Presents Flexo Innovation

Published April 25, 2017

On a recent visit to Belgium, I attended a Esko press briefing scheduled in conjunction with the company’s Flexo Innovation Day customer event.

Update on HP's JetFusion 3D Printing Solution from Steve Nigro

Published April 25, 2017

Steve Nigro, President of HP's 3D business, provides an update on HP's JetFusion 3D printing solution, which is now commercially available. After a period of hype, Nigro believes 3D printing is "frothing" again ... and talks about how 3D printing can fit into a graphic arts business, and what new skills are required. He also predicts what market growth will look like.

NPES “Bold New Direction” for 2020 and New Ownership for Print/Graph Expo

Published April 20, 2017

NPES has unveiled what it characterizes as a “bold new direction” with its 2020 Strategic Plan. The organization has been evaluating its performance and considering where it wants to be as an organization by 2020 – and what value it can and will bring to the printing industry. NPES has assumed full ownership of the PRINT and GRAPH EXPO tradeshows.

Xeikon Café and the Xeikon Panther Strategy

Published April 18, 2017

Xeikon Café marked some significant Xeikon announcements, including the company’s entry into the production inkjet business and a leadership transition. The event, held at Xeikon headquarters in Belgium, drew more than 800 unique international visitors and was supported by about 40 partners.

Esko's President Shares Thoughts on Being Part of the Danaher Family

Published April 18, 2017

Udo Panenka, President of Esko, talks about being part of Danaher, the value to the business being part of the Danaher family brings. A toolbox of proven great processes has been key to continuing -- and even speeding up -- the innovation that has enabled Esko to continue to bring new products to market. He talks also about the ability to bring these tools to customers to strengthen relationships and help them improve their businesses as well.

Eversfrank Gruppe Promotes Real-Time Printing

Published April 17, 2017

It was a pleasure to speak again with Gerhard Martterer of the Eversfrank Gruppe again at Hunkeler Innovationdays. He always has interesting applications to talk about, and this conversation is no exception. Take a look at the great success the company is having on behalf of its customers with real-time printing.

One Canon Event Shares Good News, Surprises

Published April 14, 2017

Canon didn’t disappoint with its One Canon event in Boca Raton last month. About 40 journalists and analysts gathered to hear the latest news and engage with Canon customers. It’s always a pleasure to hear from Joe Adachi, Canon USA Chairman and CEO, who kicked off the event with a broad corporate overview. And a surprise product launch occurred during the event as well.

What Do the Navy’s Blue Angels Have to Do with Print?

Published April 13, 2017

I grew up in the shadow of Navy base Moffett Field in Mountain View CA, and later lived near Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth NH, and had the opportunity to see many Blue Angels shows and practice sessions. So it was quite an experience to hear from John Foley, a retired U.S. Navy Commander who led the vaunted Blue Angels, a keynote speaker at Dscoop.

Beyond the Box: Thinking Beyond Equipment to an End-to-End Workflow

Published April 12, 2017

Jan De Roeck, Director of Solutions Management for Esko, talks about the importance of rooting out waste in every step of the business and production workflow to make sure equipment has a higher effectiveness rate. Esko published a white paper in partnership with InfoTrends and the International Signs Association on the topic.

Trends in Corrugated

Published April 11, 2017

Pat McGrew, Director of Production Workflow at InfoTrends, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about trends in the corrugated market. The desire to create shorter run corrugated packaging is getting more popular and she explains how new digital technologies and workflows will facilitate that in a profitable manner while opening new opportunities for marketers.

Production Inkjet: Why Should You Care?

Published April 5, 2017

Paul Gardner of Time Starvd works with clients to help them build their production inkjet businesses. He shares his insights into why businesses should seriously consider getting into inkjet, taking digital printing to scale but opening new opportunities by removing constraints of traditional technology.

Printing Firm LaGwana Finds Value in 3D Printing

Published April 4, 2017

Dan Byler, President of LaGwana, a printing firm in Indiana, acquired a 3D printer to explore its possibilities and it's been worth the investment! The company modeled its new building, which led to new business in the Architectural arena; was able to print a repair part for a digital press; and is selling furniture models to Amish furniture builders! Hear the whole story.

Workflow and Automation in Book Manufacturing

Published April 3, 2017

Rick Lindemann, President of Total Printing Systems, a short-run digital book manufacturer located in Newton IL, describes the workflow the company has implemented for book manufacturing, as well as his thoughts about the new technologies and solutions he saw for book manufacturing at Hunkeler Innovationdays, and these how technology investments can pay for themselves.

Esko Receives Prestigious RedDot Design Award for Product Design

Published April 3, 2017

Esko's CDI Crystal 5080 XPS flexo platemaking solution was in good company when it was awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design. Previous award winners have included HP, Polycom, Bosch, and others. Esko President Udo Panenka talks with Cary Sherburne about the award, which was entered into the competition by Esko's German desig agency, Designship.

RPIprint Achieves Near-Touchless Order-to-Delivery Process with Workflow Automation

Published March 29, 2017

Bryan Constable, Director of Engineering for Seattle-based RPIprint, explains the company's workflow automation strategy, incorporating RPI and partner manufacturing into a seamless, almost completely touchless, order-to-delivery process with a homegrown Order entry/workflow/MIS solution. He also talks about the future of the company's homegrown solution.

Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things: Why Printers and Packaging Converters Should Take Notice

Published March 28, 2017

On a recent visit to Switzerland, I had the opportunity to spend time with Antoine Preisig, General Manager EMEA for X-Rite Pantone. Preisig joined X-Rite a year ago with a diverse background in the dental, IT and consumer electronics industries. He shared his thoughts on how Industry 4.0 is changing the world – and our industry.

The Future Of Customer Communications In The Financial Services Industry

Published March 22, 2017

Matt Swain, Senior Director at InfoTrends, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the latest trends in customer communications, some of which is driven by financial technology that is enabling more voice-driven communications. Consumers have increasingly demanding expectations about how they interact with financial services providers, including optimized print communications.

Print: The Strongest Component of an Omnichannel Campaign

Published March 20, 2017

Charyl Kahanec, President of Marketing Solutions at EarthColor, always has interesting insights to share, and this video is no exception. She talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the role of print in today's marketing mix. She points out that marketing is not just one channel, but rather the overall conversation with the customer; and print is the strongest component of that conversation. Hear more.

View the latest production inkjet news from Screen

Published March 20, 2017

Aron Allenson, Sales Support Specialist for High Speed Inkjet at Screen, talks about how new SC inks from Screen allow inkjet printing to commodity offset stocks without pretreatment. The ink is used in the Truepress JET 520 HD. He also explains the next generation of Truepress JET presses, the Truepress JET 520 NX, just released.

The Future of Book Manufacturing:Integration and Automation

Published March 20, 2017

Automation is playing a growing role in book manufacturing, as evidenced by the sophisticated solutions on show at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2017

The Changing Face of Web to Print

Published March 14, 2017

It’s been more than two decades since the first flurry of web-to-print solutions hit the market in the midst of the 1990’s dot-com boom, and these solutions have continued to evolve. Today, the next generation of web-to-print solutions are gaining steam as pure-play cloud-based solutions that provide the Uber- or Amazon-like experience consumers expect today. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne delves into experiences of forward-looking firms who have adopted these next-generation solutions.

Bringing Finishing into the Fold at Canon Solutions America

Published March 14, 2017

Michael Poulin, Director of Product Marketing at Canon Solutions America, share's his thoughts about Canon's finishing partner strategy. The goal is to provide an integrated and automated end-to-end solution for applications in the graphic arts industry, such as book printing, Book of One, and more. He also talks about the mix of inline versus near-line finishing he has observed in the field.

Grant Miller Shares Insight on Pitney Bowes Innovation for the Mailing Industry

Published March 14, 2017

Grant Miller, Chief Operating Officer, Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies, explains the advances in the company's Epic inserting solution for high-speed letter processing as well as flexible processing of flats since its introduction at Hunkeler Innovationdays in 2015. This includes full automation, booklet making and more. He also discusses the advances in the Clarity Intelligent Mailing Solution and the company's partnership with HP, Inc.

Production Inkjet: How Do We Work The Economics?

Published March 13, 2017

Cheryl Kahanec, President of Marketing Solutions at EarthColor, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the progress that has been made in production inkjet technology since the first "inkjet drupa" in 2008, calling drupa 2016 the inkjet drupa on steroids. The challenge now is working the economics -- balancing toner, inkjet and offset.

Why a Fully-Implemented MIS Is Important to the Success of Your Company

Published March 8, 2017

Jim Tomblinson has done a great job at Modern Litho as VP of Operations as the company has moved to automate operations and make the customer experience exceptional. An effective MIS system is key to their efforts -- and yours. Hear what Jim has to say about the importance of fully implementing your MIS.

The Value of a Continuous Improvement Culture

Published March 8, 2017

Todd Roth, Vice President at Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions in Minneapolis, talks about the importance of driving a continuous improvement culture, and provides implementation guidance for organizations interested in lean manufacturing, safety, quality and more.

Ricoh's Benoit Chatelard Explains New Ricoh Customer Business Development Initiative

Published March 7, 2017

Benoit Chatelard, Vice President, Production Printing, Ricoh Europe, talks about the Business Innovation Principle: Co-Creating the Future, a Ricoh initiative to help customers develop their businesses. It engages the entire Ricoh community, from research to the sales team that work with the customer in a comprehensive manner for business innovation.

Meet Keith Wilmot, the new Dscoop CEO

Published March 6, 2017

Keith Wilmot, new CEO of Dscoop, shares his background, his reasons for joining Dscoop, and his vision for the organization moving forward. He has experience as a brand owner and a producer of large events, skills that will help him take Dscoop to the next level with the vision of Innovating Print Together, including more engagement with the design and brand owner community.

Implications of EFI's Acquisition of the Xerox FreeFlow DFE

Published March 3, 2017

Toby Weiss, General Manager of EFI's Fiery Business, joins Senior Editor Cary Sherburne to discuss the recent acquisition by EFI of the Xerox Freeflow digital front end. He talks about the benefits to customers, EFI and Xerox, including improved efficiencies for all parties. He shares EFI strategies for the future in this area.

Update on Xerox Production Inkjet Portfolio and Strategy

Published March 3, 2017

Andrew Copley, President of Graphic Communications Solutions at the new Xerox, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the company's exhibit at Hunkeler Innovationdays, the first show for Xerox where everything is production inkjet. The company was displaying roll-to-sheet, roll-to-roll and sheetfed solutions along with new inks.

Automation on Display: a Key Hunkeler Innovationdays Takeaway

Published March 1, 2017

Jack Glacken, President of TGI in Philadelphia, talked about his first visit to Hunkeler Innovationdays, saying his business today is all about automation and Hunkeler, Horizon and Standard Finishing have that covered. He learned a lot, was impressed with what he saw, and would like to return in 2019.

"Last Frontier" for Automation Addressed at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Published February 28, 2017

Mark Hunt, Director of Strategic Alliances at Standard Finishing, shares his thoughts with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne on the increased automation trends and innovations on show at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2017. He characterizes the bindery as the "Last Frontier" for automation and is optimistic about today's solutions being able to stand up to the challenge and help customers be more productive and profitable.

A first-time visitor to Hunkeler Innovationdays shares insights on the event

Published February 28, 2017

Bryan Constable, Director of Engineering at RPI Print, shares his thoughts about his first visit to Hunkeler Innovationdays, citing the beautiful surroundings and the more intimate environment than most other industry events. He also appreciated seeing the integrator of both Hunkeler and Horizon products in the same production line, as well as Hunkeler integration with Muller Martini.

InPrint Industrial Printing Show Coming to Orlando in 2017

Published February 27, 2017

Frazer Chesterman, co-founder of the Show, explains why graphic arts professionals can benefit from attending. With the growing number of solutions and applications in the industrial print arena making their way into the graphic arts domain, including packaging and wide format, the show offers a learning and networking opportunity that should not be missed.

Kodak's Philip Cullimore Provides an Update on Kodak's Production Inkjet Strategies

Published February 27, 2017

Philip Cullimore, President of Kodak's Enterprise Inkjet Systems Division, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the company's history in and strategies for production inkjet. He points out that the majority of pages printed on Kodak production inkjet presses are offset transfer, speaking to the quality and speed of the output. He highlights successes in packaging and provides an update on Ultrastream technology.

Ricoh's Production Inkjet Strategy and Expanded Product Portfolio

Published February 24, 2017

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne interviews Mike Herold, VP of Marketing at Ricoh about the company's production inkjet strategy and product portfolio. Ricoh recently announced the Pro VC40000. This new inkjet platform is designed for mid-volume high quality transactional and direct mail applications.

Hunkeler and Horizon Partner for Automated Book Binding

Published February 23, 2017

Yoshihiro Oe, General Manager for Export at Horizon International, highlights the company's smart book binding systems being shown in partnership with Hunkeler at Hunkeler Innovationdays for complete inline automation book binding down to a book of one at up to 800 books per hour. He emphasizes the importance of Hunkeler Innovationdays in driving deeper customer relationships.

Hunkeler Strategies Feature Partnerships for End-to-End Automation

Published February 23, 2017

As a successful Hunkeler Innovationdays 2017 wraps up, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne speaks with Hunkeler CEO Michel Hunkeler about the company's strategies for the future. Key to the future is Hunkeler's partnerships with printing and finishing vendors to leverage respective strengths for the benefit of their mutual customers.

Increased Multi-Vendor Integration Featured at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2017

Published February 22, 2017

Daniel Erni, Sales Director at Hunkeler, speaks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the new products the company has on display at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2017. He highlights the increased integration among Hunkeler, Horizon and Muller Martini for better end-to-end finishing productivity.

Hunkeler Innovationdays: Off to a Great Start

Published February 21, 2017

Senior Editor Cary Sherburne and Technology Editor David Zwang discuss highlights of Hunkeler Innovationdays, where a number of new products were announced. Attendance at the show is expected to be about 6,000 people over four days in beautiful Lucerne, Switzerland.

12th Hunkeler Innovationdays Kicks Off with New Product Announcements

Published February 20, 2017

For a quarter of a century, Hunkeler Innovationdays has been a preferred venue for new product announcements, and 2017 is no exception. Hear what Hunkeler President and Innovationdays Project Director Stefan Hunkeler has to say about what to expect at this year's event, which is expected to draw nearly 7,000 visitors.

Clemson University: Contributing to the Printing Industry Talent Pool

Published February 15, 2017

Dr. Erica Walker, Lecturer in the Graphic Communications Department at Clemson University, talks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the university's program and its contribution to attracting new talent to the printing industry. She emphasizes the importance of stressing print as an important element of multi-channel communications.

A Game-Changer for eCommerce Packaging

Published February 14, 2017

In looking at some of the changing paradigms made possible through new packaging technologies, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne takes a look at one that is emblematic of those changes. Those large boxes with lots of filler that you get when ordering products online are about to get smaller, if CMC Machinery has anything to say about it.

Why Worry about Optical Brightening Agents and Their Impact on Color?

Published February 14, 2017

Son Do, Chief Technology Officer at Rods and Cones, a color management and workflow consulting firm, talks about the impact of optical brightening agents (OBAs) on color management and how to compensate for them. He explains how new standards for viewing conditions help ensure colors are in sync across a variety of lighting conditions. He also talks about the importance of having the right controlled lighting conditions and color measurement instruments.

Are you up to date on the latest M-Series and Viewing Standards?

Published February 14, 2017

Ray Cheydleur, X-Rite's Printing & Imaging Portfolio Manager and Chairman of CGATS, provides an update on the most recent changes in the M-Series and viewing standards, and how they interact in terms of accurately and consistently measuring color, especially when optical brighteners are involved.

Are Printers Investing in Professional Services?

Published February 13, 2017

Pat McGrew, Director of Production Workflow at InfoTrends, discusses recent InfoTrends research that reveals that printers are not so willing to pay for Professional Services, but rather, expect the vendor to support them with services as part of the purchase. The fact that vendors see services as a growth area reflects a disconnect that will be important to watch play out. She provides advice to both parties.

Why You Should Attend InPrint US in Orlando in April

Published February 9, 2017

Are you planning to attend InPrint, the industrial printing show in Orlando in April? Maybe you think industrial print doesn't apply to you. But take a look at this video with show co-founder Frazer Chesterman who explains what it means and why it is important for print and packaging service providers to pay attention. As he explains, we're not talking about additive manufacturing as much as we are talking about different ways inkjet deposition technologies are being used for industrial purposes, including home decor. We'll see you at the show. Don't be left behind!

Core Publishing Solutions: A Rich Heritage and a Dynamic Future Strategy

Published February 8, 2017

On a recent visit to Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions in Minneapolis, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne was able to speak with Vice President Todd Roth about the organizations history, dating back to the late 1800s, and his strategies for the future. The company follows Lean Manufacturing principles to deliver outstanding service and quality to both internal and external customers.

What's the Best Way to Implement Statistical Process Control in Printing?

Published February 8, 2017

It's John The Math Guy Seymour's opinion that traditional statistical process control strategies don't really apply to the printing industry. View the video to find out why, and what his recommendations are.

17th EFI Connect Brings Together 1,500 Attendees for Learning, Networking, Inspiration

Published February 7, 2017

Artificial intelligence, connecting the dots that no one else sees, and print as the igniter … some key learnings from EFI Connect 2017. The WhatTheyThink team was there and captured some great video interviews. In this post, Senior Editor Cary Sherburne shares the highlights that caught her attention.

Dr Abhay Sharma Discusses the Benefits of Extended Color Gamut Printing

Published February 7, 2017

Dr. Abhay Sharma, Professor of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University, talks about the revolution Extended Color Gamut printing is bringing to color printing by using a fixed set of inks to achieve a wider color gamut, minimize the need for spot inks and custom manufacturing, and improve productivity. It's a revolution ... better color and less costly.

How Do You Develop Marketing Content that Resonates?

Published February 6, 2017

Content Strategist Margie Dana talks about how printers can present their technology content in a way that is understandable to customers. She recommends investigating all available channels and creating small bits of content to get started. Creating content in terms that resonate with the customer is critical.

Taking the Mystery Out of Expanded Gamut Printing

Published January 31, 2017

Idealliance's Tim Baechle visits with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne to take some of the confusion out of expanded gamut printing, also known as extended color gamut and fixed color palette printing. He also talks about Idealliance's X-CMYK initiative for expanded gamut with four-color printing and the process of using a fixed palette of CMYK/OGV inks.

Are you up to date on CxF, the ISO standard for color communication?

Published January 31, 2017

Cory Sawatzki, Director of Digital Print Technologies at CGS, shares his thoughts about the relatively new ISO standard, CxF for communication of color specifications and why it is important for printers and suppliers to the industry to be aware of and compliant with this standard. He also talks about how and when to use this standard.

Modern Litho Leverages Workflow Automation and MIS to Spur Growth

Published January 30, 2017

Jim Tomblinson, VP of Operations at Jefferson City MO based Modern Litho led his company's very successful efforts to modernize and streamline the company's workflow, significantly enhancing the customer experience. He talks about the value of a scalable workflow in an environment of growth through acquisitions and organically. His hands-on experience provides good insight for his industry peers.

EFI and Konica Minolta: A Solid Partnership

Published January 27, 2017

Konica Minolta Senior Vice President Kevin Kern speaks with Senior Editor Cary Sherburne about the company's partnership with EFI. He categorizes EFI as Konica Minolta's go-to partner in areas where they are bringing new things to their customers, emphasizing KM's focus on solutions selling and end-to-end workflow integration.

Workflow Integration Delivers Near Lights Out Cut Sheet Workflow at the World Bank

Published January 26, 2017

Jimmy Vainstein, Senior Project Manager at the World Bank, explains how the Bank is revamping it's cut sheet operation to achieve a near lights out workflow, integrating web to print and EFI Fiery Central with Pace MIS.

GAM Graphics & Marketing Opens New Markets with Superwide Format Printing

Published January 25, 2017

Nathaniel Grant, President of Graphics & Marketing, talks about the 40-year-old company's move into superwide format with the acquisition of a flatbed printer. The company has migrated from a primarily offset platform to 100% digital with much of its work being delivered within 24 hours. He also talks about new markets its hybrid printer has opened for the firm.

Frank Mallozzi Reports on EFI Connect 2017

Published January 24, 2017

Frank Mallozzi, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for EFI, shares his thoughts about EFI Connect 2017, the 17th year of the conference. Highlights included a fireside chat between CEO Guy Gecht and Joel Quadracci, as well as a fireside chat with Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson. The conference featured new products, a large number of eduational sessions and lots of opportunity to network among peers, with EFI executives and technical staff, as well as EFI partners.

Guy Gecht's Advice to the Industry: Keep An Eye on Artificial Intelligence Developments

Published January 23, 2017

Guy Gecht, EFI's CEO, typically includes a thought leadership segment in his opening talk. In 2017, he put the industry on notice that artifice intelligence is almost upon us, with a convergence of technology and market demand that will bring this to mainstream in the foreseeable future. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that will have an impact on the printing industry, and printing owners and managers should keep tabs on its progress, understanding both eh risks and the opportunities for their businesses.

The Challenges of Managing Color in a Global Supply Chain at Canadian Tire Retail

Published January 19, 2017

Angela Stone, Manager of Packaging Optimization at Canadian Tire Retail, is responsible for all of the private label packaging that is used for the wide range of products it offers. It covers all types of packaging, from folding carton to flexible to sewn-in labels. She talks about how she handles color management across this disparate array of packaging applications.

An Inside Look at Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions

Published January 17, 2017

At Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions, the focus on lean manufacturing is core to its business. WhatTheyThink recently visited the company’s Eagan MN facility to learn more about the operation. Read the full story.

Learn About Anti-Counterfeiting Measures in Packaging

Published January 17, 2017

Christine Gallagher, Director of Commercialization at Sonoco Trident, a division of the $5.2 billion packaging organization Sonoco, comes from a brand owner background. She speaks about the latest trends in anti-counterfeiting in packaging and how Sonoco Trident controls anti-counterfeiting measures, including reporting, and next generation developments that empower consumers.

What PDF 2.0 Will Mean for the Printing Industry

Published January 17, 2017

Mark Lewiecki, Senior Product Manager at Adobe, talks about PDF 2.0, now being developed through the International Standards Organization which has responsibility for the PDF standard. A key new attribute is the ability to put page-level media-specific information directly into the PDF file. The ISO is also defining the metadata as it relates to media, especial for variable data printing, and is incorporating CxF spectral data into the PDF file.

Leveraging Standards and Specifications to Get to Great Color

Published January 16, 2017

Don Hutcheson of HutchColor, one of the industry's most knowledgeable color experts, shares his thoughts on the latest developments in color management and the tools print service providers should have to be able to print to the numbers and deliver against customer color expectations. He explains how industry standards are driving more process control into the art and science of printing.

The Impact of Production Inkjet on Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions

Published January 11, 2017

Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions in Minneapolis, kindly hosted the WhatTheyThnk team to view the digital transformation the operation is undergoing. Larry Soler, its Director of Prepress, Press and Digital, explains that while offset will be a core functionality for the foreseeable future, web and sheetfed production inkjet is driving change, including a 3-to-1 replacement of toner devices and migration of shorter runs from offset to digital.

Closing Out 2016 with Color Inspiration

Published January 6, 2017

2016 marked my first visit to the Color Conference. Over recent years, the conference has broadened its audience to include more content for designers and brand owners while still sticking to its color technology heritage. Read more to find out why this conference was a great way to end 2016.

Thomson Reuters Leverages Core Competencies to Drive Insourcing of Third Party Work

Published January 5, 2017

Tim Hughes, Director of Manufacturing Client Services for Thomson Reuters Core Publishing Solutions, explains how in-sourcing work has helped the company balance workload peaks and valleys. Insourcing now comprises about 20% of the company's revenues, with clients taking advantage of CPS's unique niche in black & white printing. Hear what Tim has to say about how insourcing work has benefited CPS business.

What to Expect from the Printing Industries of America in 2017 and Beyond

Published December 21, 2016

Michael Makin, CEO of the Printing Industries of America, shares the latest developments at the association and highlights where he plans to take the organization in the coming months. He highlights educational and certification opportunities offered by the association, as well as its role as the national voice for the industry on Capitol Hill.

Articles by Cary Sherburne