Articles by Frank Romano
Frank Romano has spent over 60 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia. Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers. He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.
Displaying 526-625 of 667 articles
Frank Romano talks to David Spencer about a cloud-based solution for digital press productivity
Published July 31, 2013
David Spencer, President of Spencer Labs, talks to Frank Romano about a new system that measures the productivity of digital presses. The system measures only sellable output and not simply uptime.
Frank Romano on Newspaper Production in the New Age
Published July 24, 2013
This week Frank talks about visiting the America East Conference where he meets three gentlemen and talks about newspaper production in the new age. As usual, Frank has samples!
Frank Romano and Wearable Raspberry Pi
Published July 17, 2013
Richard Cichelli, President of Software Consulting Services, talks to Frank Romano at the Seybold Reunion about wearing a Rasberry Pi personal server around his neck.
Frank Romano Visits Artist Tom Zotos
Published July 10, 2013
Frank Romano visits Tom Zotos, a noted pioneer in the licensed art movement and talks about his new work with dimensional printing using Scodix technology.
Frank Romano on the Value of Print
Published July 3, 2013
In this week's video, Frank discusses the value of print by highlighting some rare printed items that recently sold for high dollar. In other news, Adobe releases a blank font you can't see and MGI installs a press in the Vatican print shop.
Frank Romano on the Personal Printing Revolution
Published June 26, 2013
This week, Frank talks about an article in the Wall Street Journal about "The Personal Printing Revolution That Never Happened" and how consumer's transition to digital impacted it.
Frank Romano on Phonebooks
Published June 19, 2013
This week, Frank talks about getting not one, but TWO phonebooks and questions why he would even get one.
Frank Romano Hopscotches the World for Headlines
Published June 12, 2013
This week, Frank hopscotches the world for headlines - or brings us short news clips with his always witty commentary at a rapid pace. Frank is always looking for interesting tidbits and delivers them to us in a way only he can.
Frank Romano is Amazed by Laser Engraving Demonstration
Published June 5, 2013
Frank talks about seeing a Tripp Company demonstration of laser engraving at a New England Graphic Communications Club that impressed him greatly.
Frank Romano Explains Why Print Cannot Die
Published May 29, 2013
This week, Frank finds a personalized mailing from a local bank and uses it as a jumping off point in explaining why print as a marketing medium will prevail.
Frank Romano Discusses Very Little Things
Published May 22, 2013
This week, Frank finds small things including the world's smallest gas engine that goes in the world's smallest smart car (don't worry it's a joke). He also finds news of the world's smallest printed book and reveals the escalating war going on to lay claim to the world's smallest book.
Frank Romano on the History of Phototypesetting
Published May 15, 2013
This week, Frank talks about the history of phototypesetting while doing a photo shoot for a book cover on the subject.
Frank Talks Die-Cutting from the Museum of Printing
Published May 8, 2013
Frank joins us from the Museum of Printing in North Andover Massachusetts where he talks die-cutting on old letterpress presses.
Frank Reviews Beautifully Printed Magazines He Receives
Published May 1, 2013
This week, Frank shows us some beautifully printed magazines he receives in the mail (probably because he has a certain credit card). In one, he finds an ad for a printing company!
Frank Talks Changes in Newspapers at America East
Published April 24, 2013
Frank Romano joins us from America East Technology and Operations Conference and talks about the changes in the newspaper industry while walking around booths at the show before it opened.
Frank Romano on Tapping New Markets with Digital Printing
Published April 17, 2013
Frank joins us again from Graphics of the Americas where he discovers some cool stuff, including a premium that helps you locate where stars are in the night sky at a given time. Frank uses it as a jumping off point to talk about tapping new markets.
Frank Romano Shares Thoughts on Packaging from GOA
Published April 10, 2013
This week, Frank shares his observations from the Graphics of the Americas Show in Orlando earlier in the year and highlights the packaging segment of the industry and why it's a growth area.
Frank Romano on American Printer
Published April 3, 2013
This week Frank talks about the first magazine for printers, American Printer (formerly The Inland Printer) and discusses its history and continuation as a quarterly by OutputLinks. Frank takes a look at the personalization features of the new incarnation.
Frank Romano Does 3D Effect Finishing at EFI Connect with MGI
Published March 27, 2013
Frank Romano joins us from the EFI Connect Conference in Las Vegas earlier in the year where he talks to Giselle de la Morineier of MGI about their JETvarnish product. We get a feel for their ability to add up to 100 micron raised 3D effects.
Frank Romano...Er Um...Doug Wilson on his film "Linotype: The Film"
Published March 20, 2013
Doug Wilson, Director and Producer of "Linotype: The Film" hijacks Frank Romano's office to tell us about his documentary and how he traveled the world to preserve the history and modern day use of Linotype.
Frank Romano Highlights Bunting Magnetics from EFI Connect
Published March 13, 2013
Frank joins us from the EFI Connect Conference where he encounters the folks from Bunting Magnetics and wonders "what the heck they do". Frank learns about reusable die rollers and shares it with us viewers.
Frank Romano at EFI Connect
Published March 6, 2013
Frank joins us from EFI Connect in Las Vegas with his thoughts on the event as well as EFI, the company.
Frank Romano on Super Thumb Drives
Published February 27, 2013
This week, Frank talks about the new Kingston thumb drive that holds 1 terabyte and uses the news as a way to comment on the ever increasing consumption and use of data.
Frank Romano on receiving 2013 GOA GALA Award
Published February 27, 2013
Frank Romano talks about winning the 2013 GALA Award just after the awards dinner and also shares being named the "Last Standing Industry Curmudgeon Award".
Frank Romano Tours Print World in Canada and Comments on the Industry
Published February 20, 2013
Frank Romano joins us from Toronto Canada at the Print World show where he gives us a tour and talks about small shows in the modern age of the printing industry and what these new dynamics mean for the commercia printer.
Frank Romano on Bi-Textuality
Published February 13, 2013
This week, Frank uses the last print edition of Newsweek magazine as a jumping off point to talk about the print and digital mix and argues for "bi-textuality" - or that we need both print and electronic media.
Frank Romano at the Museum of Printing in Andover
Published February 6, 2013
Frank Romano joins us from the Museum of Printing in Andover, Massachusetts where a letterpress workshop is happening and we get a front row seat to expanding interest in the craft.
Frank Romano Showcases a Great Direct Mail Piece from Jaguar that Incorporates Dimensional Printing
Published January 30, 2013
Frank joins us from Boston where he shows some interesting direct mail pieces that feature dimensional printing that makes them more compelling. The point? You can't do this kind of thing and get this kind of impact on The Internet!
Frank Romano Goes Back to the Future of Inkjet Printing
Published January 23, 2013
This week, Frank gets his hands on an old issue of Graphic Arts Monthly and finds some interesting early information on inkjet printing including what the 1979 industry thought about the applications.
Frank Interviews RIT Student Nick Gawreluk
Published January 16, 2013
Frank talks with Nick Gawreluk, a 4th year RIT student, about his upcoming degree in Media Sciences, where he sees the industry going in the future, and his experiences doing co-ops with industry vendors.
Frank is live and direct from Kodak in Rochester
Published January 9, 2013
This week, Frank joins us live from the Kodak demo center in Rochester New York where he reviews samples printed on the Nexpress that demonstrate new features and capabilities available.
Yes Virginia, there is a printing industry
Published December 14, 2012
The skeptics have all but writen us off The pundits call us a sunset industry Misguided marketers think electronic substitution replaces print But print will prevail
Frank Romano: An Ode to the Thumb Drive
Published December 12, 2012
This week Frank Romano gives us an ode to the thumb drive, that ever-present device now seen at most media events. He has many and they keep getting smaller - just like his real memory.
Frank Romano on the changing nature of magazines and the impact on printing
Published December 5, 2012
This week, Frank talks about the changing nature of magazine printing by showing his latest edition of AARP magazine and BusinessWeek. He covers inserts, promotions, and the emerging digital version.
Frank Romano talks about his first trade show
Published November 28, 2012
This week Frank Romano talks about attending his first industry event - The 7th Educational Graphic Arts Exposition at the newly built New York Coliseum in 1959. (Yes, he still has the flyer)
Frank Romano at the XMPie Users Group Conference
Published November 14, 2012
Frank Romano joins us from Boston at the XMPie User Group Conference and speaks with Dr. Jacob Aizikowitz about listening to users, social media, and personalized video.
Frank Romano on the future of books
Published November 7, 2012
Frank Romano opines about the future of books and tells us they'll be read both electronically AND in print. That's good, right?
Frank Romano on the changing printing industry
Published October 31, 2012
Frank Romano comments on two news items that caught his eye: Scholastic discontinuing the printing of Weekly Reader and The Daily Press selling off it's printing press. He uses this news as a jumping off point to comment on the changing nature of the printing industry.
Frank Romano reviews some creative pieces from Belgium's Dioss
Published October 24, 2012
Frank Romano talks about Dioss from Antwerp Belgium who are doing some interesting marketing pieces with digital printing.
Frank Visits the Site of John Caslon's Foundry in London
Published October 17, 2012
This week, Frank Romano visits the site of the former foundry started by John Caslon in London and talks about the history of type and Caslon's contribution to it.
Frank Romano's Two Interesting Things from Graph Expo
Published October 17, 2012
Frank Romano wraps up Graph Expo 2012 on the last day and gives us his two special things that he found interesting at the show.
Frank Romano interviews David Zwang and talks standards
Published October 10, 2012
Frank Romano talks to David Zwang about the benefits of standards and standards organizations as well as the importance of vendor support to develop standards incorporated into today's products and systems.
Manuel Trevisan talks to Frank Romano about the Italian Printing Market
Published October 3, 2012
Frank Romano continues his international series by speaking with Italian printing consultant Manuel Trevisan and gets insight into the Italian printing market as well as the larger European market.
Frank Interviews the Editor of Middle East Printer in Dubai
Published September 26, 2012
Frank interviews the editor of Middle East Printer Alex Jahanbani and gets his take on the state of the industry there.
Frank Romano on Graph Expo 2012
Published September 26, 2012
Frank Romano talks about the importance of live events to the industry and encourages everyone to join him at this year's Graph Expo show in Chicago.
Frank Romano gets a tour of the print shop on the Queen Mary 2
Published September 19, 2012
This week Frank gets a tour of the printing operation aboard Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Rosemary Keough, Chief Printer.
Printing Needs at Sea
Published September 12, 2012
Chief Printer Rosemary Keough shares with Frank some of the printing and processes done abord the Queen Mary II cruise liner, the first cruise ship to digital printing.
Frank Romano is in Dubai and gives us a tour of Masar Printing and Publishing
Published September 5, 2012
This week, Frank gives us a look at Masar Printing and Publishing in Dubai. He calls it the most modern printing plant he has ever seen, encompassing over 500,000 square feet of space with presses as far as the eye can see!
Frank Romano reviews the news and talks about where the industry is headed
Published August 29, 2012
Frank Romano, WhatTheyThink's Curmudgeon Emeritus, reviews some recent news items and discusses where he thinks the printing industry is heading - a popular question posed to nowadays.
Frank wraps up his China printing series with Newbold and Pasky
Published August 22, 2012
Frank Romano is in Hong Kong with Joe Pasky and Gary Newbold with the last of his Chinese printing series. They discuss the major trends in Chinese printing in both offset, flexo, and digital.
Frank is back from Hong Kong with Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky
Published August 15, 2012
Frank is back from Hong Kong with Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky where they discuss the different print processes in the Chinese market where offset lithography still dominates.
Frank Romano interviews Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky in Hong Kong
Published August 8, 2012
Frank is back in Hong Kong with Joe Pasky and Gary Newbold, two seasoned consultants familiar with the Chinese printing industry and American print buying and he gets them to share their "horror stories".
Frank gets insight about the difference in American and Chinese printing from industry consultants
Published August 1, 2012
Frank visits with two industry consultants in Hong Kong and gets insights into how the Chinese printing industry compares to that of the United States. This week, Frank speaks with Joe Pasky of Cathay Consulting Services and gets his insights.
Frank Romano Gives His Thoughts on the Current State of Type
Published July 25, 2012
Frank Romano visits the Museum of Printing and discovers original artwork for Linotype typefaces and it launches him into a commentary on the state of typography in the industry today.
Frank Romano talks about a "few little things"
Published July 18, 2012
Frank reviews some recent things that caught his eye. Cashless society, digital wallet, Bill Gates giving printing presses props, photo-conductive printing, flashing beer. Frank has a little bit of everything in this one!
Frank Talks About How to Make Print More Interesting
Published July 11, 2012
Frank shares some print samples from a recent trade show that he thinks make print more interesting and talks about how they were produced using newer inkjet and dimensional technologies.
Frank Visits Ben Franklin's Grave in Philadelphia
Published June 27, 2012
Frank visits Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave. He talks about why Franklin is a personal hero and in true Frank fashion gives us some little known details about his life.
A New Finch Paper Product Helps Frank Romano Make a Point About Innovation
Published June 20, 2012
Frank uses a new product from Finch called "Enviroboard" that is designed to open up new markets for printers including signage, point-of-purchase, and more. This product helps Frank make the point that innovation and new markets is what will drive future growth for printers.
Frank Romano on the Post PC Era and Impact on Print
Published June 13, 2012
Frank on the evolution from the PC to post PC era with introduction of tablet computers and how it's impacting print.
Frank Romano at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany
Published June 6, 2012
Frank visits the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and gives us a tour of some of the areas accessible with recording devices and clears up some misconceptions about the man himself.
Andy Tribute and Frank Romano take time out at drupa to discuss future trends
Published June 1, 2012
Well known WhatTheyThink contributors Andy Tribute and Frank Romano go back and forth on trends seen at drupa and give their take on what will and won't work. Get key takeaways from drupa by Andy and Frank.
Frank Romano on 10 middle class jobs that will vanish by 2018
Published May 30, 2012
This week, Frank discusses and rants a bit about a recent report about 10 middle class jobs that will vanish by 2018. Desktop publishers caught Frank's eye on the list and he takes a bit of an issue with it!
Frank Romano gives us his "two hottest things at drupa"
Published May 23, 2012
Frank answers the "two hottest things at drupa" question with a couple vendors that aren't generating as much buzz as others but are doing amazing things - Scodix and Highcon. Both are adding value to print in different ways, which Frank says is "a good thing".
New words for a new print world
Published May 22, 2012
The vocabulary of print is changing. Our language in the printing industry is now beset with many new concepts and technologies. We need a common lexicon to help define and communicate.
Frank Romano on the mottos he sees at drupa
Published May 16, 2012
Frank runs down his list of interesting show mottos that he observed during drupa.
Franks Advice for Press Conferences
Published May 9, 2012
This Special Report from drupa covers Franks recommendations for improving press conferences.
What's Keeping Hardcover Books Alive
Published May 2, 2012
This week Frank goes over an interesting article that came across his desk twice about how the look of a book can still sell physical books.
Stone Age Designers
Published April 25, 2012
Frank gives us another roundup of news this week including a primitive art studio, the bookless bookstore, museum reopening, and the never ending battle of QR codes.
Technology Goes Old School
Published April 18, 2012
Just as fashion trends circle around, technology has caught up with itself to repurpose older technology trends. This week Frank highlights two of his favorite new/old school tech.
Goverment issued iPads
Published April 11, 2012
This week Frank details an article about how legislatures should not make the iPad transition.
Variable Printing needs more Variation
Published April 4, 2012
Latz Personal Printer has been doing personalized printing since 1937. Not much has changed in personal printing space since that time. Frank Romano urges printers to go "beyond" the name.
Linofilm grids and all that
Published April 3, 2012
Be a part of history. Frank is seeking some of the font masters and paraphernalia of the old phototypesetting era. He knows there are a few oldtimers who read WhatTheyThink while drooling in their oatmeal. Film, glass, and plastic fonts are requested.
Fake Resort, Real Results
Published March 28, 2012
This week Frank discusses the mix of digital and offset presses in most printing facilities and highlights a great example of a total promotional package created by Heidelberg showcasing the ability to create a seamless, color matched campaign.
Frank Traverses the World in Search of Print
Published March 21, 2012
Frank showcases a fraction of his collection of commodities that will always need print.
Frank's Label Treasures from Recent Years
Published March 14, 2012
Frank shows us some of his more nostalgic labeling moments as labels got more sophisticated overtime.
Frank's Quick Cuts
Published March 7, 2012
Frank brings us several quick anecdotes this week, an old vision of the future, the one of the worlds most expensive binding, and a growth in stationery.
Frank Shakes His Can for the Camera
Published February 29, 2012
As Frank Romano reviews Packaging Design Magazine he compares current can printing to the custom printed cans from nearly 20 years ago.
The schizophrenic printing industry
Published February 27, 2012
As the number of printing services declines; the number of printing services increases. You read that correctly.
Frank's Fine Finishing
Published February 22, 2012
This week Frank dives deep into a finishing example, Swarthmore by the Numbers.
Growth for Print on the Streets
Published February 15, 2012
This week Frank goes over the promotional flyer market and why it will never go away.
Cary Sherburne's drupa Outlook
Published February 9, 2012
Frank Romano switches it up and interviews Cary Sherburne for a change. He asks her what makes her most excited about drupa season and what she hopes to see this year.
Linotype the Film
Published February 8, 2012
Frank Romano discusses his recent work with Doug WIlson helping him create the in-depth expose of Linotype the Film and maybe Frank will finally get his 15 minutes of fame on the silver screen.
Frank Shares the Historical Timeline of Lithography
Published February 1, 2012
Frank rediscovers an old favorite of his, the Lithographer's Manual from 1940 and shares a historical outline of how the lithography technology has changed throughout the years.
Frank Goes Back to His Linotype Roots
Published January 25, 2012
Frank gives us a historical tour of of the type stetting capital in Brooklyn, his first foray into the printing industry. Who knew it would stick?
Handwriting: It's Not Just for Humans Anymore
Published January 18, 2012
Any fan of Frank Romano knows his love of printing gadgets. This week Frank showcases one of the more unusual gadgets he found during his recent trip to DMA, a handwriting machine.
Frank's View at Direct Marketing Association Conference
Published January 11, 2012
Frank was recently at the Direct Marketing Association Conference and Exhibition in Boston to showcase how much the once great trade show has adapted.
The day the typesetting industry died
Published December 16, 2011
There will always be a printing industry, but it will be different than it used to be. Typesetting did not go away; it just moved to a different place.
Print vs Pixels
Published December 14, 2011
This week Franks talks about the advantage pixels have over large bulky manuals and how online shopping saves the mailing industry while it kills off show floors.
Who can Stand the Test of Time?
Published December 7, 2011
Frank digs an old invitation to the 35th annual NAPL convention out of the archives and strikes up an interesting question, Who is still around? Find out in This Week with Frank Romano
Frank: The Money's in the Printing Business
Published November 30, 2011
QR code wrapped, Printer's bags of cash, and wooden clothing... yup, just another typical This Week with Frank Romano.
Frank's Room with a View at LDI
Published November 16, 2011
Frank reports this week on location at LDI, dealer for a plethora of digital printing equipment to give customers the choice of not being locked into one vendor. More organizations, like LDI, are moving their meetings away from big industry trade shows to a more intimate venue and Frank loves it.
The future of graphic communication education
Published November 11, 2011
The Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA just discontinued their Graphic Communication Technology major. The decline in enrollment began in 2001 and only four new students entered the major in the more recent term.
Some Samples for Frank
Published November 9, 2011
Frank Romano gets some samples from Canon's Dreamlabo inkjet (Frank was recently critical for the lack of samples) that makes him reconsider his original critique.
One of the Most Interesting Places on Earth... to Frank Romano
Published November 2, 2011
This week Frank Romano reports on location at the Cary Collection at the Wallace Library at RIT to proudly show off one of his favorite collections of print.
A Look Back at Today's Office Automation
Published October 26, 2011
Frank Romano gets nostalgic on us this week with a look at an ad for one of the original photocopying machines aimed for offices and business in the late 50's and a discussion on how it all started.
Xante Goes Beyond Wide Format
Published October 19, 2011
Last month at GraphExpo Frank Romano stopped by the Xante booth and was blown away by a machine that he thinks will change the industry.
Frank's Finally Impressed with Digital Printing
Published October 12, 2011
Frank goes over some of the samples that wowed him at GraphExpo.
A Schooling on Making Paper the Old School Way
Published October 5, 2011
Frank Romano reports live on the scene at the Boston Paper Collective to demonstrate how paper was originally made.
The Day of the All-In-One Device Nears
Published September 28, 2011
Philadelphia newspapers are changing to tablets and some percentages on unique smart phone applications all this week with Frank Romano.
Frank's at the 8th Annual Printing Arts Fair at the Museum of Printing
Published September 21, 2011
Frank gets a demonstration of offset lithography's early start by from Carolyn Muskat showing how to print on stone lithography at the Museum of Printing during the 8th annual Printing Arts Fair.
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