Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

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.

A Few Trends that Got Us to Where We Are

Published September 16, 2011

Printers are providing more value-added services that go beyond paper. They are evolving into new kinds of companies. Here are some of the steps that got us to this point.

September is National Coupon Month?

Published September 14, 2011

The President of the PIA mails the President of the USA and apparently September is National Coupon Month; just another typical week on This Week with Frank Romano.

Printing Problems in 1938 VS 2011

Published September 7, 2011

Frank goes over some very interesting bullet points from The Book Industry in Transition and discovers some very interesting similarities between printing's past and now.

QR Codes are Going Strong! Also, Google Killed the QR Code!

Published August 31, 2011

This Week with Frank Romano (because Frank doesn't seem to know the name of his own show) features two opposing articles about the much loved/hated QR code.

Paper is Part of the Printing Process

Published August 24, 2011

This week Frank shares an interesting patent that could make one paper to rule them all and the dangers of print manufacturers holding the keys to paper, ink, and equipment.

The bookstore at the end of the universe

Published August 19, 2011

Frank takes a trip down memory lane reminiscing the days of the bookstore and what the future may hold.

Now You See It, Now You Don't, But Print It Anyways

Published August 17, 2011

Frank comes across "A Practical Way to Make Invisibility Cloaks" and theorizes the huge impact invisible printing will have on color management.

Yearbooks on demand

Published August 10, 2011

Frank talks about where the future of the modern high school yearbook with the rapid decline of yearbook orders over recent years.

Photography has truly gone digital

Published August 3, 2011

With the rapid decline of photographic film Frank takes a look at some recent photo book samples from digital presses showcasing the range of digital printing today and most people would never know the difference.

U.S. Postal Service, oh how you've fallen

Published July 27, 2011

Frank shares a touching story from the Postal Service's past and how today's USPS operations are completely unacceptable for small printers.

Frank's going to Graph Expo, are you?

Published July 22, 2011

Frank tells you why he endorses Graph Expo and why now more than ever it is important to make the trip to Chicago this September 11-14.

Frank collection of unusual devices

Published July 20, 2011

This week Frank brings us some odd devices this week including a book charger (seriously) and what he thinks is a genius idea for corning the ice cube market (again, not kidding.)

Printing on the High Seas

Published July 15, 2011

The Rochester Institute of Technology and Cunard Lines have a unique work-study program. Students are trained in Rochester and then begin a multi-month stint running the ship's print shop. Andy Berghauser describes his experience with the program.

Frank invents a NY Times conspiracy

Published July 13, 2011

The New York Times adjusts printing on-the-fly, sells a warehouse to a server farm, and Kindle editions that magically disappear. Conspiracy? Frank certainty doesn't think so.

Leave our trees alone (so we can cut them down)

Published July 6, 2011

Saving the trees may sound good on paper, but soon that could hurt the food supply. Food supply? Frank shares some interesting tidbits about how trees work in our food supply.

Frankly the facts about digital printing

Published June 29, 2011

Google has been vigorously searching and scanning out of print and out of copyright books. All of those books become searchable bits thanks to Google Ngram Viewer. So what does Frank do with all that data from books? He uses it to search for emerging print terms, that's what!

Press event follies and failures with Frank

Published June 22, 2011

Frank doesn't really go out much to attend press events so it's a rare occasion to see his presence at one. Frank highlights his experiences from two recent events.

Frank goes book shopping

Published June 15, 2011

Frank goes over some of his more recent finds from various bookstores around the world. Proof that printing is better than hand printing, teaching the lost art of print to kids, and that two cultures can actually get along just fine.

Frank Thoughts

Published June 10, 2011

All communication will some day be reduced to tweets -- small bursts of information 140 characters in length. They are the bumper stickers of the 21st century. Here are some of mine.

Frank's inside look at Concord Litho

Published June 8, 2011

Frank gets a private tour of Concord Litho to see their latest innovations that keeps them ahead of the printing curve.

A history lesson with Professor Frank

Published June 1, 2011

This week Frank goes over the accomplishments of another great father and son in printing history, the Bentons.

Frank's Mail Call

Published May 25, 2011

Frank shows off some of the items he gets in the mail. Frank now knows he can annoy people in yet another language, a promo piece that's too good to throw away and paper you can really feel all up ahead in This Week with Frank Romano

Millions of books, one at a time

Published May 20, 2011

In 2008, the production of non-traditional print-on-demand books exceeded traditional book publishing for the first time. Since then, its growth has been overwhelming. The market is now closing in on 10 times the output of traditional titles. What is more amazing is that this growth has been one book at a time.

Articles by Frank Romano