Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Epson Teams up with Graphtec and OnyX

Published June 19, 2019

Matt McCausland, Product Manager for Epson America, talks about Epson's partnership with Graphtec and Onyx to release the SureColor S Series Print Cut Bundle at a competitive price for customers.

Do Customers Know What “Wide Format” Printing Is?

Published June 18, 2019

What’s in a name? Does the term “wide format” mean anything to today’s print buyers? Avoiding industry jargon in sales and marketing efforts—and especially in one’s online presence—can help attract potential customers who may not be hip to our jive.

GMG Assists with Color Management

Published June 18, 2019

Eric Dalton, Director of Sales - Western Region for GMG, talks about color management specific to wide-format printing and the two kinds of software GMG offers to help users implement color management.

Roland Wins ISA Innovation Award

Published June 17, 2019

Andrew Oransky, President and CEO of Roland DGA, talks about their ISA Innovation Award for their VG2 TrueVIS flagship printer, as well as the release of five other products, including a direct-to-garment T-shirt printer.

Ricoh's New Flatbed, Latex Wide-Format Units

Published June 12, 2019

Dan Johansen, Marketing Manager for Ricoh USA, talks about Ricoh's new flatbed and latex wide-format printers, the technologies behind which are the culmination of many years of development.

Canon Solutions America Introduces the New Arizona

Published June 11, 2019

Randy Paar, Marketing Manager for Canon Solutions America, introduces the new Arizona wide-format flatbed printer, which was shown for the first time in the U.S. at the ISA Sign Expo. From its UV LED curing system to the new ink formulation, it's changing the way customers print.

In-Plant "Frontrunners" Race to IPMA's Annual Conference

Published June 6, 2019

More than 200 in-plant “Frontrunners” raced to Louisville, Ky., this week for the In-Plant Printing & Mailing Association’s (IPMA) Annual Conference, four days of sessions, networking events, and technology exhibits.

In-Plant “Front Runners” Head to Louisville for IPMA’s Annual Conference

Published June 5, 2019

Sherri Isbell from the University of Oklahoma in-plant—and President of the In-Plant Printing & Mailing Association (IPMA)—talks about this year’s IPMA Conference. Centered on the theme of industry "front runners," the annual conference kicked off this week in Louisville, Ky., drawing a record number of attendees from in-plants from around the country.

swissQprint's Third-Generation Wide-Format Flatbeds

Published May 23, 2019

Mike Kyritsi, President of swissQprint, talks about the history of the company, which was founded in 2007 in Switzerland and came to North America in 2016.The company's wide-format printer portfolio comprises five different models of UV flatbed and hybrid units in its Nyala, Impala, and Oryx lines, with a new roll-to-roll device launching at FESPA.

Beyond PRINT: With Tarsus Alliance, APTech Begins a New Chapter for Itself and for the Industry

Published May 20, 2019

Last week, the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) announced that it has joined forces with Tarsus Group, the owner and organizer of the Labelexpo and Brand Print Global trade shows, to launch a new show called Brand Print Americas. We spoke with APTech president Thayer Long about what the new alliance means for the future of APTech—and for the industry.

Fujifilm Launches Next-Generation J Press 750S

Published May 7, 2019

Last week, Fujifilm held a user event at its experience center outside Chicago to launch the J Press 750S, the company’s third-generation cut-sheet production inkjet press. The event included presentations from Fujifilm executives, a user panel, and a tour of the center featuring Fujifilm’s vast portfolio of inkjet technologies, both small- and wide-format.

ISA Sign Expo 2019 Wraps Up in Vegas

Published April 29, 2019

Some “quick hits” from the Sign Expo show floor, including the winners of the ISA Innovation Awards, some new product announcements, and more.

Sign Expo 2019 Opens in Las Vegas

Published April 26, 2019

Old and new sign production technologies were on display this week in Las Vegas at the 75th Annual ISA Sign Expo and, as an additional indication of how the disparate pars of the printing industry are concverging, ISA announced that as of next year the Sign Expo will colocate with Impressions Expo, formerly the Imprinted Sportswear Show.

ISA Sign Expo 2019 Opens in Las Vegas

Published April 25, 2019

David Hickey, VP Advocacy for the International Sign Association (ISA), talks about the 2019 Sign Expo’s opening day, some of the new technologies on display at this year’s show, and how new signage technologies and applications are impacting sign codes and regulations.

Production Inkjet: It’s Not Just About the Technology Anymore

Published April 11, 2019

Canon Solutions America President Peter Kowalczuk and Production Print Solutions Executive Vice President Francis McMahon talk to WhatTheyThink/Printing News about the company’s new emphasis on the services part of the organization and how today’s production inkjet vendors are tasked with not just offering top-of-the-line technology, but playing a more consultative role in helping customers with business development.

Windigo Signs Takes Soft Signage to the Next Level

Published April 8, 2019

Printed textiles are rapidly replacing vinyl and rigid materials for signage, and Tempe, Ariz.’s Next Level Signs has leapt into so-called “soft signage.” Founder Mark Baldwin has launched a sister company Windigo Signs to offer a robust, custom-made, and weather-resistant alternative for outdoor soft signage mounting.

“Alexa, Tell Me About Voice Technology”: A Conversation with Bradley Metrock of Score Publishing

Published April 4, 2019

Voice technology is appearing in more and more places—and is starting to become relevant to printing and publishing. WhatTheyThink talks to Bradley Metrock, CEO of Score Publishing, producer of the VoiceFirst Events portfolio which includes The Alexa Conference, the Voice of the Car Summit, and Digital Book World, about the current and future state of voice technology.

ISA Sign Expo Heads Back to Vegas

Published April 3, 2019

ISA Sign Expo 2019 heads to Las Vegas later this month, with four days of educational sessions and its continuously expanding exhibition floor. We spoke with Brandon Hensley, ISA’s Chief Operating Officer, and Iain Mackenzie, ISA’s VP of Meetings & Events, about what’s new this year.

Printing Outlook 2019—Has the Industry Turned a Corner?

Published March 11, 2019

WhatTheyThink’s annual printing industry outlook report, including the results of our Winter 2018–2019 Business Outlook survey, is now available in our Report Store. This article offers some of the top-level results from that survey.

InPrint USA to Showcase the Latest Industrial Printing Opportunities

Published March 7, 2019

InPrint USA heads to Louisville, Ky., to showcase the latest opportunities for commercial printers in the fast-growing area(s) of industrial printing. Richard Romano offers a preview, and talks with InPrint co-founder Frazer Chesterman about the show and industrial printing.

World on the Windows: The Changing Face of Window Graphics

Published March 5, 2019

Window graphics are a growing subset of wide-format printing, and are popping up in more and more locations, both public and private, and new films and materials are making window graphics more versatile and eye-catching than ever. Printing is the easy part; it’s installation that can cause problems, and eat into your profitability. Here are some dos and don’t for working with window graphics.

Wide-Format Printing: Still a Compelling Business Opportunity and Investment Category

Published February 25, 2019

As we put the final touches on our Printing Outlook 2019 report, based on our Winter 2018–2019 Business Outlook survey, this article highlights a few of the findings specific to wide-format and specialty printing. Is it still a compelling business opportunity? And what are print businesses’ wide-format investment plans?

ING Summit Heads to PRINT 19 with an Ambitious Two-Day Program

Published February 14, 2019

The International Newspaper Group (ING) provides a forum for newspaper industry executives to network and share idea on a variety of topics from production, to operations, to logistics. The revitalized organization’s annual Summit heads to PRINT 19 this fall in Chicago, with an ambitious two-day program. Here’s an early look at what attendees can look forward to.

Seventh Annual NPOA Print Business Owners Conference Heads to San Diego

Published February 5, 2019

The NPOA Annual Print Owners Conference heads to the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa on February 28 to March 2. The three-day event includes a dozen sessions, panels, and workshops that focus on business, technology, and marketing issues important to small and mid-size print business owners.

Reed Between the Lines: Evolving Sign Codes Impact Exterior Signage—and Potentially More

Published January 21, 2019

One of the most important issues concerning the production and installation of exterior signage is the ever-evolving sign codes and regulations. The landmark 2015 SCOTUS decision in Reed v. the Town of Gilbert is still impacting city planners, and, in turn, signmakers and their clients. What should PSPs know about sign codes? What are the latest issues regarding sign regulations? And why might vehicle graphics be the next frontier for sign codes?

Flatland: What’s New(s) and What’s Next for Flatbed Wide-Format Printers?

Published January 15, 2019

It’s been nearly 20 years since the advent of the flatbed wide-format printer. They’ve come a long way, baby; what’s new with the technology and where do they go from here?

Wide-Format 2019: What’s Next?

Published December 17, 2018

As we head into 2019 and toward 2020, what are the emerging and accelerating trends in wide-format and specialty printing? The buzzword is “convergence,” which will only accelerate, but what other forces are changing the nature of applied graphics?

Wide Format 2018: What Kind of Day Has It Been?

Published December 6, 2018

What were the big trends in wide-format and specialty printing in 2018? It’s been a year of convergence and while shops that were likely to transition to wide-format have largely done so, the applications that can be produced are constantly changing, as new materials and new inks hit the market. Let’s have a look at what’s been happening.

As Industry Convergence Continues, Xplor International and ISA Colocate Events

Published December 3, 2018

The convergence continues: the International Sign Association and Xplor International have announced that in April 2019, the Sign Expo 2019 and XPLOR19 will colocate.

Grant Graphics’ Print & Cut Conference Offered Wide-Format 101—and 102—for Northeast Printers

Published November 27, 2018

Earlier this month, print shop owners and managers from around the Northeast journeyed to Grant Graphics in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for a day-long program of wide-format educational sessions and equipment demonstrations.

Wide-Format Graphics Make the Magnificent Mile More Magnificent

Published November 15, 2018

After a decade in the ad agency world, Shira Kollins took her graphic design and production background and launched SpeedPro Chicago. By taking an active role in local business associations—and being “pleasantly persistent” when it comes to sales and marketing—she has built a business creating cutting-edge display graphics for some of Chicago’s biggest retailers and restaurants.

Apocalypse Postponed: The State of Retail

Published November 5, 2018

Rumors of retail’s death have been greatly exaggerated (to coin a phrase). But there is no doubt that it is changing. We look at how it is changing, and what that means for POP/retail graphics providers.

Edifice Rex: Vomela Conquers the Building Wrap

Published October 30, 2018

The Vomela Companies, headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., started in 1947 doing promotional product printing. Now, 71 years later, the company has expanded through both organic growth and acquisition to produce retail, POS, décor, event, and fleet graphics for a wide variety of local and national brands and venues. Their most recent project: wrapping 3M’s 14-story corporate headquarters.

Leaving Las Vegas: Recapping the SGIA Expo

Published October 24, 2018

The final SGIA Expo was a culmination of all the specialty graphics innovations of the past decade or two—with a few signposts (digitally printed, of course) pointing to the future.

SGIA Expo 2018 Marks the End of an Era—But the Start of an Exciting New One

Published October 19, 2018

The SGIA Expo 2018 opened yesterday to large crowds and a completely full exhibition hall. Our recap of Day 1 looks at where SGIA President and CEO Ford Bowers sees the organization and the industry going, and highlights a handful of new product announcements.

For Rocken Graphics, Business Is On the Move

Published October 15, 2018

Gibsonton, Fla.’s Rocken Graphics has carved out a unique niche among print service providers: signage and tent graphics for traveling carnivals. We spoke with Kenny Smith, founder of Rocken Graphics, about how he got into this market, as well as how his product offerings extend beyond simple printed graphics.

Wide-Format and Specialty Graphics at PRINT 18

Published October 2, 2018

PRINT has not traditionally been a top venue for wide-format or specialty printing equipment announcements, but does showcase the latest technologies and the applications that can be produced on them, giving commercial printers concrete ideas for exploring new business opportunities.

Marketing Guru Seth Godin Kicks Off PRINT 18

Published October 1, 2018

Seth Godin’s keynote encouraged print service providers to eschew commodity printing and focus on selling products that are “remarkable.” “You don’t sell paper and ink,” he said, “you sell a feeling.” It was a fitting theme with which to open PRINT 18.

Darwill’s Inkjet Journey

Published October 1, 2018

Hillside, Ill.’s Darwill, Inc., is a 57-year-old direct mail and multi-channel marketing agency. From humble beginnings, the company has grown to be at the forefront of the industry—and one of the early adopters of production inkjet printing technology.

Chicago’s Graphic Alliance Makes a Meal Out of Restaurant Signage

Published September 11, 2018

Graphic Alliance, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, started as a commercial print shop but quickly adopted wide-format printing and has carved out a substantial niche in restaurant graphics and signage. The company has also expanded into vehicle wrapping and is currently developing residential interior décor services. Richard Romano spoke with founder and CEO Eric Grossman.

International Sign Association (ISA) Partners with British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA)

Published August 27, 2018

Lori Anderson, President and CEO of the International Sign Association (ISA), joins Richard Romano on Skype to announce ISA's partnership with the British Sign and Graphics Association to form ISA-UK and bring even more opportunities to its members.

Epson's Latest Technical Printer

Published August 22, 2018

Matt Kochanowski, Product Manager for Epson America, shows off the new SureColor T3170 Desktop Wireless printer, for technical printing customers who are looking for compact, sleek design. He also discusses the current state of the AEC printing market.

Success with Specialty Printing: Changing the Mindset

Published August 21, 2018

As we all know by now, there are very few surfaces, substances, and objects that can't be printed, and thus there is no end to the print products that a shop can offer. From posters and banners, to signage, to garments and other textile products, to garage doors, to...name it. But when approaching the vast new market for specialty graphics printing, two questions usually come to mind: Where do I start, and How do I sell it? Here is some advice.

Dealing with Disruption

Published August 9, 2018

Jay Samit, author of "Disrupt You!", and keynote speaker at last month's PRIMIR Insights Conference, talks about the importance of printing businesses' ability to adjust and respond to a changing industry, a changing print marketplace, and disruptions of the status quo.

PrintStats, Demographics, and the Marketplace

Published August 7, 2018

Dr. Joe Webb, President of Strategies for Management, Inc., talks about the latest updates to PrintStats, a project that APTech launched last year, which provides a wealth of demographic information about the markets that comprise the graphic communications industry.

The Future of Digital Packaging

Published August 2, 2018

Amy Machado, Research Manager for Imaging, Printing and Document Solutions at IDC, discusses a study she's been working on that looks into the breadth of digital packaging production—why people are and aren't adopting digital and their future plans.

The Future of Web-to-Print

Published July 30, 2018

Dr. Sean Smyth, consultant for Smithers Pira, discusses a study he is working on that takes a look at the current state of web-to print—specifically, systems designed to allow print customers to create professional documents without being print professionals.

Full STEAM Ahead: Blue Ridge Fab Lab and 4-H Partner to Offer 21st-Century Learning—and Wide-Format Printing

Published July 30, 2018

The Blue Ridge/UA 4-H Fab Lab, based in Pinetop-Lakeside, Ariz., offers student-directed, project-centric STEM training for K-12 students. Thanks to a partnership with 4-H, the facility is available to students across the state. Part of student projects involves designing and printing informational flyers, posters, and other materials on wide-format printers provided by Roland DGA, a sponsor of the Fab Lab. We spoke with Kevin Woolridge, Co-Director of the Fab Lab.

Graphic Arts Companies Feel the Pinch of Aluminum Tariffs

Published July 26, 2018

Last month, the Trump Administration levied a 10% tariff on imported aluminum and a 25% tariff on imported steel. At present, the tariffs are having the biggest impact on manufacturers of aluminum lithographic plates—although that may be just the beginning. Plate manufacturers are deciding how best to respond, while industry associations are helping to fight back.

Google Takes On Smart Packaging

Published July 24, 2018

David Hogue, UX Design Leader for Google, talks about the future of packaging and some of the applications Google has been introducing—not only as packaging but as an integral part of the company's AIY kits.

The Multi-Faceted World of Kohler's In-Plant

Published July 12, 2018

Christopher Donlon, Associate Communications Manager of Print Production for Kohler, talks about the excitement and challenges of running an in-plant for a wide variety of products and services, ranging from plumbing fixtures to hospitality services.

Technical Printing on the Desktop

Published July 10, 2018

Epson announced two new entry-level models in its SureColor T Series, designed for technical and AES (architecture, engineering, and construction) printing. These devices are targeted more to end users—architecture and design firms, SOHOs, etc.—than print service providers, which indicates the direction technical printing as market segment is going.

Growth in the In-Plant Industry

Published July 9, 2018

Howie Fenton, Principal at Howie Fenton Consulting, discusses the major trends affecting in-plant printing departments and the growth they're currently experiencing.

Sharing Kindness in Life and Business

Published July 6, 2018

Leon Logothetis, author of "The Kindness Diaries" and creator of the Netflix series, explains at the IPMA Conference why he left his job as a broker and went on a mission around the world to find and share kindness.

Augmented Reality for Printers

Published July 2, 2018

At last month's IPMA Conference, Ryan Kiley, Director of Strategic Production Services for Ricoh, gave a presentation about some conventional and unconventional applications for Augmented Reality (AR). He talks with Richard Romano about some of these applications and the value of AR for print and printers.

Launched During the Great Recession, SpeedPro Marin Realized There Was “No Place to Go But Up”

Published July 2, 2018

When Steve Moran-Cassese decided to launch a print business in the midst of the Great Recession, he knew it could only grow—and he was right. A mix of the right equipment and picking up on hot new application trends early on has helped SpeedPro Marin thrive. And, somewhat ironically, the Bay Area’s booming economy has created its own challenges.

Too Cool to Part With: The Superfan Company Creates Special Print Projects for Superfans

Published June 27, 2018

Brittany Hodak co-founded The Superfan Company to make “cool collectible stuff for superfans”—coffee table books, deluxe packages for albums and DVDs, subscription magazines, fan boxes, metal commemorative tickets, limited edition tour books, and more, elaborate, print-centric items that help bring fans closer to a beloved musician or athlete. We spoke with Hodak about her own journey that started at a local radio station and led to The Superfan Company—and an appearance on Shark Tank.

On-Campus In-Plant

Published June 27, 2018

At the IPMA Conference, Laura Lockett, Director of Sacramento State Reprographics & Mail Services, shares the latest trends in on-campus printing and what products and services the university in-plant offers.

Quantifying In-Plants and Outsourcing

Published June 19, 2018

At last week's IPMA Conference, Angela Whiteside, President of KickStage Consulting, offered some preliminary results from a survey she is conducting on in-plants and outsourcing. She shares some findings from her research with Richard Romano.

Annual IPMA Conference Looks at the Changing Face of the In-Plant

Published June 18, 2018

The 54th annual IPMA Conference provided a look at the current state of the in-plant printing department, with more than two dozen sessions and a vendor fair focusing on new opportunities such as interactive print and wide format, and overcoming top challenges such as outsourcing.

Roland Rolls Out New Digital Technologies at FESPA 2018

Published June 11, 2018

Paul Willems, Head of Business Development and Product Management, EMEA, Roland, previews new sign, decor, and interior textile printing technologies at FESPA 2018 in Berlin.

Experiential Graphics Are a Growing Subset of Wide Format, But Can Require a Different Approach in Terms of Sales and Production

Published June 4, 2018

“Experiential graphics” are a form of interior décor that are becoming a fast-growing part of wide-format and signage. Pursuing that particular application requires a somewhat different strategy than traditional commercial printing—or even traditional wide-format printing.

Textiles and Corrugated Take the Spotlight at FESPA Berlin

Published May 21, 2018

Textiles and corrugated were the two major themes of this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo. Here are some quick hits from the show.

FESPA Berlin 2018 Focuses on Education

Published May 17, 2018

Roz Guarnori, Exhibition Director for FESPA, talks about what visitors will find at this year's FESPA Berlin, from a show floor packed with the latest technologies to educational programs for textiles and corrugated.

EFI Launches New Hybrid Printer Series at FESPA Berlin

Published May 16, 2018

Frank Mallozzi, Chief Revenue Officer for EFI, talks about the new hybrid VUTEk printer series the company is launching this week at FESPA in Berlin: the h Series, EFI's new mid-range line, which boasts faster speed, higher image quality, and lower operating costs. The company is also demonstrating its textile-based "mini factory."

FESPA Day 2: Whetting the Palate...

Published May 16, 2018

WhatTheyThink is live at FESPA Berlin 2018 on Day 2 of the show. Welcome to the concept of the microfactory.

FESPA 2018 Opens in Berlin

Published May 15, 2018

The FESPA Global Print Expo 2018 kicked off in Berlin this morning. Here is a quick teaser of some early show highlights.

Wide Format: Now and Venn

Published May 14, 2018

What do we talk about when we talk about “wide format”? How is the term definitionally changing—and what does it even mean anymore? And more importantly, how does whatever we define as “wide format” play nice with other kinds of printing such as industrial, packaging, and commercial? And how can we navigate the “convergence” of these different print silos? Read on for more.

Outside Baseball: Heidelberg's Steven Calov on Opportunities in Direct-to-Shape Printing

Published May 10, 2018

"Direct-to-shape" is a fast-growing subset of industrial—and even commercial—printing. Steven Calov, Omnifire 4D Product Manager for Heidelberg USA, talks about the Heidelberg Omnifire printers that can print on a plethora of materials and shapes, and the opportunities they offer for both industrial and specialty commercial printers.

InPrint Reflections: Moving the (Digitally Printed) Goalposts

Published May 7, 2018

A major theme of last week’s InPrint Industrial Inkjet Conference in Chicago was the emerging distinction between two specific kinds of industrial printing: printing as part of a larger manufacturing process and what we have often called specialty printing. The conference explored the differences between them, where the growth areas are, and what the drivers of that growth are. Read on for some reflections on the conference.

The InPrint Industrial Inkjet Conference Charts New Opportunities for Print

Published May 2, 2018

What is industrial inkjet printing? What are the high-growth parts of the industrial printing market? What are the opportunities for print businesses? Frazer Chesterman, Co-Founder of InPrint, talks about industrial inkjet technology, the mission of the InPrint Conference, and what attendees can expect at this year’s event.

Moving Pictures: Carbon Wraps Brings Art Alive

Published April 24, 2018

For about 15 years, Carbon Wraps Orlando has specialized in highly creative vehicle graphics. They took car wrapping to the next level when they worked with local artist Kurt Meister and Avery Dennison to wrap one of his paintings on a vehicle live at the ISA Sign Expo last March. Read on for more about the company and this unique project.

Avery Dennison Makes Cut Vinyl User-Friendly

Published April 17, 2018

Patti Draper Doychak, Senior Marketing Communications Manager for Avery Dennison, describes new innovations in cut vinyl. Easier weeding with a re-engineered adhesive, a larger color palette, and longer-lasting adhesive all give the client more choices and a better-quality vinyl product.

ISA Provides Year-Round Resources for the Sign Industry

Published April 16, 2018

Lori Anderson, President and CEO of the International Sign Association (ISA), shares the many ways ISA helps members of the sign industry. Beyond the annual Sign Expo, in which professionals can learn about new technologies, ISA is active in advocacy for companies in relation to sign codes and regulations, as well as helping educate students about the opportunities available to them after high school.

In Praise of Data: How PRIMIR Industry Research Can Improve Your Business

Published April 12, 2018

The Association for Print Technologies (APTech), through its PRIMIR Research Unit and Market Data programs, provides a wealth of woefully underutilized industry research that can be of great practical use to all the links in the print supply chain—not just suppliers and vendors but print service providers, as well. Read on to see how.

Catherine Monson’s Health Care Crusade

Published April 12, 2018

Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, talks about her recent testimony before the U.S. Congress on behalf of her long commitment to establishing association-based health plans so that small businesses, like print franchises, can provide affordable health care plans to their employees.

Specialty Printing Moves Toward the Mainstream

Published April 11, 2018

Michael Johnson, VP of Marketing for Nazdar Source One, a distributor to the wide-format printing market, talks to Richard Romano at last month’s ISA Sign Expo about the business opportunities and profitability potential in specialty printing—printing on water bottles and other kinds of promotional materials.

Sign Research Foundation Data: High Value for Sign Makers and Buyers

Published April 11, 2018

Sapna Budev, Executive Director of the Sign Research Foundation (SRF), talks about the collaborative relationship between the SRF and the International Sign Association, and the value of the information gathered by the SRF. SRF research helps signmakers and sign customers navigate such issues as brightness standards and sign codes, calculate the ROI of a sign for a retailer, and determine the economic value of signage to a community.

A Wrap to Remember: Kennickell Group Turns Harbour Town Lighthouse Plaid

Published April 10, 2018

If you watch the RBC Heritage Golf Classic this week, pay attention to the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse. In a first-of-its-kind wrap project undertaken by Savannah, Ga.’s Kennickell Group, the 90-foot structure had its red stripes converted to plaid to commemorate the event’s 50th anniversary. Read on to find out more about the company’s dramatic growth in the wide-format market and how the unique project came about.

Direct-to-Garment Printing Becoming Popular and Profitable

Published April 9, 2018

Tim Check, Production Manager, Epson America, talks about direct-to-garment printing, particularly using the brand-new Epson F-2100 Series printer which can print directly on T-shirts, baby onesies, towels, and other kinds of fabric-based items. Garment printing is a growth area for not only traditional screen printers looking to print short-run items, but also for commercial printers who can complement other display graphics services they may be offering.

InPrint Industrial Inkjet Conference to Highlight the Intersection of Industrial and Commercial Printing

Published April 9, 2018

Inkjet technologies have been blurring, or completely eliminating, the lines between commercial and industrial printing. But understanding new print applications and new print markets involves more than technology. We talk with Frazer Chesterman, Director of FM Brooks, which is bringing the InPrint Industrial Print Conference to Chicago next month, about the dwindling distinction between industrial and commercial printing and the opportunities that are emerging.

GMG Color Goes Beyond the RIP

Published April 5, 2018

Erik Schmitt, Director of Sales–Canada, for GMG Color, talks about the software tool set GMG Color has available for sign makers to create an entire workflow specific to the production of signage. He also talks about the importance of color management and the increasing trend toward automation.

Customers In Search of New Applications

Published April 3, 2018

Frank Malozzi, SVP, Worldwide Sales and Marketing for EFI, talks up the hardware and software portfolio on display at last month’s ISA Sign Expo, and the increasing demand from traditional sign and display customers for new applications such as thermoforming.

Post-Reed, Communities Reevaluate their Sign Codes

Published April 3, 2018

The landmark 2015 Supreme Court case Reed v. Town of Gilbert turned a sign code issue into a First Amendment battle. Three years later, its effects are still being felt throughout the signage industry—for good or ill. Read on for some of the latest developments in signage regulations.

Canon Solutions America’s Océ Colorado Continues to Gel

Published March 29, 2018

It’s been more than a year since Canon Solutions America (CSA) launched the Océ Colorado 1640 UVgel-based wide-format printer. CSA was showing the machine at last week’s ISA Sign Expo, and Senior Marketing Expert John Kaufman provides an update on new features, new inks, and how it has performed in the market.

ISA's David Hickey On Sign Codes, Regulations, and Tariffs

Published March 28, 2018

David Hickey, VP of Advocacy for the International Sign Association, talks about the latest issues related to sign codes, impending OSHA regulations, and the potential impact of steel and aluminum tariffs on businesses in the sign and display industry.

Roland’s New Laser Foil Decorator

Published March 27, 2018

At the ISA Sign Expo 2018, Roland DGA introduced the DGSHAPE LD-80 laser foil decorator. Roland President Andrew Oransky talks about the new device and the opportunities it opens up for print service providers to offer unique, high-value printed specialty products.

HP’s Latex Rigid Technology

Published March 26, 2018

Last week, at the ISA Sign Expo 2018, HP announced its new Latex R, the company’s first Latex series to print on rigid media. Joan Pérez Pericot, General Manager for HP’s Large Format Graphics Business, talks to Richard Romano about the new device line, its features and intended applications, and the product rollout schedule.

The Traditional Meets the Technological at Sign Expo 2018

Published March 26, 2018

The International Sign Association (ISA) Sign Expo 2018 was held in Orlando, Fla., last week. Channel letters, magnetic signage, neon lighting, LED displays, digital displays, 3D printing, and wide-format and display graphics in all their various incarnations were being showcased. Read on for some highlights from the show.

ISA Sign Expo 2018 Goes Beyond Signage

Published March 23, 2018

The ISA Sign Expo 2018 opened in Orlando, Fla., yesterday. Alicia Auerswald, VP of Marketing, Communications, and Membership for the International Sign Association (ISA), talks about some of the new technologies on the show floor, and the increasing need for sign shops to expand into other kinds of print.

“Don’t Put Pictures of Your Press on Your Website”

Published March 16, 2018

Print business owners need to have an effective “content strategy” for their websites and other online presences. John Foley, CEO of interlinkONE & Grow Socially, talks about the reasons for developing a content strategy, as well as some dos and don’ts for online content.

Latest WhatTheyThink Webinar Looked at the Current Economic Climate and Print Business Conditions

Published March 16, 2018

Last Wednesday, Dr. Joe Webb presented his quarterly economic conditions webinar, which included a look at the overall macroeconomic environment as well as current printing industry business conditions. Read on for a brief summary of what Dr. Webb discussed.

For SpeedPro Imaging Apex, Networking Is One of the Keys to Success

Published March 12, 2018

Less than two years ago, Mark Simmons left the retail world and launched a SpeedPro Imaging franchise in Apex, N.C. A knack for networking, a talented in-house designer, and a vibrant local business environment have helped drive Simmons’ success.

The Shapes of Things to Come: Direct-to-Object Printing Bridges the Gap Between Industrial and Commercial

Published March 6, 2018

New systems are emerging that can print directly onto three-dimensional objects, especially cups, glasses, and bottles, to serve what is emerging as a lucrative promotional drinkware market. In this feature, Richard Romano looks at direct-to-object offerings from Xerox, Inkcups, and Engineered Printing Solutions.

For This Print Business Owner, Collaboration Is Key

Published March 6, 2018

At the NPOA Owners Conference, Danny Paline, President of Five Star Printing and Signs, talks about the benefits of talking with other print business owners as well as the importance of a positive attitude.

Networking Is an Essential Tool for Digital Transition

Published March 2, 2018

Longtime NPOA member and first-time Owners Conference attendee Joey Reinhardt, President of Barbour Printing Services, talks about how advice and guidance from his peers has helped him steer his business from an offset to a digital environment, as well as how the association—and the Conference—are well-suited for a business of his size.

Kodak Aims to “Take Print Further” at Customer Event

Published March 2, 2018

At a “Taking Print Further” customer and media event this week in Rochester, N.Y., Kodak offered some forward-looking trend presentations, new product announcements for both cutting-edge and legacy systems, and customer panels. Read about Kodak’s commitment to the print industry.

Print Business Valuation 101

Published March 1, 2018

At last week’s NPOA Owners Conference, Paul Reilly, Partner at New Direction Partners, gave an overview of the dominant business valuation methods. Here, Mr. Reilly summarizes what print business owners need to know about business valuation—whether they are planning to sell their business or not.

”A Valuable Place to Be”—Learning from Peers and Presenters at the Owners Conference

Published March 1, 2018

Gerry Engelhart, President of Porath Printsource, discusses the top challenges he faces as the owner of a print business, as well as the new marketing and promotion ideas he gleaned from this year’s NPOA Owners Conference.

The Importance of SEO for Print Businesses

Published February 28, 2018

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is all about ensuring that your business gets found on Google when potential customers search for the products and services you offer. John Foley, CEO of interlinkONE & Grow Socially, talks about his session at the NPOA Owner’s Conference on the importance of SEO for print businesses—and how even small shops can make the time to effectively optimize their websites.

Articles by Richard Romano