Richard Romano is Managing Editor of WhatTheyThink. He curates the Wide Format section on WhatTheyThink.com. He has been writing about the graphic communications industry for more than 25 years. He is the author or coauthor of more than half a dozen books on printing technology and business. His most recent book is “Beyond Paper: An Interactive Guide to Wide-Format and Specialty Printing.
Displaying 351-450 of 859 articles
Published July 31, 2017
Canned beer isn’t your daddy’s tinny-tasting brew. As microbreweries move small-batch production from bottles to cans, it opens up opportunities for short-run can decoration.
Published July 17, 2017
Helping customers navigate complex and constantly changing postal regulations has historically been a vital value-added service for commercial printers. The various rules and regulations regarding signage today provide an opportunity for sign printers.
Published June 19, 2017
QR codes are great for “making print interactive,” but in today’s high-data marketing environment, they also have a more important purpose: making print measurable.
Published June 4, 2017
Wide-format and specialty and specialty printing are where a lot of the action is today. But expanding into these new areas is not without its pitfalls. Here are some worth avoiding.
Published May 30, 2017
Commercial printing is evolving into specialty printing, and opportunities abound—if you know where and how to look for them.
Published May 23, 2017
The same technologies that have enabled the proliferation of wide-format graphics are also profoundly changing the traditional specialty printing market. Here’s how print service providers can take advantage of the “nichification” of commercial print.
Published May 15, 2017
Last week, FESPA 2017 drew attendees from across Europe and beyond to see the latest in wide-format and specialty printing technology and applications.
Published May 1, 2017
We are about to be hit by a “Third Wave” of technology disruption that will negatively impact the demand for print. Or will it? Not all print is created equal these days. Here are some suggestions for how to weather the storm.
Published April 24, 2017
Richard Romano visits with ISA President & CEO Lori Anderson from the show floor to talk about the 2017 expo and breaking attendance records once again.
Published April 24, 2017
Neon. LED. Channel letters. Wooden signs. Magnetic letters. Aside from dynamic digital signage, the “new media” in the sign industry is, strange as it may sound, print. The International Sign Association’s Sign Expo 2017 wrapped up last weekend. Here are some highlights from the show floor and beyond.
Published April 17, 2017
Berkeley-based digital artist Bert Monroy has spent more than three decades creating intricately detailed digital fine art. His most complex image is part of a new software retrospective exhibit at the Computer History Museum.
Published April 10, 2017
The Environmental Protection Agency made some changes to its “generator standard” regarding the safe disposal of hazardous waste. Here is what the printing industry needs to know.
Published April 3, 2017
ISA Sign Expo 2017 is back in Vegas, with four days of educational sessions, a packed exhibition hall, and some brand-new partnerships and colocations, including the Collaboration in Packaging Production (CPP) Expo.
Published March 27, 2017
Earlier this month, Canon Solutions America hosted its annual analyst and press event in Boca Raton, Fla., debuting new wide-format technologies and market strategies.
Published March 9, 2017
At yesterday’s Canon One event in Boca Raton, Canon Solutions America officially launched the Colorado 1640, the first model in the company’s new line of roll-to-roll wide-format printers based on the revolutionary new UVgel ink technology.
Published March 6, 2017
For many people, color management is like the weather. Everyone talks about it, but no one ever does anything about it. But new machines with new ink sets are turning what was always a tricky issue into an even trickier one.
Published February 27, 2017
As interest in industrial printing gains momentum, the inaugural InPrint USA Industrial Print Show will take place in Orlando in April. We spoke with SGIA President and CEO Ford Bowers about industrial printing in general and the upcoming show in particular.
Published January 31, 2017
The next big communication disruption is upon us. There are many ways print businesses should respond, but focusing on specialty items is one way. This article cites IPMA and WhatTheyThink research to explore opportunities in-plants and commercial printing establishments are seeing in 2017.
Published January 24, 2017
Last week’s EFI Connect in Las Vegas saw some new product rollouts, status reports on recent product introductions, and an alternately lighthearted and frightening look at artificial intelligence.
Published January 16, 2017
Our annual rundown of the current flatbed wide-format printer landscape.
Published January 9, 2017
As we plunge headlong into 2017, let’s kick off the year, as we traditionally do, with a look at the current roll-to-roll printer landscape. Next week, we’ll look at flatbed printers.
Published December 23, 2016
The halls, they are decked, the silver bells, they are ringing, and throughout the land a festive Christmas spirit is finally descending upon us. It’s also the electric company’s favorite time of year, I would guess, and it’s always entertaining walking or driving around and seeing how extravagantly some homeowners festoon their homes—tastefully, garishly, and everything in between—with all manner of lights, inflatables, and giant electric snow globes.
Published December 19, 2016
Last week, we took a wide-format look back at 2016. What lies ahead for wide-format and specialty graphics printing in 2017?
Published December 16, 2016
We’re all familiar with the first telegraph message, the first phone call, and maybe the first message sent from one computer to another . But what about the first cellphone call?
Published December 13, 2016
2016 is almost over! Whew! So, what were the top growth areas for wide-format? What applications are ascendant? What technologies have emerged and evolved?
Published December 5, 2016
Advice abounds for using social and other electronic media for marketing, but don’t ignore some “old school” offline marketing strategies.
Published November 21, 2016
What wide-format and specialty printing products will be in demand in 2017? Sure, one could say “all of them,” but here are three particular areas to pay special attention to in the new year.
Published November 7, 2016
There was a time when I could describe lenticular imaging thusly: “You know those prizes that used to come in boxes of Cracker Jack, little cards that if you held it one way it displayed one image and if you held it another it would flip to another image?” It was a low-tech 3D effect or animation, kind of the analog equivalent of an animated GIF.
Published October 31, 2016
A recent state of the in-plant industry report finds that in-plant printing departments are well-poised to expand their wide-format and specialty printing options—not just for their parent organizations, but for outside customers, as well.
Published October 18, 2016
When Joshua Feller bought a failing trade show graphics company in 2005, he had little idea that it was the start of a journey that would take him into the world of wide-format printing—and the burgeoning world of digital label printing.
Published October 6, 2016
WhatTheyThink Senior Analyst Richard Romano talks to FastSigns CEO Catherine Monson about recent expansion into 5 countries in Central America, activity in Brazil and Mexico, and development in Southeast Asia.
Published October 3, 2016
A collection of new products and product previews that were seen on the show floor at last month’s SGIA Expo.
Published October 3, 2016
In this installment of WhatTheyThink's Thought Leadership Series, Canon Solutions America's Randy Paar talks about the most recent Océ Arizona flatbed UV printers, and offers a sneak peek at CSA's forthcoming new UVgel UV-based ink platform.
Published September 21, 2016
On location in Las Vegas, Richard Romano talks to SGIA President and CEO Ford Bowers about this year’s record-setting SGIA Expo.
Published September 20, 2016
Richard Romano talks to new Roland DG President Andrew Oransky about his new role, Roland's activities in and out of the imaging industry, and his vision for the future of the company.
Published September 16, 2016
Richard Romano talks to Larry Damico of Durst Imaging about the latest entries in the company’s flatbed and roll-to-roll wide-format printing equipment portfolio.
Published September 15, 2016
What happened at this year’s SGIA Expo may have happened in Vegas, but it’s not staying in Vegas. Our report from Day One of the show.
Published September 12, 2016
Whether it’s only a select few tasks or an entire production workflow, automation is slowly but surely coming to wide-format printing. How is that possible?
Published August 29, 2016
Next month, the annual SGIA Expo heads to its West Coast home at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Two of this year’s big topics are garment decoration and 3D printing—and it turns out they are not mutually exclusive. Here’s a preview of this year’s show.
Published August 23, 2016
The Printing Industries Alliance hosted an all-day drupa recap at Manhattan’s Club 101. Among the day’s presentations and panel discussions was an extensive conversation about the current state of wide-format graphics and opportunities in the market for commercial printers.
Published August 15, 2016
In the latest installment of our occasional Wide-Format 101 series, we offer a general overview of wall, floor, and window graphics.
Published July 25, 2016
The first half of 2016 is in the books. How is the industry faring thus far compared o last year? Our new Economics and Research Center report looks at the latest economic, technological, and cultural trends affecting the industry.
Published July 11, 2016
This year’s FESPA Wrap Cup Master Jim Miller started in vehicle graphics at the age of 15, applying screen printed decals to his father’s Little Debbie truck. Today, Miller Decals installs vehicle graphics and other types of displays for more than 600 customers around the country.
Published June 20, 2016
In the latest installment of our occasional Wide-Format 101 series, we offer a primer on basic finishing processes, specifically rollfed cutters and flatbed cutting tables.
Published June 6, 2016
Drupa 2016 thus far has not had a lot of wide-format announcements per se, but corrugated—one point where wide-format and packaging meet—is playing a big role this year, with some major announcements.
Published May 24, 2016
drupa opens at the end of this month and while drupa has not traditionally been one of the go-to shows for wide-format printing, as wide-format has become a hot topic in the general commercial printing market, it is taking a bigger role at this year’s show.
Published May 17, 2016
The biggest issue facing print buyers for retail brands is turn time and speed to market. How can print service providers best help retailers solve this problem?
Published May 16, 2016
Matt Richart, owner of Lexington, Kentucky based DigitalEFX Wraps, talks to Richard Romano about his company’s origins and best practices for vehicle wrapping.
Published May 9, 2016
Last week, HP announced two new series of Latex printers, so this seems as good a time as any to offer a little “Latex 101” primer for those who may be new to the topic and technology.
Published May 8, 2016
Scott Donovan, Principal Consultant at BleuPrint Creative and a textile printing veteran, discusses the technologies and the opportunities available in digital textile printing
Published May 2, 2016
Two weeks ago, at Roland’s second annual ImagiNATION user conference, Giveme Help’s Mark Rugen ran down a list of some lesser-known image editing programs and other utilities for professionals doing design and production for wide-format graphics. Here are some highlights.
Published May 1, 2016
President & CEO Catherine Monson talks about the latest news from FastSigns, trends in signage, and the growing demand for dynamic digital signage.
Published April 25, 2016
If the ISA Sign Expo 2016 demonstrated one thing—and it demonstrated far more than one thing—it was that “signage” is part of a much larger graphic ecosystem than can include products and applications seemingly far-removed from signs.
Published April 22, 2016
Richard Romano talks to Lori Anderson, President & CEO of ISA, on the first day of the ISA Sign Expo in Orlando where she talks about a record-breaking crowd. They discuss what is driving the increased interest in signage and sign-making as well as the hot new technologies being featured at the show.
Published April 18, 2016
When the auto industry crashed and burned in 2007–2008, and their biggest client pulled most of their business, Michigan’s Landaal Packaging Systems saw an opportunity to reinvent itself with digital wide-format printing.
Published March 28, 2016
Sign Expo 2016 comes to Orlando, with four days of educational sessions, keynotes, and a packed exhibition hall. As an added bonus, both Roland’s ImagiNATION 2016 and Durst’s Retail 2020 are colocated with this year’s Sign Expo.
Published March 21, 2016
A new iGen, new production inkjet models, and software solutions were pre-announced to Xerox customers and the media at a special event held last week at the Gil Hatch Center in upstate New York.
Published March 14, 2016
There are a number of different printing technologies used to print fabrics and textiles. One of the most common—and the one that is getting the most attention these days—is dye sublimation. What is dye sublimation printing, and what do you need to take advantage of the technology?
Published March 7, 2016
Digital textile printing is seemingly everywhere, and many sources tout it as a high growth area. New product announcements are also coming thick and fast. But what are the basics of digital textile printing? This week, we offer a basic primer on the topic.
Published February 29, 2016
Canon Solutions America hosted its third anniversary event last week in Boca Raton, Fla., highlighting the state of the market, new product developments, and customer case studies. In this feature, we focus on the company’s wide-format offerings.
Published February 23, 2016
On February 1, Ford Bowers took the reins as president and CEO of SGIA, succeeding Michael Robertson after nearly 33 years of service. In Part 2 of this two-part interview, we talk with Ford about the SGIA Expo, as well as the overall challenges facing the wide-format and specialty graphics printing industry.
Published February 16, 2016
On February 1, Ford Bowers took the reins as president and CEO of SGIA, succeeding Michael Robertson after nearly 33 years of service. In Part 1 of this two-part interview, we talk with Ford Bowers about his history with Miller Zell, his plans for SGIA, the role of the trade association in today’s landscape.
Published February 8, 2016
Commoditization has come creeping into wide-format and specialty graphics, but does it mean the end of profitability?
Published January 26, 2016
Fujifilm VP of Marketing Terry Mitchell talks with Richard Romano about Fujifilm's new Uvistar hybrid rollfed/flatbed press, as well as new applications and capablities enabled by the latest generation of flatbed presses.
Published January 25, 2016
EFI is integrating hardware and software for specialty printing applications, as well as making the most of its many recent acquisitions. Here are some wide-format-related highlights.
Published January 19, 2016
Herewith a handful of recent new announcements that caught your Section Editor’s eye.
Published January 19, 2016
Heather Kendle, Inca Digital's Director of Customer Support, talks with Richard Romano about the new Inca Onset X series of flatbed UV printers, which made their worldwide debut at the SGIA Expo last fall.
Published January 11, 2016
Richard Romano talks to Ricoh VP John Fulena about Ricoh’s involvement with SkillsUSA, education outreach initiatives, and attracting young people and students to the graphic arts industry.
Published January 11, 2016
Our annual rundown of the current flatbed wide-format printer landscape.
Published January 4, 2016
Our annual rundown of the current rollfed wide-format printer landscape.
Published December 21, 2015
Last week, we took a wide-format look back at 2015. Now let’s switch directions. What can we expect in 2016? Before we answer that, though, what is 2016 likely to hold for the printing industry in general?
Published December 21, 2015
These are the results of the Economics and Research Center’s (ERC) survey conducted in October and November 2015.
Published December 14, 2015
What were the top growth areas for wide-format in 2015? What applications are ascendant? What technologies are emerging and evolving?
Published December 8, 2015
Richard Romano talks to RTI’s Erik Norman about new applications for single-pass wide-format printers, such as RTI Digital’s Vortex 4200.
Published December 7, 2015
Digital wide-format printing is one of the most significant growth areas in the entire print industry. InfoTrends offers some of its data on the top-growing wide-format printing applications, and takes a look at how the supply chain for equipment, supplies, and consumables is changing.
Published November 30, 2015
From your own physical location—and website—to social media, to local business media, there is no shortage of options for showing off and promoting cool, creative projects you have completed.
Published November 23, 2015
Four-and-a-half years ago, Bob Kelleher of East Syracuse’s SpeedPro Imaging of Central New York made the transition from software sales to wide-format printing and has never looked back.
Published November 10, 2015
Richard Romano talks to Eric Dalton, Director of Sales, Cloud Services, for GMG Graphics, on the latest trends in color management and color management software, and the color management challenges specific to wide-format printing.
Published November 9, 2015
We wrap up our coverage of last week’s SGIA Expo 2015 with a look at a handful of the major new product announcements that were made at the show.
Published November 6, 2015
Richard Romano talks to Dan Marx, VP of Markets and Technology for SGIA, on the changes that new technologies have wrought on specialty graphics, SGIA, the SGIA Expo, and trade shows in general.
Published October 28, 2015
There’s an important point that needs to be made upfront, boldly and italically: Print and printers are two distinct things. We all love print. But we love printers and the people who work in print businesses more.
Published October 26, 2015
A plethora of educational opportunities, a packed show floor, and new product introductions are on tap for this ever-growing show.
Published October 13, 2015
St. Louis’ Triflare specializes in racewear for triathlon participants, swimmers, and other athletes—all produced digitally using dye-sublimation printing.
Published October 6, 2015
We’re always trying to look at things—trends, technology, etc.—from a historical perspective. We try to compare new phenomena to older phenomena that we understand. That’s normal. History is cyclical, isn’t it?
Published September 29, 2015
In 1981, L.A. photographer Steve Reisch captured legendary director John Cassavetes and his stock company backstage as they rehearsed and performed an experimental series of plays. Unseen for 34 years, the images have been brought back to life thanks to a partnership between Reisch and Canon USA.
Published September 28, 2015
Richard Romano talks to SGIA's Dan Marx about the upcoming SGIA Expo in Atlanta, Ga., November 4–6, including new show features this year, educational opportunities, and wide-format/specialty graphics trends to look for.
Published September 23, 2015
If it jets ink, it’s a hot technology, and while production inkjet got the bulk of the buzz at last week’s Graph Expo, wide-format and specialty printing continue to play a much larger role.
Published September 9, 2015
The new UnSquaring the Wheel project from Chris Bondy, Wayne Peterson, and Dr. Joe Webb is a new methodology for transforming print businesses. And it is ideally suited for those looking to add wide-format printing.
Published August 31, 2015
As wide-format and specialty graphics play a larger role in the industry, they are also playing a larger role at general commercial printing shows like Graph Expo. Here is a preview of some things to look for at this year’s show.
Published August 11, 2015
“Our aim is to become a company that is truly indispensable to our customers,” said Minoru Usui, Global President of Seiko Epson, kicking off “Experience Epson,” a day of interactive demos of a cross-section of Epson technologies, from wide-format printing, to interactive whiteboards, to golf swing analyzers, to Augmented Reality-based headsets, to…well, you name it. The event was held last week in New York City.
Published August 3, 2015
From wood, to glass, to textiles, to animal pelts—and even to paper—ARB Digital takes on challenging projects, thanks to founder Alvaro Rodriguez’s background in tech support, color management, and software development.
Published July 27, 2015
In this video interview, Senior Editor Richard Romano talks with Guy Gecht about EFI's two recent acquisitions (Matan Digital Printers and Reggiani Macchine), how they fit into EFI’s overall portfolio, and what they will mean for EFI’s current—and potential—customers.
Published July 13, 2015
New applications for outdoor graphics are appearing all the time, and new printing technologies are revitalizing some older applications. Some considerations if you are looking at outdoor graphics, and a look at one South Florida shop that has carved out a niche in the great outdoors.
Published June 29, 2015
OK, so you’ve invested in wide-format printing capabilities, the equipment is up and running, the staff is trained, and you’re ready to RIP. How do you get work to run on that equipment?
Published June 22, 2015
The community of U.S. Esko users descended upon the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona earlier this week to sharpen their skills, answer questions, get product roadmaps, and network with Esko executives and engineers as well as a diverse group of their peers.
Published June 15, 2015
Printing is easy; it’s all the other stuff that can pose challenges. Producing wide-format output can require a different approach to traditional processes, from selling, to finishing, to transporting. What do you need to know before you take the plunge?
Published June 9, 2015
If you happen to have been in Singapore recently—and who of us hasn’t?—you may have caught sight of a new wide-format backlit film that can be used for vehicle graphics. Called eLumiNEX, it has been given a shakedown cruise on a bus.
Published May 20, 2015
Published May 18, 2015
By all accounts, the sign and display industry is growing by leaps and bounds. But getting accurate sizing data is fraught with difficulties—difficulties that have largely been caused by the very factors that are driving growth.
Published May 4, 2015
Dynamic digital signage is becoming a hotter and hotter topic, and while there are ample opportunities for companies to get in on, if not the ground floor, than at least the mezzanine, it’s not to everyone’s taste. Here are some arguments for—and against.
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