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 51-150 of 194 articles
Published November 17, 2022
Tomorrow, the winners of the Digital Signage Experience Awards—or “DIZZIES”—will be announced, honoring the cutting edge in electronic signs and immersive multimedia experiences. Our friends at SNA Displays had their LED display technologies used by four nominees in the running. We take a look at these digital signage installations.
Published November 10, 2022
Epson’s Tim Check talks about the new Pinnacle Award-winning SureColor F6470H dye-sublimation printer, the company’s first six-color 44-inch dye-sub. It offers options for fluorescent inks, orange and violet to expand the color gamut, and light cyan and light magenta for photographers and fine artists.
Published November 1, 2022
CEO Neil Felton talks about FESPA and what the federation offers the graphic arts community, and highlights some upcoming events, including FESPA Global Print Expo, to be held to Münich in May 2023.
Published October 27, 2022
Vanguard Digital Printing Systems’ Jim Peterson talks about the wide-format printing equipment the company was demonstrating at last week’s PRINTING United expo, including five Pinnacle Award-winning flatbed and rollfed units.
Published October 25, 2022
DALIM Software’s Aristide Zouheir-Kuhnle talks about DALIM’s software solutions on display at last week’s PRINTING United Expo.
Published October 20, 2022
Ross Cartwright collected signs as a kid, so it was only natural he would end up in the sign business. From local independent Cincinnati sign shop designer to FASTSIGNS corporate trainer, he has now come full circle with his acquisition of FASTSIGNS of Spring Hill, Fla.
Published October 20, 2022
PRINTING United Alliance CEO Ford Bowers talks about the first in-person PRINTING United Expo since 2019 and some of the major themes and trends on display at the show.
Published October 17, 2022
With cannabis retail locations now popping up in several states, we’re starting to see more and more signage advertising these locations and their products. And just as it is in packaging, regulations pertaining to cannabis signage are still in a “Wild West” stage and, as you can imagine, vary from state to state.
Published October 11, 2022
Joe Gass, President and CEO of Heritage Printing, shares his industry journey. The family business started 46 years ago when Joe was 13, and after a stint in the US Navy, he took over the business in 1988. It has grown consistently, and Gass recently launched Heritage Signs & Displays to handle wide-format printing and signage and has launched BlueFire Visual to transform interior spaces.
Published October 6, 2022
Last month, WhatTheyThink’s Richard Romano and IDC’s Tim Greene presented a wide-format outlook webinar, and a big topic was automation—but not necessarily where you would think. Here are some highlights of that discussion.
Published October 4, 2022
PRINTING United is slated for on October 19 to 21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As you may recall from past events, the emphasis of PRINTING United is on the “united” part, as it has been designed to be the venue where all the disparate “silos” of the industry—commercial, wide format, packaging and labels, textiles, industrial—come together under one very large roof. The following round-up is a sampling of the wide-format introductions you’ll find on the show floor.
Published October 4, 2022
Mark Schlimme from SCREEN Americas talks about the launch of SCREEN’s new user group, and discusses the advantages for SCREEN customers as well as upcoming events.
Published October 3, 2022
Keypoint Intelligence’s Greg Cholmondeley gives us an update on the latest industry trends—including a renewed sense of optimism as we head through 2022 and into 2023.
Published September 29, 2022
Kodak’s Jeff Zellmer talks about some of Kodak’s recent product introductions, including two new Prosper high-speed inkjet presses—the Prosper Ultra 520 and the 1,345-ft./min. Prosper 7000—as well as the Ascend Digital Press, a toner-based machine that also adds embellishments.
Published September 27, 2022
Bindtech is a postpress service provider that offers a wide range of binding and finishing services for both hardcover and softcover books. Bindtech’s Chad Dillon shows “Simply Bourbon,” a coffee table book that features an elaborate three-piece cover incorporating debossing, foil stamping, and a real piece of laser-etched wood. Bindtech was showing even more exotic binding examples at last August’s Americas Print Show.
Published September 22, 2022
September is World Alzheimer’s Month—and September 21 was World Alzheimer’s Day—where people and organizations around the globe raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. As part of this awareness, UK-based print and branding company Solopress circulated some best practices for designing and producing Alzheimer’s-friendly signage and display graphics.
Published September 21, 2022
David Mauro from All Covered, a provider of cybersecurity services, shares some scary cybersecurity breaches and explains why it’s important for companies to have effective safeguards in place.
Published September 14, 2022
Galo Fraga, CEO of Fraga Graphic Solutions, talks about his company and the proactive approach he takes to hiring, cross-training, and promoting employees from within, as well as the value of the recent Americas Print Show.
Published September 12, 2022
“Interactive signage” is changing from simply providing information to creating immersive experiences. At the same time, the actual mechanism by which a user interacts with a display is changing from simple physical interaction to electronic interaction.
Published September 7, 2022
The inaugural Americas Print Show was held August 17–19, in Columbus, Ohio, and while it had some hiccups, the general consensus, from exhibitors and attendees, was that it was a worthwhile event. What does this tell us about the future of industry events?
Published August 31, 2022
Bill Farquharson, Head of Community for The Sales Vault, talks about the positive conversations he had with attendees at the Americas Print Show, held two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio.
Published August 29, 2022
Brian Balow, VP, Integrated Production Solutions, Ricoh, talks about the inaugural Americas Print Show, held August 17 to 19 in Columbus, Ohio, and Ricoh’s involvement in the event.
Published August 25, 2022
On October 7, sign companies will have an excellent opportunity to potentially attract new and young talent to their businesses. Every year, on the International Sign Association’s (ISA) Sign Manufacturing Day, participating sign shops host open houses, facility tours, and hands-on demonstrations for students to show them the opportunities that exist in the sign business.
Published August 18, 2022
WhatTheyThink's Richard Romano speaks with Americas Print Show President Jim Cunningham on the opening day of the show in Columbus Ohio Hear Jim talk about how the show came about, what's happening in Columbus, and plans for the future.
Published August 17, 2022
In this photo gallery, we highlight some recent floor graphics projects that display graphics providers have produced. These application galleries are intended to serve as “food for thought” in developing creative applications for clients.
Published August 11, 2022
The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a prototype robotic inkjet printing system that can print directly onto three-dimensional surfaces—specifically, airplanes. Richard Romano spoke to SwRI Senior Research Engineer Branson Brockschmidt about the project.
Published August 8, 2022
Sign franchise Signarama’s Best in Show award this year went to Signarama Downtown Louisville (Ky.) for a project that involved designing, constructing, and wrapping a giant KFC bucket for Louisville-born rapper Jack Harlow.
Published August 8, 2022
Richard Romano talks to Fred Collins of Mood Media about the benefits of digital signage for print and sign business customers, as well as the revenue opportunities for print and sign providers.
Published August 4, 2022
Richard Romano talks to Amado Lara, Director of Sales for Roland DGA Corporation, about some of the company's recent wide-format product releases, and how the company has been helping customers stay productive amidst the recent supply chain disruptions.
Published July 28, 2022
Last week, the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) hosted a day-long Sustainability Summit at Boston’s historic Fenway Park, with sessions ran the gamut from a list of easy steps for printers to reduce their environmental impact, to a detailed exploration of carbon footprint calculation, to case studies, to roundtable discussions, and ample time for networking. Richard Romano reports from this historic ballpark.
Published July 12, 2022
We recently wrapped up our Top 100 Commercial Printers for 2022 and, since we have been conducting this survey for more than 15 years, mining the database of past results can provide some valuable info about how the industry has changed—and how it might continue to change. In the inaugural installment of this series, we look at how print applications have changed over the past decade.
Published June 30, 2022
“3D printing” is one of those terms that can mean different things to different people. In the signage industry, 3D printing is often referred to as “2+D”—using UV flatbeds to layer ink into three-dimensional textures—and braille lettering for ADA signage. And new units are facilitating the process.
Published June 16, 2022
For many years, the sustainability discussion in wide-format printing has centered on ink technologies but, like elsewhere in the printing industry, other, more pressing issues have come to the fore, typically centered around overall product use and end of life concerns. Richard Romano takes a closer look.
Published June 15, 2022
Epson’s David Lopez talks about some recent Epson product announcements that were on display at the ISA Sign Expo, including the company’s first UV flatbed, a resin-ink printer for soft signage and other textile applications, and a variety of other wide-format printers.
Published June 13, 2022
For the second straight year, Strategic Factory is the WhatTheyThink | Printing News Top Small Commercial Printer. Read on for the complete Top 100, as well as a profile of the winning companies.
Published June 9, 2022
In this photo gallery, we highlight some recent window graphics projects that display graphics providers have produced. These application galleries are intended to serve as “food for thought” in developing creative applications for clients.
Published June 2, 2022
Last month, the International Sign Association (ISA) hosted a webinar that summarized the results of their 2021 Wage & Benefits Report for the Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Industry. We take a look at some of the top-line results.
Published May 26, 2022
An installation at Buffalo, N.Y.’s Central Library features a series of photographs taken by Armed Services veterans. With a special focus on spreading awareness of the struggles veterans face with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), The Odyssey Project includes photographs from 42 veterans, printed and installed by Buffalo Canvas, a display graphics and signage provider.
Published May 19, 2022
Like the print franchise networks, the sign franchises struggled, like many businesses, in 2020. They have bounced back almost to 2019 levels and are seeing good growth going into 2022. Managing editor Richard Romano provides our annual sign franchise review.
Published May 19, 2022
Kevin Duffy, VP of Sales and Marketing for Vycom, talks about the Vycom Recycling Program, designed to take back and recycle printed and unprinted PVC and acrylic sheets, and PE materials, as well as scraps and drops from finishing and fabricating. The recovered plastic is then recycled back into Vycom’s residential and commercial products. Vycom had set up collection bins throughout the show floor at the recent ISA Sign Expo for the recycling of materials used during show demonstrations.
Published May 12, 2022
The FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 will take place from May 31 to June 3, 2022, at the Messe Berlin in Germany. The event is Europe’s leading exhibition for screen, wide-format, and textile printing. WhatTheyThink spoke with Michael Ryan, Head of Global Development & FESPA GPE, FESPA, to preview the show and some prevailing trends and applications attendees can expect to see in Berlin.
Published May 10, 2022
After a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus, the ISA Sign Expo returned live in Atlanta last week—much to everyone’s delight. WhatTheyThink was at the event, which seemed less like a trade show and more like a family reunion.
Published May 2, 2022
The winner of this year’s FASTSIGNS/Wide Format & Signage Project of the Year is FASTSIGNS York (Pa.), whose major rebranding of the Shippensburg University football team’s training facility caught the judges’ eyes.
Published April 28, 2022
It’s been a long three years since the International Sign Expo was last held in person. 2021’s virtual event was a success, but there’s nothing like in-person networking, demos, educational sessions, and parties. Here’s a preview of next week’s show.
Published April 27, 2022
The higher-education market can be a lucrative one for sign and graphics providers, and there is no shortage of display graphics needs. Some are obvious, others less so, but finding them can provide many new opportunities. Here are some ideas.
Published April 25, 2022
eProductivity Software (ePS) may be a new name, but their software solutions for packaging and print have been driving the industry for more than 30 years. This article reintroduces ePS to the market.
Published April 21, 2022
Post-pandemic, the industry has been seeing a renewed interest in sustainability issues. In part 1 of two-part interview, I talk with Marci Kinter, Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance and Secretary & Vice Chair Technical for the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), about the current state of sustainability, the new criteria for SGP certification, and how SGP certification can attract not just print buyers, but print employees, as well.
Published March 24, 2022
Image360 Plymouth unique niche—art-based experiential graphics for health care facilities—has opened the door to some unique projects, and the center is always looking to push the boundaries.
Published March 22, 2022
A new Library Journal report on the state of academic libraries finds that COVID accelerated the downsizing of print collections as budgets were reallocated to expanding electronic resources.
Published February 24, 2022
Image360 Fairfax (Va.) designed, printed, and installed Pride-themed graphics for Fairfax’s Mosaic District, a high-end mixed-use community—images that were deemed highly “Instagrammable,” an increasingly important consideration when designing display graphics.
Published February 21, 2022
Digging into the results of our Fall 2021 Business Outlook Survey for the our annual Printing Outlook 2022report, they showed an industry that has largely recovered from 2020, but faces some new challenges and some older challenges now writ large. We’re not exactly back to normal, but we’re closer than we thought possible in a long time. This article previews the just-released Printing Outlook 2022 report.
Published February 14, 2022
It took some time, but automation is gradually creeping into wide-format printing, especially on the flatbed side. A templated approach to projects, software, and even robotics are bringing new efficiencies to wide-format workflows.
Published February 3, 2022
In December, the International Sign Association (ISA) held a webinar that rounded up some of the recent sign code-related court cases. The one currently pending before the Supreme Court—City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas—could have cataclysmic implications for the sign industry. The webinar offered some potential outcome scenarios and what the decision would mean for sign producers.
Published January 31, 2022
Last month, Print Industries Affiliates hosted a webinar that presented the results of their annual printing industry Wages & Benefits Survey. This article provides some of the top-level findings, some of the short- and long-term implications of today’s employment situation, and strategies for coping with these new challenges.
Published January 20, 2022
Every year round about this time, as we are going through the data from our annual Business Outlook Survey for the forthcoming Printing Outlook report, Richard Romano breaks out some wide-format-specific data to see what trends we can quantitatively gauge—and, specifically, what new application areas look the most promising.
Published January 6, 2022
Almost against all odds, here we are in 2022, and it’s hard not to get the sense that this is our third attempt at starting 2020, building on the successes of 2019 before things went south. As we head into the new year, here are some of the topics Wide Format section editor Richard Romano has been following as they relate to wide-format printing—and, specifically, the market for wide-format printing.
Published November 17, 2021
As we head into 2022, we look back at some demographic trends that could prove favorable for wide-format and signage providers, as well as offer some technology trends to keep an eye out for.
Published November 15, 2021
A photo gallery of recent vehicle wrap projects for private, commercial, and even aquatic vehicles.
Published October 26, 2021
When we think of display graphics in the automotive industry, the first thing that springs to mind is vehicle graphics. But display graphics are taking on new roles as a subset of experiential or environmental graphics for auto dealer showrooms. As the auto sales experience is changing post-COVID (as are so many things), and more auto sales move online to sites like Carvana, display graphics are also in a state of flux.
Published October 18, 2021
Since 2008, latex printers have offered a highly flexible alternative to solvent printers, as they could print on a wide variety of materials, including textiles. In this feature, we look at some users of latex doing creative work for wallcoverings, display graohics, and...voting boxes?
Published September 30, 2021
In this video, sponsored by FUJIFILM, Greg Balch, GM & VP of FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions, talks about the recently launched FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions, designed to help customers develop bespoke printing solutions.
Published September 13, 2021
Two recent court cases—one in Tennessee and one in Texas—have created new wrinkles in exterior sign code regulations. Meanwhile, communities are trying to apply EMC regulations to internally illuminated signs, and authorities are returning to stricter enforcement of regulations on temporary signage that had been relaxed during the pandemic.
Published August 17, 2021
Bikeatoga, a non-profit organization that promotes bicycling and bicycle safety in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has launched a lawn signage campaign to help prevent vehicle-bicycle accidents.
Published August 3, 2021
Navigating the post-pandemic world in the early days of the reopening could be confusing, as there was little signage that indicated a particular location’s policies regarding mask-wearing, etc. Still, some demand for post-pandemic signage remains, although the major opportunities for sign and display graphics producers were mostly fleeting.
Published August 2, 2021
Wayfinding and other kinds of interior graphics are good opportunities for signage and display graphics providers. However, it is essential to have an understanding of the requirements for signage to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—and how some of those requirements have changed post-COVID.
Published July 15, 2021
Richard Romano talks to Keith Miller, President of Strategic Factory, this year's top small commercial printer, in this excerpt from our recent "Top 100 Small Commercial Printers" LunchLearn Webinar.
Published July 13, 2021
Variable-temperature graphics installation. Vaccine site graphics. Outside art exhibits. Home décor. Superbowl graphics from the Before Times. In this photo gallery, we highlight some recent projects that users have produced using a variety of consumables types, from labels, to vinyls, to fabrics.
Published June 29, 2021
ActiveScene is a projection system from Sharp/NEC combined with an “active” window film from Avery Dennison that can turn any window into dynamic digital signage.
Published June 22, 2021
Each year, WhatTheyThink | Printing News invites small commercial print business owners to participate in our Top 100 Shops Survey. In this article, we look at the results of this year’s survey, and profile this year’s winners—including #1 Top Shop, Strategic Factory.
Published June 15, 2021
Vycom (and its parent, The AZEK Company) launched its Recycling Take Back Program in 2019, accepting hard-to-recycle materials like PVC and other materials used for signage and display graphics and reusing them in decking products, diverting millions of pounds of plastic from landfills. The company has expanded the number of recycling plants, has been adding customers, and is renewing its outreach efforts.
Published June 9, 2021
FASTSIGNS of Louisville (Ky.) took top honors at this year’s FASTSIGNS/Wide Format & Signage Project of the Year Awards. Second place was claimed by FASTSIGNS of Martinsburg (W.V.), and third by FASTSIGNS of Puerto Rico. Let’s take a close look at this year’s winners.
Published May 25, 2021
Even moderate winds can be destructive to outdoor graphics if they have been insufficiently reinforced. And while taping, sewing, or welding banner edges may not be the sexiest finishing techniques in the world, they are important considerations when producing outdoor graphics that are designed look good as well as last.
Published May 11, 2021
Cornhole boards, barn wood, hand sanitizer stations, 3D effects, and acrylic on glass. In this photo gallery, we highlight some recent projects that users have produced using flatbed UV printing equipment.
Published April 28, 2021
In WhatTheyThink/Printing News’ Annual Sign Franchise Review, we take a look at how the major sign franchises fared in the past year, how they managed the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they plan to make up lost ground in 2021.
Published April 12, 2021
Last week, ISA staged its Sign Expo 2021 Virtual, which succeded in replicating, perhaps as best as possible, the feel of being at a live event and networking with colleagues. Here is a quick rundown of the first day.
Published April 5, 2021
The challenges of the last year may have slowed some progress in the expansion of dynamic digital signage (DDS), but it has, at the same time, opened up some new opportunities for DDS technologies—especially as they become less expensive and higher quality.
Published March 16, 2021
A recent ISA webinar looked at how the sign and display markets fared in Q4 2020, and offered up some forecasts for 2021, which IHS Markit analysts see as a “transitional year” from COVID to post-COVID while 2022 will see the rebirth of the economy, employment, and the industry.
Published March 11, 2021
Signage has almost always been one of the most essential means of communicating important messages, which was why wide-format and sign shops early on in the pandemic were considered “essential services.” Health and safety messaging was the killer app for display graphics in 2020, and that is going to remain the case for the foreseeable future. Here’s what to look for.
Published February 23, 2021
John Mills, CEO of Xaar, talks about the company’s rebranding strategy, the new ImagineX printhead platform, and the “new Xaar.”
Published February 17, 2021
WhatTheyThink’s Fall 2020 Business Outlook Survey asked print business executives and owners about their 2020 business conditions, business challenges, biggest perceived opportunities, and investment plans, as well as opinions of virtual events and their 2020 hiring plans. The results of this survey are included in WhatTheyThink’s Printing Outlook 2021 special report. Here are some of the top-level findings from that report.
Published February 16, 2021
An introduction to one of the essential tools for traditional signmaking: the CNC router.
Published February 11, 2021
The COVID pandemic has accelerated some older—and created other new—trends an demands for automation and other wide-format printing software.
Published February 4, 2021
HP updates its Latex roll-to-roll portfolio with four new units that bring white ink printing, new inks and printheads, and a renewed commitment to sustainability. Additionally, HP has launched a new Latex Print and Cut line and refreshed its PageWide XL units for the technical printing markets.
Published January 19, 2021
Founded more than 30 years ago as a business forms printer, Vancouver’s Still Creek Press has adapted and evolved over the years, adding wide-format printing capabilities and other products and services. A recent project saw the company come to the rescue when the University of British Columbia Opera decided to stage a virtual production.
Published January 4, 2021
As we enter 2021, we have reasons to be optimistic, maybe even over-optimistic. So let’s put the old year behind us (to the extent that we can), jump feet-first into the new one, and resolve never to use terms like “the new normal” or “pivot” ever again. Instead, let’s look at some of the substantial new opportunities for wide-format graphics and signage. What can we be over-optimistic about?
Published December 17, 2020
“Retail” embodies vastly different kinds of businesses, all of which have fared differently during the pandemic. As a result, rather than V-shaped, perhaps we should think of it as a K-shaped recovery. But what does that mean for retail graphics?
Published December 15, 2020
A recap of the top wide-format and signage trends and new products that hit the market in 2020.
Published December 14, 2020
According to the Q3 2020 ISA Quarterly Economic Report, it’s going to be a long, hard slog to full recovery, and not just domestically. 2021 will be an improvement, but don’t expect the “new normal” (whatever that is) until 2022.
Published December 1, 2020
Epson fills out its wide-format portfolio with the SureColor V7000 Series, the company’s first UV flatbed. The debut unit is the 4 x 8-foot, 10-color SureColor V7000.
Published November 10, 2020
As we enter “the new normal,” temperature detection systems and signage may become important elements of compliance and liability for businesses. This article looks at Altoros, a veteran professional IT services and software provider that has entered the temperature signage market.
Published November 9, 2020
A lot of shops have been doing vehicle graphics for many years, but even more have mot net explored the opportunities to be had. And as with virtually everything else, the COVID pandemic has the potential to alter the market for vehicle graphics.
Published November 3, 2020
In the face of prohibitions on live fan attendance at sporting events, both college and pro sports teams are filling empty stadiums with printed spectators. Read how Ricoh helped two sports programs take advantage of wide-format printing to connect with fans while also helping raise money for health initiatives.
Published October 27, 2020
Yesterday, the PRINTING United Digital Experience kicked off with a day’s worth of sessions and product demos surrounding the world of Graphics and Wide Format: Hardware & Consumables. Richard Romano “attended” Day 1 and reports on the four sessions.
Published October 26, 2020
Epson is expanding its footprint in the signage market with the new SureColor R-Series—two 64-inch roll-to-roll printers that utilize a resin-based ink technology that is intended as an alternative to latex.
Published October 13, 2020
The COVID pandemic has wrought many changes in the printing industry in general and the sign industry in particular, but one interesting development has been an increase in residential signage. The market for this kind of signage may not disappear once the pandemic does (if the pandemic ever does)—and it can prove to be a lucrative opportunity worth seizing.
Published October 5, 2020
Once describing the intersection of signage and décor, the application area of environmental graphics now, in the age COVID, has come to embody new kinds of signage and display graphics—and are even moving into the home.
Published September 28, 2020
According to the Q2 2020 ISA Quarterly Economic Report, the COVID crisis accelerated some trends both for print and digital signage that had started to emerge pre-crisis. The sign industry isn’t expected to recover to 2018 or 2019 levels until 2022.
Published September 16, 2020
The definition of “industrial printing” has been changing, especially with the advent of inkjet printing, which is opening up all new “industrial” applications. This article looks at the state of industrial printing today, and the various applications that comprise it.
Published September 8, 2020
Velox specializes in industrial-scale direct-to-shape digital printing—or, as the company calls it, “decorating”—predominantly on tubes, aerosols, and other cylindrical items. We take a look at the capabilities of Velox’s technology.
Published September 2, 2020
Yesterday, Canon Solutions America announced the new Arizona 2300 Series wide-format flatbed printer. The new series is built on a novel approach to media handling that eliminates zones, masking, and taping, helping speed job changeover and reduce operator intervention.
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