Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Access Direct's Lori Messina at thINK 2023

Published July 20, 2023

Lori Messina, President of Access Direct, and President of the Board for thINK talks about this year’s thINK Ahead program. Lori talks about the importance of sharing knowledges and discussing common challenges with peers. thINK is an independent community of Canon production inkjet customers that provides a forum for networking and education.

Canon USA’s Matthew Poliniak at the Canon Solutions Summit

Published July 19, 2023

Julie Shaffer talks with Matthew Poliniak, Sr. Manager, Product Management, for Canon USA, about the Canon Summit 2023, held recently in Nashville, and Canon’s recent product announcements and releases.

Around the Web: Keyboard Carousing. Perishing Paper. Hammer Happiness. Album Art. Calming Canines. Automotive Aviation. Fungus Funeral. Auteur Adventure. Condiment Collection.

Published July 14, 2023

Milwaukee’s inaugural QWERTYFEST celebrates the invention of the typewriter. The world’s oldest national newspaper has produced its final print edition after 320 years. “People are paying to break printers with sledgehammers in smash rooms.” Graphene-based “e-skin.” Aqualamb brings back album art in the age of streaming. Noise-canceling headphones for dogs. The flying car is almost here! Italian automotive hackers create the lowest drivable car, for some reason. Mushroom-based coffins for the burgeoning “green burial” trend. Enter “Tim Burton’s Labyrinth.” Burger King’s “real cheeseburger.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

June Printing Production Employment Up Slightly, Non-Production Down

Published July 14, 2023

Overall printing employment in June 2023 was down -0.2% from March. Production employment was up 0.4% while non-production employment was down -0.6%.

Canon USA’s Karin Harrington at the Canon Solutions Summit

Published July 13, 2023

Julie Shaffer talks with Karin Harrington, Senior Director of Field Sales for Canon USA, about the Canon Summit 2023, held recently in Nashville, which brought together a combination of the sales and service organizations that sell and support Canon solutions.

Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published June 30, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 483 establishments in NAICS 32229 (Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, BEA revises Q1 GDP up.

Around the Web: Clever Katherine. Magazine Massacre. Cool Curtains. Lens Literature. Lawn Loathing. Canine Conflagration. Barbie Buildings. Beverage Bling.

Published June 30, 2023

The only woman’s name that appears on the Declaration of Independence. National Geographic lays off its last remaining staff writers. Turn your walls or windows into huge, animated Lite-Brites. The Sol Reader is essentially a Kindle embedded in a pair of glasses. Making “smart paper” with liquid metal. A graphene-based wearable and wireless patch that detects signs of liver inflammation. A design firm’s war against…lawns. The new face of terror: a robotic dog with a flamethrower attached to its back. Barbie’s Dream House in each state. Is a 2,000-year-old Pompeiian fresco the oldest depiction of a pizza? 7-Eleven introduces Slurpee-themed jewelry, for some reason. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

April Shipments Maintain Seasonality—Just as We Feared

Published June 23, 2023

April 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.00 billion, down from March’s $7.58 billion and in line with annual seasonality—although it is a bit below the previous two Aprils.

Around the Web: Bewildering Bots. Commemorating Kafka. Mac Merch. Paper Peeping. Analog Attraction. Freed Feline. Netflix Noshing. Planet Pondering. Tamer Tippling.

Published June 23, 2023

A “public service videogame” that invites players to verify images incorrectly to confuse bots. Type designer and typographer Oded Ezer’s unique “The Samsa Enigma” project for the 140th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s birth. A knitted blanket based on the original Mac OS desktop. Behind the scenes at Seven Days, a Vermont-based weekly newspaper. The continuing resurgence of non-digital technologies. A kitten is rescued from a packaging recycling container. Converting a pickup truck into a giant dot matrix printer. Could life exist on Venus, of all places? When out at the bar, be sure to adjust for drinkflation.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

EFI Launches End-To-End Digital Printing Workflow for Textiles with Focus on Sustainable Production at ITMA 2023

Published June 20, 2023

Debbie McKeegan, CEO at Texintel and WhatTheyThink contributor, talks to Micol Gamba, Product Marketing Manager at EFI, about EFI Reggiani fabric printing solutions. At ITMA 2023 EFI launched new hardware and software solutions that provide end-to-end digital printing workflows for sustainable textile production.

Epson Provides Range of Digital Textile Printers, Showcases Printing Metallic Effects at ITMA 2023

Published June 20, 2023

Debbie McKeegan, CEO at Texintel and WhatTheyThink contributor, talks to Paolo Crespi, DTF Sales & Marketing Director, at EPSON Italia about EPSON’s range of digital textile printers. At ITMA 2023 EPSON showcased the ability to print special effects including gold and other metallics on its Monna Lisa digital textile printer.

Digital Textile Production Goes Mainstream with Kornit Digital at ITMA 2023

Published June 20, 2023

Debbie McKeegan, CEO at Texintel and WhatTheyThink contributor, talks to Danny Gazit, Chief Product Officer at Kornit Digital, about the company’s direct-to-garmut and direct-to-fabric digital textile print technologies. At ITMA 2023 Kornit unveiled new platforms to enable more sustainable textile printing and supply-chain management.

First Look at the Kyocera FOREARTH Digital Textile Printer

Published June 20, 2023

Debbie McKeegan, CEO at Texintel and WhatTheyThink contributor, talks to Sho Taniguchi, Kyocera’s Deputy General Manager, Digital Printing Business Development about the Kyocera FOREARTH Digital Textile Printer launched at ITMA 2023.

Mimaki Focuses on sustainability and circularity at ITMA 2023

Published June 20, 2023

Debbie McKeegan, CEO at Texintel and WhatTheyThink contributor, talks to Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales EMEA at Mimaki, about Mimaki’s approach to bringing sustainability and circularity to textile printing. Mimaki used ITMA 2023 to showcase new digital textile printers and new concepts for de-inking polyester textiles.

Stationery Product Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published June 16, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 324 establishments in NAICS 32223 (Stationery Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -35% since 2010. In macro news, the US birth rate increased insignificantly in 2022—the latest in a worrying demographic trend.

Around the Web: Robust Reference. Antiquated AI. Funny Features. Nose Knowing. Minstrel Manuscript. Diamond Dwarf. Rising Robot. Cheese Chasing. Toy Trouble. Peanut Party.

Published June 16, 2023

The World Book is the last remaining printed encyclopedia. ChatGPT running on 1980s era computer technology. Satirical UI features in popular apps. “At no point is the child’s nose actually removed from the child’s face. [citation needed]” Graphene-based eco-denim. An ancient manuscript is actually a medieval stand-up comedy routine. A star is turning into a giant diamond. A robot vacuum that can climb stairs. Entering a robot dog in dog show. A woman is knocked unconscious while chasing a giant cheese down a hill. Supreme Court shoots down parody products. The Planters NUTmobile to become “the Nuttiest Dive Bar.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Product Strategy: Kornit Apollo Direct-to-Garment Platform

Published June 15, 2023

Danny Gazit, Chief Product Officer at Kornit Digital, talks about the Kornit Apollo platform unveiled at ITMA 2023 in Milan. Apollo can decorate up to 400 garments per hour and features automation for loading and unloading.

Product Strategy: FUJIFILM Ink Solutions Group at ITMA 2023

Published June 13, 2023

Rachel Li, Segment Marketing Manager at FUJIFILM Ink Solutions Group, talks about the advantages of RxD aqueous pigment dispersions from FUJIFILM. RxD aqueous pigment dispersions have a higher pigment concentration to provide higher color strength for fashion, direct-to-garment, home décor, and other textile applications.

What’s Up Chat with EFI CEO Frank Pennisi

Published June 12, 2023

Frank Pennisi, CEO of EFI, talks with WhatTheyThink’s Eric Vessels about landing his dream job when he became CEO this past January. Frank is a seasoned industrial technology leader. Prior to joining EFI Frank was on the leadership team for EFI customer Orora Packaging Solutions. In this broad ranging informal discussion, we learn about Frank’s background, leadership style, and his vision for the future of EFI.

Printing Pulse: Embellishment Edition

Published June 9, 2023

This edition of our Friday data series offers a preliminary “sneak peek” at the results of the Taktiful and WhatTheyThink 2023 Specialty Digital Ink and Toner Embellishment Study. This study takes a deep dive into how current users of digital ink and toner embellishment technologies are utilizing them, what the response from customers has been, how satisfied print providers have been with the sales and profitability of these jobs, where the challenges lie, and their general feelings about the future of digital ink and toner embellishment technologies.

Around the Web: Ledger Lines. Typewriter Tunes. Graphene Garments. Pink Paucity. Plate Problem. Sadistic Subscriptions. Block Clock. Panel Panic. Baneful Bot.

Published June 9, 2023

A look at how they used to print ledger books. The Boston Typewriter Orchestra performs on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Absolut is introducing lightweight paper-based bottles for its vodka. Another leap forward for graphene-based wearable textiles. The “Barbie” movie caused a shortage of pink paint. Some Maryland license plates contain a link to a Philippine gambling site. Thanks to the “aaS” model, we don’t really own anything anymore. A solar-powered mechanical LEGO clock that will keep time for a billion years. The time has come to address the imminent deluge of discarded solar panels. Can experts really judge wine? A pop-up Cheez-It filling station in Joshua Tree National Park. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Paperboard Container Shipments Back up to Pandemic Levels

Published June 2, 2023

In March 2023, the value of shipments of paperboard containers was $6.361 billion, the highest it has been since August 2022.

Around the Web: Creative Contents. Letterpress Love. Pedestrian Pals. Creepy Closure. Lighthouse Living. Graphene Gaming. Skin Solution. Winging Weight. Hellish Hammer.

Published June 2, 2023

Experimental tables of contents. 105-year-old Bay View Printing still prints on century-old letterpress equipment. LA’s “crosswalk vigilantes” help improve pedestrian safety. “Séance AI” for one last chat with the departed. The US Government is auctioning off lighthouses—some for free. Artificial “e-skin” can communicate with the brain. An Indian food inspector drains a reservoir to retrieve his phone. New Zealand Air to start weighing passengers for “data collection purposes.” The “Hammer Fist” is a bizarre tool. Plastic wine bottles are on their way. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

FESPA Awards 2023: Look Company’s FIFA World Cup 2022 Soft Signage

Published May 30, 2023

FESPA’s Graeme Richardson-Locke talks to Jacab Burke, President at the Look Company, about winning the Sustainability Award in the FESPA Awards 2023. The Look Company’s entry consisted of printed fabrics for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Sustainability was a key component of the FIFA World Cup 2022 project.

FESPA Awards 2023: Léa Saint-Jeveint “Young Star Award”

Published May 30, 2023

FESPA Textiles Ambassador Debbie McKeegan talks to Léa Saint-Jeveint, student at SEPR in France, about winning the “Young Star Award” in the FESPA Awards 2023. Saint-Jeveint won the award for her entry “Lueur abyssale”.

FESPA Awards 2023: Imageco Ltd for “ANTALIS SUSTAINABILITY STREET”

Published May 30, 2023

FESPA Textiles Ambassador Debbie McKeegan talks to Edward Hillam, Operations Manager at Imageco in the UK, about the “ANTALIS SUSTAINABILITY STREET” project which won a FESPA Awards 2023.

EFI at FESPA 2023

Published May 26, 2023

Ken Hanulec, Vice President of Marketing at EFI, provides an update on EFI’s product portfolio and what the company is showcasing at FESPA 2023. EFI is previewing the Nozomi Single-pass Inkjet Printer for Sign and Display Graphics, and announced LED thermoformable inks.

Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published May 26, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 723 establishments in NAICS 32222 (Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -12% since 2010. In macro news, the Architecture Billings Index suggests a recovery from the slowdown in the construction industry.

Around the Web: Hefty Hitchhikers. Code Cooling. Dot Displays. Wedding Wear. Graphene Griddle. New Nova. Ring Removal. Cat Commerce. Custom Ketchup.

Published May 26, 2023

A special print edition of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy five-book trilogy is on the way. QR codes just aren’t cool any more, a least in restaurants. William A. Lavalette, an obscure 19th-century Black inventor, received two printing press-related patents. Louisville, Ky.’s American Printing House for the Blind museum expands and is reimaged as The Dot Experience. A biodegradable wedding dress made from the roots of wheatgrass. The first graphene-based kitchen appliance. A star in Ursa Major just went supernova. New research suggests that Saturn’s rings won’t last forever. CatVana is Carvana—but for cats. Heinz has a new mixer for customized ketchup. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

swissQprint at FESPA 2023

Published May 24, 2023

Carmen Eicher, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at swissQprint, provides an update on swissQprint’s product strategy and what the company is showcasing at FESPA 2023.

Durst’s Christian Harder Talks Automation Strategy at FESPA 2023

Published May 23, 2023

Christian Harder, Vice President Sales, at Durst talks about the evolution of Durst product portfolio and the infusion of hardware and software automation into its products. Durst is embracing automation to increase productivity and reduce manual touchpoints.

Around the Web: Writing Racket. Typewriter Tour. Dutch Design. Automated Arms. Digital Dog. Swarm Struggle. Radio Removal. Prince Pavement. New Nova? Truffle Trouble.

Published May 19, 2023

A self-digitizing pen…you have to subscribe to. A realistic animated tour inside a mechanical typewriter. A conductive elastic ink that can 3D print more flexible wearable devices. When in Amsterdam, be sure to get a Rembrandt tattoo. Researchers have developed wearable robot arms. Spin Master’s Bitzee hopes to be the next Tamagotchi. A swarm of bees prevented a Delta flight from taking off. AM radios are disappearing from cars. Prince is getting a Minnesota highway named after him. Is Betelgeuse about to go nova? Oscar Mayer’s “Wienermobile” is now the “Frankmobile,” and you can see the jokes coming a mile away. Mac and cheese truffles. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

April Printing Production Employment Down Slightly, Non-Production Up

Published May 19, 2023

Overall printing employment in April 2023 was down -0.2% from March. Production employment was down -0.8% while non-production employment was up 1.1%.

Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published May 12, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 278 establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is slowing but still high.

Around the Web: Palm Pic. Meta Morality. Paintbox Party. Copier Conductor. Booth Boon. Wired Water. Pasta Pile. Spaghetti Surge. Chip Choices.

Published May 12, 2023

Is the future of computing an AI-based wearable that projects its display in your hand? The Metaverse is no more, assuming it ever was. Quantel celebrates its revolutionary Paintbox. The Chicago Tribune press room sold to Bally’s to become a casino. Graphene nanotubes combine conductivity and durability in polyimide films used in copiers and printers. Shanghai is installing high-tech phone booths. A 3D-printed garden hose-to-HDMI adapter. “Regular internet use may be linked to lower dementia risk in older adults.” Hundreds of pounds of pasta mysteriously found by a New Jersey creek. Italy calls crisis meeting over surging pasta prices. Author of a book on grief is arrested for killing her husband. Lay’s is offering the BLT Sandwich chip. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

March Shipments Maintain Seasonality—Make of That What You Will

Published May 5, 2023

March 2023 printing shipments came in at $7.18 billion, up from February’s $6.46 billion and in line with annual seasonality—even if it is below the previous two Marches.

Around the Web: Font Fest. Map Maven. Type Tasting. Picket Power. Button Boon. Fail Factory. Piece Puzzles. Befuddled Beltane. Titanic Tippling.

Published May 5, 2023

“36 Days of Type” wraps up. The David Rumsey Map Collection is an online database of more than 120,000 downloadable maps. Using a restaurant menu’s typography to anticipate food quality. Striking writers’ picket signs. Automakers are mercifully starting to replace touch screens with tactile controls. The Museum of Failure comes to Brooklyn. A graphene-based engine oil additive is said to improve fuel economy, power, and performance. How did chess pieces get their names? The origin of Beltane. A Titantic-themed distillery in Belfast is now open. Kit Kat breakfast cereal is now a thing. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published April 28, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 546 establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folded Paperboard Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net increase in establishments of 11% since 2010. In macro news, Q1 2023 GDP shows third straight quarter of growth.

Around the Web: Paper Peril. Calendar Craze. Mayan Mystery. Ill-Advised Interview. Book Bits. Epson Enhancement. Powered Pawn. Gull Gig. Morphing Mallows.

Published April 28, 2023

A small local newspaper’s print swan song. A 90-year-old high school newspaper wrestles with paper prices. “The world’s most beautiful calendar.” Scientists have finally cracked the code of the Mayan calendar. A German magazine publishes a fake AI-generated interview with Michael Schumacher, for some reason. A shredded book designed to be read. Xerox donates the Palo Alto Research Center to SRI International. Seiko Epson invests in a company that develops brain-to-computer interfaces. The Light-Up Chess Set features pieces that are illuminated. England’s Blackpool Zoo is hiring a “seagull deterrent”—bird costume required. Color-changing marshmallows. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Perishing Publishing. Garment Graphics. Edo Education. Tagging Tech. Canine Companion. Film Fest. Glorious Gate. Cosmic Consolidation. Colossal Candy. Soothing Signage.

Published April 21, 2023

The last two computer magazines stop publishing. A typeface designed for knitting. A new bioink for 3D organ printing. Library of Congress hosts a workshop on rare Japanese books. A robot designed to paint graffiti, for some reason. An AI-based robotic dogsitter. A graphene-based cardiac pacemaker. 16-millimeter fil turns 100 years old. The world’s greatest gate. The James Webb Space Telescope captures two galaxies merging. Russell Stover’s 5,000-pound box of chocolates. The therapeutic effect of power-washing street signs. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

February Printing Employment Essentially Flat

Published April 21, 2023

Overall printing employment in February 2023 was up 0.3% from January. Production employment was up 0.1% while non-production employment was up 0.7%.

Neil Felton CEO of FESPA Previews Munich Event

Published April 20, 2023

WhatTheyThink’s Eric Vessels talks to Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA, about what can be expected at this year’s event in Munich, Germany. They discuss the history of the event as well as the unique positioning of this event in the industry. Neil also highlights why he thinks it important for those from North America to plan to attend.

Around the Web: Popping Publications. Handle Hoard. Dickens Drawings. Cleaner Cans. Computer Cookies. Coronation Conundrum. Noun Nomenclature. Container Crash. Fold Fanatic. Can Camping.

Published April 14, 2023

A pop-up book exhibit at Chicago’s Newberry Library. A 1,100-page pictorial showcase of door handles from around the world. A complete online collection of illustrations from Dickens’ novels. Making craft beer cans more recyclable. AI is now writing fortune cookie fortunes. Pending coronation, King Charles declines a Burger King crown. Where did colorful terms for collective nouns (like a gaggle of geese or a murder of crows) come from? The James Webb Space Telescope looks at the remains of a supernova. Tupperware’s days may be numbered. Mad magazine’s Al Jaffee dies at 102. This summer, camp in a national park in a giant can of beans. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Cool Keyboard. Meat Medley. Cuttlefish Camo. Logo Loathing. Logo Listening. Waffle Work. Telekinetic Tech. Peanut Predicament. Diminutive Dryer. Sweet Sweater.

Published March 31, 2023

A transparent keyboard with mag-lev keys. Mathematicians have just identified a 13-sided shape that had only existed in theory. Researchers and a printing company form a consortium to develop 3D-bioprinted meat. Scientists use recovered DNA from an extinct species to cultivate a “mammoth meatball.” “Human cells hacked to act like squid skin cells could unlock key to camouflage.” An iconic logo was redesigned and (surprise) the Internet was not happy. The Wikimedia Foundation’s new sound logo is “the sound of all knowledge.” A painting called “Starry Waffles” combines Van Gogh and the Waffle House. Graphene-based brain–machine interfaces let you control things with your mind (bwa-ha-ha!). Peanut butter is apparently a liquid? A new Pop-Tart flavor—and tie-in sweater. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published March 31, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 1,086 establishments in NAICS 322211 (Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 20% since 2010. In macro news, Q4 GDP was revised down.

Kicking Off 2023: Best Shipments Since 2020

Published March 24, 2023

January 2023 printing shipments came in at $6.67 billion, the best start to a year since 2020.

Around the Web: Period Pause. Element Etymology. Dessert Deposition. Musical Manhole. Garrulous Graphene. Chatbot Chatter. Carbon Carats. Rodent Rack. Arthur Anew. Toy Trouble.

Published March 24, 2023

On Monday, March 20, we started a 10-day run of palindrome dates. Who killed the period in the New York Times nameplate? How did the chemical elements get their names? A new printer for 3D-printing chocolate. Scientists 3D-print cheesecake. In Hannover, Germany, a musical manhole cover. A graphene-based artificial throat helps the voice-disabled speak. Two AI chatbots are now citing each other and the results are not positive. Using captured carbon to make diamonds. Scientists grow antlers on mice, for some reason. A new production of “Camelot,” with a book written by Aaron Sorkin. Can you tell the difference between a whiskey bottle and a dog toy? All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web—Folio Fest. Doom Display. Russet Wrap. Graphene Gear. Brick Boon. Face Folly. Enzyme Energy. Goat Gardening. Marenghi Mania. Noodle Napping. Ranch Revulsion.

Published March 17, 2023

The 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio. San Francisco’s new “Museum of the Future AI Apocalypse.” Compostable, potato waste-based cling film. Graphene-based sportswear from Umbro. Slack adds ChatGPT because why not? The world’s most disturbing videoconferencing display. Scientists discover how bacteria convert atmospheric hydrogen to energy—a potential new, clean power source. Goats are the secret to combatting California’s wildfires. Celebrating “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace.” Four words that should never be used together: Hidden Valley Ranch Ice Cream. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2020

Published March 17, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 1,910 establishments in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 13% since 2010. In macro news,inflation is sort of moving sideways.

Douglas Gibson on Parametric Design For Packaging

Published March 16, 2023

Douglas Gibson, President of Infigo, talks about building parametric design tools for packaging. WhatTheyThink interviewed Douglas at the CCE International in Munich.

EFI's Evandro Matteucci Talks about Inkjet for Corrugated Packaging

Published March 15, 2023

WhatTheyThink spoke with Evandro Matteucci, VP/GM, Building Materials & Packaging, at EFI at the CCE International show in Munich. Evandro shares his perspective on the opportunities for inkjet printing on corrugated packaging.

Marco Boer on Corrugated Inkjet Industry Trends and Outlook

Published March 14, 2023

WhatTheyThink caught up with Marco Boer of IT Strategies after the EFI press conference during the CCE International expo in Munich. Marco was a guest speaker at the press conference which focused on the EFI Nozomi and EFI’s announcement of the 50th Nozomi installation at DS Smith. This video capture the highlights from his corrugated inkjet industry trends and outlook presentation.

Around the Web: Mail Magazine. Lame Logo. Typing Tome Two. Mining Microbes. Edible NDAs. Tofu Trouble. Kinetic Cake. Rex Renting. Cool Carpet.

Published March 10, 2023

Subscription-based digital magazine company Air Mail plans a print edition. The controversy over Nokia’s new logo. More online fun c/o the new book “Shift Happens.” A highly usable E Ink typewriter. Bacteria can absorb rare earth metals, making recovery quick and easy. Edible graphene health monitors. NDAs in pill form that can be ingested after use. A Maine vegan runs into trouble with a misinterpreted license plate. An animated “caketrope.” Rent a dinosaur for your next party. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

January Production Employment Down

Published March 10, 2023

Overall printing employment in January 2023 was down -1.7% from December, due entirely to a -4.2% drop in production employment, as non-production employment was up +4.1%.

The Target Report Interview: SupremeX Acquisition of Vista Graphic Communications (Part 2)

Published March 8, 2023

In this second video interview, Stewart Emerson, President and CEO of SupremeX, discusses the company's recent acquisition of Vista Graphic Communications with Rod Bristol, a Director with Graphic Arts Advisors. Stewart shares the WHY behind using an advisor in any buy/sell transaction. He also discusses the process, how all parties can benefit and get the deal done.

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portal Establishments—2010–2020

Published March 3, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 8,947 establishments in NAICS 51913 (Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals). This category saw a net increase of 66% since 2010. In macro news, early forecasts of Q1 GDP are running slightly bearish to slightly bullish.

Around the Web: Defogging Dickens. Device Disorientation. Volcano Volume. Silly Spectacles. Denim Defense. Snow Sobriquet. Fruit Fiasco. Vicious Vehicle. Deafening Duet.

Published March 3, 2023

A new London exhibition looks at Charles Dickens’ relationship with fog. Antibacterial graphene-infused socks. Digital natives can have trouble operating office equipment. “The singular natural event that caused the loudest sound in the world.” A history of “Groucho Glasses.” “Air bag jeans” for motorcyclists. The winners of Madison, Wis.’s snowplow naming contest. An airline’s “vegan meal” consists of a single banana. Starbucks is adding olive oil to coffee, for some reason. Ford’s patent for a “repossession system computer” is the dystopian future of driving we don’t need. A duet for piano and car alarm. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly AI-free miscellany.

WhatTheyThink Remembers O.Mike Fichera

Published February 27, 2023

Orazio “O.Mike” Fichera, founder of Dealer Communicator, passed away on January 17, 2023, at 91. WhatTheyThink contributors remember O.Mike.

Next Level Automation at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023

Published February 27, 2023

Stefan Hunkeler kicks off the Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023 event happening this week in Lucerne, Switzerland. Hunkeler Innovationdays is the place to see “next level automation” from over 100 exhibitors covering digital printing, software, finishing and related processes.

Daniel Erni on the Future of Hunkeler

Published February 27, 2023

Daniel Erni talks about his new role as CEO of Hunkeler and the company's vision for future innovation.

Hooray! 2022 Shipments Outpaced 2021

Published February 24, 2023

December 2022 printing shipments came in at $6.97 billion, down from November’s $7.10 billion. But January-to-December shipments for 2022 came in at $83.47 billion, an improvement over 2021’s $82.05 billion.

Around the Web: Font Finale. Wide-Format Whiskey. BBall Boon. Fold Fashion. AI Attorneys. Turntable Tech. Obsolete Objects. Disquieting Design. Disturbing Drones. Peep Pop.

Published February 24, 2023

Adobe has officially ended support for Type 1 fonts. Order a Jameson Whiskey “Desk Decoy” for St. Patrick’s Day. Wilson creates a 3D-printed basketball that doesn’t need inflating. Uyen Nguyen creates “origami fashion.” London law firm uses AI to answer questions about the law, draft documents, and draft messages to clients. Graphene is used to make turntables. Smithsonian magazine traces the origins of the term “OK.” Consumer items that have become obsolete since the beginning of the 2000s. Deliberately annoying examples of bad industrial design. The Smithsonian and MTV team up for an artist reality competition program, for some reason. Using taxidermied birds as drones. Pepsi and Peeps partner to make Peeps-flavored cola. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Assorted Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published February 17, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 557 establishments in NAICS 511199 (All Other Publishing). This category saw a net decrease of 39% since 2010, , although we’re not talking about a tremendous number of establishments. In macro news, inflation appears to have peaked.

Around the Web: Bing Bungling. Digital Decemberists. Design Deets. Blueprint Bop. Taxi Trial. Arm Addition. Milk Machine. Goat Gala. Air Ale.

Published February 17, 2023

Bing’s AI chatbot amuses and terrifies. Band frontman Colin Meloy has ChatGPT write a Decemberists song. Trends in experiential design. A metallic print that maps the history of jazz in the style of a circuit diagram of a 1950s phonograph. Graphene-based water purification. Stay off the sidewalks: robotaxis now approved for on-street use in California. Bill Watterson of Calvin & Hobbes fame has a new project coming out. Researchers are working on giving humans a robotic third arm that can be controlled by the brain. A countertop device for making vegan milk. A Valentine’s Day “goat fashion show” in San Francisco. A San Diego brewery uses the airport’s air conditioner condensation to make beer. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Typing Tome. Typographic Talking. Dated Doodling. E Etiquette. Kayak Composite. Faux Phoning. Dodo De-Extincting. Fatal Philodendron. Carb Crazy.

Published February 10, 2023

A comprehensive book about keyboards. “Type empathy.” Researchers explore ancient book doodles. What are the new rules of etiquette, online and off? Graphene is used to make stronger and lighter kayaks. iPhones and “smart” watches are inundating 911 with mistaken emergencies. A company called Colossal Biosciences aims to bring back the dodo à la “Jurassic Park.” A machete-wielding plant. Move over, pastini: three new pasta shapes now available! All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly non-balloon-centric miscellany.

Graphic Arts Employment Flat or Declining in December

Published February 3, 2023

Overall printing employment was essentially flat in December 2022, being down -0.1% from November, and essentially unchanged from December 2021. Production employment was up +0.4% while non-production employment was down -1.1% from November.

Around the Web: Type Tropes. Found Font. Box Boom. Synthetic Sermon. Moon Minutes. Time Trouble. Sinkhole Signage. Dip Dissed. Fowl Felon.

Published February 3, 2023

Monotype released its 2023 Type Trends Report. The mystery of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” typography revealed. The growth in demand for…newspaper boxes? A rabbi delivers a sermon written by ChatGPT. A visual game in which you are shown a photograph and have to identify what year it’s from. What time is it on the Moon? Rolex is suing a maker of children’s clocks. You might want to pay attention to “Road Closed” signs. Trader Joe’s announces its (controversial) Customer Choice Awards. A former Chicago area school district official allegedly stole more than $1 million worth of chicken wings. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

CalPoly Student Kendra Roberson Talks About the Graphic Communication Program

Published February 2, 2023

APTech’s Julie Shaffer talks to Kendra Roberson, a second-year student in CalPoly’s Graphic Communication program, who is attending her first-ever industry conference at EPS Connect. The demographics of the program are changing and Kendra estimates that the CalPoly program is about 75-80% female this year.

Around the Web: Map Mania. Wrapped Ride. Bot Bill. Nullifying Knitwear. Calamity Clock. Core Conundrum. Scent Sensors. Wall Wings. Phishing Fish. Soda Sauce.

Published January 27, 2023

Sales of paper maps are soaring. Snoop Dogg’s adventures in vehicle wrapping. Massachusetts legislators use ChatGPT to write a bill…regulating ChatGPT. Wearing an ugly sweater can make you invisible to AI, if no one else. Scientists change the Doomsday Clock to 90 seconds to midnight. If it’s not one thing it’s another: now the Earth’s core has stopped spinning. Graphene-based sensors function like “electronic noses.” A Reddit embroidery forum 2022 award goes to embroidered chicken wing wall art. A bunch of aquarium fish pull off a credit card scam (not The Onion). Mountain Dew releases a hot sauce. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Greeting Card Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published January 27, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 107 establishments in NAICS 511191 (Greeting Card Publishing). Although this represents a net increase of 4% since 2010, it has been a category that has ebbed and flowed over the course of the decade, although we’re not talking about a tremendous number of establishments. In macro news, real GDP increased 2.9% annualized in Q4.

November 2022 Shipments Drop—But That’s Normal!

Published January 20, 2023

November 2022 shipments came in at $7.16 billion, down from the year’s high of $7.48 billion in October. This should not be cause for concern, as business always drops in November and December as things slow down for the holidays.

Around the Web: Pilfering Probe. Font Feud. Retailer Renaissance. Obsolete Offices. Flame Fighting. Credit Credibility. Cool Container. Romantic Russets.

Published January 20, 2023

Here we go: there is now a “plagiarism checker and AI detector.” The State Department changes its internal document font and war breaks out. Barnes & Noble has had a remarkable comeback—how? A Colorado library closes to clean up meth contamination. Zillow CEO writes that “traditional offices are as outdated as typewriters.” Graphene-enhanced gear can help protect firefighters. Celebrate Burns Night next Wednesday. FEMA attempts to translate typhoon aid instructions into indigenous languages—with surreal results. A new startup aims to make carbon credits credible. A new fridge container has a built-in dial to indicate when it was stored. This Valentine’s Day, send your beloved an “Idaho potato bouquet.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s non-AI-generated weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Computer Creatives. Sign Stickers. Dystopian Devices. Carbon Cousin. Loco Logo. Rodent Research. Webb World. Butter Battle. Pasta Problem.

Published January 13, 2023

How worried should creative professionals be about artificial intelligence? A Florence, Italy, street artist who applies whimsical stickers to traffic signs. CNet looks at some dubious introductions at last week’s CES. The FTC has proposed banning companies from requiring that employees sign noncompete agreements. Researchers have found a “cousin” to graphene, which they have dubbed “graphullerene.” Kia’s new logo is illegible. New Wordle-esque game lets you guess the list prices of houses for sale. Good news for mice this week—researchers are prolonging their lives and improving their memories. The James Webb Space Telescope finds its first exoplanet. A fire in a Wisconsin daily causes melted butter to flood nearby streams. Ronzoni discontinues its Pastina and the Internet sees stars. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Other Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published January 13, 2023

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 664 establishments in NAICS 51119 (Other Publishing). This represents a decrease of 35% since 2010. In macro news, what’s behind the employee shortages?

Winning in 2023 Is a Team Effort

Published January 12, 2023

We present a virtual roundtable of Dscoop and HP Industrial Executives. They discuss the upcoming event in St. Louis, the value of the global Dscoop community, and the close connection between HP and its users as they transform the digital print industry in 2023 and beyond.

Graphic Arts Employment Essentially Flat in November

Published January 6, 2023

In November 2022, all printing employment was up +0.1% from October. Production employment was up +0.7% and non-production employment was down -1.2%.

Around the Web: Marketing Muster. Creating Crayons. Joe’s Journalism. Going Graphene. Feather Photography. Car Colors. Checking Chuckling. Fish Fiasco.

Published January 6, 2023

Marketing Brew rounds up the most overhyped and overlooked marketing trends of 2022. A new book looks at the history of the crayon. Our own Dr. Joe presents a four-part radio documentary about newspapers in old radio dramas. Graphene is poised to replace silicon as the basis or all electronics. Smart elevators look to take us for a ride. Facial recognition for birds via a “smart feeder.” BMW’s E Ink-wrapped car can display millions of colors for quite the road show. Printed electronics for therapeutic wearables. The cool upgrade on Brava’s smart countertop oven is a…glass window. The “LOL Verifier” is a device that will only let a user type LOL when they are actually laughing out loud. A huge aquarium in a Berlin hotel bursts. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Clumsy Cat. Welding Wishes. Beautiful Books. Book Binge. Wednesday Website. Color Can Conundrum. TENG Tech. Fusion Feat. PEARLS Peering. Sculpture Saviors. Cheese Cheer. Large Loop.

Published December 16, 2022

The winners of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. This Christmas, give the gift of welding classes. How to gift wrap a dog. “The 60 Most Beautiful Books of 2022.” An exhibition called “Building the Book from the Ancient World to the Present Day.” Find out if it’s Wednesday. Seeing red in an image that has no red pixels. Artist and activist Stuart Semple rebels against the color of the year. Graphene-enhanced power sources for flexible electronic devices. What the “fusion experiment” at the National Ignition Facility actually accomplished. Police break into an art gallery to rescue what turned out to be a statue. Dictionary.com weighs in with its word of the year. Adorn your home with the “Cheese Wreath.” Supersize your breakfast with the Big Fruit Loop. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s pre-holiday miscellany.

Have a Little Holiday Cheer/October Shipments the Highest All Year

Published December 16, 2022

October 2022 shipments came in at $7.48 billion, up from September’s $7.32 billion—the best month of the year for the industry.

JohnHenri Ruggieri Talks Marketing His Digital Embellishment Capabilities

Published December 14, 2022

Sundance MD JohnHenry Ruggieri looks back and dissects what he would have done differently in marketing his digital embellishment capabilities to his clients.

Directory and Mailing List Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published December 9, 2022

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 594 establishments in NAICS 51114 (Directory and Mailing List Publishers). This represents a decrease of 64% since 2010. In macro news, estimates for Q4 GDP are in the +1.4%–3.4% range.

Around the Web: Word Weirdness. Search Stats. Print Patron. Tidying Tome. Light Love. Purple Panic. Graphene Guns. Wind Wonder. Moon Mania. Lager Lighting.

Published December 9, 2022

The OED’s word of the year is…something. Google’s search of the year. GE buys all the ads in the New York Times. A barcode tattoo that can be scanned by a store checkout. A 504-page photobook of people cleaning things. The Northern Lights Photographer of the Year’s 25 best aurora photos. Why are city streetlights turning purple? A graphene-based artificial muscle that is 17 times more powerful than human muscle. Is Grawindy the “next generation of wind technology”? Reusable elastic lids to replace plastic wrap. Artemis I is on its way back from the Moon. “Busch Light Bush Lights” let you drape “electric glowing cans” across the greenery in your yard, for some reason. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: Winning Word. Paper Perfume. Terminal Typewriter. Crazy Cards. Tarot Tech. Horse Hobby. Moon Material. Canine Console. Cosmic Collision. Bambi Butchery. Pasta Pajamas.

Published December 2, 2022

Meriam-Webster’s Word of the Year is “gaslighting.” The latest perfume that smells like old books. What Siri might have been like in the 1970s. The creepy world of Victorian Christmas Cards. E Ink-based playing cards in search of a game. A father photoshops the real world to resemble his child’s drawings. Graphene is going to be tested on the moon. “Apple Health, but for dogs.” In the 16th century, you could sue animals. The James Webb Space Telescope watches galaxies collide. Coming soon to a theater near you: “Bambi: the Reckoning.” Olive Garden’s matching family pajamas. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

September Printing Shipments—The High Before the Holidays

Published December 2, 2022

September 2022 shipments came in at $7.20 billion, up a little from August’s $7.17 billion—reflecting a return to the industry’s regular seasonality. Could we be back to normal?

Product Strategy: GEW’s Gary Doman on UV Ink Curing for Sheetfed Offset

Published December 1, 2022

GEW’s Gary Doman discusses trends in sheetfed offset and how UV curing can address these trends.

Stefan Hunkeler Talks About the Upcoming Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023

Published November 29, 2022

Stefan Hunkeler spoke with David Zwang about the Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023 event happening early next year in Lucerne, Switzerland. Hunkeler Innovationdays is the place to see “next level automation” from over 100 exhibitors covering digital printing, software, finishing and related processes.

Product Strategy: Chris Hogge on Harris & Bruno's Coating Solutions for Continuous Feed Inkjet

Published November 28, 2022

Chris Hogge from Harris & Bruno International talks about inline coating and finishing trends in continuous feed inkjet and how Harris & Bruno is developing inline coating solutions that integrate directly inline with the production inkjet device to reduce touchpoints.

Book Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published November 18, 2022

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 2,357 establishments in NAICS 51113 (Book Publishing). This represents a decrease of 21% since 2010. In macro news, October retail sales were up.

Around the Web: PRINT Props. Typography Tutorial. Site Slaughter. Swift Seat. Wandering Walls. Car Copy. Galactic Graphene. Star Start. Cold Color.

Published November 18, 2022

The 2023 PRINT Awards are now open. Friedrich Nietzsche’s Malling-Hansen Writing Ball. A branding expert talks about creative a bespoke typeface. A website that “deteriorates” every time someone visits it. Volkswagen’s motorized office chair can cruise up to 12 mph. A cubicle with motorized walls that can follow you around. Get a Hot Wheels version of your own car. A portmanteau word generator. Graphene is going into space. The James Webb Space telescope captures a protostar. Coors has developed nail polish that changes color when its temperature drops to a level acceptable for drinking a Coors Light. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Around the Web: First-Place Fromage. Lice Language. Gorey Gala. Graphene Garments. “Fast Furniture.” Redaction Recreation. Computer Cuisine. Breakaway Baubles.

Published November 11, 2022

What won Best Cheese for 2022? The oldest sentence in Canaanite has been found. Entries from this year’s Edward Gorey House All-Ages Envelope Art Contest. A 3D-printed clay humidifier made from industrial waste. A new line of graphene-enhanced activewear that keeps the wearer warm. Cheap, more or less disposable furniture is the next environmental scourge. “Redactle”: a daily game in which the user tries to determine the subject of a random redacted Wikipedia article. Can AI create original, edible recipes? Also: Scientists increasingly can’t explain how AI works. A hacked drone can find the location of every WiFi-connected device in your house. Vlasic has created a scented candle that looks and smells like a jar of pickles. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly post-election miscellany.

Printing Outlook 2023 Sneak Peek: Business Conditions Slipped in 2022

Published November 11, 2022

Our preliminary Fall Print Business Survey results are in and our Business Conditions Index dropped slightly from 2021. Last year marked a rebound from the plummeting conditions in 2020, and 2022 likely represents a move toward stability.

Around the Web: Polling Problems. Deconstructing Designer. Malleable Mouse. Color Combat. Heat Help. Vinyl Vise. Height Horrors. Skin Souvenir. Convenience Crocs. Puppy Potable.

Published November 4, 2022

We may be getting close to the death of telephone polling. Scott Albrecht is a designer and artist who “deconstructs letterforms with the intent to reconsider the relationship between message and viewer.” A foldable “origami travel mouse.” More skirmishes in the Adobe/Pantone color war. New cellphone line uses graphene-based heat dissipation. Audio-Technica brings back its Mister Disc portable record player. Saving the tattoos of deceased loved ones. Avocado prices are the lowest they’ve been in five years. Crocs and 7-Eleven are collaborating on footwear design, for some reason. Busch has introduced turkey-flavored “beer” for dogs. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Periodical Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published November 4, 2022

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 4,519 establishments in NAICS 51112 (Periodical Publishing). This represents a decrease of 37% since 2010. In macro news, actual Q3 GDP was strong.

Graphic Arts Employment Down Slightly in September

Published October 28, 2022

In September 2022, all printing employment was down -1.3% from August. Production employment was down -1.9% and non-production employment was down -0.1%.

Around the Web: Roland Revelry. Key Kit. Distraction Dismisser. Plate Poster. Pumpkin Palooza. Speech Signing. Silly Simulator. Galaxy Growth. Aldi Advent. Beer Beheading. Plastic Pourers.

Published October 28, 2022

Roland Corporation turns 50, celebrating their history in pianos with a new model. A working (sort of) Lego typewriter. A distraction-free word processing device lets you write in peace. A Twitter account that posts denied California vanity license plates. Check out Transylvania University’s creepy display of hundreds of jack o’lanterns. Graphene sensors translate sign language to speech. A flight simulator that simulates the experience of being a passenger on a cramped commercial flight, for some reason. The James Webb Space Telescope watches galaxies form around a red quasar. Aldi’s new Advent calendars for this year include a hot sauce calendar. A device that chops the tops off beer cans. Bacardi is eliminating pourers from its bottles to reduce plastic waste. It’s almost time to break out the woolen nose warmers. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Newspaper Publishing Establishments—2010–2020

Published October 21, 2022

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 6,567 establishments in NAICS 51111 (Newspaper Publishing). This represents a decrease of 16% since 2010. In macro news, early estimates of Q3 GDP getting more bullish.

Around the Web: Freaky Photos. Sign Standards. Silence Solution. COVID Conqueror. Knotty Knitting. Mollusk Monument. Auto Aviation. Star Spectacular. Clam Condiment.

Published October 21, 2022

AI restores and animates 19th-century photos. a pictorial feature on Paris, France’s “graphic standards manuals” from 1893. An important part of environmental graphics can be noise reduction. A new font “uses dots instead of letters,” for some reason. Graphene vs. COVID. A tool for color-matching yarn. A life-size sculpture of a giant squid that washed up in Newfoundland. A flying car now exists…sort of. The James Webb Space Telescope revisits the “Pillars of Creation.” Kellogg’s is teaming with Sugarlands Distilling Co. to develop “Eggo Nog” cream liqueur. “Clam-O-Naise.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

WhatTheyThink Talks with HP’s Haim Levit

Published October 19, 2022

In this article, sponsored by HP, WhatTheyThink talks to Haim Levit, Senior Vice President & General Manager, HP Industrial Print, about the major dynamics impacting the industry and how HP is responding to them.

Frank Heads to PRINTING United

Published October 18, 2022

Frank has saved every trade show directory since 1967. He uses the shelf of them to implore printers to attend the PRINTING United show in Las Vegas, October 19-21. Every major supplier to the industry is introducing new technology. Printers need the automation as well as the ability to move into new markets. Frank thinks it is worth the trip.

Around the Web: Plate Pixels. Index In-Depth. Kooky Keyboard. Better Battery. Redirection Revisited. Couch Crying. Hand Holding. COVID Candles. Webb Wolf. Prawn Pillow.

Published October 14, 2022

Digital license plates are now legal in California. A new book looks at the history of the index. Google Japan introduces a very long, single-row keyboard. Remembering Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer. A graphene-enhanced “SuperBattery.” NASA’s DART mission to repel an asteroid was a success! A “TikTok influencer” buys a accidentally buys a $100,000 couch “as a joke”; immediately regrets it. “Martha Stewart partners with Liquid Death to release ‘Dismembered Moments’ Candle.” Tracking COVID surges using bad Yankee Candle reviews. The James Webb Space Telescope captures a binary star’s “dust shells.” The Bettli Shrimp Meat U Shaped Neck Pillow. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

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