Printing Industry Blog
RetailMeNot's report tells retailers to "stop doing something old," referring to us
By Dr. Joe Webb on Thursday, June 19, 2014
RetailMeNot's report and the infographic are essential reading for print business owners because they offer a media executive's perspective on the nature of print. The executives perceptions of digital media are quite clear: "Seventy-five percent believe that digital consistently delivers better ROI – or "promotional performance" – at a lower cost than non-digital."
BoSacks Speaks Out: Magazine Revenue and the numbers.
By Bob Sacks on Thursday, June 05, 2014
The magazine industry only produces revenue by having a product worth selling. I am happy to report that the industry still produces tens of billions of dollars in revenue. But as an industry the count of sales of magazines has been declining in both newsstand copies sold and subscriptions bought.
A look at the Océ ImageStream 3500
By Adam Dewitz on Friday, May 30, 2014
Canon has made a breakthrough in production inkjet printing with the announcement of the Oce ImageStream platform. This new production inkjet system can print on any paper including coated papers without requiring separate paper treatment with a primer or bonding agent. This development provides Canon with a production inkjet platform to handle commercial print applications including books, magazines, and high-quality direct mail.
The Future of WhatTheyThink
By Adam Dewitz on Friday, April 11, 2014
On Wednesday we announced that Randy was leaving WhatTheyThink to focus on a hyperlocal business network called Georgia CEO. Here is some historical context on Randy's departure.
Unisource/WhatTheyThink Digital Print Survey Results Released
By Adam Dewitz on Friday, April 04, 2014
Last year Unisource approached WhatTheyThink to collaborate on a survey of digital printers to identify quality concerns and production challenges in day-to-day operation faced by owners of toner-based digital printing equipment.
RIT to Hire New Administrative Chair for School of Media Sciences
By Adam Dewitz on Thursday, March 27, 2014
73% of online adults in the US now use social networking sites
By Adam Dewitz on Thursday, January 02, 2014
A new study released by The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found that 73% of survey respondents actively use social media with 42% using multiple social networking sites.
Printing Industries Alliance Hosts A Solid and Satisfying “Innovation Forum” on Long Island
By Patrick Henry on Friday, March 22, 2013
Regional printing trade shows mostly are things of the past - vendors can’t justify the expense of exhibiting at these local affairs, and printers can’t find the time to attend them. All of the above may be true, but in spite of that, members of the industry still find value in the knowledge-sharing camaraderie that only face-to-face encounters can provide.
Is Kodak Finally Nearing the End of Its Journey from Silver Halide to Silver Lining?
By Patrick Henry on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Kodak has had some serious losses to report lately. But, the company insists that other numbers make more sense to focus on as it drives ahead with its plan to emerge from bankruptcy.
The Publishing Revolution Revisited
By Bob Sacks on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
BoSacks Speaks Out: I have a publishing epiphany to relate to you that comes from a man who died in 1799. But before I tell you of his wisdom, I will tell you a little personal history which explains how I retrieved this 18th century wisdom.
Kodak Exec Says Company Has Reached “Turning Point” in Quest to Emerge from Chapter 11
By Patrick Henry on Monday, November 26, 2012
As it has at previous stages of its effort to put its troubles behind it, Kodak has reached out to the trade media with another update on the progress it claims to be making toward orderly emergence from bankruptcy. We spoke recently with Chris Payne, Kodak’s vice president - marketing, business to business, about the latest developments and about Kodak’s long-term plan to renew itself as a provider of graphic production technologies.
Some Metro Firms Report Recovery in Sandy’s Devastating Wake
By Patrick Henry on Friday, November 02, 2012
No small part of the $50 billion economic loss being attributed to storm Sandy will come from business interruptions suffered by printing firms throughout the tristate metro region. Wherever the damage was worst, the toll taken on these highly vulnerable manufacturing operations was highest. Many remain out of commission, their electrical power gone, their communications severed, their work piling up, and their employees stranded at home with gas gauges pointing at empty.
On Print Magazines, 21st Century Love & Bias Among Media Buyers
By Bob Sacks on Thursday, November 01, 2012
I am pretty sure that most of us have been unceremoniously dumped in our youth by a boyfriend or a girlfriend at one time or another. I am sure some of us also went back and begged for either forgiveness, a new understanding and/or a chance at a do-over. In adolescence these are normal and understandable actions.
Newsweek's Shutdown is Not A Sign Of Magazine Troubles
By Bob Sacks on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
It seems to me that sometimes we publishers lose sight of our perspective. It is admittedly understandable as we hunker down in the trenches producing our products that we sometimes miss some of the details of the wider battle for revenue and survival.
Today is “National Print Day”
By Adam Dewitz on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Today is “National Print Day” according to grassroots campaign to promote print as an environmentally and socially responsible medium vital to communication.
Addressing the Death of Print Pundits at AMC-MPA
By Bob Sacks on Monday, October 22, 2012
I am going to attempt to address a few of the pundits who declared the death of print at the AMC conference in San Francisco last Tuesday morning. In doing so, I am sure that my long term readers will appreciate the unusual irony I find myself participating in with regard to my analysis and review of the future of our business. I will try to be as succinct as possible and still place before you the necessary historic details.
'Is Print Dead?' and Other Tough Topics from the MPA Conference
By Bob Sacks on Thursday, October 18, 2012
For the record I just flew back from San Francisco on the red-eye to meet some east coast obligations, and haven't had the time or energy to compile my notes and observations from the American Magazine Conference just concluded. So what you are about to read is free flowing stream of semi-consciousness.
Why Angie's List Publishes a Print Magazine
By Bob Sacks on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I think that my friend Drew Davis has an expression in his lectures that captures the essence of Angie's List printed magazine quite well, he says "that the only thing that distinguishes you in a digital world is print"
How people get local news and information in different communities
By Adam Dewitz on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project looks at the source of local news and information across varying different community types in the U.S.
BoSacks Speaks Out: On Newspapers, Publishing, Ads and an Unknown History
By Bob Sacks on Friday, September 14, 2012
Over the years there has been an enormous amount of discussion about how the Internet "killed" the newspaper industry. I do not believe that it is a true statement - at least the murder did not take place as a cause and effect relationship.
Frank Romano's Mailbox: Frank Shows Off Wood Type Font Prints