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Highlights from the Online Print Symposium 2024

The 11th annual Online Print Symposium (OPS), held earlier this month in Münich, demonstrated that many outsiders are driving online print and mass customization ventures—and they see print as a huge opportunity and a growth market. European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports from the event.

The Road to drupa: ESG is Dead—Long Live Sustainability!

As part of our Road to drupa coverage, Marco Boer of IT Strategies looks at the possible implications of recent EU regulatory sustainability mandates on the printing industry.

Real-World Examples of Customer Segmentation that Works

Last week, we looked at three examples of email segmentation along with real campaign results provided by HubSpot Academy. This week, Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at real-world examples of customer segmentation that works, as provided by HubSpot users.

Landa Digital Print Returns to drupa to “Run More”

Here we are, 12 years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology, and roughly four years after initial commencement of commercial sales. Today, there are over 50 machines installed, with many more orders and some new product introductions in the pipeline. Landa Digital Print’s tagline for drupa 2024 is “Run More,” and they are supporting that with new faster and smarter press introductions.

Are You Cut Out for Leadership?

Leaders can be identified and developed. Wayne Lynn explains how, just like determining if a job candidate is a good fit for the job, leaders can be assessed for fit to the leadership role.

Moving Past SWOT Analysis for Deeper Insights

If a SWOT exercise is a regular part of your yearly strategy, and it doesn’t produce the results you expect, it may be time to change your approach. Try adding a dose of VUCA to your SWOT to build a holistic view of how your company, products, and services fit into the changing world.

SnapPress LP-1: Revolutionizing Short Run Digital Label Printing

In this article, written and sponsored by SnapPress, learn how the SnapPress LP-1 is reshaping short-run digital label printing. No other label press has brought HP Inkjet technology together with a Xitron RIP and color profiling by Schilling Inkjet Consultants. The LP-1 has an incredibly easy-to-use interface that puts professional label printing power in the hands of any user.

The Road to drupa: PGCA

The PGCA is a collaborative effort between the PIA Alliance and the Graphic Arts Association, representing the print and graphic communications industry in the New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania areas. The mission of PGCA is to help printing businesses become and stay profitable, offering services such as lobbying, environmental health and safety work, training, and HR support. PGCA has organized trips to drupa in the past, providing group appointments with vendors and facilitating networking opportunities.The trip to drupa aims to foster community interaction and collaboration among competitors in the printing industry. The attendees of the trip to drupa are a mix of veterans and first-timers, providing a learning experience for all.

Industry Data
TODO
Printing Outlook 2024 - The WhatTheyThink Overview of the Current State of the Printing Industry

The Printing Outlook 2024 report provides detailed analysis of the latest WhatTheyThink Printing Industry Survey, the latest industry economic data and macroeconomic trends, as well as industry and cultural technological trends to look out for in 2024 and beyond.

Purchase Report

Greeting Card Publishing Establishments—2010–2021
Greeting Card Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 113 establishments in NAICS  511191 (Greeting Card Publishers). Although this represents a net increase of 10% 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, inflation increased in February. Full Analysis

January Shipments: Back to Normal?
January Shipments: Back to Normal?

January 2024 shipments came in at $7.04 billion, up from December’s $6.94 billion—and right between January 2021 and 2022. Full Analysis

“Other” Publishing Establishments—2010–2021
“Other” Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 839 establishments in NAICS 51119 (Other Publishers). This represents a net decrease of 18% since 2010, but a 26% increase in the past year. In macro news, Q4 GDP was revised down slightly. Full Analysis

More Data Analysis

WhatTheyThink Magazine

WhatTheyThink Magazine is the resource for the Commercial Printing, Visual and Graphic Arts Industries. Industry experts share their ideas and technical knowledge on ways to improve operations.

Subscription are free to qualified industry professionals or via paid subscription.

Around the Web
WhatTheyThink's weekly miscellany
Around the Web: Chip Challenge. State Sobriquets. Eclipse Excitement. Stopping Spillage. Ryan Reunion. Security Sales. Cake Kicks.

Three students at UW-Stout developed a prototype of a new kind of packaging for Pringles potato chips. A traveling exhibit in Italy highlights experimental book design and production. The literal meanings of US states and cities. We were saddened to learn of the passing this week of Hugo-winning SF writer Vernor Vinge, “father of the singularity.” How to geek out over the upcoming solar eclipse. How to carry coffee without spilling. Using the old “drinking bird” toy to create clean, renewable energy. Adding a fourth light to traffic signals control autonomous vehicles. Meetups solely for people named Ryan. A store where items that have been confiscated by TSA are being sold. Keds and Magnolia Bakery team up. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Around the Web: Comic Creation. City Signage. New Knitting. Light Logic. Pork Parasite. Montana Monsters. Coors’ Calendar.

A new book explores how comics were made. A video tour of Manhattan signs. A new way of producing clothing requires only one size. “Agatha Christie: surfer dude.” Point Nemo: the place on Earth that is the farthest from dry land. Why it no long matters if you leave lights on when you leave a room. Yikes: a guy developed a parasitic infection in his brain after eating undercooked bacon. “Montana man pleads guilty to creating massive franken-sheep with cloned animal parts.” Coors Light’s 21-day “advent-inspired” calendar for March Madness. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly Kate-Middleton-Photoshop-scandal-free miscellany. Read More

Around the Web: Font Films. Inked Intelligence. Decimal Discovery. Clever Clutch. Dog Data. Fruity Footwear. Thwarted Thief. Awful Offices. Fish Finder.

“This Year’s Best Picture Oscar Nominees as Typefaces.” Trial biking world champion Dougie Lampkin pays a high-octane visit to the shop printing his autobiography. A modified typewriter that uses ChatGPT to answer queries that are manually typed in. A graphene-based handbag with a fingerprint opening system. Yes, there is now Strava for dogs. For National Cereal Day, Post teamed up with Nike and LeBron James to develop Fruity Pebbles-themed sneakers. A would-be car thief’s failed attempt to steal a self-driving taxi. Has it been 25 years since the “Office Space” was released? What plastic surgery procedure is the most popular in your state? Busch Light teams (or teems) with Plenty of Fish to help fish lovers find a date.  All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Around the Web Archive

Recent Discussion

Pat McGrew on Moving Past SWOT Analysis for Deeper Insights

Thanks, Paul! I think that changing the typical approach can benefit everyone in the room. Reply

Paul Lattimore on Moving Past SWOT Analysis for Deeper Insights

What a great idea, Pat. I can almost see & hear the discussions around those conference tables with the Sales teams, Leadership teams, operational teams, executing this on a semi-annual basis. Good stuff and I bet a facilitator would help. Reply

Dov Isaacs on Frank Gets Tested

The problem with the SATs is not whether you are taking the exam electronically or using paper and #2 pencil, but rather its relevance and fairness. Many critics of the SATs (and the similar ACT exams) rightfully claim is that all these exams are … Full comment Reply

Gordon Pritchard on Kodak at drupa 2024: Groundbreaking Solutions for Inkjet and Traditional Offset

Kodak's pnly example of "Innovating traditional offset" is to celebrate a 20 year old plate technology? Surely there must be something else innovation-wise. Reply

Chuck Werninger on David Zwang On the Road to drupa

My name is Chuck and I love print and I love printing trade shows, maybe even more than Warren Werbitt! Seriously, I've been to nearly all of the major shows like Graph Expo, Print, Southwest Graphics and most of the specialty shows, too. I really mi… Full comment Reply

Special Report

drupa 2024 Coverage


WhatTheyThink is the official show daily media partner of drupa 2024. More info about drupa daily programs

WhatTheyThink is the official show daily media partner of drupa 2024. More info about drupa programs