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Print’s Enduring Role in Customer Communications

Even in today’s digital world, printed materials play a powerful role in customer communications. In fact, firms that are focused on customer experience have discovered an excellent harmony between print and digital channels. This article explores how businesses can optimize the strengths of both digital and printed media to culminate more meaningful customer relationships.

The Future of Printing: A Conversation with Ford Bowers, President and CEO of the PRINTING United Alliance

As technological advancements redefine the status quo, it becomes essential for enterprises to not just adapt but anticipate the changes on the horizon. Ford Bowers, President and CEO of the PRINTING United Alliance, underscored this in a recent interview with Texintel CEO and WhatTheyThink contributor, Debbie McKeegan at PRINTING United in Las Vegas.

HP Streamlines and Automates the Construction Process

HP has been involved in print and specifically the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) process with printers that initially produced blueprints and have evolved since. Now they are taking the process to the construction site. David Zwang talks with Daniel Martinez, GM of HP's Large Format Printing Division, about the company's new solutions for this market.

Industry News

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What Do Users Really Think of USPS Informed Delivery?

A look at the most recent USPS Informed Delivery update (June 2023–June 2024), including updated user stats, the latest open and click-through rates, and number of Informed Delivery campaigns.

Collaborating for Visibility!

Whether you are a printer who does industry shows in the segments you serve or a vendor selling into the community printers at a local, regional, or global event, how you come to the show and the samples you share tell a story. Why not make it bigger and better by collaborating with your clients and partners?

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—France

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, specifically tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at France.

Best Practices for Hiring and Retaining Employees in a Labor-Constrained Market

Finding talent continues to be an issue for many printing and packaging businesses, perhaps even more so than in other industries due to perceptions about the business that are no longer accurate. In this article, we offer 10 suggestions for hiring and retaining talent that may help you ensure access to the best possible talent pool in your business.

Voice of the Customer: Moore Direct

In this video sponsored by Screen, Lois Ritarossi talks to Dave Johannes, EVP, Strategic Initiatives, for Moore Direct about the impact of their strategic partnership with Screen and integration of Screen technology on their business.

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

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—France
Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—France

This bi-weekly series of short articles provides details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, specifically tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at France. Full Analysis

August Shipments Indeed
August Shipments Indeed

August 2024 shipments came in at $7.68 billion, up from July’s $7.44 billion—the second straight monthly increase. Full Analysis

Keypoint Intelligence Study Reveals Top Challenges and Strategies for High-Volume Apparel Decorators in 2024
Keypoint Intelligence Study Reveals Top Challenges and Strategies for High-Volume Apparel Decorators in 2024

In 2024, Keypoint Intelligence conducted an in-depth study examining the operations of high-volume apparel decorators across the globe. The report explores various printing technologies, including Screen Printing, Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing, Hybrid Printing, and Dye Sublimation. This article highlights the top challenges faced by decorators using these technologies and discusses key strategies used to overcome them. Full Analysis

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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: Kafka Covers. Grass Graphics. Costume Chemicals. Time Trends. Comma Creation. Cassette Comeback. Morticia Menu.

Using Rapid Liquid Printing to produce a handbag. Lawnmower-based graphic design. The dangers of really fast fashion: Halloween costumes. A temperature-controlling graphene-enhanced jacket. Where did punctuation come from? Cassette tapes are becoming popular. The slow acceptance of wearing pants. Burger King’s Addams Family-themed Halloween menu. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Around the Web: Graphic Gags. Hail Hamlet. Leaf Lenses. Map Mural. Absent AI. Dorito Dye. Fixing Flakes. Car Ketchup.

Print magazine talks with a former graphic designer for SNL. A production of Hamlet based on Radiohead’s “Hail to the Thief.” Virginia parks provide special viewfinders so the color blind can leaf-peep. Making a giant mural out of a Google Earth Easter egg. The Moon is getting its own time zone. This year’s Lego Advent calendars are now available. According to the New Yorker, there is no AI. Cool. “Mice made transparent with a dye used in Doritos.” Making the original Corn Flakes recipe. VW’s Gewürz Ketchup briefly available in the US. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Around the Web: Viva Vice. Cloned Critic. Fitzgerald’s Flat. More Mozart. Globe Goofs. Hat Hating. Railway Rodents. Breakfast Bag.

Vice is launching a subscription service—and a print edition. London newspaper is resurrecting its deceased art critic with AI. A billboard-based art project. A robotic “impact printing” system 3D prints with clay. Who would have thought that 2024 would bring us new Mozart music? The oldest surviving globe dates from 1492 and is wildly inaccurate even by 1492 standards. A flying grocery cart. Graphene-enhanced asphalt goes on trial in the UK. When did people stop wearing hats? Jimmy Dean launches a tote bag that can keep your breakfast sandwiches warm. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Around the Web Archive

Recent Discussion

Graham Judd on To B2 or Not to B2: Shop Prints Shakespeare’s Plays on a Single Press Sheet

I visited the Gutenberg Museum a few years ago, and they had these available, although I think they were on 12pt piece of type. And they are printed in the tiny book they sell, in 7 languages. They were apparently first cast in the late 1920s, a rema… Full comment Reply

Dov Isaacs on The Plate Conundrum

+1 For those of us who aren't directly involved in offset print production, the answer to Gordon's question is really important. And also, what is the CURRENT difference is price of such plates between those sourced from Kodak and those sourced… Full comment Reply

Gordon Pritchard on The Plate Conundrum

What is the current approximate cost of a 40" plate? And what would the cost be for that plate after a tariff is imposed? Put another way, what percent of the total print job cost is the plate? Reply

Mike Price on ePS Software Acquires EPMS

It will be interesting to see how EPMS fits in the EPS ecosystem. Their product has some strong functionality for mid-size organizations and would almost complete with the new Nubium product. I wish the folks at EPMS the best with their new opportun… Full comment Reply

Warren Werbitt on Frank's Thanks

Frank, A Big Thank You! Frank, I just wanted to thank you for purchasing my book on Amazon! I guess the signed copy I sent didn’t make it to you, but your support means so much to me. I’m grateful for your kind words and for sharing with your audi… Full comment Reply

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