Why Checklists Really Make a Difference
Checklists reduce mistakes—a lot. Heidi Tolliver-Waller looks at how so simple a tool can reduce or eliminate mistakes in surgery, aviation—and even printing.
Customer Value Proposition: Job to be Done
In the latest edition of his Smart Strategy Insights Series, Wayne Lynn explains how to understand where in the customer’s value chain your products and services fit.
Digital Embellishment Show Panel Debates the Case for Standards
In this follow-up to the widely-discussed article, “The Case for Standards in Digital Embellishments,” the first-ever panel on The Digital Embellishment Show dives deep into the pressing need for standardization in the digital print embellishment industry. Host Kevin Abergel and moderator Eric Vessels are joined by an all-star panel featuring Sabine Lenz (PaperSpecs), Sean Roberts (Konica Minolta USA), and Ryan Moskun (Harris & Bruno International). Together, they debate how the lack of consistent terminology, quality control measures, and design standards creates confusion and hinders adoption across the industry.
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Industry News
- TUI Total Solutions and Taktiful Present: Beyond CMYK Open House Event
- Girls Who Print Honors Three Industry Members with Awards at the 12th Annual Girls Who Print Day Conference
- Konica Minolta Recognized by NJBIZ for Empowering Women
- Shine LED Lamp Kit, innovated by Miraclon, recognized with German FTA Sustainability Award
- Alwan Color Expertise Donates ColorCloud Platform Access to The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
- Ryan Gaylord Transitions From Foodservice to Printing Industry, Grows Minuteman Press Franchise in Lake Oswego, OR
- Highcon and Hybrid Software Collaborate to Enhance Digital Die Cutting Workflow Efficiency
- Acquiring New HP Indigo 100K Expands Packaging Capabilities for Independent Printing & Packaging
- Flint Group’s EkoCure® Ink Range Enhances Print Quality and Expands Market Opportunities for ILLERT GmbH & Co
- How a Packaging Printing Business Achieved a 10x Increase in Sales
- PixFile Introduces Cutting-Edge PDF Editor to Boost Productivity and Streamline File Management
- Small Steps in Material Science Can Lead to Great Leaps for Packaging
- Continental Grafix USA Welcomes Marketing Director
- AI Could Prove a Springboard to Industry 4.0 in the UK Packaging Industry, says Think B2B Marketing
- Baralan: A Journey Through Luxury, Innovation, and Sustainability
- ALLIED Feather + Down’s 1000 Fill Power ExpeDRY Insulated Jacket Takes Home 2024 ISPO Award
- technotrans Remains on Track and Specifies Forecast for 2024 Financial Year
- PCI Pharma Services and ChiRhoClin Partner to Prevent Shortage of Critical Orphan Pancreatic Drug
Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Hungary
This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Hungary.
What Makes Your PDF? (Part 2)
If you are suffering from the PDF Flu, here are some things to watch for and some ideas on how to ensure that every PDF you send through to production can process and run efficiently, whether going to print or an edelivery platform. Let's look at your options!
Finish with Finesse and Flair: Embellishment for Offset (Part 1)
Adding sensory appeal can increase the perceived value—and the profit margin—of work produced on offset presses. This two-part overview outlines solutions and strategies for offset shops that want to dazzle their customers and sweeten their bottom lines.
Printing Establishments—2010–2022
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 22,651 establishments in NAICS 323 (Printing and Related Support Activities). This represents a decline of 22% since 2010—but (but!) a slight (slight!) increase in establishments from 2021. In macro news, inflation is still fairly under control.
Frank’s Radio Daze
Frank tracks the movement of advertising dollars from radio to television to cable and now to email and the Web. Ads in publications as well as direct mail are migrating to the digital world. We need to rejuvenate print advertising.
Industry Data
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.
Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Hungary
This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Hungary. Full Analysis
Printing Establishments—2010–2022
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 22,651 establishments in NAICS 323 (Printing and Related Support Activities). This represents a decline of 22% since 2010—but (but!) a slight (slight!) increase in establishments from 2021. In macro news, inflation is still fairly under control. Full Analysis
September Shipments: No Fall This Autumn
September 2024 shipments came in at $7.67 billion, up ever so slightly from August’s $7.66 billion—the third straight monthly increase. Sure, it’s a small increase, but we’ll take what we can get. Full 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: Bot Bonanza. Typing Torus. Pate Powder. Razr Reflection. Lunar Lasers. Solar Scooter. Kevin Connections. Aldi Advent.
A robot artist’s painting sells for more than $1 million. Google Japan’s Möbius Strip keyboard. An interesting approach to sustainable shampoo packaging. A tribute to the Motorola Razr. A question for the ages: if everyone on Earth aimed a laser pointer at the moon simultaneously, what would happen? A solar-powered motor scooter. There is an app for lucid dreaming. The “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” now has data! What is the world’s oldest organism? “Sandwiches from History” rounds up some old recipes. Aldi’s highly anticipated Advent calendars are here! All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Around the Web: Perishing Papers. Vonnegut Volume. Comic Controversy. Country Con. Precious Prime. Fromage Felony.
Several major NJ newspapers discontinue their print editions. A new limited deluxe edition of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-5. Comic Sans turns 30—is it time to reconsider its awfulness? New clues about the origin of writing. An elaborate and successful 19th-century scam involving a fictional Central American country. The new largest prime number ever discovered. A mathematical model that determines the optimal shape of a beer glass that keeps beer cool. In memoriam: Murray McCrory, inventor of the JanSport backpack. A wooden “artisanal satellite” has just been launched. “Your air fryer may be spying on you,” for some reason. A scammer steals 22 tons of cheddar from a London cheese shop. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Around the Web: Logo Library. Auctioning AI. Plonk Packaging. Damned Domain. Cryptid Carnival. Echo Education. Super Stations. Fitting Footwear. Future Food.
The Space Exploration Logo Archive (SELA) is a series of printed books celebrating 70+ years of space travel. Artwork by robot artist Ai-Da is up for auction at Sotheby’s. A study by the UK’s Wine Society found the most sustainable option for wine packaging, although we have questions. Did you know that domain names can be “haunted”? Reconstructing the face of a 400-year-old vampire. Johnstown, Pa., hosts the annual “Squonkapalooza” to celebrate a mythical beast. An electric scooter that uses a graphene-based battery. Get rid of autumn leaves with ease using a leaf blower mounted to a robot dog. Learn how to echolocate in 10 weeks. Fifteen “stunning train stations.” A line of sneakers that grow with your kids. Whole Foods’ culinary trends for 2025. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Recent Discussion
Kevin Abergel on Digital Embellishment Show Panel Debates the Case for Standards
Thank you, Alan, for such an insightful and well-articulated comment! I completely agree that creating standards is just one piece of the puzzle. As you pointed out, education, collaboration, and defining best practices are equally vital to ensure th… Full comment Reply
Alan Darling on Digital Embellishment Show Panel Debates the Case for Standards
Great topic and panel! First and apology - sorry for some of the alphabet soup in here, but I have tried to define any abbreviations used in this comment. I go back to DDAP (Digital Distribution of Advertising for Publications) that started in … Full comment Reply
Pat McGrew on What Makes Your PDF? (Part 2)
Hi Hans! I know the Fiery is excellent. However, it is not the only DFE in the market, and even the Fiery can face challenges with highly complex print files. The goal of the series was to encourage people to do two things: understand the capabilitie… Full comment Reply
Hans Sep on What Makes Your PDF? (Part 2)
I was anticipating what direction this series would head towards. Let me play devil's advocate here: with exception of PDF complexity, none of the issues mentioned here are problematic for today's DFE's. Reply
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Sean Roberts on Digital Embellishment Show Panel Debates the Case for Standards
Alan, you are spot on. Speaking from the OEM segment, we are certainly cognizant of maintaining our value driver message— so ensuring we don’t devalue or negatively restrict differentiation is a critical factor. That said, I believe we all also agree… Full comment Reply