Graphic Arts Employment—December 2020
In December 2020, all printing employment was up +0.7% from November, production employment up +0.1%, and non-production printing employment up +1.9%. So, basically, a holding pattern—although it’s nice that there are no negative numbers…for almost everyone.
Leveraging Finishing to Maximize the Effectiveness of Print
Finishing is an important step for nearly every printed document. Ongoing advancements in digital printing capabilities have the potential to elevate finishing to a value-added service. This article explores how print service providers can maximize the effectiveness and profitability of print with today’s finishing capabilities.
What Will Be the Role of the Creative Designer in Industry 4.0? Paintbrush to Pixel and Beyond—The Strategic Creative
As Industry 4.0 takes greater hold on the textiles and apparel industry, it is estimated that more than 25% of all work activities will be displaced by automation by 2030. But what does this mean for textile designers? Surely a robot can’t replace a designer! Designers have already moved from paintbrush to pixel, and while they won’t be replaced by robots, their roles will surely change. Read what textiles expert and WhatTheyThink Contributor Debbie McKeegan has to say on the topic!
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Industry News
- Highcon and EFI Announce Global Partnership
- Roland DGA Announces Launch of New VersaUV® LEC2-640 and LEC2-330 UV Printer/Cutters
- BOBST Demonstrates the Future of Flexible Packaging Production at Groundbreaking Virtual Open House Event
- Montréal Printing Company Finds its Niche with Xeikon
- PGSF Holds Annual 2021 Student T-Shirt Design Contest; Winner to Receive Cash Prize
- Chris Jutt Reviews How Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program Helps Independent Printers Sell Their Printing Business
- Mark Andy Partners with Bulgarian Distributor to Strengthen European Representation
- APR and SpotOn! Launch SpotOn ColorTM Management Software for Flexo Printers
- FlexoKITE Launches 2021 Problem-Solving Webinar Series
- Low Odor Ink Delivers Enhanced User and Product Experience, with Better Costs
- Avery Dennison Announces Upcoming Investor Events
- FILMtech and Chilly Global Engage in Agreement
- Lecta Presents Its New Termax Thermal Paper Catalogue
- Graphics One Launches Newly Redesigned Website www.graphicsone.com
- Temperature Controlled Packages Market: Opportunities and Forecast Assessment, Size 2028
- On The Go Breakfast Packaging Market: Latest Trends, Demand and Analysis 2028
Print Software Feature Requests: You’re a Priority, Just Not the Only Priority
Feature requests are popular. The default response to new software to ask for it to be changed to fit the way you specifically think it should fit into your specific environment. “Change your processes to optimize your use of the software” is the one statement that would save the print industry millions of dollars.
Survey: Changing B2B Buyer Expectations You Need to Know
The way B2B buyers make purchases is changing, and PSPs and their customers must change along with them. But it provides opportunity, as well. Results from the latest DemandGen “B2B Buyer Behavior Study.”
Fast Moving Consumer Shifts—Drilling Down to Find the Opportunities
Consumer trends have been shifting for a while. However, the rate of shift is increasing, opening up opportunities for new product innovation and a shift in packaging demands.
A Night at the Opera with Vancouver’s Still Creek Press
Founded more than 30 years ago as a business forms printer, Vancouver’s Still Creek Press has adapted and evolved over the years, adding wide-format printing capabilities and other products and services. A recent project saw the company come to the rescue when the University of British Columbia Opera decided to stage a virtual production.
Does Poshmark’s Overperforming Portend a Shift for the Apparel Industry?
Poshmark (ticker: POSH) shares entered the public market last week, with shares soaring nearly 142%, opening at $97.50 and hitting a high of $104.98, with a Thursday close at $101.50, making it up 141.7%. This kind of feels like the 90s dot-com boom. Will it lead to a bust? The Poshmark CEO thinks not.
A moment of levity. View Today's Dilbert
Dilbert is brought to you by the hiring pros at PrintLink. PrintLink is the industry leader in Executive Search & Professional Placement.
Industry Data
Graphic Arts Employment—December 2020
In December 2020, all printing employment was up +0.7% from November, production employment up +0.1%, and non-production printing employment up +1.9%. So, basically, a holding pattern—although it’s nice that there are no negative numbers…for almost everyone. Full Analysis
European Print Industry Snapshot: Hungary
In this bimonthly series, WhatTheyThink is presenting the state of the printing industry in different European countries based on the latest monthly production numbers. This year kicks off with a look at the printing industry in Hungary. Full Analysis
US Copy Center Establishments—2010–2018
In 2010, there were 6,026 establishments in NAICS 561439 (Business Service Centers [Including Copy Shops]). By 2018, that number had declined to 5,305. In macro news, weekly initial unemployment claims were at 965,000, an increase of 181,000 from the previous week. Full Analysis
Recent Discussion
Robert Godwin on Frank Catalogs Catalogs
The only catalog that stirs my nostalgia is the Whole Earth Catalog by Stewart Brand. Reply
Werner Rebsamen on Frank Provides a Backdrop for Book Sales
Thanks Frank - great comments. Yes, those who build the machinery to manufacture books also report increasing sales. As for backgrounds, yes, we bookbinders sometimes just glued beautifully, gold stamped spines onto card boards. It then looked the bo… Full comment Reply
Martin Bailey on Print Software Feature Requests: You’re a Priority, Just Not the Only Priority
Thanks Jennifer, this is true for all software, not limited to web-to-print or job tracking. The most useful thing a customer can do is to describe exactly what they are trying to achieve, what they’ve tried and what happened when they did … and then… Full comment Reply
John Henry on Frank Catalogs Catalogs
Dov at one time Sears was the Amazon of the day. They missed the change like you said. I have the last sears catalog in a box. Reply
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Chris Lynn on Print Software Feature Requests: You’re a Priority, Just Not the Only Priority
Jennifer, I suspect that few printers adopt a formal user requirements specification process when selecting software - is this your experience? I'm talking about identifying and documenting high-level 'epics' and user 'stories' (e.g. "as a CSR, I n… Full comment Reply