Shipments: We Told You
Last month, we said that “shipments can only get better from here”—and we were right. March shipments roared back from a historical low of $6.39 billion in February to $7.44 billion in March, the second best March in the past five years.
The Fabric of Frank’s Life
Frank excitedly recommends a new book called “The Fabric of Civilization” by Virginia Postrel. He learns that the words “text” and “textile” some from the same root, and the “Stone Age” is misnamed. He ties it all together with a letterpress press used by the Folly Cove Designers to print fabric.
Around the Web: Tax Trouble. Corona Cards. Vampire Vaccination. Graphene Garment. Teflon Textiles. Measuring Micturition. Ephemeral Exhibits. New Notebooks. Wing Worries.
The IRS’s broken printer problem. A coronavirus-themed pack of Tarot cards. Get vaxxed at Dracula’s castle. Thermally regulated jeans, thanks to graphene. A Teflon coating for textiles. Monitor your hydration with the Pantone Pee Chart. The Museum of Plastic is going to be recycled. A jumpsuit for the “new normal.” The great chiken wing crisis. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly post-vaccination miscellany.
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Industry News
- Inkjet Insight Inkjet Explainer Series Webinar: Understanding Inkjet Drying Technology
- ICScolor, Inc. and Alder Color Solutions Present “From Think to Ink” Webinar Series
- Image360 Invites Budding Entrepreneurs to Informative Webinar on Rewarding Franchise Opportunity in Signage and Graphics Solutions Industry
- FESPA’s Popular Coffee Break Webinars Set to Return in May
- SCREEN Americas’ Truepress Jet520HD Expected to Assume Fifty Percent of Ohio Printer’s Direct Mail Business; Printer Produces 150 Million Pieces Per Year
- PostNet Centers Help Customers Celebrate with Signs
- Worzalla Hosts On-Site COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for Associates
- PJ Fronczkiewicz, Joe Riccardella Receive FTA President’s Award
- Label Traxx MIS Integrates with batched.io for Automated Scheduling
- The Centrale Unveils Abstract Mural by World-Renowned Artist Tony Sjöman in Partnership with LX Collection
- Kornit Digital to Host Fireside Chat at the Barclays Americas Select Franchise Conference
- 3D TO 4D Printing - The Next Level of Additive Manufacturing – Pukka Partners
- Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market– Opportunities in Key Application Sectors by 2028
Leveraging the Cloud and Cybersecurity in Today’s Marketplace
According to recent research from Keypoint Intelligence, the top investment areas for IT decision-makers in the United States include cloud-based solutions and cybersecurity. This article explores how print service providers can leverage these and other areas to better meet their customers’ ever-changing print requirements.
Designer Q+A Meet Kirath Ghundoo: The Queen of Geometric Wallcoverings
In this week’s article from textile expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, we get an inside look at how Kirath Ghundoo, the Queen of Geometric Wallcoverings, has leveraged technology to build her own brand and a thriving business.
Tech Outlook Week Preview: Labels and Packaging Has a Transformative Year
As part of our preview of next week’s Technology Outlook Week, David Zwang looks at how label and packaging production is transforming.
Print MIS Product Spotlight: Sabre Limited/Reseller of PrintVis
The PrintVis Print MIS/ERP is an offering that combines a globally recognized ERP system from Microsoft (Dynamics 365 Business Central), with the print industry specific addon from PrintVis, and in this article we’re featuring Sabre Limited as the implementation partner.
Quiz: How Many Things Can QR Codes Do?
If you were asked to come up with a list of ways that QR codes can be used in marketing, how many could you list? Could you come up with at least 10? As QR codes see a resurgence, being driven by everything from the COVID-19 pandemic to USPS postal promotions, it’s time to take stock of how they are being used, as well as the opportunities that are being missed.
A moment of levity. View Today's Dilbert
Life in print isn’t easy, right? You deserve a laugh. That's why MindFire brings you Dilbert. And why we help Printers & Agencies of all sizes grow sales with 'OptiChannel'. Learn more now.
Industry Data
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Printing Outlook 2021 - The WhatTheyThink Overview of the Current State of the Printing Industry
The new Printing Outlook 2021 report provides detailed analysis of the latest WhatTheyThink Business Outlook Survey, the latest industry economic data and macroeconomic trends, as well as industry and cultural technological trends to look out for in 2021.
Shipments: We Told You
Last month, we said that “shipments can only get better from here”—and we were right. March shipments roared back from a historical low of $6.39 billion in February to $7.44 billion in March, the second best March in the past five years. Full Analysis
March Graphic Arts Employment—Getting Back to Work
In March 2021, all printing employment was up +1.5% from February, production employment up +1.1%, and non-production printing employment up +2.2%. Full Analysis
Printing 2021 Quick Look: Top Investments
According to data from our recently published Printing Outlook 2021 special report, one-fourth of print businesses have no major investment plans for 2021. Full Analysis
Recent Discussion
Chuck Werninger on The Nicole Saunders Story: A Passion for Graphic Arts
What a great story, Cary, thanks for covering it. I would LOVE to hear more stories like this where printers are investing in the young people who will work in, manage, lead and eventually own our industry in the future! Reply
Bob Raus on How Accurate Is Your Job Pricing (And Can You Do Better?)
Pricing is definitely a combination of market knowledge, costs and many other factors. Capturing and comparing actual production costs to estimated costs will confirm the level of profitability, a critical factor in overall success. Automatically col… Full comment Reply
Werner Rebsamen on Frank’s Tale of Two Books
Thanks Frank, great job as usual. Looking at the date, this is a remarkable achievement for digital printing. Reply
Mike Philie on Warren Werbitt Goes Printer to Printer with Mike Philie
Thanks for making this happen Warren. It's always a great discussion with you, and I appreciate the passion you bring to our industry. As we discussed, the role of the CEO, the sales team and the next generation of leaders has never been more importa… Full comment Reply
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.
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Ben Sachs on The Color Challenge and How to Solve it
I am an printing industry specialist with over 50 years experience. Currently my work involves delivering electoral processes for African Elections across the sub-continent. My particular interest is in the production of ballot material for elect… Full comment Reply