Commercial Printing Establishments—2010–2020
According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 16,283 establishments in NAICS 323111 (Commercial Printing except Screen and Books). This represents a decline of 26% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is flat!
Invitation to Frank
Frank found two books of engraved invitations that graced the counters of small printers throughout America from the 1960s through the 1980s. For weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, confirmations, and other memorable events, you went to the printer down the street and ordered them from these books. Today, much of the printed engraved invitation world is ordered online. Unless you use Evite.
Around the Web: Test Test. Silly Stickers. Perilous Plants. Cola Cartridge. Raincoat Reservoir. Parasol Power. Better Buds. Spider Sleep. Dog Dudes.
Your expired COVID tests may have been given an extension. An epidemic of really bad forged car inspection stickers. When in the UK, visit The Poison Garden—but carefully. The Cana is a countertop “beverage printer” that can replicate many different flavors using a single cartridge. “Celebrate rainy days” with a rainwater harvesting coat. A solar-powered umbrella that can be networked. Graphene-enhanced earbuds. New evidence that spiders may dream. The World Dog Surfing Championships. Another roadside attraction…or two. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
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Industry News
- Kodak, Xeikon, Canon and Pitney Bowes to Present at APS22 Theaters!
- PRINTING United Alliance Announces New Apparel Decoration Summit
- Registration Opens for FPA’s 2022 Fall Executive Conference
- The Cannata Report to Shake It Up at 37th Annual Awards & Charities Gala
- Colordyne Technologies Hosts Open House Featuring Its Hybrid Printing Technology
- HYBRID Software Participates as a Supplier Partner for The Flexo Xperience Center
- Enfocus Welcomes Canadian-Based Tilia Labs to the Family
- Sun Chemical Returns to Labelexpo Americas 2022
- Drytac Expands Polar Range with Two New Easy to Apply Solutions for the North American Market
- Reflective Apparel Unveils RAflect50, Hi-Vis Garments Engineered to Withstand the Rigors of Industrial Laundries
- SWFL, Inc. Bestows Top Recognition to Presstige Printing
- Essentra Tapes Sees Strong RippaTape® Sales as eCommerce Continues to Grow
- Neopac Wins European Tube Manufacturers Association Awards in Plastics, Prototypes Categories
- New Survey Shows Readers Overwhelmingly Prefer Physical Books
- Taopix 2022r1 - A Huge Improvement For Photo Personalisation Software
- Bison Announces PowerSTAR® High-Efficiency Right Angle Gearmotor Celebrating 10 Years of Product Excellence
Direct-to-Plane Printing?
The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a prototype robotic inkjet printing system that can print directly onto three-dimensional surfaces—specifically, airplanes. Richard Romano spoke to SwRI Senior Research Engineer Branson Brockschmidt about the project.
Textile Sustainability Spotlights S/S 22—Innovations and Insights
In this article, compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, we take a look at textile sustainability innovations and insights, with a focus on the supply chain, greenwashing, and truly sustainable initiatives.
Selling Features to Your Print Business Software Vendors
Doing a little more work on feature requests can have an oversized impact on the likelihood of getting into a product roadmap.
AR Has Reached a Tipping Point: Now What?
Augmented reality has reached a tipping point, and it’s one that is increasingly affordable, accessible, and highly relevant to even the average print shop. AR has become a way to offer solutions and help your clients sell products and engage audiences in real, practical ways.
Spoonflower: One Year Later
Shutterfly acquired Spoonflower one year ago. Senior editor Cary Sherburne checks in with the company for a progress report.
A moment of levity. View Today's Dilbert
Industry Data
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Printing Outlook 2022 - The WhatTheyThink Overview of the Current State of the Printing Industry
The new Printing Outlook 2022 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 2022.
Commercial Printing Establishments—2010–2020
According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 16,283 establishments in NAICS 323111 (Commercial Printing except Screen and Books). This represents a decline of 26% since 2010. In macro news, inflation is flat! Full Analysis
June Graphic Arts Employment—The Production/Non-Production See Saw This Month Favors Non-Production Workers
In June 2022, all printing employment was up +0.2% from May. This time, it was production employment that was down (-0.8%) and non-production employment that was up (+2.3%). Full Analysis
Printing Establishments—2010–2020
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 22,225 establishments in NAICS 32311 (Printing). This represents a decline of 18% since 2010. In macro news, Q2 GDP declined -0.9%. Full Analysis
Recent Discussion
Patrick Henry on Direct-to-Plane Printing?
About six years ago, Heidelberg introduced an inkjet-based, direct-to-three-dimensional-object printing system it calls Omnifire: https://whattheythink.com/news/83101-new-heidelberg-digital-printing-system-provides-color-custom-cost-effective-prin… Full comment Reply
Corry Casler - PressWise on Selling Features to Your Print Business Software Vendors
I think I need to send our Director of Product Management a box of brownies! Reply
David Scott on QR Codes as a Problem-Solving Tool
I thought this one was great: Having it go to the app store to make downloading easy. I don't know how many times I have seen "download our app", then have to search through to find the correct one. I wonder what other ways these can make our … Full comment Reply
Irvin Press on Industry Public Relations Pro Craig Kevghas Passes Away
I just found out about Craig today (did not catch the original post), and am just stunned. I was working in a small ad/design firm back in 1986 when I pitched and won the ECRM advertising account. One of the first people I met there was a young Cr… 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.
WhatTheyThink publishes 2 editions of the magazine: Printing News and Wide-Format & Signage. Subscription are free to qualified industry professionals or via paid subscription.
- Inkjet for Online Printers
- July Installation Roundup (and bonus video)
- Kodak and Graphco Team Up to Drive Print Sales
- Inkjet Arrives in Photo Specialty – Video
- Any Idea What’s in YOUR Business Continuity Wallet?
- Growth Innovation Series: Understanding B2B Advantages
- RICOH Announces Upgrade for Pro VC70000 (Pro VC70000e)
- Remoistening High Coverage Inkjet Print – Video
- Inkjet for Online Printers
- July Installation Roundup (and bonus video)
- Kodak and Graphco Team Up to Drive Print Sales
- Inkjet Arrives in Photo Specialty – Video
- Any Idea What’s in YOUR Business Continuity Wallet?
- Growth Innovation Series: Understanding B2B Advantages
- RICOH Announces Upgrade for Pro VC70000 (Pro VC70000e)
- Remoistening High Coverage Inkjet Print – Video
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Rich Ramirez on Direct-to-Plane Printing?
Excellent article. Very exciting stuff! Reply