Printing Establishments—2010–2022
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 21,615 establishments in NAICS 32311 (Printing). This represents a decrease of 20% since 2010, but (checks notes) an increase of 0.4% from 2021. In macro news, highlights from the most recent Federal Reserve “Beige Book.”
Frank's Belief in Providence
What’s black and white and printed all over? Frank bemoans the closing of the Providence Journal printing plant. It was the last and only plant that used flexography for printing. This esteemed Rhode Island newspaper will now be printed in New Jersey. Many papers are no longer printed in their own state.
Around the Web: Hot Hue. Widespread Word. Cool Covers. Catalog Contraction. Ancient Alphabet. Imaging ink. Tiny Timepiece. Freaky Franks.
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025. The OED’s Word of the Year for 2024. Print magazine’s Best Book Covers of 2024. Print catalogs are getting smaller. A recent find uncovered the world’s oldest alphabet. Ancient Babylonian student’s math error preserved in stone for 4,000 years. A new technology can measure brain waves using electronic, temporary scalp tattoos. Graphene sheets used in a new technique for self-assembling electronics. Casio’s functional ring watch. A new Roger Dean exhibition. Sam’s Club’s “Holidogs” are not for the faint of stomach. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
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Industry News
- Esko, Fiery, and HanGlobal/Hanlabel Announce Strategic Collaboration to Revolutionize Digital Label Printing
- Konica Minolta Renews IMSA Partnership
- SPI 2025 to Reconnect the Screen Community
- Carbon Balanced Paper Accepted into USPS Sustainability Promotion Program
- Unveiling the 2025 Talks Agenda: Key Insights from Industry Leaders at Paris Packaging Week
- At Paris Packaging Week, TekniPlex Consumer Products to Introduce PFAS-free, Food-grade Clear Dip Tubes for Fragrance Packaging Applications
- Flexopolis Invests with BOBST to Expand Capacity and Move into New Label Segments
- Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Vaughan Is Under New Ownership
- Stephens & George Decides for Chemistry-Free Printing Plates from ECO3
- Blister Machinery Supplier MMS Appoints New General Manager, and Adds Business Development Executive
- Proforma Advances Once Again – Now Ranked 121 on Franchise Times Top 400 List
- TOPPAN at SEMICON Japan 2024
Implementing Artificial Intelligence: Deriving Value at Every Stage
With so much focus on artificial intelligence’s potential to transform entire industries, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure about where to begin. The good news is that AI provides value at every stage of implementation, regardless of whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale advanced AI solutions. This article explores how businesses can unlock real benefits as they continue their AI journey, regardless of stage.
Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 Preview
Get ready to experience the Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025. This is the premier event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve and gain unparalleled insights and networking opportunities. Join industry leaders from around the world and explore cutting-edge solutions for continuous and sheet-fed trends, shaping the future of print.
Sweet 16: HP Launches New High-Volume Latex Series
Last month, HP launched its new series of Latex printers, the HP Latex FS50 and FS60 series, targeted at mid- to high-volume print service providers by increasing speed, color gamut, and the diversity of materials it can print on. Richard Romano takes a close look at the new units.
A Look at Your Brain on Gratitude
The value of gratitude isn’t just a nice idea around the holidays—it’s scientifically proven to produce positive effects through changes in the brain. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains how.
Customer Value Proposition: Preferred Sales Channels
In the latest edition of his Smart Strategy Insights Series, Wayne Lynn explains how print sales channels are changing and that, if you don’t already have a good ecommerce solution, make installing one a priority.
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.
Printing Establishments—2010–2022
According to the latest, just-released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 21,615 establishments in NAICS 32311 (Printing). This represents a decrease of 20% since 2010, but (checks notes) an increase of 0.4% from 2021. In macro news, highlights from the most recent Federal Reserve “Beige Book.” Full Analysis
Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Ireland
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 Ireland. Full Analysis
October Graphic Arts Employment Remains Generally Flat
Net printing employment in October 2024 was not much changed from September—overall employment was up slightly by 0.4%, with production employment up 1.1% and non-production employment down 1.2%, one nearly offsetting the other. 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: Hot Hue. Widespread Word. Cool Covers. Catalog Contraction. Ancient Alphabet. Imaging ink. Tiny Timepiece. Freaky Franks.
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025. The OED’s Word of the Year for 2024. Print magazine’s Best Book Covers of 2024. Print catalogs are getting smaller. A recent find uncovered the world’s oldest alphabet. Ancient Babylonian student’s math error preserved in stone for 4,000 years. A new technology can measure brain waves using electronic, temporary scalp tattoos. Graphene sheets used in a new technique for self-assembling electronics. Casio’s functional ring watch. A new Roger Dean exhibition. Sam’s Club’s “Holidogs” are not for the faint of stomach. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Around the Web: Packaging Problem. Travel Type. Stretchable Screen. Biker Blade. PlayStation Pizza. Heliotropic Hamsters. Condiment Card.
A packaging misprint sends Wicked doll buyers to a porn site. A demonstration of the first copier, invented by James Watt. Tracking down an unusual typeface. LG’s new display can be stretched from 12 in. to 18 in. An E Ink-based display for leaving notes for family members. Kurt Vonnegut had invented a board game—which is now available. The ancient Chinese roots of “rock paper scissors.” Graphene can dramatically improve the performance and sustainability of PET bottles. A windshield wiper for motorcycle helmets. Using a PlayStation to keep pizza warm. Solar-powered hamsters. Hidden Valley’s ranch dressing-themed Christmas card. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
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
Recent Discussion
HARVEY LEVENSON on 3D Printing—Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber
I apologize for two posts on successive days. However, the discussion of 3D printing is relevant to yesterday’s comment on “Frank’s Radio Daze.” Perhaps our agreement is simply from two octogenarians from Brooklyn of about the same age, with “thin… Full comment Reply
Pete Basiliere on 3D Printing—Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber
Well! I agree that the process of building items layer-by-layer is not “printing as we know it.” Because items are built, often ones that cannot be made with any other technology, many professionals use the term “additive manufacturing.” AM encompass… Full comment Reply
John Eldridge on 3D Printing—Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber
The first 3D printers used a #10 HP black ink jet cartridge to jet the layers of clear binder onto a fine powder surface in multiple layers(additive) to form an object. The black ink from the cartridge was purged before jetting(printing)the clear bin… Full comment Reply
Joe Treacy on 3D Printing—Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber
Frank, that argument makes perfect sense. Amazing how some nomenclature or best practices can seem so right at their moment of inception, and then seem misguided later. Rant on! Joe Treacy Director of Typography Treacyfaces.com Reply
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Alvaro Mantilla on Frank's Belief in Providence
Same is happening everywhere. When I started working for The Miami Herald back in late 1999, the paper had just inaugurated its new production room, with 5 lines of Goss Newsliner Presses. When the Herald sold its building in downtown Miami and … Full comment Reply