Can You Hear Me Now? Improving Presentation Technology for Hybrid Office Environments
Smart workplaces are quickly taking over more traditional offices. For our businesses to cope in an uncertain future, today’s newest technologies must be blended with the updated versions of commonplace tools like projectors and audio equipment. This article discusses some recent innovations that can help those seeking truly smart offices.
Important New Developments and Product Launches: Direct to Fabric Digital Machinery
Despite the constraints of the pandemic, manufacturers of digital direct-to-fabric printing solutions have been hard at work bring innovative solutions to a market which is already bouncing back. In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan highlights the most important developments and product launches in this growth area.
Avoid The Stall: How to Keep a Customer Advancing Through the Sales Process
Statistics indicate that most “stalls” and “stops” in the sales process are associated with a lack of rigor during the qualify stage. Contributor Lisa Magnuson explains how to avoid “The Stall.”
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Industry News
- FM Future Launch Hybrid Event, FuturePrint & Pack Summit
- Important FESPA Global Print Expo 2021 Travel Update: Restrictions Lifted for Fully-Vaccinated Visitors From “Very High Risk” Countries
- It’s Time to Experience Print – Mimaki to Bring New Innovations and Application Opportunities to FESPA 2021
- FTA Europe Announces the Fourth Edition of the Diamond Awards on 5 May 2022
- GLGA Announces Recipients of Inaugural Women in Print Leadership Award
- Canadian Print Scholarships Launches 2021 Industry Survey
- Roland DGA Announces Launch of New VersaUV® LEC2 S-Series UV Flatbed Printers
- Goldschmidt Switches Offset work to Digital after Investing in Fujifilm’s Jet Press 750S
- Successful Installation of Nilpeter FA-Line at Netpack Italy
- KAVALAN Unveils Powerful Call to Action Against Environmental Catastrophe
- ALPLA, Ecohelp and UPT Launch Joint PET Recycling Operations in Romania
- Accraply Revolve™ Shrink Sleeve Seamer Line to Launch at Label Congress
- Comexi Invests One Million Euros to Renovate Its Technology Centers in Girona and Miami
- Arden Engraving Enters into Partnership with Polish Firm Stamp Systems
- Tekni-Plex Names Eldon Schaffer as CEO of Consumer Products Division
- The TVF Resource Center – The Source for Everything Fabric Related
- Sun Chemical to Increase Prices on Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives in North America
- Nexa and Henkel Announce Expanded Collaboration to Jointly Develop Turnkey AM Production Systems to Accelerate Adoption in Targeted End Use Markets
Web-to-Print Product Spotlight: Liftoff
Jennifer Matt takes an in-depth look at Liftoff, not a traditional web-to-print solution, but one that has expanded its feature set into other software areas (e.g., CMS, ERP). For example, the Liftoff product suite allows you to create content like blogs on your web-to-print solution.
Get Your Marketing On: 2021 Shopping Season to Be Earlier than Usual
If your clients are waiting to start their holiday marketing, you might want to send out the alert: Holiday shopping is likely to start earlier this year.
Sir Speedy Statesville Thinks Outside the Box to Help Local Community During Pandemic
Sir Speedy franchisee CJ Sudman shares insights on operating as an essential business during the pandemic and how he and his team were able to help local schools and businesses find unique solutions to acquire necessary PPE materials.
Paper Shortages and Price Increases Cause Turmoil in Germany, Europe, and Elsewhere
WhatTheyThink European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports on a recent call organized by the German Printing Industry Association (BVDM) to address paper shortages and price increases. While the issues discussed were specific to the German market, the dynamics are similar throughout Europe—and likely all developed economies as well. Find out what this may mean for paper availability and pricing as we head toward 2022.
Franklin Printing: Committed to the Craft of Printing
Farmington, Maine-based Franklin Printing has a long history of leveraging technology to enhance the craft of printing. Most recently, the company has added an HP PageWide Web Press T250 HD, the first production web press to be installed in Maine, as part of its evolution into the future of print.
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.
Two Indicators: Retail Sales and Industrial Production
This week’s Friday data dump looks at two macroeconomic indicators that will give us some sense of how we are bouncing back from the pandemic—Retail sales and the Industrial Production Index. Full Analysis
European Print Industry Snapshot: Finland
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 week, we take a look at the printing industry in Finland. Full Analysis
Paperboard Container Manufacturing Employment—2010–2019
According to County Business Patterns, in 2010, there were 142,868 employees in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing establishments). Employment in this category dropped abruptly in 2011 and 2012, then continued to rise over the course of the decade, peaking in 2018 at 147,301 before dropping a bit in 2019. In macro news, office and mall vacancy rates are at historic highs, the pandemic having accelerated trends that had been well underway beforehand. Full Analysis
Recent Discussion
Jerree Shaw on PGSF Launches New Campaign to Inform Student about Careers in Graphic Communications
This is 4 years old is there anything updated to share with students? Reply
Rob Boumans on Paper’s Role in the Growth Potential for Production Color Inkjet
Great article which explains that is important to evaluate the "Total Cost of Print" (price per page) of a printed piece, but next to the running and ink cost, also finishing (cost and quality) should be considered in this calculation. The curren… Full comment Reply
Pete Basiliere on 3D Printing: A Digital Disruption for the Manufacturing Industry
As I put it, “Shift from design for ideal manufacturing to manufacturing the ideal design.” https://www.fabbaloo.com/2018/05/interesting-thoughts-on-3d-print-business-models Reply
Jeffrey White on Software Expertise Turnover at the Printer
Very well said Jen - as usual. 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.
- Data One on the New HP SmartStream Elite-DT Print Server
- Web-to-Print for Inkjet – Creating a System of Record
- Xaar introduces new Irix non-disposable printhead
- Paper Shortages – Partner or Perish
- 10 Minute Tip – Pay Attention to People
- Inkjet Players and Development Trends in the Label Market
- Web-to-Print for inkjet – Sales Enabler or Onboarding Tool?
- Color Management is Not Just About Color- Part 2 Drying & Curing
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WhatTheyThink on PGSF Launches New Campaign to Inform Student about Careers in Graphic Communications
There is a new version available at PGSF: The PGSF Career Poster has a fresh new look and theme for 2021! Use “Start Your Career in Graphic Communications” to generate interest among young people to consider in the industry. The 17 x 11 full-color… Full comment Reply