Should we stick to what we know about printing in the short-term to survive another day, another quarter, and another year? Or is it the right time to visualize the future? Companies have more technology today than they can use and have little money available to spend on more technology.

In fact, at first glance the two industries of Print and Nanotechnology couldn’t be further apart. But a recent article in the May 2002 issue of Red Herring magazine had a graphic that was too tempting to leave alone. If you look at what’s happening to true innovation and where value is created within industries...you can see print is at the end of the road while Nanotechnology is at the beginning. So what is Nanotechnology and what’s the connection to print?

EDITOR's NOTE: We are attempting to compile a better image of this graphic which did not convert well for display on the web.)

What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is the science of designing and building unique structures smaller than 100 nanometers, many of which are no bigger than the width of cell membranes. It describes the ability to manipulate atoms to create new materials...everything from new floor coverings to sunscreen.

Research groups at major U.S. universities are beginning to spin off new companies. The Institute of Nanotechnology at Northwestern University has spun off a nano-tech start-up called NanoInk. NanoInk is developing a new lithographic process for making DNA arrays, which are used for genetic screening and analysis. NanoInk uses a lithographic process so it can be deployed in many more places versus conventional microfabrication techniques that use optical technologies. As a practitioner in the Graphic Media industries, I can’t begin to understand all the science behind it, however the close connection to print is amazing.

In the July 2002 issue of Business 2.0 magazine, there is an article titled "The Next Wave"...all about the textile industry and their attempts to change their business model and capture new value added. Textiles, not unlike printing, is experiencing heavy consolidation and liquidation activities. Companies like Burlington Industries, Lees Jeans, and DuPont are establishing a new way of doing business. Competing in U.S. textiles means getting out of operating expensive manufacturing plants in the U.S. and licensing know-how and nanotechnology to other mill owners around the world (similar to how software companies operate).

Some recent examples in the printing industry include Mail-Well’s recent license from Nacopi Technologies’ Rub & Reveal scheme that magically reveals hidden messages and images for direct mail. Or how about Chromatic Technologies Inc.’s interactive and heat-sensitive inks which changes color by the warmth of your hands?

In addition, Raine research shows that the whole trend of eMedia convergence will not be driven by Telecommunications or Advertising sectors but instead will be driven by Biotech and Nanotechnology industries over the next 10 years. For example, remember those large medical diagnostic books? They are being replaced by Internet sites which have content and real-time analysis downloadable direct to the PDA of the medical technician.

Is this the right time to do leapfrog innovation (LFI)” in printing? Should printers and print supply chain companies (such as paper, chemicals, and equipment) re-think any hires in color management and digital workflows and instead look to hire chemists to drive R&D efforts? Or, should they create alliances/partnerships with Nanotechnology companies to trade intellectual capital to help respective businesses grow?

Bottom line: Nanotechnology companies are quickly becoming the new customers, suppliers, and competitors to print. Visualizing the future opens up a brave new world for growth in the printing industry.