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June 2024 shipments came in at $7.22 billion, down from May’s $7.42 billion—an unexpected and unwelcome drop.
What types of paper are best (or worst) for paper cuts? A simple quiz for gauging your color perception. Creating the identity for Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. An online archive of Radioshack catalogs. Milwaukee is building a second wooden skyscraper. An Italian thief stops to read a book mid-burglary. “Robot controlled by a king oyster mushroom blends living organisms and machines,” for your dystopian nightmares. A graphene radiator capable of heating a room in a few seconds. Lego is switching to renewable materials for its bricks. A mural artist who hacks lawn sprinklers to spray paint. Krispy Kreme is helping celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
Tried and true direct mail campaigns can still attract attention, but standing out involves more than simply showing up in a recipient’s mailbox. Citing recent research from Keypoint Intelligence, this article explores some of the strategies for direct mail that drives engagement and makes an impression.
In this article, written by Marwa Zamaray, European Climate Pact Ambassador, European Commission, and provided compliments of Debbie McKeegan, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor, you’ll find an in-depth discussion of the EU’s new rulebook, in effect as of July 18, to make products more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. The rules proposed under these rules will apply to all products placed on the EU market, whether produced inside or outside the EU. Take note if you are, or are planning to, sell your products in Europe!
In the latest installment of the Smart Strategy Insights series, Wayne Lynn takes an in-depth look at the critical success factors that must be done well for businesses to make a solid profit.
Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps last month’s WhatTheyThink webinar “Labels and Packaging Are Transforming,” part of the Technology Outlook Week LunchNLearn Webinar Series.
Every printer has stories about the files they receive for production that are labeled as print ready but as they are onboarded it becomes clear that there are issues that will impact production. It is a gap that emerges because of the variety of composition and design tools in use, as well as the different print production methods in use. Let’s look at the differences between print ready and production ready files.
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 Czechia.
Personalization in print is rapidly advancing, presenting opportunities for brands, enterprises and print shops. In this article, sponsored by XMPie, Scott Houck from XMPie highlights the growth of Variable Data Printing (VDP), the resurgence of direct mail, the impact of automation and omnichannel personalization, and the need for streamlined workflows and data-driven solutions to stay competitive.
In the latest edition of Johnson’s World, Steve Johnson tips his hat to some direct mail marketing efforts that could have settled for being good, but instead went the extra mile to achieve greatness.
According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 126 establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of 11% since 2010. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicates that billings have declined for the 18th consecutive month.
A gallery of classic movie posters. Hone your keyboard skills by retyping classic novels. What is the first recorded human voice? Celebrate Burt’s Bees’ 40th anniversary with some branded merch. Need a laugh? Use the Jokephone. Nxylon, a new super-black material that absorbs 99% of the light that hits it. Turn a flashlight into a flamethrower. Bicycles can now be hacked. New research reconsiders the dodo. Climate change is making seafood toxic. Doritos designed for zero gravity. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
If you haven’t yet tried AI image generation, here’s a fun fact you might not know: You can do more than simply create images. You can choose their style, as well.
Ralf Schlözer surveys the current state of inkjet printing on folding cartons.
A round-up of interesting production products that Inkjet Insight contributor Mary Schilling saw on the show floor at drupa 2024.
From digital manufacturing to automated workflows to robots on the shop floor, the last decade has witnessed a seismic shift in the print industry. Meanwhile, the introduction of AI solutions has captured the attention of millions of users. As a result, these technological revolutions have left many print service providers at a crossroads: adapt and thrive or resist and risk obsolescence. Joanne Gore explores the 10 technologies that have reshaped the industry, their impact, adoption patterns, challenges faced by printers, and practical tips to overcome the fear of new tech.
Ralf Schlözer surveys the current state of inkjet printing on flexible packaging materials.
Pat McGrew reported from Mimaki’s drupa stand that combined décor art, wearable art, and 3D art.
Contributor Pete Basiliere considers the print hardware technologies driving the growth of printed electronics and the market trends in this dynamic industry.
Hybrid Software today has grown organically and through the acquisition and integration of an extensive but synergetic group of companies. This has allowed them to build very complete and efficient solutions for both OEMs as well as PSP users. David Zwang explores how Hybrid software can control all aspects of print production.
Batter up! Enfocus is back and ready to knock it out of the park at PRINTING United in Las Vegas, Booth C113. This year, Enfocus is bringing the heat with its “Field of Automation."
Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee round up three software solutions providers who were showing their products at drupa.
David Zwang rounds up the six new B2 and B1 cutsheet presses that were on display at drupa.
Ralf Schlözer surveys the options available for inkjet printing on corrugated.
Patrick Henry reports on the state of the merger of Müller Martini and Hunkeler and how the joint venture is moving forward in an industry confronting challenges that oblige it to find new ways of doing business.
Pat McGrew offers some tips for evaluating mail finishing equipment.
Pat McGrew and palamides marketing director Jonathan Graham discuss the pros and cons of “net zero,” the challenges of accurately gathering and reporting greenhouse gas emissions data, and the advantages of sustainability management systems.
Patrick Henry looks at two Cloudlab tools—printQ and packQ—that simply web-to-print and web-to-pack.
While productivity, print quality, and cost typically top the list of criteria for evaluating inkjet presses, the size of the press also matters. For space-constrained shops, Elizabeth Gooding looks at options for smaller, “compact” inkjet presses.
Drawing on six years’ worth of Print Business Outlook surveys, our “Tales from the Database” series looks at historical data to see if we can spot any particular hardware, software or business trends. This installment rounds up some technology outlook-related challenges and investments, as well as our periodic question about the extent to which print businesses are looking to expand into new product areas.
Another classic tech magazine shuts down its print edition. On the other hand, The Onion is re-launching theirs. Some books produced in the Victorian era contained toxic dyes. Glass bottles are not as sustainable as we think. Who’d’a thought staying in a glass hotel room would make one feel vulnerable. Stunning images taken of musical instrument interiors. Graphene-based 3D printing to be used in home construction. In search of the original Air Force One. Can thunderstorms spoil milk? Chick-fil-A is apparently launching a streaming service. A Rice Krispies Treat-themed hotel suite. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
Ralf Schlözer surveys the options on the market for digital label printing.
Drupa 2024 was a successful event according to exhibitors and attendees. It looks like this success will carry over to Printing United 2024 being held in Las Vegas, NV September 10-12, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. While they are both big events, they are different.
Patrick Henry looks at the latest printing equipment technologies Komori had on display at drupa 2024.
What’s really happening with artificial intelligence adoption among businesses? Keypoint Intelligence recently published an AI readiness survey of over 450 business leaders across various industries. This article provides some key observations from our survey data and helps paint a picture of AI’s current impact and future potential.
Pat McGrew provides an overview of how Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are only two aspects of building workflow automation that brings efficiency to print operations. Integrating diverse threads is an essential element in building an automated print shop.
drupa has never been a big show for display graphics and signage, and while there were companies showing their wide-format printers, major announcements are usually reserved for the ISA Sign Expo, FESPA and/or PRINTING United. Richard Romano looks back at some solutions on display in Düsseldorf and what to look for in Las Vegas.
Flexo continues to be the most cost-effective solution for mid- to long-run printed packaging output, driven by the increase in quality and the continued digitalization of the flexo press equipment. David Zwang looks at the latest technological developments in flexo.
Pat McGrew looks at the factors to consider when shopping for book finishing equipment.
Mark Vruno looks at the web offset solutions manroland Goss was showing at drupa.
In the latest installment in the Smart Strategy Insights series, Wayne Lynn takes an in-depth look at how printing companies can create and grow their value by helping other members of their value chain: customers, employees, and suppliers, grow their value.
Pat McGrew provides an overview of how intelligent automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are implemented in industry software solutions.
Pat McGrew looks at Horizon’s “smart factory” approach to finishing automation.
When we think about supporting the new demands in packaging converting, we usually focus on the printing, whether that is flexo, offset, digital or inkjet. While each of those technologies has evolved to address the new demands, the actual converting part has lagged behind. Until now. David Zwang explains.
Elizabeth Gooding takes a close look at the nuances of determining sustainability when it comes to production inkjet.
How should you make the decision of what size press—be it offset, EP, or inkjet—to acquire? David Zwang weighs the different factors.
The elements of workflow have become standard features in the operating systems of late-generation, digitally controlled offset presses. Patrick Henry provides an overview.
With drupa 2024 in the rear-view mirror and PRINTING United on the road ahead, here are some of the major announcements that came out of Düsseldorf, and a hint of what will be on display in Las Vegas.
How has offset lithography retained its preferred place amidst all the technological change the industry has seen? We found the answers at drupa.
There is a growing increase in orders for short-run, on-demand packaging to satisfy shifting consumer purchasing requirements and operate at the “speed of retail.” There are also new regulations that dictate the amount of “free space” in a box to reduce packaging waste. Using what has been learned from commercial web2print implementations, there is also a desire to use it for package converter onboarding. David Zwang looks at the current state of Web2Pack
Ralf Schlözer takes a look at the current print industry sustainability landscape, upcoming new regulations, and offers a list of “action items” printers should start implementing.
This week and next is dedicated to publishing the contents from Issue Four: The Technology Outlook Issue. This article provides an overview of what to expect in the next two weeks.
May 2024 shipments came in at $7.43 billion, up from April’s $7.35 billion—continuing an unexpected but welcome rebound.
Olympic sports pictogram design. The first board game printed in the United States was a geography lesson. Graphene-enhanced packaging aims to reduce contamination from microplastics. The much-hyped “Humane AI” pin is a complete flop. A flying car concept straight out of James Bond. Found amongst Hurricane Debby debris was a WWII-era message in a bottle. Finding water on Mars (but no message in a bottle). Liquid Death’s sparkling hot fudge sundae water (not on Mars). A Scottish seaside food truck offers “seagull insurance.” Hellmann’s introduces mayonnaise-scented perfume. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
Bringing together printers and the vendors who serve them is one of the missions of every print association. Most recently, the Italian print industry came together at Print4All in the rolling hills of Valpolicella. The topics were relevant and the conversations insightful!
ACCGC says the time has come to revise official but obsolete definitions that make graphic communications appear to be a dead end for students, career counselors, and employment seekers. Patrick Henry walks us through the changes.
Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at McDonald’s recent ill-fated experiment with AI drive-throughs. A cautionary tale for anyone interested in implementing AI.
Historically, there has been much “quiet” intercompany collaboration in the manufacturing of press and finishing equipment. However, lately we have seen more outward collaboration between equipment manufacturers. Often, the collaboration ensures that they leverage each other’s strengths, while each of the companies retains their visibility and yet allows for a quicker development and go to market outcomes.
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 Croatia.
AI can replace user manuals. Creating a visual identity for a new park. Good grief: an AI toothbrush. A new device lets you access Wikipedia offline. A close look at JEG encoding. A Spanish church’s botched restoration. A new color E Ink display is a bit pricey. The Shaper Trace quickly turns hand-drawn lines into vectors. Converting industrial plastic scrap into graphene. The Minnesota Zoo’s owl–tiger problem. NYC is getting a giant pigeon statue, for some reason. Auntie Anne’s new scent smells like pretzels. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 484 establishments in NAICS 32229 (Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -20% since 2010. In macro news, the July jobs report may have been below expectations, but other economic indicators are still strong.
A solid personal brand can help attract clients, build relationships, and close business. A well-known and trusted brand name can eliminate decision uncertainty when it comes time to select a product or supplier. By putting thought into your brand now, you can soon see the benefits of increased visibility, credibility, and profitability.
Coloreel files Bankruptcy, and more …
Much has been said about the declines in the volume of direct mail. As the volume in the mailbox has decreased, however, much is also being made about the direct mail’s increase in effectiveness when it does arrive. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some data that find that direct mail’s effectiveness is fueling its comeback.
The value of meeting in person to share ideas, learn, and even complain cannot be overstated. While it is hard to take time away from the day's work, events like drupa remind us of the value of discovery. After the doors in Germany closed, the doors to EskoWorld opened to continue the adventure.
We’ve been talking a great deal about the deleterious effects of Fast Fashion on our planet. Now we have a counterpoint to discuss—an effort in Congress to rein in fast fashion with the launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus. Plus, California is putting even more teeth into its recycling efforts with a proposed bill that establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for recycling clothing and textile fibers. And France is proposing a Fast Fashion Tax and an EU ban on exporting used clothing.
Overall printing employment in June 2024 was generally unchanged—up 0.1% from May—with production employment up 0.8% and non-production employment down 1.5%.
How to brand a city. Atlas Obscura is offering a two-part nature printing workshop. A Chrome extension that copies a button from every website you visit and saves it to a collection. Matching works of art with sports photographs. “Fuzzy graphene”? If you like old tech, be sure to check out OldCrap.org. For example: a Seiko smartwatch from 1984. A fly-repelling fan. Runners can train with a special windshield to help eliminate wind resistance. Meet the Peabody Hotel’s “duckmaster.” The latest in “foodwear.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
If you have been out and about lately you may have seen the latest trend in celebration signage: lawn signs that announce what college or university a graduate is heading to in the fall. We look at some of the opportunities for display graphics providers in this area.
Get thee to a magnifier. Everything that William Shakespeare wrote for the stage can be seen and read in this meticulous but straightforward piece of offset lithographic presswork.
A recent study of print demand in key vertical industries found the transition to digital is undeniable, but direct mail remains a vital component of modern messaging campaigns. This article explores how personalization and specialty print can further increase the effectiveness of direct mail.
Amazon is eliminating its use of air pillows for its e-commerce packaging in favor of paper fillers. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the real benefits of this switch.
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 Bulgaria.
The new RISO inkjet printing unit, marketed as Integlide, is intended for OEMs and other inkjet developers and integrators. The target customer for Integlide is expected to integrate RISO’s inkjet technology with their own production lines, or develop a complete corrugated packaging press, depending on their needs. Inkjet Insight’s Elizabeth Gooding takes a close look in this Product Spotlight.
In June, we published an article comparing how the plastics industry presents itself to the marketplace, comparing it to when the tobacco industry was trying to save itself. In this article, we look at Plastic Promises and whether the industry is truly living up to them or are they gaslighting us?
According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 318 establishments in NAICS 32223 (Stationery Product Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -36% since 2010. In macro news, June inflation was practically 0.
Snack food packaging replicated using beads. A 3D-printed chair that is easy to assemble. The “Cold-Storage Banquet” of 1911 was the most frightening meal ever: it was the first to ever feature foods that had been refrigerated. Target will no longer accept personal checks. Nike is no longer supporting the app for its self-lacing sneakers. Electric vehicles make no noise, but are required to—what should they sound like? The James Webb Space Telescope captured two massive asteroids colliding in a nearby star system. A history of s’mores. Pickle cupcakes, for some reason. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
Human beings love bright and shiny things. Glimmering objects have a way of catching our attention, and people tend to associate shine with higher quality. Many of today’s digital printing devices come equipped with specialty inks, inline or near line spot coating, varnishes, or finishing methods that make it easier than ever to produce high-value printed products in short runs. This article explores the appeal of embellished printing.
Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at two of the biggest markets for wide-format graphics: retail and dining.
In the latest installment in the Smart Strategy Insights series, Wayne Lynn looks at the broad outlines of what strategy is and how it is created.
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 Belgium.
For every product in our industry, hardware and software, there is a development cycle. Product managers use one of the standard methods to guide the development, testing, and release of new products and product updates, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. That can impact an anticipated machine installation, firmware upgrade, or software update. How hard should you push?
Intergraf, the European association of the national print associations, held its annual “Print Matters” conference in June 2024 in Romania. Among the topics covered, two garnered special interest: the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU deforestation regulation (EUDR). In this article, European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the EUDR.
Hurricane Beryl placed a spotlight on the accelerating effects of climate change on the planet, as did the rash of deadly heat waves seen around the planet. Why was understanding what caused Beryl to form as the earliest hurricane ever to reach Category 5, and the impact those conditions are having on our planet as a whole, are discussed here, along with references to the UN’s sustainable development goals that highlight actions each and every one of us can take to protect the planet.
A renegade street artist fixed an LA freeway sign. “Blackout poetry” makes art out of packaging. “Why is soccer jersey typography so bad?” Ray Kurzweil is still planning to merge his consciousness with AI. A better design for tethered bottle caps. Why don’t Aldi supermarkets play music? A warp drive is actually a thing. The Vatican is about to canonize the first Millennial saint. The man who was killed by his own beard. Shake Shack’s new french fry body pillow. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
April 2024 shipments came in at $7.30 billion, up from March’s $7.24 billion—an unexpected but welcome rebound.
Discounts, rebates, and other incentives that are available to printers who purchase jointly can add up to tens of thousands of dollars worth of savings per year—and often more than that. Mutually beneficial group partnerships with vendors make the savings possible.
Colourama, a Polish textile printing firm, hosts a production volume of 12,000 to 15,000 linear meters of printed textile daily. Its diversified operations span an in-house design studio creating exclusive design collections for global distribution. Textile expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan explains more about the business and its road to success.
With video one of the hottest trends in marketing, the role of advising customers on the use of video (or even offering video services yourself) has the potential to add real value to the consultative partnership between printers and their customers. Is AI-generated video an option? Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look at the perception of AI video among consumers.
HP launched a new PageWide packaging press in Würzberg, Germany, at Koenig & Bauer that has a print width that fits nicely between their existing T400 and T1100 series corrugated preprint presses. However, the new T700i is designed for more than just corrugated preprint.
In this article, sponsored and written by SnapPress, learn about how the SnapPress LP-1 revolutionizes short-run label printing with a compact, user-friendly design and competitive pricing. Focusing on cash flow, total cost of ownership, and net profit, it boosts productivity, reduces costs, and opens new business opportunities. Enjoy cost savings and increased profitability with its efficiency, low maintenance, and waste reduction.
Atomyx a cloud-based platform that can both streamline the print business and production processes, while also reducing the skills needed to do the plant-wide automation integration to support production from Mass Production to Mass Customization. David Zwang takes a close look at Atomyx.
Intergraf, the European association of the national print associations, held its annual “Print Matters” conference in June 2024 in Romania. Among the topics covered, two garnered special interest: the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU deforestation regulation (EUDR). In this article, European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the CSRD. A future article will look at the EUDR.
Somehow reaching Net Zero by 2050 seems to be slipping even further from our grasp. In this article, we discuss the outcome of COP28, look ahead to COP29, and outline some of the barriers to even coming close to solving the climate crisis.
Logo redesigns to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Surrealism movement. The challenges of printing the entire Wikipedia. With Text2Color, type in a description of a color, and it will find a match. A company has found a way to attach fireworks to drones. Graphene to be used in next-generation military footwear. The secret chamber at the top of Mount Rushmore. Extreme heat is making train travel more dangerous. An openable privacy fence. Sunsets on the Red Planet are blue. The James Webb Space Telescope just found a planet that could potentially support life. Costco is selling aa $99 “Apocalypse Dinner Kit.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.
Artificial intelligence (AI) significantly impacts marketing by improving customer experience and campaign effectiveness. This article explores AI's current influence and potential future impact on marketers. Discover how AI applications like static image recognition, tagging, and cyberattack prevention are transforming the marketing landscape. Arm yourself with the best data available and learn how to successfully leverage AI.
At the end of 2023, Keypoint Intelligence completed a comprehensive multi-client study of print demand in key vertical industries. This survey serves as an update to similar research that was conducted in 2020. Over 1,200 respondents from businesses with 200+ employees participated in this study. This article provides a top-level overview of the key findings from this research.
Recently, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan hosted a round table discussion to explore the Fashion Biome with guests from various tiers of the supply chain. Central to the conversation was the urgent need for the adoption of sustainable technologies within the Fashion industry. Through a deep dive into environmental best practices, legislation impacts, supply chain transformation, and the promise of collaboration, the group outlined the future path fashion must tread. This important conversation is summarized here, and the article also contains a video link to the full round table discussion.
In the latest installment in the Smart Strategy Insights series, Wayne Lynn explains how, if your strategy is to address your best opportunities for value creation, you need to narrow the number of possible priorities down to a very short list.
Heidi Tolliver-Walker writes about Plastic-Free July, the goal of which is to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and to inspire individuals and businesses to make conscious choices to reduce their plastic consumption—in two senses of the term, as the average person ingests five grams of plastic every week.
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