Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

About the WhatTheyThink Print Edition Cover

How the special embellished print edition cover was created, thanks to Konica Minolta and Burlington, N.C.’s Elite Print Finishing. It’s a design that demonstrates new techniques using texture, color, and form to inspire and show “the art of what’s possible.”

The Evolution of Digital Embellishment: A Glimpse into the Latest Innovations

Embellishment guru Kevin Abergel looks at advances in embellishment technologies from established players as well as new entrants. We’re heading into a transformative phase in digital printing and finishing. This article provides an overview of what was on display at drupa and what will be hitting the market post-show.

Around the Web: Apostrophe Annihilation. Staff Stamp. Essential Elements. Quill Queries. Speaking Cetacean. Odd Orcas. Webb Weather.

British towns are removing apostrophes from street signs as, it claims, they can cause trouble with geographical databases. To celebrate the baguette, the French Post Office has released a commemorative scratch-and-sniff postage stamp. Broadband plans now required to have “nutrition labels” that spell out what you’re getting and for how much. A cute stop-motion animation in which little felt spray cans appear to spray wool “paint.” How many Periodic Table elements are actually in the human body? Before alarm clocks, you could hire a “knocker upper.” Researchers used AI to decode sperm whale clicks. Are we in the midst of an orca uprising? Burger King celebrates its birthday with 70¢ specials. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

April Graphic Arts Employment A Mixed Bag

Overall printing employment in April 2024 was generally up—+0.5% from March—with production employment up +1.3% and non-production employment down +1.4%.

Looking Beyond Commercial Print with Mimaki

Mimaki is looking beyond the traditional paper-based print applications. Ralf Schlözer reports from Mimaki's drupa 24 press conference.

People Profile: Dr. Raša Urbas

WhatTheyThink/drupa daily is profiling selected attendees to this year's drupa 24. David Zwang profiles Dr. Rasa Urbas, Head of the Chair of Information and Graphic Arts Technology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana.

Heidelberg Stakes New Claim to Industrial Inkjet with Jetfire

Patrick Henry reports from drupa 24 on Heidelberg's return to industrial inkjet printing with a pair of machines introduced in partnership with Canon.

Drupa 2024 Officially Kicks Off!

Drupa 24, eight years in the making, opened yesterday to much excitement. European Section Editor Ralf Schlozer attended the opening ceremony.

FUJIFILM Dimatix Introduces The SkyFire® SF600 Next Generation Printhead

At drupa 2024, FUJIFILM introduced the FUJIFILM Dimatix SkyFire® SF600 printhead. David Zwang provides an overview.

EFI Supports WhatTheyThink’s drupa Video Studio with Stunning Fabric Designs

WhatTheyThink partnered with EFI to use EFI Reggiani digitally printed textiles to accent the professional video studio WhatTheyThink operated onsite at drupa 2024.

Canon Announces Heidelberg Co-Operation and New Technologies at drupa 2024

In this article, sponsored and written by Canon, the company announced at drupa 24 a global sales and service co-operation in inkjet printing with Heidelberger Druckmaschinen which will see the varioPRINT iX3200 B3 sheetfed inkjet press and the newly announced varioPRESS iV7 B2 sheetfed inkjet press integrated into Heidelberg’s commercial print portfolio. Canobn also announced other new technologies.

WhatTheyThink and HP Join Forces to Make drupa daily 2024 Incomparable

The drupa daily for drupa 24 was produced in conjunction with HP Indigo, whose HP SmartStream Designer technology allowed every cover to have a unique image. This article looks inside the production of the daily.

Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems Collaborates with WhatTheyThink at drupa

This article looks at how Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems partnered with WhatTheyThink to produce the display stands for the drupa daily.

Canon Moves into B2 Inkjet

As drupa 24 opens, Canon has announced that it is launching its first B2 size press, the varioPRESS iV7. Ralf Schlözer takes a look at the announcement.

Why Should I Work for YOU?

The print industry is facing labor challenges at every level. The complaint is that no one is applying for open jobs, and when candidates do apply and get accepted, they don’t stay. It’s easy to point fingers at the upcoming generations and say that they don’t want to work, but is that really what’s happening?

Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing—2010–2021

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 578 establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 18% since 2010. In macro news,inflation in April eased a bit.

Around the Web: Colour Compendium. Distributor Dilemma. Mail Man. Eel Edification. Softee Search. Atmosphere Antics. Gooey Gold.

Another tome for those building a color reference book library. Small Press Distribution abruptly closes, leaving small publishers in the lurch. Deloitte’s brand new Global 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey is out. Meet Reginald Bray, “The Human Letter.” A livestreaming portal connected New York City and Dublin—for a bit. Everything you ever wanted to know about eels. Find the nearest ice cream truck with the Mister Softee app. The James Webb Space telescope finds a distant exoplanet has an atmosphere, of sorts. Reese’s introduces an Olympic medal-shaped peanut butter cup. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Save the Printers! Major Ukrainian Print House Hit

In the Ukrainian city of Charkiw, dubbed “The City of Print,” Faktor Druk survived the first round of attacks in 2022. One of the largest printing houses in Ukraine, it remained open, albeit at reduced capacity—until yesterday, when the company was hit by a Russian rocket, killing staff and damaging production considerably. Donations to help the victims and rebuild production are welcome.

Minimalist Packaging: A Focus on Sustainability and Smart Design

Minimalist packaging is not a fleeting trend. It involves using the fewest possible elements to package a product while still effectively protecting and presenting it. This article explores how minimalist packaging design is impacting every layer of the packaging food chain, including brand owners, designers, converters, digital equipment manufacturers, and consumers.

CBM Labeling Challenges Looking for a Solution

Heid Tolliver-Walker looks at SkinDip’t, a Maryland-based provider of CBD products, and their unique labeling challenges.

The Essence of Strategy

In the second installment in his Smart Strategy Insights, Wayne Lynn explains how “strategy” is figuring out how to overcome the obstacles that stand between where you are and where you want to go.

Thysse: A Mindset of Growth

Heidi Tolliver-Walker profiles Thysse, a third-generation family business based in Madison, Wis., and the subject of the latest documentary from WhatTheyThink Films!

Maximizing Profitability: Data Driven Solutions for the Packaging Industry—Using Data and Business Intelligence to Drive Efficiency and Profits

In this article, written and sponsored by HiFlow Solutions, previews a webinar, hosted by Florida Graphic Alliance, that will help print businesses unlock insights into their costing process. The focus will be on determining the true costs by showcasing how software tools can automate a shop's costing system.

Four-Color Offset Press Gifted to Women’s Press Collective Is Put to Good Use

A shop run entirely by volunteers in the Bronx is teaching its members to print for the greater good with the help of friends in the printing industry.

An Expert Looks Back at Offset’s Progress from Art to Craft to Science

Once, the only consistent thing about offset lithography was its inconsistency. Harvey Levenson explains how testing, testing, and more testing stabilized the process and optimized its results.

Are U.S. Consumers Taking Sustainability Seriously?

Last month we wrote about the fact that among a wide range of organizations, progress toward sustainability goals has been lackluster, to say the least. In this article, we drill down on responsibility and accountability of individuals—looking at you!—in helping sustain our planet for our children, grandchildren, and beyond.

March Shipments: We Got Good News and Bad News

March 2024 shipments came in at $7.24 billion, up from February’s $7.04 billion—and yet the worst March the industry has had.

Around the Web: Aromatic Ads. Planted Plantagenet. Boat Brouhaha. Writing Removal. Print Preference. Gabbing Greenery. Organic Optics. Tank Trade. Waffle Wear.

The first scented billboard. Uncovering the remains of Richard III. Ordered to hide your boat from public view? Build a fence and paint a boat on it! Eliminating inaccessible graffiti using spray-painting drones. Costumed park rangers in Illinois act out the cicada emergence. Video of plants “talking” to each other. The winner of the annual Ugly Muppet Toy Pageant. The James Webb Space Telescope discovered complex organic chemicals surrounding two protostars. Red Lobster is closing locations and auctioning off their equipment. Eggo launches waffle-themed sneakers. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

The Display Graphics Evolution: Roland DG

This is the second in a series of articles that looks at the evolution of display graphics equipment manufacturers and their portfolios. Up next: Roland DG.

Market Shifts and the Impact of Behaviors/Trends on the Future of Print

In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan shares insights she gained from Kristine Go, founder of Pattern Curator—a Print forecasting and design service concept based in New Jersey. This includes macro trends in fashion design, sustainability, and socioeconomic and technological trends.

Let’s Talk About Weed!

Heidi Tolliver-Walker offers some tips for how print businesses can tap into the growing market for cannabis products.

3 Signs Your Print Workflow Software Is Sabotaging Your Business

Oops! You might have bought the wrong software. Or, you may have outgrown the software you are using. The right software should integrate seamlessly, provide the needed features, and include ongoing vendor support. By being proactive, you can ensure your print software empowers your business, not hinders it.

Offset Stands Ready to Take its Rightful Place at drupa 2024

Those investigating their options in offset lithography will find an abundance of progress made within the category at drupa 2024. Offset section editor Patrick Henry rounds up what the major offset press manufacturers will be demonstrating on the show floor in Düsseldorf.

Gelato Connect: Software for—and from—On-Demand Printing

Procurement, workflows, and logistics need to be connected and optimized into one single workflow, as online print service providers need to be masters in cost-efficient and fast-turnaround print production spanning multiple sites and production devices. European section editor Ralf Schlözer points out how, in a remarkable move, online print provider Gelato is now opening up its software solution and production platform, GelatoConnect, to all print service providers.

Greenstalling: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

As climate conditions continue to deteriorate and brands, retailers, government, companies and other organizations continue to message about how they will help to get to Net Zero, there are lots of “green” words being used, some of which are pejorative. For example, greenwashing, greenwishing, greenhushing, and now a new one: greenstalling. In this article we discuss those terms and why brands should avoid being associated with them.

Around the Web: Type Tome. Thames Type. Plato’s Plot. Bubbler Button. Gold Graphene. Quantum Quandary. Cryptic Creature. Cicada Swarms. Sriracha Shortage.

A new book looks at the 20th-century rise of typography. A dedicated designer retrieved the presumed lost Doves Type. A new AI-related Internet term is the new “spam.” AI helps find Plato’s burial spot. The Verge pays tribute to the water fountain button. The Australian Olympic Team will be sporting graphene-enhanced apparel at the Paris Olympics. A new image captures atoms behaving like waves, the hitherto unseen basis of quantum mechanics. NASA researchers have created an animation that takes the viewer into the black hole. The decades-long search for the Mongolian death worm. Prepare for trillions of cicadas to emerge, if they haven’t already. A pepper shortage is causing Huy Fong to cancel shipments of sriracha until the fall. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Paperboard Container Manufacturing Establishments—2010–2021

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 1,895 establishments in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 15% since 2010. In macro news, early Q2 GDP predictions are bullish.

Understanding Communication Preferences to Maximize Engagement

Consumer preferences are changing all the time, so print service providers find themselves at a critical juncture. To remain relevant, service providers must acknowledge and respond to the dynamic shifts in communication preferences. This article delves deeper into customers’ communication preferences, highlighting Keypoint Intelligence data on the trends that are shaping today’s direct marketing spending.

Smart Strategy Insights

Wayne Lynn kicks off his new Smart Strategy Insights series with an identification of what he means by strategy, which its components are, and why it is a vital skill set for leaders to possess.

Testing AI Image Generation for Personalized Packaging

We’ve written about AI image creation before, but this technology is always improving. Particularly for business use. Even traditional stock sites like iStock are offering their own options for AI-generated art.

The Target Report: Paper Manufacturers Shift Grades—April 2024 M&A Activity

International Paper Acquires DS Smith, and more …

Seven More Takeaways from the Online Print Symposium 2024

European section editor Ralf Schlözer highlights seven more takeaways from March's Online print Symposium that could be labelled "success factors" for online printing companies.

Transform Your Operation: Join Industry Leaders to Tackle Your Toughest Document Challenges at DSF ‘24

Attend DSF ’24 to gain actionable insights for Customer Communications Management (CCM), Document Management, and Content Management. Artificial intelligence with dynamic sessions and exhibitors focused on: Gen-AI, workflow automation, Customer Experience, and document migration.

March Graphic Arts Employment A Mixed Bag

Overall printing employment in March 2024 was generally up—+0.4% from February—with production employment down -0.2% and non-production employment up +1.5%.

Around the Web: Color Caution. Kicky Keyboard. Dyed Dairy. Bread Beanie. Polaroid Poems. Domestic Droid. Mutant Mouse. New Nebula. Bison Bashing. Marvelous Moody.

The color “magenta” has been designated the “worst and deadliest” of the heat threat categories. RIP author Paul Auster. In an old movie musical, a couple dance on a giant typewriter. Just in time for Star Wars Day, dairy producer TruMoo has introduced Blue Milk. Just in time for Kentucky Derby Day, Panera has introduced the “Bread Hat.” A camera that uses AI to compose a poem based on a picture it has just taken. We’re still trying to get true 5G wireless, but over in Japan, 6G is on the way. A domestic robot capable of performing a variety of household tasks. Scientists in Portugal accidently created a six-legged mouse. The James Webb Space telescope zooms in on the Horsehead Nebula. “Man accused of kicking a bison at Yellowstone National Park,” for some reason. RIP Mike Pinder. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Creative Collaboration and Industry Highlights from London Design Week 2024

London Design Week 2024, held at the iconic Chelsea Harbour, is an event filled with innovative, fresh ideas for textiles, wallcoverings, lighting and flooring, furniture and beyond. It's a chance for designers to showcase their work to a broad audience and to especially feature sustainable designs. Debbie McKeegan, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor, explains.

Offset Lithography: Never More Relevant to Printing than Now

A printing process born in the 19th century remains the most-used method of graphic reproduction in the 21st. This is because of the tremendous technological advancements it has made and the rich profit opportunities its users continue to enjoy. A new editorial section, debuting here, will chart offset’s ongoing innovations and market success.

How Offset Ink Rises to the Challenge of High-Output Print Production

Technical advancements in offset lithographic ink typically don’t attract much notice. But they’re real, and they are as essential to quality as everything else that goes into offset litho presswork.

HubSpot’s State of Marketing 2024: Don’t Like AI? Get Over It

According to HubSpot, marketing has moved from the Age of Information to the Age of Intelligence. With so much information out there, the ability to filter and analyze data in ways that provide meaningful insights has become increasingly difficult. So if you don’t like AI, it’s time to get over it.

Navigating the Print Industry Community: User Groups vs. Customer Advisory Councils

There are many ways to learn about the latest changes in the print and e-communication industry. Industry associations and the events they host are a good start. The next most valuable sources are the user groups and vendor customer councils. They let you dial into the specific information that will help you grow your business.

drupa 2024: A Preview

In anticipation of the upcoming drupa show, there is usually a “pre-drupa” media event. This has been the place for a sampling of the exhibitors to lay out what they see as their future direction and even pre-announce some of their latest technologies.

How Serious Are We, Really, About Saving the Planet?

Over the past couple of years, companies, governments, non-profits and individuals have made a lot of noise about achieving certain sustainability goals by 2030 (only six years away now) and Net Zero by 2050. How well are we doing? It’s a little shocking and scary!

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portal Establishments—2010–2021

According to County Business Patterns, in 2020 there were 8,947 establishments in NAICS 51913 (Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals). This category saw a net increase of 66% since 2010. In macro news, Q1 GDP is much lower than expected.

Around the Web: Color Culture. Bard Birthplace? Control Controversy. Planetary Puzzle. Jukebox Johnny. Aldi Aisle. Crustacean Crash.

A new book explores “the implications of color and its cultural impact.” Was Shakespeare really born in the “Shakespeare Birthplace” in Stratford-upon-Avon? If you’re ever in Philadelphia, be sure to visit the largest typewriter company in the world. Reading The Hobbit à la the BBC’s Shipping Forecast. Do you prefer touchscreens or tactile controls? A new wireless lamp design uses rechargeable bulbs. Could a ninth planet be hiding behind Neptune? A reconstruction of a three-hour Dr. Johnny Fever radio show from episodes of “WKRP in Cincinnati” is the best playlist we have ever heard. 20% of Aldi’s revenue comes from its “Aisle of Shame.” Red Lobster may file for bankruptcy. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Transforming Textiles: The Path to Sustainability

Monday, April 22 was the 54th occurrence of Earth Day. Now is a great time to reflect on the impact of one of the world’s most resource-intensive industries: Textiles. The textile industry is notorious for significant water consumption, waste, and CO2emissions. This article explores the need for a shift toward sustainability and a circular economy in the printed textile and decorated apparel industries.

Road to Drupa: Kyocera Belharra Photo Printing

Kyocera, very much like Fujifilm, Epson, and others, have been developing and supplying system components to print solution providers for years. Those developments have been at the cornerstone of many products in the market today. Kyocera (NIXKA) has been working on an inkjet photo printer for a while and this full color 1200 dpi grayscale system press is ready for its introduction during drupa 2024.

Behavioral Competence Equals Leadership Effectiveness

Wayne Lynn wraps up his Smart Leader series by looking at the impact of behavior on leadership and how it’s key to effective implementation and achievement of your organization’s strategy and goals.

In a World of Alternative Facts and Deep Fakes, Insane Honesty Rocks

In a world of “alternative facts” and AI-generated deep fakes, consumers often long for raw honesty. What might this look like? As Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains, it might look like owning your screw-ups and turning them into assets.

2024 Inkjet Integrator Profiles: NEOS

This series of inkjet integrator profiles, courtesy of Inkjet Insight, aims the spotlight on companies focused on offering custom-developed inkjet printing solutions to their customers. In the first in the series, Ralf Schlözer looks at Italian integrator NEOS.

Highlights from FESPA 2024—Textile and Direct-to-Object News

In part 2 of his coverage of the FESPA Global Print Expo, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 19–22, European section editor Ralf Schlözer rounds up some textile and direct-to-object product launches and announcements.

February Shipments: Well, At Least It’s Seasonal

February 2024 shipments came in at $6.01 billion, down from January’s $7.04 billion—and right between February 2021 and 2022.

Around the Web: Met Medics. Type Tenets. Bend’s Blockbuster. Insurance Inflation. Follicle Fashion. Humdrum Handset. Bee Bandits. Clever Cutlery. Collaborative Condiment.

Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s book conservation lab. A new book lays out the Universal Principles of Typography. 11 signs from around the country that evoke “pure Americana.” Mattel releases a team-based version of Scrabble. Physical media’s last stand. Car insurance premiums have sure kicked into overdrive. Textiles made from human hair may not be as creepy as they sound. HMD and Heineken introduce the Boring Phone. Battling the West’s “bee rustlers” would make for an interesting John Wayne film. Horatio Nelson’s “Knork.” Heinz and Mattel team up to launch “Barbiecue sauce.” All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Orlando Magic: ISA Sign Expo Comes to Town

Richard Romano reports on some new product launches/introductions at last week’s International Sign Association Sign Expo.

Marketing Content: When a Survey Isn’t Really a Survey

Want to draw people into a marketing pitch in a way that gets under the radar? Try the survey that’s not really a survey. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains.

Highlights from FESPA 2024—Sign and Display Printers

European section editor Ralf Schlözer rounds up some wide-format product launches and announcements made at the FESPA Global Print Expo, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 19–22.

You Should Join a Printing Industry Association

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. Print industry associations are like that. Once you become involved, you find a vast group of people to talk and trade ideas with. You enter a hive where you are not alone facing challenges. If you haven’t considered joining, or you looking for more groups for networking, this is the year to jump in!

Proposed Ban on Carbon Black Raises Red Flags for New York State Printers

Patrick Henry explains how a lack of understanding on the part of lawmakers could have a potentially devastating effect on printing and packaging companies in the Empire State.

Technology Review: Sustainable Innovations at FESPA Amsterdam 2024—Pioneering Eco-Conscious Print Solutions

FESPA Amsterdam 2024 displayed a marked emphasis on sustainability and eco-innovation, further highlighting a significant pivot in the industry’s trajectory. So says textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan in this review of the technology on display at the show.

Johnson’s World: Big Virgo Energy

Johnson’s World looks to the stars for inspiration for promoting the efficacy of print.

Assorted Publishing Establishments—2010–2021

According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 726 establishments in NAICS 511199 (All Other Publishing). This category saw a net decrease of 39% since 2010, although establishments spiked from 2020 to 2021. In macro news, estimates of Q1 GDP are running around +2%.

Around the Web: Publishing Posters. Pyrotechnic Packaging. Mock Media. AI Aide. Agile ANYmal. Tail Tech. New Nova. Silent Solo. Dairy-esque Dye.

A new book celebrates the short-lived “literary poster” craze. A new zine looks at the art of fireworks packaging design. One of the most game-changing technologies in the history of civilization was affordable artificial light. A social media platform that doesn’t actually exist. A new wearable AI device. A four-legged dog-like robot can do parkour moves, freakishly enough. Jet suit racing is now a thing. A prehensile stabilizing tail for floating astronauts. Another upcoming celestial event. The decline of the guitar solo. Apparently it’s a real thing: Velveeta Hair Dye. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

How Sustainable Are Your Fashion Choices?

It’s no secret that the fashion industry has multiple sustainability challenges. Fashion brands are aware of their unsustainable practices, and some are making substantial changes. But dramatic change will not be driven by the collective conscience of the fashion industry, but by consumers. Cary Sherburne explains how consumers can make more sustainable fashion choices.

Eclipse-Themed Merch Got You Thinking?

For many of us, watching the April 8, 2024, eclipse was a wonder of nature, a rare and spectacular event to tuck into the memory bank. For marketers, however, it was a rare and spectacular event of another kind…the money-making kind. Heidi Tolliver-Walker rounds up some of the astronomical tie-ins.

Lean Manufacturing for Today’s Businesses

Lean manufacturing is a well-recognized and powerful practice that can help optimize productivity and reduce waste. Despite the gradual improvements in our industry's supply chain, problems still exist. This article explores how PSPs can navigate today's business priorities and refine their supply chain to address the current business climate.

The Simple but Shrewd Arithmetic of Offset Press Replacement

Running newer offset presses usually means running fewer offset presses—the differences in productivity between vintage and late-model equipment are that significant. Six printing companies discuss how having less iron in their offset pressrooms has made them more efficient.

Remembering Don Goldman

Frank Romano remembers Don Goldman, who passed away recently.

Selling Print Where You Live!

Governmental and institutional buyers—including print buyers—are often required to source products and services locally. They buy a lot of print, but it can be challenging for print providers to find a path to them. Pat McGrew explains how to get on the list of preferred suppliers.

How Data Protection Laws are Reshaping the Print Industry

Data privacy concerns aren’t new, but there has been an increased focus that impacts not only the people producing regulated communication like transactional bills and statements, but anyone who produces output informed by data, including AI-generated text and images. Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee survey the current landscape.

The Target Report: Half a Loaf Is Better than None—March 2024 M&A Activity

RRD Acquires Valassis Legacy Business, and more…

And the Awards Go To…The Winners of This Year’s FASTSIGNS Project of the Year

FASTSIGNS Hattiesburg (Miss.) took top honors as this year’s FASTSIGNS Project of the Year. FASTSIGNS Syracuse (N.Y.) and FASTSIGNS San Diego (Cal.) were this year’s runners-up.

Environmental Regulatory Actions Heating Up

As concerns about the accelerating climate crisis grow around the globe, some governments are enacting regulations that are designed to improve sustainability. Most notably, the European Union is putting in place rules on packaging and packaging waste, including design and waste management. Cary Sherburne explains what it means for print and packaging.

Around the Web: Eclipse Eats. Wood Work. Modifier Methodology. Checkout Change. Wi-Fi Weirdness. Electronic Eyewear. Kangaroo Collisions. Bus Battle. Stick Status.

Eclipse-themed food and beverage items for Monday’s event. Cardiff, Wales’, Printed Festival 2024, this June. A new 3D printing ink based on wood waste. Did you know that there is a “royal order of adjectives”? Amazon is ending its “Just Walk Out” checkout—which wasn’t actually an automated system. What does the term “Wi-Fi” stand for? LCD lenses that can turn sunglasses into reading glasses. Volkswagen is working on an electronic device to avoid car-kangaroo collisions. New York City’s acrimonious “tour bus battle.” The James Webb Space Telescope takes a close look at galaxy I Zwicky 18. Instagram’s “Official Stick Reviews” rates actual sticks—and is more popular than you would think. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Tales from the Database: These Are Not the Applications You’re Looking For

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 issue, we turn our attention to specialty printing—or any printing beyond traditional offset or digital commercial work.

Free Design & Imposition Application: Accelerating Quote Turnaround for Packaging Manufacturers and Commercial Printers

In this article, written and sponsored by HiFlow Solutions, learn about a Windows-based app that gives estimators an easy-to-use imposition solution to replace costly and error-prone manual imposition processes, making estimates faster to produce.

What’s Behind the Curtain: How to Break into Décor Printing

Décor printing is a growing part of the display graphics ecosystem and on Thursday, April 17, long-time industry consultant Debbie Nicholson offers commercial print businesses some tips on breaking into décor printing.

Agfa: Reinventing and Reemerging

Since 1867, Agfa has been at the forefront of many technological developments in imaging. As one of the founding graphic imaging powerhouse companies, it struggled through the transition from an analog to a digital economy. However, they have redefined their core business products and structures to not just survive but to grow in this rapidly changing world.

Labels and Packaging State of the Industry Report

If there is an industry that is bullish about its growth, it’s labels and packaging. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the latest trends.

The Expanding Horizon of Display Graphics and Signage

Today, the display graphics and signage industry is highly dynamic, characterized by continuous innovation. Digital printing technology has advanced to include large format printing, enabling the production of large-scale graphics for billboards, banners and wraps. Joanne Gore and Kevin Abergel look at how companies can use embellishments to add new dimensions to display graphics, making them even higher-value print applications.

Enhance a Colour: Masters of Complete Visual Solutions

Enhance a Colour is like a big toy store for anyone who produces or purchases sign and display. However, they are very particular about purchasing equipment, entering markets, and selling solutions, but they emphasize that it’s all about the consultive relationship. David Zwang talks to the owner of this unique business.

Executive Q&A: swissQprint’s Erik Norman and Michael Voight

We spoke with swissQprint America President Erik Norman and Application Specialist Michael Voight about the company’s display graphics product portfolio, top and emerging applications, customer expansion into adjacent applications and what automation means for swissQprint and its customers.

Welcome to the Display Graphics and Textiles Issue!

This week and next, we are publishing the content from our latest print edition, Issue Two: Display Graphics and Textiles. Here’s a preview.

Don’t Call It “Wide Format”: The State of Display Graphics

The term “wide format” or “wide-format printing” is very much a jargon-esque term that doesn’t mean a lot outside industry trade publications or print businesses’ service rosters, and we have made the conscious decision to wean ourselves off the term “wide format” in favor of the more understandable “display graphics.” So, regardless of what we call it, what is the state of it?

February Graphic Arts Employment Remains Generally Flat

Overall printing employment in February 2024 was little changed from January, with production employment down -1.0%, while non-production employment was down -0.6%, with net employment down -0.1%.

Around the Web: Packaging Preferences. Cover Conundrum. Impressive Impressionists. Dial Dilemma. Timepiece Trouble. Rockin’ Roads. Drone Danger. Tarantula Tempura. Sun Snacks.

Pentawards’ annual packaging Trends Report is out. When a company appears on the cover of a popular magazine, what signals does it give the market? More than two dozen new works have been added to the OED, 23 of them from Japanese cooking and art. Really? If you’re in France this summer, celebrate the 150th anniversary of Impressionism. Bad UI design on an ice cream thermostat. New options for non-wrist-based watches. Time Out lists the “30 Coolest Streets in the World.” “AI drone that could hunt and kill people built in just hours by scientist ‘for a game.’” Different ants have different flavor profiles, we are horrified to tell you. Appropriately, SunChips has an eclipse tie-in product. All that and more in WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany.

Highlights from the Online Print Symposium 2024

The 11th annual Online Print Symposium (OPS), held earlier this month in Münich, demonstrated that many outsiders are driving online print and mass customization ventures—and they see print as a huge opportunity and a growth market. European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports from the event.

The Road to drupa: ESG is Dead—Long Live Sustainability!

As part of our Road to drupa coverage, Marco Boer of IT Strategies looks at the possible implications of recent EU regulatory sustainability mandates on the printing industry.

Are You Cut Out for Leadership?

Leaders can be identified and developed. Wayne Lynn explains how, just like determining if a job candidate is a good fit for the job, leaders can be assessed for fit to the leadership role.

Real-World Examples of Customer Segmentation that Works

Last week, we looked at three examples of email segmentation along with real campaign results provided by HubSpot Academy. This week, Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at real-world examples of customer segmentation that works, as provided by HubSpot users.

Landa Digital Print Returns to drupa to “Run More”

Here we are, 12 years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology, and roughly four years after initial commencement of commercial sales. Today, there are over 50 machines installed, with many more orders and some new product introductions in the pipeline. Landa Digital Print’s tagline for drupa 2024 is “Run More,” and they are supporting that with new faster and smarter press introductions.

Moving Past SWOT Analysis for Deeper Insights

If a SWOT exercise is a regular part of your yearly strategy, and it doesn’t produce the results you expect, it may be time to change your approach. Try adding a dose of VUCA to your SWOT to build a holistic view of how your company, products, and services fit into the changing world.

Commentary & Analysis

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