Ralf Schlözer is a technology analyst for print with 30 years’ experience in the industry and a passion for discovering new technologies and print applications.
He is available for consulting and speaking engagements. Contact Ralf at [email protected]
Displaying 1-99 of 181 articles
Published November 19, 2024
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 Hungary.
Published November 5, 2024
This bi-weekly series of short articles provides details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Greece.
Published October 22, 2024
This continuing 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 Germany.
Published October 15, 2024
This bi-weekly series of short articles provides details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, specifically tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at France.
Published October 8, 2024
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports from the German Printing Industry Association’s annual Print & Media Congress, where most of the presentations centered on AI. How is AI perceived by printers in Europe?
Published October 1, 2024
This bi-weekly series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, specifically, tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Finland.
Published September 17, 2024
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 Denmark.
Published September 3, 2024
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.
Published August 29, 2024
Ralf Schlözer surveys the current state of inkjet printing on folding cartons.
Published August 28, 2024
Ralf Schlözer surveys the current state of inkjet printing on flexible packaging materials.
Published August 27, 2024
Ralf Schlözer surveys the options available for inkjet printing on corrugated.
Published August 22, 2024
Ralf Schlözer surveys the options on the market for digital label printing.
Published August 19, 2024
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.
Published August 12, 2024
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.
Published July 30, 2024
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.
Published July 23, 2024
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.
Published July 22, 2024
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.
Published July 15, 2024
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.
Published July 8, 2024
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 Austria.
Published June 26, 2024
Ralf Schlözer looks at the new Koenig & Bauer Durst VariJET 106, a highlight of the joint venture’s appearance at drupa 24.
Published June 26, 2024
Ralf Schlözer profiles the finishing solutions that Intec was showing at drupa 24.
Published June 26, 2024
Ralf Schlözer reports on frontline.io, a platform that can leverage AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality) to improve the learning experience and operational efficiency, and its uses in the graphic arts.
Published June 25, 2024
Konica Minolta is not only a manufacturer of printers, the company also has considerable experience in color science. The company teamed up with the University of Hiroshima for its new Ex Kansai software. Ralf Schlözer explains how, by leveraging AI and neuroscience, the Ex Kansai software is set to simulate the visual perception of consumers.
Published June 24, 2024
Ralf Schlözer looks at a unique exhibitor at drupa 24: WallPen, which has developed a dervice for printing directly on walls.
Published June 24, 2024
If you don't find the printing system you need for your printing requirements at drupa, you can also have it built to your own specifications. Ralf Schlözer explains the concept of inkjet integrators, which specialize in non-standard applications and either build inkjet printing units into existing printing, finishing, and production systems or assemble completely new printing lines.
Published June 20, 2024
The SID (Sächsische Institut für die Druckindustrie) is a non-profit printing industry-oriented research institution based in Leipzig, Germany, active in several fields: as a research and development partner, as a provider of services including measuring/testing devices for the graphic arts industry, and as a competence centre for technology transfer. Ralf Schlözer spotlights their drupa 24 presence.
Published June 20, 2024
Nicknamed “the dragon,” Ricoh’s Pro Z75 sheetfed inkjet press was shown live for the first time at drupa 24. Ralf Schlözer takes a closer look.
Published June 20, 2024
Tired of inkjet? Overwhelmed by all the new technology? At drupa 24, there were also demonstrations of how Gutenberg printed and how he invented moveable type. Ralf Schözer takes a trip back in time…
Published June 20, 2024
Kyocera’s TASKalfa Pro 15000c, launched in 2019, quickly became an established product thanks to its great price-performance ratio, with about 500 units having been installed worldwide. Ralf Schlözer looks at how the product has evolved, new capabilities being featured at drupa 24.
Published June 19, 2024
At drupa 2024, Screen launched a number of brand-new inkjet production devices to improve performance and to address new markets—including the Truepress JET 560HDX, which was shown publicly for the first time. Ralf Schlözer reports.
Published June 19, 2024
At drupa 24, RISO was showing their new printhead engine that can be easily integrated into packaging and shipping lines. Ralf Schlözer reports from the show.
Published June 19, 2024
Instead of using labels, a resource-saving alternative can be printing directly onto a container. There are several options for direct-to-shape inkjet printing available—but at drupa 24, newly established supplier LabelSaver believes it has found a novel approach. Ralf Schlözer takes us inside this new technology.
Published June 18, 2024
At drupa 24, Xeikon presented a refreshed brand with a range of new presses. Ralf Schlözer looks at what the company had on show.
Published June 18, 2024
Konica Minolta made a big splash at drupa 2024 with the seventh largest booth at the show and 20 European premieres with a range of toner and inkjet printers and software solutions. Ralf Schlözer surveys the highlights.
Published June 18, 2024
Kicking off a regular series of country-by-country analyses, European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the demographics of the printing industry in Europe as a whole—identifying revenue, employment, and the number of establishments.
Published June 17, 2024
Ralf Schlözer looks at the analog and digital solutions Kodak was showcasing at drupa 24, including a new Sonora Ultra process-free plate, a new large-format platesetter, the Magnus Q3600 Titan, and the Prosper Ultra 520 press.
Published May 30, 2024
Mimaki is looking beyond the traditional paper-based print applications. Ralf Schlözer reports from Mimaki's drupa 24 press conference.
Published May 29, 2024
Drupa 24, eight years in the making, opened yesterday to much excitement. European Section Editor Ralf Schlozer attended the opening ceremony.
Published May 28, 2024
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.
Published May 24, 2024
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.
Published May 13, 2024
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.
Published May 7, 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.
Published April 23, 2024
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.
Published April 22, 2024
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.
Published April 16, 2024
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.
Published March 28, 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.
Published February 26, 2024
The market for packaging printing, and especially labels, is gravitating towards digital print. European section editor and Inkjet Insight contributor Ralf Schlözer looks at a new entrant in the digital label space: SnapPress and the SnapPress LP-1 inkjet label printer.
Published February 19, 2024
Just as the whole printing industry had a rollercoaster ride during and after the pandemic, so did online print. 2023 should have seen somewhat steadier waters. European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports on Zipcon CEO Bernd Zipper’s experience and expectations.
Published February 12, 2024
After previewing it at PRINTING United in 2023, Fujifilm has officially launched the Revoria Press GC12500, the first dry toner B2 press. European section editor Ralf Schlözer provides the details.
Published January 23, 2024
In part one of an Inkjet Insight series, Ralf Schlözer begins an extensive look at “inkjet integrators,” providers of custom solutions for applications for which there are few or no commercial inkjet press solutions available.
Published January 17, 2024
European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at how BookTok, a Tiktok community where readers discuss, praise, rank, or showcase books via short video clips, has been driving book sales—and even book design.
Published January 16, 2024
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. In this final installment, we look at Croatia, which ranks at number 19 among the printing industries by turnover in Europe.
Published December 12, 2023
With so much attention focused on inkjet, we tend to expect little news and progress from electrophotography (EP) technologies. However, the reality is quite different. Ralf Schlözer reviews the last 12 months of news and launches in EP technology.
Published December 5, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Norway, which ranks at number 18 among the printing industries by turnover in Europe.
Published October 17, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Romania, the fourth-largest printing industry by turnover in Central and Eastern Europe.
Published October 9, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer highlights a research report from Rise Above Research that looks at the market for various photo printing applications—cards, books, calendars, wall/tabletop décor, and drinkware—and identifies the growth areas, and what the opportunities are for print businesses.
Published October 3, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer provides a primer on embellishments and identifies some common uses, as well as the potential for profitability for print businesses looking to adopt embellishment techniques.
Published September 27, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims to shed a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Switzerland, the eighth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published September 26, 2023
Following the news that Xerox has pulled out of drupa 2024, European section editor Ralf Schlözer explores the ramifications of this announcement and what it might mean for Xerox’s future in production print.
Published September 12, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer takes a break from the Europen country-by-country look at turnover and employment to provide a bigger-picture look at print volumes in Europe pre- and post-pandemic.
Published August 21, 2023
This bi-weekly series of articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Portugal, the 15th-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published August 15, 2023
At the top of the list of printing industry issues is a lack of skilled labor. The only difference now is that the shortage it is getting more severe and is affecting the pool of non-skilled labor as well. European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at Germany’s vocational training initiative and the challenges it faces in supplying talent to the printing industry.
Published August 1, 2023
This series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Hungary, the 13th-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and third largest in Central and Eastern Europe.
Published July 31, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer takes a look at the current state of Zaikio, and its recent integration of a procurement app that can aid or fully automate supplies ordering processes.
Published July 25, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Austria, the tenth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published July 17, 2023
A raft of legislation under the European Green Deal has been, or is planned to be, implemented by the EU to make society more sustainable. The activity with the biggest impact on the printing and packaging industry is the Packaging & Packaging Waste regulation. European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the issues involved in and potential impacts of these new laws.
Published July 11, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Finland, the 14th largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the second largest in the Nordic region.
Published July 10, 2023
WhatTheyThink European Section Editor Ralf Schlözer talks with Jose Maria Estebanez, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Kyocera, about the company’s first production inkjet press, the TASKalfa Pro 15000c.
Published June 26, 2023
Print Matters is an annual conference, organized by Intergraf, the European association of the national print associations, and the Nordic Printing Association NOPA. The 2023 conference took place in Riga, Latvia, and focuses on some of the most pressing issues of the European printing industry. European section editor Ralf Schlözer runs down the highlights of the presentations.
Published June 14, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Czechia (also called Czech Republic), the eleventh-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the second largest in Central and Eastern Europe.
Published June 12, 2023
The FESPA Global Print Expo was held in Münich, Germany, May 23 to 26. WhatTheyThink European section editor Ralf Schlözer attended and identifies some highlights from the show.
Published May 30, 2023
The European Union is introducing a regulation on deforestation-free products as part of the European Green Deal. European section editor Ralf Schlözer digs into what the new rules mean for printers.
Published May 22, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports from Interpack, held May 4–10 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Interpack focuses on technologies and materials for filling, packaging, and packaging printing.
Published May 15, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Poland, the sixth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe and the largest in Central and Eastern Europe.
Published May 1, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Sweden, the 12th-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published April 25, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the potential growth of packaging waste, the European Union’s proposed Regulation on Packaging & Packaging Waste to help combat that growth, and the outlook for European packaging print.
Published April 17, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Belgium, the ninth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published March 21, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at the Netherlands, the seventh largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published March 20, 2023
Ralf Schlözer talks with Gerhard Martterer of Eversfrank Gruppe about programmatic and variable-data printing. Martterer evangelizes the benefits of programmatic printing to advertisers and marketers and has formed the Programmatic Print Alliance (PPA) in Germany.
Published March 14, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports on Hunkeler's finishing solutions launched at this year Innovationdays.
Published March 6, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at Spain, the fifth largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published February 28, 2023
Every year, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism publishes a global report on Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions. European section editor Ralf Schlözer culls some implications for the printing and publishing industries.
Published February 21, 2023
Digital label printing has been a growth market for many years, served by a large number of printer suppliers. Xeikon, offering both electrophotographic and inkjet label presses, expands both product lines. European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the new units.
Published February 14, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted businesses. This time we look at the UK, the second-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published January 24, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic impacted the businesses. This time we look at France, the fourth-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published January 16, 2023
European section editor Ralf Schlözer takes a close look at AI-generated images, experimenting with some of the tools currently available, and exploring what the implications of AI imagery are for the graphic communications industry.
Published January 10, 2023
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic hit the market. This time we look at Italy, the third-largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published December 13, 2022
European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks back at some of the notable product announcements in digital print—and identifies some trends to look for in 2023.
Published December 6, 2022
This bi-weekly series of short articles aims at shedding a spotlight on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country and how revenues and employment developed in 2020, when the pandemic hit the market. Kicking off the series is Germany, the largest printing industry by turnover in Europe.
Published November 29, 2022
WhatTheyThink European correspondent Ralf Schlözer talks with Daniel Erni, Chief Sales Officer Global at Hunkeler AG, to explore what to expect at the upcoming Hunkeler innovationdays, taking place from February 27 to March 2, 2023, in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Published November 15, 2022
The global board games market (including puzzles and card games) was valued at $13.75 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach a value of $30.93 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 13.7% according to The Global Board Games Market report from Skyquest. European section editor Ralf Schlözer takes a comprehensive look at the forces affecting this dynamic industry—from the surge in board game sales during the pandemic, to increasingly digital production of games, and more sustainable production processes.
Published November 10, 2022
This guide aims at providing an overview of the main inkjet presses available for commercial and document-oriented applications. This first in a four part series of articles will focus on entry and low volume devices, the most affordable presses in the market.
Published November 1, 2022
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports on Canon’s Make-It Future-Proof event, which took place October 19 and 20 at Canon’s continuous-feed press manufacturing site in Poing, Germany. Canon used the opportunity to make some new product announcements, such as additions to the imagePRESS V-Series and new Prisma software.
Published October 25, 2022
European section editor Ralf Schlözer rounds up the latest data on European and UK printing industry establishments, revenues, and production volumes.
Published October 18, 2022
A growth in optimism, increased planned investments, and operational challenges are some of the global print trends. European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at some of highlights of the latest drupa Global Trends Report.
Published August 23, 2022
The current paper shortage and price rises are the result of long-term trends in the paper industry that got upended by the pandemic and the recovery. European section editor Ralf Schlözer looks at the current situation, how we got here, and if and when paper problems will be alleviated.
Published August 9, 2022
Online print is a major growth segment in the printing industry, but its market success has been country- or region-dependent. While in many European countries online print already has double-digit revenue share, in other regions—like Latin America—the share is fairly small. Start-up company Imprimu is preparing to change this, starting from their home base in Panama. Ralf Schlözer takes a look at this new start-up.
Published July 26, 2022
The German printing industry association (BVDM) recently published its 2021 print industry statistics, which includes an overview of print application revenues. Ralf Schlözer takes a look at print revenue growth in Germany and the impact the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery had on individual print applications.
Published July 18, 2022
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports on some of the major new product launches at the recent FESPA Global Print Expo 2022.
Published July 12, 2022
European section editor Ralf Schlözer reports from Print4All, the largest European printing equipment fair this year, held May 3 to 6 at the Fiera Milano exhibition ground. The fair showcased several notable packaging printing and converting product introductions.
© 2024 WhatTheyThink. All Rights Reserved.