Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Frank Romano is in Dubai and gives us a tour of Masar Printing and Publishing

Published September 5, 2012

This week, Frank gives us a look at Masar Printing and Publishing in Dubai. He calls it the most modern printing plant he has ever seen, encompassing over 500,000 square feet of space with presses as far as the eye can see!

Frank Romano reviews the news and talks about where the industry is headed

Published August 29, 2012

Frank Romano, WhatTheyThink's Curmudgeon Emeritus, reviews some recent news items and discusses where he thinks the printing industry is heading - a popular question posed to nowadays.

Frank wraps up his China printing series with Newbold and Pasky

Published August 22, 2012

Frank Romano is in Hong Kong with Joe Pasky and Gary Newbold with the last of his Chinese printing series. They discuss the major trends in Chinese printing in both offset, flexo, and digital.

Frank is back from Hong Kong with Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky

Published August 15, 2012

Frank is back from Hong Kong with Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky where they discuss the different print processes in the Chinese market where offset lithography still dominates.

Frank Romano interviews Gary Newbold and Joe Pasky in Hong Kong

Published August 8, 2012

Frank is back in Hong Kong with Joe Pasky and Gary Newbold, two seasoned consultants familiar with the Chinese printing industry and American print buying and he gets them to share their "horror stories".

Frank gets insight about the difference in American and Chinese printing from industry consultants

Published August 1, 2012

Frank visits with two industry consultants in Hong Kong and gets insights into how the Chinese printing industry compares to that of the United States. This week, Frank speaks with Joe Pasky of Cathay Consulting Services and gets his insights.

Frank Romano Gives His Thoughts on the Current State of Type

Published July 25, 2012

Frank Romano visits the Museum of Printing and discovers original artwork for Linotype typefaces and it launches him into a commentary on the state of typography in the industry today.

Frank Romano talks about a "few little things"

Published July 18, 2012

Frank reviews some recent things that caught his eye. Cashless society, digital wallet, Bill Gates giving printing presses props, photo-conductive printing, flashing beer. Frank has a little bit of everything in this one!

Frank Talks About How to Make Print More Interesting

Published July 11, 2012

Frank shares some print samples from a recent trade show that he thinks make print more interesting and talks about how they were produced using newer inkjet and dimensional technologies.

Frank Visits Ben Franklin's Grave in Philadelphia

Published June 27, 2012

Frank visits Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, the site of Benjamin Franklin's grave. He talks about why Franklin is a personal hero and in true Frank fashion gives us some little known details about his life.

A New Finch Paper Product Helps Frank Romano Make a Point About Innovation

Published June 20, 2012

Frank uses a new product from Finch called "Enviroboard" that is designed to open up new markets for printers including signage, point-of-purchase, and more. This product helps Frank make the point that innovation and new markets is what will drive future growth for printers.

Frank Romano on the Post PC Era and Impact on Print

Published June 13, 2012

Frank on the evolution from the PC to post PC era with introduction of tablet computers and how it's impacting print.

Frank Romano at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany

Published June 6, 2012

Frank visits the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and gives us a tour of some of the areas accessible with recording devices and clears up some misconceptions about the man himself.

Andy Tribute and Frank Romano take time out at drupa to discuss future trends

Published June 1, 2012

Well known WhatTheyThink contributors Andy Tribute and Frank Romano go back and forth on trends seen at drupa and give their take on what will and won't work. Get key takeaways from drupa by Andy and Frank.

Frank Romano on 10 middle class jobs that will vanish by 2018

Published May 30, 2012

This week, Frank discusses and rants a bit about a recent report about 10 middle class jobs that will vanish by 2018. Desktop publishers caught Frank's eye on the list and he takes a bit of an issue with it!

Frank Romano gives us his "two hottest things at drupa"

Published May 23, 2012

Frank answers the "two hottest things at drupa" question with a couple vendors that aren't generating as much buzz as others but are doing amazing things - Scodix and Highcon. Both are adding value to print in different ways, which Frank says is "a good thing".

New words for a new print world

Published May 22, 2012

The vocabulary of print is changing. Our language in the printing industry is now beset with many new concepts and technologies. We need a common lexicon to help define and communicate.

Frank Romano on the mottos he sees at drupa

Published May 16, 2012

Frank runs down his list of interesting show mottos that he observed during drupa.

Franks Advice for Press Conferences

Published May 9, 2012

This Special Report from drupa covers Franks recommendations for improving press conferences.

What's Keeping Hardcover Books Alive

Published May 2, 2012

This week Frank goes over an interesting article that came across his desk twice about how the look of a book can still sell physical books.

Stone Age Designers

Published April 25, 2012

Frank gives us another roundup of news this week including a primitive art studio, the bookless bookstore, museum reopening, and the never ending battle of QR codes.

Technology Goes Old School

Published April 18, 2012

Just as fashion trends circle around, technology has caught up with itself to repurpose older technology trends. This week Frank highlights two of his favorite new/old school tech.

Goverment issued iPads

Published April 11, 2012

This week Frank details an article about how legislatures should not make the iPad transition.

Variable Printing needs more Variation

Published April 4, 2012

Latz Personal Printer has been doing personalized printing since 1937. Not much has changed in personal printing space since that time. Frank Romano urges printers to go "beyond" the name.

Linofilm grids and all that

Published April 3, 2012

Be a part of history. Frank is seeking some of the font masters and paraphernalia of the old phototypesetting era. He knows there are a few oldtimers who read WhatTheyThink while drooling in their oatmeal. Film, glass, and plastic fonts are requested.

Fake Resort, Real Results

Published March 28, 2012

This week Frank discusses the mix of digital and offset presses in most printing facilities and highlights a great example of a total promotional package created by Heidelberg showcasing the ability to create a seamless, color matched campaign.

Frank Traverses the World in Search of Print

Published March 21, 2012

Frank showcases a fraction of his collection of commodities that will always need print.

Frank's Label Treasures from Recent Years

Published March 14, 2012

Frank shows us some of his more nostalgic labeling moments as labels got more sophisticated overtime.

Frank's Quick Cuts

Published March 7, 2012

Frank brings us several quick anecdotes this week, an old vision of the future, the one of the worlds most expensive binding, and a growth in stationery.

Frank Shakes His Can for the Camera

Published February 29, 2012

As Frank Romano reviews Packaging Design Magazine he compares current can printing to the custom printed cans from nearly 20 years ago.

The schizophrenic printing industry

Published February 27, 2012

As the number of printing services declines; the number of printing services increases. You read that correctly.

Frank's Fine Finishing

Published February 22, 2012

This week Frank dives deep into a finishing example, Swarthmore by the Numbers.

Growth for Print on the Streets

Published February 15, 2012

This week Frank goes over the promotional flyer market and why it will never go away.

Cary Sherburne's drupa Outlook

Published February 9, 2012

Frank Romano switches it up and interviews Cary Sherburne for a change. He asks her what makes her most excited about drupa season and what she hopes to see this year.

Linotype the Film

Published February 8, 2012

Frank Romano discusses his recent work with Doug WIlson helping him create the in-depth expose of Linotype the Film and maybe Frank will finally get his 15 minutes of fame on the silver screen.

Frank Shares the Historical Timeline of Lithography

Published February 1, 2012

Frank rediscovers an old favorite of his, the Lithographer's Manual from 1940 and shares a historical outline of how the lithography technology has changed throughout the years.

Frank Goes Back to His Linotype Roots

Published January 25, 2012

Frank gives us a historical tour of of the type stetting capital in Brooklyn, his first foray into the printing industry. Who knew it would stick?

Handwriting: It's Not Just for Humans Anymore

Published January 18, 2012

Any fan of Frank Romano knows his love of printing gadgets. This week Frank showcases one of the more unusual gadgets he found during his recent trip to DMA, a handwriting machine.

Frank's View at Direct Marketing Association Conference

Published January 11, 2012

Frank was recently at the Direct Marketing Association Conference and Exhibition in Boston to showcase how much the once great trade show has adapted.

The day the typesetting industry died

Published December 16, 2011

There will always be a printing industry, but it will be different than it used to be. Typesetting did not go away; it just moved to a different place.

Print vs Pixels

Published December 14, 2011

This week Franks talks about the advantage pixels have over large bulky manuals and how online shopping saves the mailing industry while it kills off show floors.

Who can Stand the Test of Time?

Published December 7, 2011

Frank digs an old invitation to the 35th annual NAPL convention out of the archives and strikes up an interesting question, Who is still around? Find out in This Week with Frank Romano

Frank: The Money's in the Printing Business

Published November 30, 2011

QR code wrapped, Printer's bags of cash, and wooden clothing... yup, just another typical This Week with Frank Romano.

Frank's Room with a View at LDI

Published November 16, 2011

Frank reports this week on location at LDI, dealer for a plethora of digital printing equipment to give customers the choice of not being locked into one vendor. More organizations, like LDI, are moving their meetings away from big industry trade shows to a more intimate venue and Frank loves it.

The future of graphic communication education

Published November 11, 2011

The Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA just discontinued their Graphic Communication Technology major. The decline in enrollment began in 2001 and only four new students entered the major in the more recent term.

Some Samples for Frank

Published November 9, 2011

Frank Romano gets some samples from Canon's Dreamlabo inkjet (Frank was recently critical for the lack of samples) that makes him reconsider his original critique.

One of the Most Interesting Places on Earth... to Frank Romano

Published November 2, 2011

This week Frank Romano reports on location at the Cary Collection at the Wallace Library at RIT to proudly show off one of his favorite collections of print.

A Look Back at Today's Office Automation

Published October 26, 2011

Frank Romano gets nostalgic on us this week with a look at an ad for one of the original photocopying machines aimed for offices and business in the late 50's and a discussion on how it all started.

Xante Goes Beyond Wide Format

Published October 19, 2011

Last month at GraphExpo Frank Romano stopped by the Xante booth and was blown away by a machine that he thinks will change the industry.

Frank's Finally Impressed with Digital Printing

Published October 12, 2011

Frank goes over some of the samples that wowed him at GraphExpo.

A Schooling on Making Paper the Old School Way

Published October 5, 2011

Frank Romano reports live on the scene at the Boston Paper Collective to demonstrate how paper was originally made.

The Day of the All-In-One Device Nears

Published September 28, 2011

Philadelphia newspapers are changing to tablets and some percentages on unique smart phone applications all this week with Frank Romano.

Frank's at the 8th Annual Printing Arts Fair at the Museum of Printing

Published September 21, 2011

Frank gets a demonstration of offset lithography's early start by from Carolyn Muskat showing how to print on stone lithography at the Museum of Printing during the 8th annual Printing Arts Fair.

A Few Trends that Got Us to Where We Are

Published September 16, 2011

Printers are providing more value-added services that go beyond paper. They are evolving into new kinds of companies. Here are some of the steps that got us to this point.

September is National Coupon Month?

Published September 14, 2011

The President of the PIA mails the President of the USA and apparently September is National Coupon Month; just another typical week on This Week with Frank Romano.

Printing Problems in 1938 VS 2011

Published September 7, 2011

Frank goes over some very interesting bullet points from The Book Industry in Transition and discovers some very interesting similarities between printing's past and now.

QR Codes are Going Strong! Also, Google Killed the QR Code!

Published August 31, 2011

This Week with Frank Romano (because Frank doesn't seem to know the name of his own show) features two opposing articles about the much loved/hated QR code.

Paper is Part of the Printing Process

Published August 24, 2011

This week Frank shares an interesting patent that could make one paper to rule them all and the dangers of print manufacturers holding the keys to paper, ink, and equipment.

The bookstore at the end of the universe

Published August 19, 2011

Frank takes a trip down memory lane reminiscing the days of the bookstore and what the future may hold.

Now You See It, Now You Don't, But Print It Anyways

Published August 17, 2011

Frank comes across "A Practical Way to Make Invisibility Cloaks" and theorizes the huge impact invisible printing will have on color management.

Yearbooks on demand

Published August 10, 2011

Frank talks about where the future of the modern high school yearbook with the rapid decline of yearbook orders over recent years.

Photography has truly gone digital

Published August 3, 2011

With the rapid decline of photographic film Frank takes a look at some recent photo book samples from digital presses showcasing the range of digital printing today and most people would never know the difference.

U.S. Postal Service, oh how you've fallen

Published July 27, 2011

Frank shares a touching story from the Postal Service's past and how today's USPS operations are completely unacceptable for small printers.

Frank's going to Graph Expo, are you?

Published July 22, 2011

Frank tells you why he endorses Graph Expo and why now more than ever it is important to make the trip to Chicago this September 11-14.

Frank collection of unusual devices

Published July 20, 2011

This week Frank brings us some odd devices this week including a book charger (seriously) and what he thinks is a genius idea for corning the ice cube market (again, not kidding.)

Printing on the High Seas

Published July 15, 2011

The Rochester Institute of Technology and Cunard Lines have a unique work-study program. Students are trained in Rochester and then begin a multi-month stint running the ship's print shop. Andy Berghauser describes his experience with the program.

Frank invents a NY Times conspiracy

Published July 13, 2011

The New York Times adjusts printing on-the-fly, sells a warehouse to a server farm, and Kindle editions that magically disappear. Conspiracy? Frank certainty doesn't think so.

Leave our trees alone (so we can cut them down)

Published July 6, 2011

Saving the trees may sound good on paper, but soon that could hurt the food supply. Food supply? Frank shares some interesting tidbits about how trees work in our food supply.

Frankly the facts about digital printing

Published June 29, 2011

Google has been vigorously searching and scanning out of print and out of copyright books. All of those books become searchable bits thanks to Google Ngram Viewer. So what does Frank do with all that data from books? He uses it to search for emerging print terms, that's what!

Press event follies and failures with Frank

Published June 22, 2011

Frank doesn't really go out much to attend press events so it's a rare occasion to see his presence at one. Frank highlights his experiences from two recent events.

Frank goes book shopping

Published June 15, 2011

Frank goes over some of his more recent finds from various bookstores around the world. Proof that printing is better than hand printing, teaching the lost art of print to kids, and that two cultures can actually get along just fine.

Frank Thoughts

Published June 10, 2011

All communication will some day be reduced to tweets -- small bursts of information 140 characters in length. They are the bumper stickers of the 21st century. Here are some of mine.

Frank's inside look at Concord Litho

Published June 8, 2011

Frank gets a private tour of Concord Litho to see their latest innovations that keeps them ahead of the printing curve.

A history lesson with Professor Frank

Published June 1, 2011

This week Frank goes over the accomplishments of another great father and son in printing history, the Bentons.

Frank's Mail Call

Published May 25, 2011

Frank shows off some of the items he gets in the mail. Frank now knows he can annoy people in yet another language, a promo piece that's too good to throw away and paper you can really feel all up ahead in This Week with Frank Romano

Millions of books, one at a time

Published May 20, 2011

In 2008, the production of non-traditional print-on-demand books exceeded traditional book publishing for the first time. Since then, its growth has been overwhelming. The market is now closing in on 10 times the output of traditional titles. What is more amazing is that this growth has been one book at a time.

We can print if we want to

Published May 18, 2011

The heated discussion about saving trees continues. Frank's opinion? Printing is good and actually SAVES trees while the modern computer is a pile of toxic energy waste.

The death of the tax form

Published May 11, 2011

Today's agenda, no more tax forms, checks bounce (back) and maybe Frank could one day see his lifelong dream come true, directing Helvetica the Musical. All ahead in This Week with Frank.

Frank loves the smell of notes in the morning

Published May 4, 2011

Here's the short of it, Kelly Services hires Xerox to reduce print, Cliff Notes Shorts, and Scented Digital Print.

Frank's 15 minutes of fame

Published April 27, 2011

This week Frank's hamming it up for another camera! Frank's back in the Museum of Printing working on a movie for PBS called 'Rebel' helping recreate authentic copies of a book from the Civil War Period

Frank looks at recent industry events

Published April 22, 2011

We’ve asked if the print industry can still support multiple trade shows. Now Frank is wondering about trade associations. He went to a couple recent events and he’s reported back to us on what kind of year we’re having on the event circuit.

Frank on promoting print

Published April 20, 2011

Frank's very excited to see some new looks on ways to promote print. Promoting print is going beyond what print IS to showing what print can DO.

Frank: Go Print Yourself

Published April 13, 2011

This week Frank Romano shares some interesting studies on efforts to print human skin and the practical applications, such as skin grafts for burn victims, to the bizarre.

Book Incubators and Espresso Books, Distribution of Tomorrowland

Published April 6, 2011

This week Frank talks about how vending machines are being used to cut back on retail staff which made him reminisce the old days of book vending and the modern equivalent printing on demand.

Frank shows off a M-Press in Canada

Published April 4, 2011

Frank was invited to Canada's Middleton Group to see one of the first installations of Agfa's M-Press. Could this be the edge printers are looking for?

Frank: WiFi KILLS trees

Published March 30, 2011

Frank reviews a shocking study that appeared in the LA Times showing that Ash trees closest to WiFi networks may be dying.

$100 says Frank knows how his phone bill is made

Published March 4, 2011

Frank makes a rare observation about his phone bill and shares an old story about the $100 bill and how it could have created jobs.

Frank vs The Advantages of Modern Letter Press

Published January 28, 2011

This week Frank revisits some literature published in 1957 on the modern letter press and how it fought the changing times to offset lithography.

Frank's Ode to Printers

Published December 17, 2010

Frank wraps up the year with a gift celebrating the great material known as print. Download Text Reprint (PDF)

Frank visits Print's Past

Published December 15, 2010

This week Frank visits the Mount Washington Hotel's Print Shop to see a bit of print history.

Frank reminisces the days of Linotype

Published December 8, 2010

This week Frank takes us back to the days of old with Linotype's promotional pamphlets over the years.

Frank outlives the phonebook

Published December 1, 2010

Reading a recent study by analysts trying to study the data of the available pages for printing bothers Frank because they don't consider long run projects that won't go digital. This week Frank gives a eulogy for the imminent demise of the phonebook.

Frank at the Bootcamp for Print Designers

Published November 23, 2010

In this special episode of This Week with Frank Romano, Frank is at the Bootcamp for Print Designers. He surveys a group of print buyers in attendance about what's happening with print in their organizations and the trends they foresee. Happy Thanksgiving!

Frank's newest social media craze

Published November 17, 2010

This week Frank reveals a call to social media: FontFaceBook! NYC street signs and the Gap logo get fresh fonts and new looks, and what's the deal with all this Helvetica?

Frank takes a look at when the tipping point for digital printing may be

Published November 10, 2010

Digital Printing is decades away? Frank says it's almost here. He looks at a recent NPES publication that says the tipping point for digital printing is decades away.

Should Frank move to China?

Published November 3, 2010

This Week with Frank Romano welcomes a special guest to talk about the printing industry in China, where offset looms large, and digital is on the outside looking in. Join Frank and Joe Pasky in front of an antique printing press for a little Pacific rim rap.

Frank pumps some iron

Published October 27, 2010

What do paper, printing, and Star Trek have in common? Frank, of course! This Week, Frank talks about the TBD end of the New York Times print edition, the demise of another magazine's print edition, and the return by popular demand of the "What Is It?" segment, featuring large metal things. That are heavy.

The new world of print buying

Published October 22, 2010

For the majority of us lay people print buying seems like a trick for the anointed few who can piece together a much larger puzzle of production parts. Frank Romano looks at the new world of the print buyer, how it has changed, how they do their jobs, and where congregate to share their secrets.

Low returns on investment abound This Week With Frank

Published October 20, 2010

Email marketing versus printed mail - guess which one Frank likes. Data backs him up, too. Plus some love for franchising small print shops, and a look at a printing business model that one day Frank thinks will yield an industry-wide revenue of precisely $7.50.

Frank wonders what printer manufacturers will sell after print

Published October 13, 2010

Let's see...bottled water? Food? Frank wonders where the big printer companies might go after taking the print out of their bottom line. Plus another tour through more print that's going the way of the dodo. But take heart...all is not lost!!!

Articles by Frank Romano