Frank Romano has spent over 60 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia. Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers. He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.
Displaying 701-800 of 881 articles
Published August 13, 2010
There’s a new report out predicting significant growth in US media and communications spending over the next four years. Is it time to start the presses running again? Frank Romano examines what impact new media is continuing to have on media budgets.
Published August 11, 2010
This week Frank takes a trip to the museum of printing. In this video he talks to us about Gutenberg's Wooden Printing Press. Why you may ask? "Why not." Frank responds. An in depth overview of the wooden press, something almost as old as Frank.
Published August 4, 2010
This week Frank takes a look at the peculiar similarities (and minuscule differences) between the Rochester and Syracuse Sunday paper ad inserts. His findings will leave you shocked. But not really.
Published July 28, 2010
Frank Romano confesses that he has a vice and that vice is collecting books associated with the print world. Frank scoured the globe looking for new and interesting gems and he wasn't disappointed. In this video Frank shares some of his favorites ranging from Victorian fiction to Korean printing.
Published July 23, 2010
None of us know what the future holds for the print industry, but Frank Romano looks into his crystal ball and sees a bright future for a trimmed down industry, run more by computers and technicians that printers, better integration between products and packaging, and a few other surprises.
Published July 21, 2010
Now that Frank's back from his trip he doesn't waste any time and goes straight for some interesting news articles. Featured articles on China print, electronic reading study, New Jersey insurance agent license, and PGAMA's "Print Grows Trees" and Frank's spin on it all.
Published July 14, 2010
Frank interviews the lovely ladies that run the Queen Mary 2's print shop while at sea. A WhatTheyThink first! Rosemary and Kelly discuss what it is like to print on board a luxury cruise liner as well as some of the services guests can expect while on board.
Published July 7, 2010
This week, Frank shares a 1907 edition of Penrose's Pictorial Annual. The annual collected examples of print from a given year and bound it into a book giving a snapshot view of the printing technologies at the time. The books also included articles on the processes and different applications as well.
Published July 1, 2010
Louis Moyroud just died. Doesn't ring a bell? He and Rene Higonet invented photographic typesetting. Oh, phototypesetting does not ring a bell either? From the 1950s to the 1990s, we set type using photographic techniques, exposing miles of photo-sensitive paper and film. The printing industry moved to CTP in the 1990s and digital printing in the 2000s, but the era of pre-press automation began with Louis and Rene. Rene died in 1983. Louis died on June 30 at the age of 95.
Published June 30, 2010
Frank explains why Johannes Gutenberg was an idiot (not what you think, of course) and gives us a history lesson on the 42 line Bible and shares all the intrigue a 15th century typesetting drama can muster.
Published June 23, 2010
New things to print - Frank gets excited about coffee cup holders, canvass prints at Costco, cyber companies, big box wide format printing, and Grandma chatting via Skype...and spell check.
Published June 18, 2010
Recent innovations in variable data printing have created huge opportunities in direct mail. Are you taking advantage of it? If not, Frank Romano lists a variety of reasons why you should be.
Published June 16, 2010
Continuing a series on hot metal typesetting, Frank give us a tour of the Ludlow. Never heard of composing sticks? Plungers? Matrices and slugs? Join Frank as we create fonts from molten lead.
Published June 9, 2010
Molten lead, greasy fingers, clanging bits and pieces, gears turning...who doesn't like hot metal? Today, we visit the Museum of Printing to see a working hot metal linotype machine, which Frank expertly describes as a volunteer makes it sing.
Published June 2, 2010
What do the internet, the printing industry, and a chart hand drawn with magic markers have in common? Frank! This week, Frank gives his take on what happened to the printing industry since its peak in 1995, and how much further we have to go before reaching equilibrium.
Published May 28, 2010
IPEX 2010 affirmed that inkjet is here to stay. The show is over but the memory lingers on. There are almost 300 roll-fed production inkjet printers sold or installed in the world. And Xerox validated inkjet by showing an inkjet technology. But we could see inkjet die very quickly if suppliers and users do not re-invent the way they do business. Here's how they might fail.
Published May 26, 2010
Frank and Richard Romano debate print vs. pixels at the Xerox Real Business Live stage at IPEX 2010. In a spirited contest they traded barbs and scurrilous polemics. In the end, the audience (not surprisingly) chose print!
Published May 25, 2010
Published May 25, 2010
Published May 24, 2010
Published May 19, 2010
When you've gone to as many trade shows as Frank, all the tchotchke starts to pile up. Take a trip down trade show memory lane for a discussion of tin cans, writing implements, and all the various giveaways that make a trade show memorable - well, memorable to Frank, anyway.
Published May 12, 2010
In this week's visit with the curmudgeon emeritus, Frank finds an old brochure from a 1964 RIT summer program, gets misty eyed, and reminisces about the old days. Why 1964? Why Frank? Glad you asked! Find out as Frank discusses today's students, and how they are trained for work in the printing industry.
Published May 7, 2010
None of us know what the future holds. Frank Romano teaches a class in print media trends, and he asked his students to look into their crystal balls. Here's what they thought the future might hold.
Published May 5, 2010
Frank takes a close look at a new magazine called Vintage Magazine and reviews the print quality and uniqueness and he really likes what he sees. Frank also talks about the printer who produced it. Frank also looks at some entries into the TAGA Project. It's a passionate defense of the power of print!
Published April 28, 2010
This week Frank reviews his mail and finds several postcards and direct mailers. Frank takes issue with an article that talks about the death of print, reviews a Pew study that finds the Internet growing as a source of news, and comments on digital coupons surpassing newspapers. Kids counterfeiting and Manhattan restaurants are among the other things Frank has to share this week.
Published April 21, 2010
This week Frank covers a lot of ground with a great new Dov Isaacs cartoon, praise for Kohl's for combining print with email marketing, Facebook reducing printed yearbooks, on-demand printing, and Howie Fenton's NAPL SOI article.
Published April 14, 2010
This week Frank reviews his mail to get an idea of what types of things are being printed (and mailed).
Published April 7, 2010
This week Frank reviews survey data from Print Buyers International and learns not all are even called "print buyers"! They do "tweet", but some are unaware what variable data printing is. Frank learns this and more and shares it all in his own unique style.
Published April 2, 2010
VDP volume is less than 10 percent of all digital printing and digital printing is less than 15 percent of all printing. The use of variable data (or document) printing has been retarded over the last decade by short-sighted suppliers, specifications, and associations. Now perhaps we are on the cusp of opening VDP to all users, big and small. ISO is about to release a worldwide standard for variable data exchange.
Published March 31, 2010
This week, Frank shares another great Dov Isaacs cartoon and comments on several items in the news. Among them are a new punctuation symbol called the "sarc" mark, a decline in magazine circulation, an effort in Virginia to stop printing amendments, electronics that obey hand gestures, and more!
Published March 24, 2010
Frank joins us from Mountain House somewhere in the Catskills where he's helping judge the Mohawk i-Tonies. The official announcement of award winners were announced at Dscoop and Frank shares them along with his unique commentary!
Published March 19, 2010
This week Frank presents a review of responses to polls included with Margie Dana's Print Tips. These polls provide insight into print buying trends. Frank also includes one of his song parodies.
Published March 17, 2010
Frank returns to his office at RIT and sorts through his mail and shares some with us. His commentary on direct mail, personalization, and innovative envelopes is - as usual - entertaining. Frank also shares the news that he, in fact, invented the iPad!
Published March 10, 2010
Frank begins a new series “Go where the printing is” to help identify printed products that are impervious to electronic substitution. He looks at a hotel rack with theme park and other brochures, travel information, and other printed items.
Published March 3, 2010
Frank shows a cartoon about visiting a bookstore to download an e-book file. He comments on Congress spending $97 million on printing and e-book happenings. Frank also talks about print outsourcing and Henry Ford and beautiful printing. He ends with a segment on newspapers vs television.
Published February 24, 2010
Frank comments on an article about the 25 things that will become extinct. Those that involve print include Yellow Pages, classified ads, handwritten notes, personal checks, news magazines, and, relatedly, the Post Office. They may not become extinct but they are be affected by new media.
Published February 19, 2010
When Komori and Heidelberg drop out of a Graph Expo show, it portends seismic changes in the printing industry. But it is all part of 500+ years of changes. All things have a lifespan, whether they are living things, inanimate things, or even the universe (the ultimate collection of things). They start out as nothing, become something, and ultimately become nothing again. This pseudo-philosophical statement begins a discussion about technological change, a subject dear to all of our hearts.
Published February 10, 2010
This week Frank shares another great Dov Isaacs cartoon and comments on several news snippets. Kansas paper tax return taxes, Pittsburgh water and sewer authority bill errors, and the Espresso Book Machine all make the list. Frank continues with more commentary on bookstore on-demand book printing.
Published February 5, 2010
ACCGC. You never heard of it? Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications. Doesn’t ring a bell? It is a group of dedicated graphic arts educators and industry suppliers who foster graphic arts education at the college level. Accreditation is how colleges and universities serve professions and industries—by making sure that educational curricula meet the needs of professions and industries.
Published January 27, 2010
Published January 22, 2010
Adobe Systems helped to build the modern printing industry and now, it appears, they are hellbent on destroying it -- not by willful action, but by neglect. Without the de facto standard of PostScript, digital printing could not have made the inroads it did; CTP would not have happened as we know it; and PDF would not have created the ability to move files around with ease, irrespective of device or resolution. They were active supporters of the printing industry and worked with print providers and users alike. But, today, Adobe appears to have written off print as it focuses on Flash and new media. Some say Adobe has given the printing industry the finger.
Published January 13, 2010
Frank returns for a new year with another great Dov Isaacs cartoon, talks fonts and the new Sherlock Holmes movie, and reviews the best and worst jobs in America. Frank also comments on news that Heidelberg is looking to partner in digital printing. Finally, Frank gives an exclusive peek at the new Apple tablet computer!
Published December 16, 2009
This week Frank ends the year by sharing some historic newspapers in his personal collection, including The London Gazette from 1682, The Massachusetts Spy from 1790, and The Pennsylvania Gazette from 1801. Frank also shares his hope that newspapers survive in some form despite the changes taking place.
Published December 16, 2009
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
An ink cartridge in an HP.
On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two ruddle gloves,
And an ink cartridge in an HP.
Published December 11, 2009
Andy Tribute’s column this week was thought-provoking as usual. He opined that an annual printing event is no longer viable and that GraphExpo should be on a different schedule. In the 1980s (the heyday of the printing industry) there were multiple printing events. The New England show was every two years — in January! New York had an annual show at the old Coliseum, PICA had a large annual event in Charlotte, and Midwest Graphics floated around different states. Graphics of the Americas took over the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Gutenberg Festival in Long Beach was a major event.
Published December 9, 2009
This week Frank shares another great Dov Isaacs cartoon on "speaking in typeface", shares a great Thanksgiving card that marries print and electronics and some other direct mail pieces. Frank also shares his favorite pop-up book "Gutenberg's Gift". Finally, Frank talks about JC Penney's decision to stop printing their "Big Book" catalog and is skeptical of their social media strategy.
Published December 2, 2009
This week Frank joins us from his office at RIT and shares some of his recent mail, which includes direct mail, trade magazines. Frank highlights his favorite 3 pieces: A foil stamped piece by manroland, Kodak's One publication, and Package Design magazine.
Published November 18, 2009
This week, Frank takes some time at the Print Buyer's International Conference to ask Dr. Joe Webb about books he's been reading. The two get into an extended conversation about the impact social media is having on the media mix and how printers need to understand this changing landscape of communications.
Published November 13, 2009
Events converged in 1995 to change the printing world. Before that, it was the old printing industry. After that it would be the new printing industry. That year, paper, the Internet, the portable document format, the CD, and the PC converged to create a new paradigm. The number of printing companies would reach 62,000 in 1995 and it would be the highest number of printers ever.
Published November 11, 2009
This week Frank shares another great Dov Isaacs cartoon, then dedicates the entire episode to talking about the last "What Is It?" contest. Nobody got it right! So Frank has to talk about what it is and how old he is as well.
Published November 4, 2009
This week Frank joins us from a PIP Printing & Marketing Services event in Manchester, Connecticut. The event revolves around digital printing and variable data and Frank shows us some classic examples of some campaigns over the years.
Published October 28, 2009
This week Frank talks about "wood power" fueling many cities and why this doesn't jive with paper being an enviro-enemy, marketers preferring a "paper trail" because catalogs actually work! Frank also reveals his latest "what is it?" contest.
Published October 23, 2009
In the 3rd century B.C. Aristophanes of Byzantium invented a system of single dots that separated verses and indicated the amount of breath needed to read each fragment of text aloud. The different lengths were signified by a dot at the bottom, middle, or top of the line. For a short passage (a komma), a dot was placed mid-level. The name came to be used for the mark itself instead of the clause it separated.
Published October 21, 2009
This week Frank shares more interesting direct mail, including "pop out" dice. He also addresses Do Not Mail list legislation and an idea to have mail supported by advertising. Finally, Frank addresses a "brouhaha" at the DMA.
Published October 14, 2009
This week Frank shares a Dov Isaacs cartoon, reviews some of his mail, and talks about the changing nature of print buying. Trends in print buying are discussed as is the 4th Annual Print Buyers Conference conducted by Print Buyers International.
Published October 9, 2009
The reaction to the first article, both at Print CEO and personal communication, has been overwhelming. Editors, consultants, affiliate managers and staff, educators, and, most of all, printers support merging the two commercial printing associations. There has been no word from NAPL or PIA. Why am I expressing these opinions? Because no one else will.
Published October 7, 2009
This week Frank talks about the future of the printing industry by reviewing where we've been and where we're going. Issues such as overcapacity, the digital age, and the Internet are addressed. The takeaway? This will NOT be your father's printing industry!
Published September 30, 2009
Published September 25, 2009
Theodore De Vinne and less than 20 large American printers formed the United Typothetae of America in the late 1800s to provide a united front against the Typographical Unions’ demand for an 8-hour work day. UTA was formally organized in 1887 at a convention in Chicago attended by 68 delegates representing 18 master printer’s associations and 22 cities. Its purpose was “to develop a community of interests and a fraternal spirit among the master printers of the United States and Dominion of Canada and for the purpose of exchanging information and assisting each other when necessary.” The United Typothetae of America would become Printing Industries of America.
Published September 23, 2009
Published September 16, 2009
Published September 11, 2009
The last minute work is in effect. They are cleaning the booths and will roll the carpet along the aisles. Today a few thousand people will show us whether the recession is over -- at least for the printing industry. This is the first PRINT where the number of digital printers outnumbers the number of offset litho presses. It is the first print where inkjet is a dominant product being exhibited. It is the first PRINT where you can say that it is mostly digital in terms of workflow.
Published September 9, 2009
Published September 4, 2009
Draw a circle. Let us say that it represents all reproduction on paper and plastic substrates in the United States over one year. This includes printing on all devices, as well as copying. Now take a slice that represents about one quarter out. That is the volume of print that we lost to electronic alternatives: websites, PDF files, e-mail, etc. What is left is more or less the printing industry.
Published September 2, 2009
Published August 26, 2009
Published August 19, 2009
Published August 14, 2009
The PRINT 09 event is only a few weeks away. A lot of printers are asking if it will be worth a trip. Yes, it will. They should publish Bill Lamparter’s Must-see’um and Worth-a-look lists in advance so youknow what to expect. I think there will also be a few surprises.
Published August 12, 2009
Published August 5, 2009
Published July 31, 2009
Published July 29, 2009
Published July 22, 2009
Published July 17, 2009
Published July 15, 2009
Published July 8, 2009
Published July 1, 2009
Published June 26, 2009
Published June 24, 2009
Published June 17, 2009
Published June 12, 2009
Published June 10, 2009
Published June 3, 2009
Published May 29, 2009
Published May 27, 2009
Published May 21, 2009
Published May 20, 2009
Published May 13, 2009
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Published May 6, 2009
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Published April 22, 2009
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Published April 3, 2009
Published March 27, 2009
Published March 25, 2009
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