Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Three Critical Trends for 2016

Published December 22, 2015

As the end of the year approaches, it becomes helpful to think about the trends that will likely impact our industry in the future. This article offers a top-level overview of three trends that are expected to impact commercial printers and in-plant printers in the coming year.

The Training Benchmark: How Does Your Company Compare to Industry Leaders?

Published October 8, 2015

Although cross-training is certainly important, it is only one component of the overall training pie. This article discusses other considerations that are equally or even more important, including how well our industry trains and how your company compares to the leaders in the industry.

The Unclear Future of Transactional Printing and Mailing

Published September 16, 2015

Although things are changing, traditional mailing and printing methods are still an important part of the ecosystem. Early predictions about the rapid adoption of electronic invoices and online payments have proven to be exaggerated. This article references recent InfoTrends research to explore how transactional printing and mailing is changing over time.

Production Inkjet Printing: Disruption or Opportunity?

Published August 20, 2015

Are inkjet presses a disruptive technology? This article will discuss the definition of a “disruptive technology,” determine if the data surrounding inkjet presses fulfills the criteria, and explore the ongoing impact of production inkjet printing.

Two Keys to Increasing Productivity: Software Automation and Hardware Utilization

Published July 16, 2015

One of the keys to effectively running a world-class company is finding ways to constantly increase productivity. This article explores the importance of measuring operational performance and discusses various strategies for doing so.

Web-to-Print Differences: In-Plants vs. Commercial Printers

Published June 18, 2015

InfoTrends’ research has uncovered some key differences in web-to-print adoption among commercial printers versus corporate in-plants. This article leverages recent research to explore some of the differences in how these two groups use web-to-print technology.

A Renewed Focus on Core Print Services and a Slowing PSP-to-MSP Migration

Published May 28, 2015

The transition from a Print Service Provider to a Marketing Service Provider has been a topic of discussion for several years now. Although some businesses are making this shift, others are placing a renewed focus on their core competencies. This article cites InfoTrends’ research and explores the challenges that can arise when attempting to make the transition to an MSP.

Software Investment Trends and the Return of Color Management

Published April 16, 2015

This article explores the increased interest in color management software among corporate and commercial printers. It cites research from InfoTrends to illuminate how more and more businesses are beginning to recognize the benefits of implementing a color management program.

Web-to-Print: The Best or Worst Investment?

Published March 19, 2015

Some print service providers are automating production with Web-to-print software, but this strategy does not work for all companies. This article explores why some companies succeed with Web-to-print while others fail.

Will You Thrive, Survive, or Die in 2015?

Published January 15, 2015

In the coming year, trying something new rather than continuing with business as usual can be the difference between success and failure. This article leverages recent research from InfoTrends to explore how industry leaders are making the most of today’s turbulent market.

Is the Digital Label Market Growing and Why?

Published December 17, 2010

Early Adopters, First Time iPad Usage and Needed Work-Arounds

Published December 13, 2010

Survey Says E-Book Readers Prefer the iPad, But is it Fair?

Published December 9, 2010

Paton says Put Digital People in Charge of Newspapers

Published December 6, 2010

Display and Print R&D at HP

Published December 2, 2010

How Important is a Newspaper Designed from Scratch: iPad Newspaper?

Published November 22, 2010

Google Instant Search and Previews and How it Impacts Paid Search and Design

Published November 18, 2010

AOL Trying to Rise from the Ashes with Facelift and Access to Multiple Email Accounts

Published November 15, 2010

Color Nook: Ebook or Half a Tablet

Published November 11, 2010

9 Hot Apple Stories

Published November 8, 2010

Gartner’s Optimistic Predictions of Tablet Growth

Published November 4, 2010

The Future of In-plant Printing

Published November 3, 2010

E-book War Update: Kindle Takes on Nook

Published October 27, 2010

Building a Do-It-Yourself Inkjet Press

Published October 20, 2010

Last blog we discussed the Cabot event at the Graph Expo show and how printing companies are building their own inkjet presses by adding heads to web presses.

Hot From Graph Expo—Should You Build Your Own Press?

Published October 13, 2010

New Yorker Magazine Rolls Out iPad Edition

Published October 6, 2010

Lately, we have been discussing the trend of newspaper, book and magazine publishers to convert their content for e-readers. This trend is hoped to reverse the decline in readership and attract new readership. But the glacial decline in readership is not slowing or thawing. For example, the Pew Center for People & the Press recently reported that only 31% of Americans today get their news from the newspaper, as compared to 56% in 1991.

Pre-show Events and Why You Should Not Leave Early

Published September 29, 2010

Is it too early or too late to migrate newspapers and books to e-readers?

Published September 15, 2010

Publishers Giving Away E-Readers and Shutting Down Presses?

Published September 8, 2010

What to Do and See at Graph Expo?

Published September 1, 2010

As the Graph Expo show approaches, I’ve had people ask if they should go and if they go what they should see. First, the answer is yes – you should go. Even if it’s just for one day – you should go. There is no better way to research equipment and learn about money saving and money making strategies than by seeing the equipment and hearing from the industry experts at the show.

Magazines Free on the iPad – How Can Anyone Make Money?

Published August 25, 2010

Mythbusting: Is Direct Mail Dead?

Published August 23, 2010

Mixed Projections for Direct Marketing Growth

Published August 16, 2010

Report Says Social Media is a “Time Suck”

Published August 11, 2010

Loyalty Cards, Coupons, or Now Both!

Published August 9, 2010

When is an e-book not a book but a DVD player?

Published August 4, 2010

Email Study Says that “Opens” and “Click Rates” are in Decline

Published August 2, 2010

Email + Social Media = More Click-Throughs

Published July 28, 2010

Will the iPad Cannibalize the Macintosh?

Published July 26, 2010

Ben & Jerry's Drop E-mail in Favor of Social Media Marketing

Published July 23, 2010

Agfa Buys Pitman

Published July 19, 2010

Agfa Graphics announced last week that it signed an agreement to purchase the assets of Pitman, one of the few remaining independent dealers of equipment including prepress, inkjet, pressroom and packaging printing products. This was not a total surprise as speculation of a Pitman sale grew a few weeks ago after Kodak announced it would cut distribution ties with the company, which had been its largest U.S. reseller of prepress products since 2007.

Articles by Howie Fenton