Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

The Data Center Debate: Is It Coming to a Town Hall Near You?

Published June 10, 2026

With thousands of data centers slated to be built, what’s the impact on the printing industry? Already in an energy- and water-intensive business, printers (especially in rural areas) stand to be impacted more than they realize.

How Wise Labels Helped Collect 40,000 Pounds of Food

Published June 3, 2026

Let’s celebrate the good things! By donating 35,000 bag labels, Wise helped collect nearly 40,000 in food donations for people in need in the Minneapolis, Minn. area.

What TRULY Makes You Different From Your Competitors: A Conversation with The Hartley Press

Published May 28, 2026

Most printers, when pressed to name their top three differentiators, end up with the same list as the printer down the street. Over the next few weeks and months, Heidi Tolliver-Walker follows up with printers who actually know what makes them different. That list starts with The Hartley Press.

What Makes Your Print Shop Different? (Quality, Service, and Price Don't Count)

Published May 20, 2026

What truly differentiates you from your competition? Every printer says they have great quality, great prices, and great customer service. What makes you different from them? Do you even know?

Why Printer Websites Are the Weak Link in AEO

Published May 13, 2026

As more commercial printers begin optimizing their websites for AI search, many are running into a problem they didn’t anticipate. It’s not the content. It’s the platform. Heidi Tolliver-Walker interviews Matt Hunt, web guru for Great Reach Communications, who is inside the bowels of printers’ websites optimizing for AI search every day.

When Cutting Print Backfires: Stories to Tell Your Customers

Published May 6, 2026

When economic times are uncertain, print marketing is one of the first things to go. If your clients are among those pulling their print budgets, you can remind them of other companies who once did the same and regretted it. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some examples.

How BPI Media Group’s Automation Philosophy Is Influenced by "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Published April 29, 2026

How the story of a failed university mailer and the accident scene in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” illustrate BPI Media Group’s automation philosophy.

Reacting to the Surge in AI Search: Don’t Just Know Enough to be Dangerous

Published April 22, 2026

Everywhere you look, new tools are popping up promising to help you gain visibility in AI search and to tell you how visible you are in AI engines like ChatGPT. But there’s a big difference between a clean-looking score and a reliable diagnosis. Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look.

Independent Graphics: Still Investing After All These Years

Published April 15, 2026

Even in today’s topsy turvy economy, Independent Graphics (West Wyoming, Pa.) is excited about the installation of its new RMGT 920PF4 LED UV 24 x 36-in. four-color perfecting press, which will expand its offset capacity by 25%.

Under the Hood: How Print Shops Handle Garbage Artwork

Published April 8, 2026

How are printers handling “garbage” files, including the growing influx of files from Canva? Another “fly on the wall” peek into a subreddit discussion reveals an industry divided on what best practices should be.

All That Data and Still “Nothing Personal”

Published April 1, 2026

Digital marketers cite fragmented tech stacks as their top barrier to personalization, yet consumers say even “personalized” digital experiences still feel generic. For print, that's an opening. But technology alone won't close that gap.

Learning from TikTok? You’d Better Be!

Published March 25, 2026

Are you ready to learn from TikTok? Your buyers are on TikTok, and TikTok is shaping their expectations about how you communicate, what you communicate, and how you find them in the first place. TikTok is an important laboratory for teaching us all a lot about how reel those customers into the net.

Product Spotlight—LiftERP: How One Software Solution Is Changing the Economics of Print Production

Published March 19, 2026

Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a close look at LiftERP, part of Durst’s Smart Factory portfolio that targets the mid-to-enterprise segment of the print industry.

Product Spotlight: Chris Clarke of Georgia Printco Talks Cost Savings with LiftERP

Published March 19, 2026

Chris Clarke, Chief Technology Officer for Georgia Printco participates in a candid and detailed discussion of the company's installation of the Durst LiftERP solution, the problems it solved, the culture shift it precipitated, and how it has transformed the company's workflow, slashed new hire onboarding time, and saved the company money, specifically in the cost of goods.

What Does It Really Take to Convert Your Website for AI Search?

Published March 18, 2026

If you’re looking to optimize your website for AI search, hang onto your cowboy hat. It's the Wild West out there. There is help available, but vet the options carefully. Is there a DIY solution? If so, what does that look like? Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains.

Is there a Mental Health Crisis Hiding in Your Senior Leadership Team?

Published March 11, 2026

Heidi Tolliver-Walker examines a February 2026 UK study finding that two-thirds of women over 50 struggle with mental health issues, with 90% not asking for help. As women increasingly lead print businesses, their well-being directly impacts leadership stability and the bottom line. Fortunately, print employers can take some simple steps to help.

“Should I Re-Open My One-Man Print Shop?”: Reddit Users Weigh In

Published March 4, 2026

A Reddit thread that started in late February offers a rare window into what single-operator print shops are experiencing in today’s sometimes brutal print industry environment. Heidi Tolliver-Walker plays “fly on the wall” and reports on what small shops are saying among themselves about the challenges of keeping their doors open.

The Data Say: Sustainable Packaging Is Bringing in Real Money

Published February 26, 2026

Ready for some good news? Sustainable packaging has moved from a nice talking point to a real, monetizable premium. That shift isn't just about swapping substrates. It's about understanding which groups of consumers will pay more, how much more they'll pay, and where printers can reasonably charge for added value. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the numbers.

What Happens When Your AI Search Data Disagrees with the Hype?

Published February 18, 2026

After last week's column on AI search optimization, the author received a phone call from a printer who wasn’t seeing the results that the article seemed to promise. His company is investing heavily in AI search, but he wasn't seeing evidence that AI referrals were producing higher-margin or more complex jobs than any other marketing channel. Thus, he questioned the conclusion. What happened?

Why AI Search May Attract Higher-Margin Print Jobs

Published February 11, 2026

Why bother investing in AI search engine optimization when most businesses still just Google “commercial printer near me” or call someone they know? Because SEO only works…until it doesn’t. Here’s when it doesn’t.

Why Print Embellishments Drive Sales: It's the Same Psychology Retailers Have Been Using for Decades

Published February 4, 2026

Print embellishments work. Not just because they look nice, but because they trigger the same behavioral principles that have been driving retail sales for decades.

Real Designers Talk AI in Print Embellishments

Published January 29, 2026

Heidi Tolliver-Walker reports from a Digital Embellishment Designer Meetup, sponsored by Taktiful, in which designers come together to learn both from the presenter and from each other.

Why AI Search Won't Replace Bad Marketing

Published January 21, 2026

As AI search gradually overtakes traditional search for both business buyers and consumers, printers are increasingly looking to AI search optimization to save them. But if your marketing fundamentals are broken (or non-existent), your AI search efforts will flop.

Is It Time to Let Sunk Costs Sink?

Published January 14, 2026

Are sunk costs sinking your profits? Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at what sunk costs are, the dangers of they hold, and offers a challenge to identify—and address—your own.

Geezer Magazine: The (Brilliant) Brainchild of Insanity

Published January 7, 2026

Do you want to know the definition of insanity? It’s starting a print-only, subscription-based magazine with your own money. Then launching it in a four-color tabloid format. Then you name it Geezer. Heidi Tolliver-Walker tells the story behind this not-so-crazy venture.

Esko’s 2026 Packaging Trends: Get Ready for Agentic AI, Smart Packaging, and End-to-End Sustainability

Published December 17, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look at Esko’s 2026 Packaging Trends report, which identifies three forces reshaping packaging: sustainability, smart packaging driven by regulations like the Digital Product Passport, and the rapid rise of agentic AI.

Shoppers Curl Up with Catalog This Holiday Season

Published December 10, 2025

Quad’s latest report, “The Return of Touch Report: Holiday Shopping, Reconnected,” finds that shoppers are highly engaged with printed catalogs. They enjoy them, they share them, and they re-engage with them throughout the season. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the highlights.

Birth of the Christmas Card: How One Busy Victorian Created a Billion-Dollar Industry

Published December 3, 2025

The story of the Christmas card…and why print professionals should raise a glass to Sir Henry Cole.

Scheming, Security Breaches, and Success: The AI Paradox Printers Can't Ignore

Published November 20, 2025

Artificial intelligence promises transformative gains for the printing industry, but current risks—from hallucinated data to security breaches—demand careful implementation.

AI Headlines You Might Have Missed

Published November 19, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker provides a quick roundup of AI headlines from this past week. From a state-sponsored AI espionage to AI’s ability to help you get a better job for more pay, take the whirlwind tour through AI news.

How Hyper-Literal AI Can Seem to Go Rogue

Published November 13, 2025

Sometimes AI seems to go rogue. But why? Heidi Tolliver-Walker argues that, like “a very smart toddler,” AI can be hyper literal. We tell it what to do, and without the right guidance in how to get there, it can take some turns we don’t expect.

"Who Cares If It’s Real?" Print Industry LinkedIn Debate Reveals Shifting Views on AI Intelligence

Published November 5, 2025

A thought leadership consultant’s question on LinkedIn about artificial intelligence sparked an unexpectedly revealing conversation, one that offers clues about how business leaders across industries are reconsidering what intelligence means in an AI-powered world.

Is AI Coming for Your Job?

Published October 29, 2025

Many companies are replacing specific types of jobs with AI automation. Is yours next? Is there anything you can do about it? Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the current state of things.

Look Who’s All Grown Up! Takeaways from the Franklin Madison Direct 2025 Direct Mail Benchmark Report

Published October 22, 2025

The 2025 Franklin Madison Direct Benchmark Report reveals that direct mail is not only rebounding but evolving into a smarter, more data-driven marketing channel. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the highlights from this detailed benchmark study.

AI: Entering the Integration Chaos Phase

Published October 15, 2025

It used to be that most of the AI discussion revolved around content creation. Now we’re hearing about everything from chatbots to AI-facilitated affiliate marketing. What does it all mean? Heidi Tolliver-Walker uses the AI chatbot Claude to analyze one day’s avalanche of AI editorial and promotional inbox content to gain some insights.

The Accidental Printer

Published October 9, 2025

During a time when many commercial print businesses are closing their doors, one small-town artist decided to buck the trend. She purchased a local print shop and learned the printing business from the ground up. Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look at her story.

What Makes “the Best” Salesperson? That Depends

Published October 1, 2025

What makes “the best” salespeople according to the C-suite? Data from 2,000 B2B decision-makers gives us insight, but are salespeople actually cutting it? SalesFuel’s B2B Buyers Scan Study (June 2025) says “sometimes.”

Brains Prefer Print, But Why? Now We Know (Maybe)

Published September 24, 2025

For decades, studies have shown that brains prefer paper. Whether it’s students in a classroom or shoppers in a retail aisle, brains process information more deeply and accurately in print. But why? Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at a recent study that sheds some light.

How HR Automation Is Transforming the Printing Industry

Published September 18, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains why HR tasks are the perfect place to implement automation.

Is Your Print Shop’s Work Environment “Toxic”?

Published September 17, 2025

On employment sites like Indeed, a common complaint of print industry workers is a “toxic/hostile” workplace environment. Clearly, no print shop wants that, but what does “a toxic/hostile environment” actually mean? How do employees define such things? We let ChatGPT do an analysis of print employee reviews to find out.

Can Employer Reviews Hold Important Clues to Employee Turnover?

Published September 10, 2025

Have you ever wondered why you keep losing employees like water down a drain? Why your press operator took a sick day and never came back? We asked ChatGPT to analyze the employer reviews by commercial print employees on Indeed. The results? Important takeaways every print shop owner or manager should hear.

Chat—Your Customers Trust AI More Than You

Published September 4, 2025

Say goodbye to traditional online search. New data show how quickly (and profoundly) the transition from traditional search to AI-enabled search is reshaping the search landscape. If you want to remain relevant and discoverable online, you need to begin taking steps now.

Reframing Gender and Ethnic Biases in AI Image Generation

Published August 27, 2025

AI does not have inherent biases, but it does reflect any biases that exist in its training data. One of the places these biases can be clearly seen is in image generation. WhatTheyThink took a look at what happens when you try to create an ethnic- and gender-balanced image for Labor Day.

Paper Coupons Are Making a Comeback

Published August 20, 2025

Are we about to see a turnaround in paper coupons? In its recent report, eMarketer looks at anecdotal evidence that paper coupon use is on the rise. This should not be a surprise, considering that this observation fits other trends we have been seeing in the consumer marketplace.

AI Search Optimization Programs Have Reached Their Time

Published August 13, 2025

With AI-driven search replacing traditional Google and other traditional search platforms, to get found online printers need to start investing in content marketing programs that AI-driven search “likes.” WTT looks at the issue with Patrick Whelan, president of Great Reach Communications, which just launched a new AI-optimization program.

Should Brands Take a Stand? Times Are Changing

Published August 6, 2025

Studies have historically found that consumers want their favorite brands to take a stand on issues they care about. But what happens when your customers are diverse and care about different things? Or when the priorities of different constituencies put them on opposite sides of an issue? You get a marketing minefield.

New Book Made from Recycled Coffee Cups Stirs Up Awareness and Support for Paper Cup Recycling

Published July 30, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at “Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise” by author and sustainability advocate Hayley Slack, as well as the process behind coffee cup recycling—and the challenges it poses.

Powered by Reliability: How Snowman Group Scales with Confidence Using Kyocera’s TASKalfa Pro 15000c

Published July 28, 2025

In this article learn how Hermon, Me.’s Snowman Group has leveraged the Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c to help grow their business.

Mission-Driven Purchasing: A Great Reason for Customers to Update Their Signage

Published July 23, 2025

Everywhere you look, companies are touting their environmental commitments where customers are doing their shopping. Such in-store graphics could mean the difference between customers choosing one brand over another, or it could simply make customers feel better about a choice they were going to make anyway. Whatever the goal, maybe it’s time for your customers to do their own mission-focused signage update.

How AI Is Fundamentally Changing How Customers Find Your Business

Published July 16, 2025

There is a change in online search that is fundamentally altering how customers find your business. It’s the use of AI. Not those AI summaries that appear at the top of Google searches, but the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms to actually conduct the searches. AI changes how users search, and anecdotal evidence shows that the results are far more likely to convert. This is good news for you, as long as your website is optimized for these types of searches.

What AI Means for Your Future Workforce

Published July 9, 2025

While tremendously useful for things like churning out certain types of marketing copy, analyzing customer data, and writing code, Gen AI is also deeply impacting the future workforce by churning out impatient, superficial thinkers. AI enables students to breeze through tasks that once required deep reading, analysis, and revision, all without learning a thing. How can you adapt?

We Were Made for More: Using Leadership for Good

Published June 25, 2025

Are you using your leadership position for good? If you’re looking for inspiration to do so, we invite you to look to the example of Bill Prettyman, CEO of Wise, and his wife, Joy, as they use their leadership positions to support the community of special needs adults.

Using Gen AI to Reflect the Inner Workings of Gen AI

Published June 18, 2025

Have you ever wondered why there are so many generative AI platforms out there? Just like people, each has its own personality and quirks, and when creating AI content, there is enough variety to enable you to find the one(s) that best match your needs and goals. Heidi Tolliver-Walker plays with four different AI image generating platforms.

You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide…from Advertising

Published June 11, 2025

You can run, but you can’t hide from advertising. From a marketer’s perspective, that’s a good thing. We can reach consumers anywhere, anytime. But are there limits to what consumers will tolerate?

RRD Launches Iridio: “Down the Street and Across the World”

Published June 4, 2025

RRD’s launch of Iridio is more than a rebrand. It’s RRD’s answer to today’s most pressing marketing challenges: complexity, fragmentation, and the pressure to do more with less.

Industry Benchmarks Are Great: First-Hand Interviews Are Better

Published May 29, 2025

When Missive thought it was doing everything right, and yet its online conversions were stagnant, what did it do? It interviewed customers and tweaked its home page based on what it learned. Heidi Tolliver-Walker offers takeaways from a fascinating Marketing Sherpa case study.

Cart First, Buy Later: Marketing in the Age of Strategic Shopping Delays

Published May 27, 2025

Historically, direct marketers design their campaigns around the quintuplet of offer, design, messaging, list, and timing. But according to a survey by Wunderkind, brands must now consider another factor, as well: intentional, planned delay.

Is AI Gender-Biasing Your Print Hires?

Published May 14, 2025

An increasing number of companies are using artificial intelligence to screen resumes and streamline their hiring processes. In doing so, they may inadvertently be perpetuating gender bias, especially in traditionally male-dominated roles like sales and management.

Is Your Workplace Woman-Friendly?

Published May 7, 2025

A study from CNBC and Survey Monkey details the needs of women in the workplace. For printers wanting to increase their workforce or retain the women on their teams, what does the data say?

Michelle Moxley Talks “Text Over Image” Generation, Now Within ChatGPT

Published April 30, 2025

WhatTheyThink interviews AI expert, graphic designer, and app creator Michelle Moxley about paid versions of ChatGPT now incorporating Dall-E 3, which is able to add detailed text to AI-generated images for the first time. For Moxley, the new feature is not just cool. It has changed her business.

Customer Experience Lessons from BioLife

Published April 23, 2025

Want to see how print and digital communications can be integrated to support an outstanding donor experience? BioLife offers a master class.

What Do Tariffs Mean for the Promotional Products Industry?

Published April 16, 2025

As printers seek to diversify their product offerings, promotional products have been a frequent area of interest. But many of these items come—in whole or in part—from countries now subject to tariffs. Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps a Print + Promo Marketing webinar with leaders in the promotional industry on the topic of tariffs.

Building Emotional Connection on the Back End

Published April 9, 2025

When we think about clients “building trust” with their customers, we generally think about what happens on the front end. But what happens on the back end matters more than we might think. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some key takeaways from a new study from Bloomreach/eMarketer, “The Power of Trust and Emotions in Building Customer Loyalty.”

Marketing Takeaways from a Columbia University Teacher’s Study

Published April 2, 2025

A new study from Columbia University Teacher’s College shows, once again, that students process information more deeply and accurately in print than on digital screens. What are the implications for print versus digital marketing?

Today’s AI: So Good You Don’t Need Humans (Except You Do)

Published March 31, 2025

At first blush, AI has gotten so good that we no longer need people. It replaces copywriters, data analysts, and marketing campaign developers. Then you look deeper, and AI has downsides that may not be noticeable right away. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains how those downsides fundamentally change how we think about and use AI.

What’s the Deal with AI and Copyright Infringement?

Published March 26, 2025

Do text and images created with generative AI violate constitute copyright infringement? More and more lawsuits claim that it does. But why? Let’s take a look at the issues behind the concerns.

Lessons from the Texas Tetas

Published March 19, 2025

Is it really possible that nobody noticed these spectacular design fails until it was too late? The tale of New Era’s Overlap hats is a cautionary one for all of us.

The Four Things Employees Need from You

Published March 12, 2025

Whether you lead a printing company or a country, you are leading people. Although most of us will never lead a sovereign nation, Gallup’s recent “Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want” contains insights that leaders in our industry can take to heart.

Imagine: Working with a Full Toolbox

Published March 11, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker profiles Imagine, a Twin Cities, Minn.-based print business with four locations nationwide, each of which focuses on a different market. Imagine is the subject of the latest WhatTheyThink Films Profiles in Print documentary.

Legislative Sub-Committee Seeks Public Feedback on Bills Impacting the Print Community

Published March 5, 2025

The House Financial Services Committee is requesting feedback from the public on a variety of topics of importance to the printing industry. It is also considering The Improving Disclosure for Investors Act previously reported on by WhatTheyThink.

Using AI to Create a Podcast: A Real-Life Walk-Through

Published February 26, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker uses a label printer's recent advertising campaign to show how to use AI to create a podcast.

Expect to See More of Those Conversational Ads

Published February 19, 2025

According to Smartly’s 2025 Digital Trends Report, 74% of marketers are increasing their investment in conversational ads. What are conversational ads? What you need to know from Smartly’s new report.

What’s in Store for Packaging in 2025?

Published February 12, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some sustainability takeaways from Esko’s 2025 Packaging Trends Report.

USPS Informed Delivery Daily Digest Opens Continue to Drop: What’s It Mean? (If Anything)

Published February 5, 2025

Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look at the current status of the USPS’s Informed Delivery. Although it’s growing, open rates are declining. What does this mean?

AI Checkers: The Reason to Use Less AI

Published January 29, 2025

Using AI-generated copy makes content development faster and easier. But AI copy is increasingly easy to spot, aided by the power of AI checkers. This undermines the value of content marketing. Plus, it’s embarrassing to get busted.

The Reality Beyond the Walmart “Refreshed Logo” Controversy

Published January 22, 2025

Earlier this month, Walmart announced a “comprehensive rebrand refresh” that is igniting ire from the social media community. Is the hullabaloo really about the similarity of the new logo to the old one? Or is there more to it?

Is AI Destroying the Planet?

Published January 15, 2025

When we talk about AI, we tend to talk about the impact on human tasks. But all of AI’s benefits come at an environmental cost, and that’s not something we generally think about.

Does the Upcoming Improving Disclosure for Investment Act Actually Improve Anything?

Published January 8, 2025

The Improving Disclosure for Investment Act, S3815, allows financial companies to default investors into e-delivery, even if they previously selected for print delivery in the past. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains what this pending legislation means for printers—and for investors.

B2B Marketers: Budgets Up, Expectations Down

Published December 18, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at a new report that found that as B2B marketers are increasing their marketing budgets for 2025, they are lowering expectations by setting less lofty KPIs. Why?

Paper Checks Are Still a Thing?

Published December 11, 2024

Do you still pay by check? If so, you’re not alone. According to The Federal Reserve, there were 3.1 billion commercial check transactions in 2023. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the persistence of the paper check.

A Look at Your Brain on Gratitude

Published December 4, 2024

The value of gratitude isn’t just a nice idea around the holidays—it’s scientifically proven to produce positive effects through changes in the brain. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains how.

Why Checklists Really Make a Difference

Published November 20, 2024

Checklists reduce mistakes—a lot. Heidi Tolliver-Waller looks at how so simple a tool can reduce or eliminate mistakes in surgery, aviation—and even printing.

Success Is Not Always Trusting Your Gut Instinct

Published November 13, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains how to protect ourselves from our own brains.

Resurgence of “Catalogs the White”

Published November 6, 2024

After a decline, catalogs are on the rise again. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the resurgence of print catalogs—and how they have changed with the times.

Cereus Graphics Quietly Steals the Show

Published November 5, 2024

Phoenix, Ariz.’s Cereus Graphics recently won multiple awards from the Foil and Special Effects Association (FSEA) for Excellence in Foil Stamping and Embossing—a nice way for a company to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Heidi Tolliver-Walker chronicles Cereus Graphics’ journey.

Consumers on Four Factors That Influence Brand Trust

Published October 30, 2024

Remember the days when we used to talk about using personalization to drive sales? Today, we’re hearing more about personalization being used to drive things much more difficult to quantify, such as brand loyalty and brand trust. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at nuggets from Marigold’s just-released survey “Relationship Marketing Trends: Brand Rankings Report.”

Using Chat GPT to Analyze the Most Effective Subject Lines

Published October 24, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker explores how forms and labels manufacturer Wise used ChatGPT to effectively evaluate its marketing campaign.

What Do Users Really Think of USPS Informed Delivery?

Published October 16, 2024

A look at the most recent USPS Informed Delivery update (June 2023–June 2024), including updated user stats, the latest open and click-through rates, and number of Informed Delivery campaigns.

Could Community Impact Be Your Next Marketing Tool?

Published October 9, 2024

What is a Director of Impact? This is a role within a company that develops and leads programs focused on community growth, investment, and well-being, ensuring that sustainable practices are woven into all decision-making. Good vibes and good press have every bit as much an opportunity to benefit and differentiate a printer’s business as it does any other. Heidi Tolliver-Walker explains.

Technology Outlook: Software and Workflow

Published October 2, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps WhatTheyThink’s recent Technology Outlook webinar on software and workflow in which Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee looked at the trends and technology introductions in this category.

Binding and Finishing: Don’t Miss the Innovations

Published September 25, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps last month’s Technology Outlook webinar on binding, finishing, and embellishment in which Kevin Abergel and Trish Witkowski provided a 50,000-foot look at the trends and technology introductions in the category.

Happy Employees, Happy Bottom Line

Published September 18, 2024

When done right, employee recognition not only engages employees and boosts morale, but it can improve an organization’s financial success. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at a recent report on the benefits of employee recognition programs.

Technology Outlook: What’s the Future of Production Print?

Published September 11, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps last month’s Technology Outlook webinar on production print, which covered offset, toner, and inkjet.

Technology Outlook: Transformation of Labels and Packaging

Published September 4, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps last month’s WhatTheyThink webinar “Labels and Packaging Are Transforming,” part of the Technology Outlook Week LunchNLearn Webinar Series.

Got AI Image Generation? Sometimes You Should

Published August 29, 2024

If you haven’t yet tried AI image generation, here’s a fun fact you might not know: You can do more than simply create images. You can choose their style, as well.

Pass the Hamburger, Hold the AI (A McDonald’s Cautionary Tale)

Published August 14, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at McDonald’s recent ill-fated experiment with AI drive-throughs. A cautionary tale for anyone interested in implementing AI.

Is Your Direct Mail Volume Growing, Too?

Published August 7, 2024

Much has been said about the declines in the volume of direct mail. As the volume in the mailbox has decreased, however, much is also being made about the direct mail’s increase in effectiveness when it does arrive. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some data that find that direct mail’s effectiveness is fueling its comeback.

Amazon’s Switch to Paper Fillers: Sustainable, but Highly Profitable

Published July 31, 2024

Amazon is eliminating its use of air pillows for its e-commerce packaging in favor of paper fillers. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at the real benefits of this switch.

Growth in Shopping and Dining Drive Opportunities in Wide Format

Published July 24, 2024

Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at two of the biggest markets for wide-format graphics: retail and dining.

Do Buyers Care About AI-Generated Video?

Published July 17, 2024

With video one of the hottest trends in marketing, the role of advising customers on the use of video (or even offering video services yourself) has the potential to add real value to the consultative partnership between printers and their customers. Is AI-generated video an option? Heidi Tolliver-Walker takes a look at the perception of AI video among consumers.