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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is a game-changer. It offers opportunities to enhance creativity, efficiency, and precision in the execution of packaging projects, reshaping the landscape. Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee show you where to start. Read More
Cary Sherburne rounds up some of the latest trends and data regarding packaging sustainability—and consumers’ perceptions of and attitudes to sustainable packaging. Read More
Automation in commercial print depends on more than just software—it relies on smart, secure, and well-timed connectivity between systems. This article breaks down the four most common integration methods—REST APIs, Webhooks, EDI, and JDF/JMF—and explains when to use each based on speed, scale, and workflow needs. If you're looking to streamline operations, reduce manual tasks, and future-proof your print business, understanding these data exchange tools is essential. Read More
Production inkjet has reached the offset quality barrier, and digitalized analog printing is targeting shorter run, so some believe that it is the death knell for electrophotography (EP), aka “toner.” Although, as Mark Twain said, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” and based on trends and recent developments in EP technology, I believe that is the case here as well. Read More
From dashboards to diapers, inkjet printing has gone way beyond the label. Mary Schilling demonstrates how a once-humble tech is reshaping how we design, manufacture, and interact with the world around us. Read More
With a hybridized approach, two printing processes can be better than one printing process—even if the processes are fundamentally different from each other. Patrick Henry explains. Read More
The WhatTheyThink Technology Outlook Annual is now available and should have hit subscribers' mailboxes last week. This week and next, we’ll be featuring the articles from our Sixth Annual Technology Outlook, starting with Production Print. Read More
WhatTheyThink contributor Kelly Lawrence looks at the state of all the facets of inkjet in the commercial print and related segments. Read More
The packaging floor doesn’t look like it used to. Shorter runs, faster turnarounds, personalization, labor shortages, and sustainability mandates are reshaping how converters operate. Digital print is no longer optional—it’s becoming essential for agility, customer retention, and growth. The diagram below shows digital’s progression in folding carton: it has established an entry position (phase 1) and is expected to gain share from analog technologies like offset as performance and cost improve. In this article, Keypoint Intelligence explores how digital print delivers speed, flexibility, and responsiveness—giving adopters a competitive edge in meeting today’s evolving packaging demands. Read More
An AI ad campaign in NYC may go down as one of the most extensive sign defacements in history. Not one, but two Amazon drones collided with a construction crane in Arizona. An unlikely 21st century caper: an international rare books heist. The Equal Earth Map attempts to accurately represent the relative sizes of the Earth’s landmasses. A futureproof electric outlet concept. Eliminate plastic waste with a hydrogen-powered plasma torch—yes, please! In 1955, Orson Welles looked back at his 1938 “War of the Words” broadcast. Email a Melbourne tree. And perhaps ask it, can plants do math? Try the Victorian tapeworm diet. The Gaia Space Telescope’s 3D star map. What are you going to be cooking and—ostensibly—eating in 2026? (We hope you like beef tallow.) Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
The leap from content on the printed page to its equivalent in three dimensions has never been easier to accomplish. The question is whether the leap is worth taking. Patrick Henry looks at two solutions. Read More
Our discussions with converters, suppliers, and industry leaders at Labelexpo Europe uncovered both optimism and hesitation about the future, but one thing became abundantly clear: waiting on digital in package printing is no longer an option. This article provides a brief overview of what we heard during our discussions at the show as well as our opinions about their potential implications. Read More
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. Read More
Portrait Capital launches new specialty label platform, and more … Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decisions series, Wayne Lynn explains what’s needed to successfully implement a solution to your problem. Read More
At drupa, Canon teased their early development of a digital corrugated press. It’s no longer a tease, and at the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) biennial event, Canon introduced their rumored corrugated press, this time with details. Considering the amount of time digital corrugated presses have been available, you would have expected that adoption would be much higher than the few hundred installed globally today. Canon is looking to change that with the CORRPRESS IB17. Read More
Digital printing adoption in Central Asia is on a steady upward trajectory. The demand for digital print solutions is being driven by several factors, including economic growth, the rapid increase in short-run jobs for digital packaging, labels, and publications, and the growth of e-commerce. WhatTheyThink contributor Oleg Litvinov reports on his visit to two Kazakhstan print businesses. Read More
Do you know what happens to the stuff you recycle? How much of it actually gets recycled, and how much ends up in landfills? A lot depends on your behavior, but also where you live. This includes packaging, textiles, plastics, and more. TOMRA has some answers. Read More
Publishing had a rough time during the pandemic, although all three publishing segments—especially books—saw a rebound afterwards, with a leveling off as revenues returned to trend. Advertising in general has been on a steep rise. Read More
Merriam-Webster is releasing a new edition—the Twelfth—of its Collegiate dictionary. AOL is discontinuing its dial-up service (which still exists?). A walking 3D printer robot that builds walls. Turning discarded solo cups into textiles. What is the oldest letter in the Latin alphabet? “Inflation” in a different sense than we’re used to: inflatables, a growing marketing medium. Who was the first person to ever appear on television? A Beijing bodega staffed by a humanoid robot. Put your humanity to the test with a new online game called I’m Not a Robot. Graphene-based batteries to power next-gen drones. In one public restroom, watch an ad to get toilet paper. Would you pay $38 for a jar of Pamela Anderson-branded pickles? Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
In today’s environment, when shopping for printing equipment, it’s time to move beyond the table-top beauty contest. Evaluating pre- and post-install inkjet systems based on visual inspection alone is not just outdated, it is risky. Mary Schilling explains why buyers need to shift to quantitative Print Quality Analysis (PQA). Read More
Although it has long been associated with water pollution and excess waste, the textile printing industry is undergoing numerous changes to do its part in becoming more environmentally conscious. This article explores just some of the practices that are helping to transform textile printing in our modern world. Read More
Canon has upgraded its Colorado Series of wide-format printers with the Colorado XL, a 3.4m-wide device that prints on both rollfed and rigid media. Read More
On September 6, 2025, the $80 million acquisition bid by FIMI was accepted by the Central District Court, giving the private equity firm 100% ownership of the Landa Corporation. Importantly, the reorganization is designed to keep the company operational and provide a solid path forward, more than 20% of their customers have placed a repeat order for a second or third press. So how do they keep it going and growing? Read More
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.” Read More
Labelexpo has been evolving for years to better reflect the market and importantly the converter and exhibitor preferences. Initially, the extension brought flex pack to the event, and this year was also saw some folding carton solutions. While many service providers were selling print and packaging and therefore purchasing consumables and software solutions, between the confusing tariff situation and multiple conflict zones, they were holding back on equipment purchases. Based on the discussions with many exhibitors at Labelexpo, that may be changing. Read More
Web-to-Print (W2P) has evolved from a convenience to a must-have for today’s print businesses. With a projected market value exceeding $30 billion by 2028, W2P delivers speed, scalability, and seamless customer experiences across all print segments—from commercial to packaging. But its value isn’t limited to online storefronts. Integrated W2P platforms reduce job onboarding by up to 70%, enable faster sales cycles, and open new revenue channels. If you’re not leveraging W2P as a strategic asset, you’re likely losing ground. This is why now is the time to invest—and make W2P your print shop’s competitive advantage. Read More
The PRINTING United Expo has become one of the most anticipated industry events of the year. This year, it comes to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., October 22–24. Find out what new and returning events and features visitors will have in store for them. Read More
Among other things, 2025 is set to become the most uncertain year in recent memory relative to tariffs—which countries are affected, what percent each is assigned, and whether the tariffs, as assessed by the current administration, are even legal. This article looks into how the textiles and apparel industry has been impacted. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2021 there were 708 establishments in NAICS 32222 (Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -14% since 2010. In macro news, Q2 GDP growth was revised up to 3.8%. Read More
A recession indicator with which we are unfamiliar: the cardboard box index. When was the first graphic T-shirt ever produced? We’ve all heard of novelizations of movies, but what about book coverizations? “Will you pay a premium for Montblanc's e-ink notebook?” The winners of this year’s Ig Nobel Prizes. Kodak has introduced the Charmera, a mini digital keychain camera. Samsung is unleashing refrigerators with video screens that play ads. A line of mirrors inspired by…baggage retrieval carousels? “Breakthrough for Organ Transplants May Be Realized by Turning Organs into Glass.” The James Webb Space Telescope found “strange dark beads” in Saturn’s atmosphere. In the late 19th-century/early 20th-century, watching train wrecks was the height of popular entertainment. Lost shopping carts have a very high carbon footprint. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Collaborating with the Mariano Rivera Foundation, Sharp has developed an equipment-focused curriculum that gives its graduates a full set of ready-to-hire job skills. Read More
Is the rise of artificial intelligence a death knell for human creativity, or the dawn of a new, technologically-enhanced renaissance for artisans? In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan explores that question and provides key takeaways derived from a Heimtextil survey, as we enter this chapter of human history. Read More
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. Read More
Every print operation, whether in-plant or commercial, depends on skilled people to meet deadlines and deliver with precision. Workforce development is now a strategic necessity, with continuous training across all experience levels a key to staying competitive. Here are practical strategies to build a high-performing team by addressing the unique training needs of new hires, mid-career staff, and employees transitioning into new roles. Read More
Issue 3 of the WhatTheyThink Quarterly Journal, the “Intelligent Automation” issue, looks at different aspects of automation as it relates to the printing industry: the so-called “smart factory”; augmented and artificial intelligence, and the evolution from Industry 4.0—where cloud communications and data sourcing are fairly commonplace—to Industry 5.0, where we use that platform to build distributed value chains, remote production, and cyber physical systems; intelligent automation in the context of packaging; and automation is human resources (HR). Join us as WhatTheyThink’s regular and guest contributors look at the topic from a variety of angles. Read More
Taktiful president and WhatTheyThink contributor Kevin Abergel takes a deep dive into the psychology of texture and how it applies to print and packaging. Read More
The Online Print Symposium evolves into the Online Print Summit // New location: Alte Kongresshalle // New event concept increases the density and depth of topics // OPS motto: “Re:Inventing Print for the On-Demand Era” // OPS website is online—ticket sales have started Read More
Strongbow hard cider is integrating NaviLens codes into its packaging to help the visually impaired. A contender for the world’s most boring book. “A powered boxcutter that slices through even dual-layered cardboard with little effort.” Cologne and perfume designed for old computer gaming nostalgia, somehow. When in Manchester, N.H., visit the monument to Ralph Henry Baer, inventor of the video game. Media outlets unquestioningly repeat fake news about a “pregnancy robot.” Graphene defies the laws of physics! Terrific, now AI thinks it’s God. NYC rats have a distinct “language” and adapt their vocalizations as ambient conditions change. The fastest 100-meter sprint…over LEGO bricks…while barefoot. Competitive massage is apparently a thing. Yikes—having a late breakfast could be a death sentence. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
In recent years, marketers have been shifting their budgets into digital channels. But as inboxes overflow, internet displays are ignored, and cookies disappear, a familiar/traditional option is gaining new relevance: direct mail. Keypoint Intelligence shares highlights from its US Digital Production Printing Application Forecast (2024–2029). Read More
It’s now more important than ever for printers to understand press utilization, automation, and emerging technologies so they can make the right investments. Citing recent research from Keypoint Intelligence, this article offers recommendations to help print service providers make the most of their capabilities. Read More
Earlier this year, the Signarama franchise held its SARCON conference and annual awards program. Meet three of this year’s award winners. Read More
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. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decisions series, Wayne Lynn explains how all the previous steps of the decision-making process have led up to the moment when you decide the ultimate solution. Read More
Gallus has just introduced their new System to Compose platform. It is designed with their vision of complete flexibility to manage both the specific and constantly changing packaging requirements of brands and converters. Read More
Web-to-Print (W2P) has evolved from a convenience to a must-have for today’s print businesses. With a projected market value exceeding $30 billion by 2028, W2P delivers speed, scalability, and seamless customer experiences across all print segments—from commercial to packaging. But its value isn’t limited to online storefronts. Integrated W2P platforms reduce job onboarding by up to 70%, enable faster sales cycles, and open new revenue channels. If you’re not leveraging W2P as a strategic asset, you’re likely losing ground. This is why now is the time to invest—and make W2P your print shop’s competitive advantage. Read More
Hanway, a part of the HanGlory Group, previews its digital inkjet technology for the corrugated market that it will be showcasing at Pack Expo 2025. Read More
For those of you who appreciate words as much as I do, here are the latest additions to the Cambridge Dictionary…especially if you are hiring GenZ folks—which you should be—you may hear these terms around the office or shop. Now you’ll know what they mean! Read More
Net printing employment in July 2025 saw printing industry employment decline 0.9% from June—overall, production employment was down 0.9% and non-production employment also down by 0.9%. Read More
In 1937, a group of Dutch students created remarkable art using only typewriters. A 3D-printed business card embosser. An iPhone “leash” that lets you wear an iPhone—or vice versa. A new, unique print publication called “Inque.” A new, 4-inch diameter vinyl record format. A pneumatically height-adjustable candlestick. FAFO with a smart toaster that has 38 different presets. A multi-functional oven featuring graphene heating tech. A humanoid robot that loads a dishwasher without breaking anything. Tuscany’s Giardino dei Tarocchi, giant sculptures that depict the main figures depicted on Tarot cards. An upsettingly large number of mundane things used to be punishable by death. Red Lobster’s “Endless Shrimp” is back…sort of. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Looking for quality T-shirts that will last? Buyer beware! Price may not be the primary determining factor according to a recent study from the University of Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC). This article provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan. Read More
WhatTheyThink contributor David Zwang reviews the latest technology and product announcements from manufacturers of label and packaging solutions, highlighting key trends, innovative solutions from major vendors, and new features and applications shaping the future of the industry. Plus recommended reading for deeper insights into technology, strategy and market opportunities. Read More
An industry classic has been reimagined for a new audience in a format that all devotees of print will be certain to admire. Read More
Last year at this time, our view from the perspective of M&A activity in the printing, packaging, and related graphic communications industries was effectively an acknowledgement that the pandemic was finally and firmly in the rearview mirror. Many printing and packaging businesses were doing well, feeling their way to a new normal as the post-Covid demand bulge flattened out. We noted that some bumps were apparent on the road ahead. Many of those bumps have proven challenging for owners to navigate over the past year. Read More
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. Read More
WhatTheyThink contributor Kelly Lawrence reviews the latest production inkjet technologies and product announcements, highlighting new press features, their impact on print businesses, and the trends driving growth and profitability. She also shares strategies for streamlining operations, differentiating your inkjet offering, and key questions to ask vendors at upcoming events. Plus recommended reading for deeper insights into production technology strategy and market opportunities. Read More
In consumer product industries there is a constant pressure to get to market faster. This creates a lot of primary and supporting challenges across the supply chain. For example, when you want to go faster, how do you keep the process as a whole high quality and at high compliance level? Read More
Canon U.S.A., Inc., has extensive experience with inkjet for commercial applications and maintains a leading global position. Now it is time for them to enter the label and packaging press market with a successful new approach, initially for labels and then corrugated and folding carton in the future. Read More
There’s no question that artificial intelligence (AI) tools are evolving rapidly. But not without issues—copyright, privacy, and recent “spicy” images generated by X’s Grok without being prompted. This article explains some of the challenges with the “training” that AI systems undergo to enable them to answer a broad range of queries. Read More
The Tactile Media Alliance is a kind of trade organization for touch-minded designers. A forthcoming book collects print ads from the 1930s. In Minneapolis, 60 knitting enthusiasts gather at a local cinema to watch a movie while knitting. Wikipedia has compiled a list of signs of AI writing for use by editors. A sign publication showcases the work of manual signpainters. Aluminum “sculptural” house numbers from a Dutch artist. reMarkable’s new Paper Pro Move, a pocket-sized version of its color E Ink tablet. A robot that can walk on water. Fashion’s brief flirtation with glass dresses. Graphene heat dissipation boosts performance of AR displays. VTV is a parody of the original MTV that collects the silliest novelty songs ever recorded. “The Secret to a Perfect McDonald’s Burger.” Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 266 establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease in establishments of -24% since 2012. In macro news, Q2 GDP growth was revised up. Read More
Staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever in today's rapidly evolving business environment. Today’s landscape demands a skilled and adaptable workforce, and this means that good employee training is critical. This article explores how to measure the impact of training programs while understanding the value that they can bring to your organization. Read More
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. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decisions series, Wayne Lynn explores how to amass a set of promising solutions to the initial problem. Read More
Biometric technologies—like fingerprint and facial recognition—are used in many print shops for time tracking and access control. Based on how privacy laws are written and enforced, there is a conflict setting up worth knowing. Illinois' BIPA law sets strict rules around how this sensitive data is collected, stored, and shared, with big penalties for non-compliance—even without proven harm. Other states are following suit. If your shop uses biometrics, now is the time to understand the risks, review your policies, and ensure you're compliant. This article breaks down what BIPA means, how it impacts your shop, and how to stay ahead of biometric privacy laws across the U.S. Read More
June 2025 shipments came in at $7.33 billion, down only very slightly from May’s $7.41 billion. Read More
Remembering the prolific and largely anonymous graphic designer Joseph Caroff. Marking the 70th anniversary of the “Guinness Book of Records.” News editors band together and bring eight local Wyoming newspapers back from closure. “Before Hackernews, before Twitter, before blogs, before the web had been spun, when the internet just was four universities in a trenchcoat, there was ‘BYTE’”—now completely archived online. After 158 years, maybe the QWERTY keyboard layout is due for a refresh. How to “deliver a school wayfinding system on a tight deadline and at a low cost.” A monument near Grover’s Mill, N.J., commemorates a fictional alien invasion. A new graphene-based sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes based on a breath sample. “Radioactive shrimp”?!? Exploring the history of the medieval “Wound Man.” “What if there were a mole (the unit) of moles (the animal)?” The first-ever (and hopefully last-ever) Tomato Ketchup Smoothie. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
The WhatTheyThink Annual Technology Outlook 2025 is our yearly review of “what’s new” in the printing industry through a series of webinars. Throughout the week, we will look at the business trends that will help shape our future, with an emphasis on the new technologies that drive product development. Read More
Textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan recently convened an expert panel to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities posed by the textile industry’s transformation while highlighting strategies for success in this evolving landscape. These insights reveal how cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing everything from design conception to final production. Read More
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. Read More
It is critical for top sales leaders to be able to manage their managers. This is not a new concept but in today’s business climate, it rises to the top of most valuable skills required for success. Mark Pomerantz looks at the strategies of why and how to “manage up.” Read More
Although there are some efforts to reshore apparel manufacturing to the U.S., it’s far from reaching a meaningful scale. Meanwhile, supply chains are in a bit of disarray with tariffs and the associated uncertainty. Imports from China are falling off a cliff. Will that benefit other countries like the Dominican Republic and Mexico? Seems so. But the jury is still out, and Asian countries are still the primary exporters of apparel to the U.S. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 567 establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing). This category saw a net increase of 15% since 2010. In macro news,inflation is creeping up. Read More
Denmark is eliminating its steep book tax to encourage reading. Ersatz signage letting time-strapped moviegoers know whether they can leave after the final scene without missing anything. A 90-degree stapler for securing packaging. The “limitless insight found within the limited space of single panel comics.” An artist upcycles objects like junk mail and pencils to create elaborately layered, sculptural pieces. Nineteenth-century Welsh singer Margaret Watts Hughes could “sing” paintings. A new generation of AI-enabled toys for children could be trouble waiting to happen. Graphene-enhanced workwear for women. Highlights from China’s inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games. Good grief—men are deliberately breaking their legs and having them lengthened in a bid to become taller. The moment we realize we did an AtW item already… How about…strawberry salt? Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Artificial intelligence is redefining how information is captured, processed, secured, and shared. No longer a futuristic concept, AI is a practical tool that is being embedded in daily operations. As AI becomes more integrated into the way work gets done, providers that can pair smart technology with strategic guidance will be well-positioned to lead the charge. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decisions series, Wayne Lynn focus on understanding the root causes of a particular problem: identifying them, forming hypotheses to test them as the true cause, and verifying factual input separately from opinions of interested stakeholders. Read More
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. Read More
From buying the world a Coke to sharing a Coke, the Coca Cola Company is a master at building the earworms that get stuck in our consciousness. They are back again with a refresh of the Share-a-Coke campaign from more than a decade ago, but this time it’s targeted to the GenZ consumers who may not remember it! Read More
Mainstream applications for screen printing have a weak outlook, but the technology will continue to be profitable for functional and industrial applications, such as electronics, promotional items, and apparel, according to new forecasting from Smithers. Read More
Algae Ink™ uses bio-based waste streams for a sustainable black ink alternative, Cary Sherburne talks with Devon Murrie, Director of Partnerships and Strategic Growth for Living Ink Technologies. Read More
While industry headlines often spotlight the largest players, it’s the small and mid-sized print service providers that are quietly reshaping wide-format printing. Operating with lean teams and tight footprints, these businesses are driving growth through fast service, niche applications, and smart investments. Keypoint Intelligence’s latest study, Beyond the Big Shops, uncovers how they’re doing it and why vendors should be paying attention. Read More
Highlights from this year’s graduating class from Otis College’s Product Design program. A tale of two “typewriter artists.” A “robotic tattooing machine.” A pair of high-tech self-warming socks that, alas, worked all too well. Apple is changing the admittedly obsolete hard drive desktop icon in the next Mac OS. The sad story of “Wavy Dave,” a 3D-printed, crab-bot programmed to wave at other crabs. RealMe’s new smartphone features graphene cooling technology. Butter made from atmospheric carbon dioxide. The Incas’ string-based “writing” system was not just for the elite. “Why are farmers playing jazz music to cows?” Colossal Biosciences’ next “de-extincting” project: the giant moa. Kraft is introducing pizza-flavored Mac & Cheese—and they’ll even deliver it. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
In this week's post compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor, Debbie McKeegan takes on fashion's obsession with volume and explains why that has created a dangerous pattern. Read More
This article, written and sponsored by HanGlory, introduces HanGlobal, a division of the HanGlory Group designed to lead the label and publication printing business into the digital age. Learn about the range of equipment solutions that will be on display at Labelexpo in Barcelona next month. Read More
This success story, written and sponsored by Duplo, highlights how the Texas-based company created new opportunities by integrating the DDC-810 Raised Spot UV Coater into their workflow. Read More
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. Read More
Canon has extensive experience with inkjet for commercial applications and maintains a leading global position. Now it is time for them to enter the label and packaging press market with a successful new approach, initially for labels and then corrugated and folding carton in the future. With the depth and breadth of this projected packaging product line, it could ultimately give Canon the largest footprint this segment of the industry. Read More
Battle Erupts over Dallas Morning News, and more … Read More
Strategies for OEMs and brands to support the growth of the digital embellishment category and the expansion of the profit pool available to print service providers and the brands they serve. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,885 establishments in NAICS 32221 (Paperboard Container Manufacturing). This category saw a net decrease of 15% since 2010. In macro news,checking in with Calculated Risk’s “Recession Watch.” Read More
When in England’s Lake District, be sure to stop by the Derwent Pencil Museum. If you’re looking for a unique movie, try 1966’s horror film Incubus, starring William Shatner and made entirely in Esperanto. Designers and other creatives are integrating AI into the design process without “relinquishing authorship.” Delivering vaccines via dental floss. Peacock feathers can emit laser beams! A coffee table with a live traffic map integrated into it. On September 2, 1882, William N. Jenkins took the first photograph of lightning, which revolutionized our understanding of it. An innovative graphene paint capable of generating heat through electrical power. A low-cost home colling option: smear yogurt on your windows. Life in a round house…that rotates. The perhaps iconic “Poltergeist House” is now an AirBnB. Wendy’s “Wednesday” tie-in is an Unhappy Meal indeed. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Sustainability goals are everywhere in today’s world—there’s waste reduction, recyclable packaging, commitments to carbon neutrality, forest restoration, and conservation of resources. These initiatives are a start, but ambition alone isn’t enough to make a difference. This article explores the necessity of structure and systems when developing a sustainability strategy that stands out. Read More
Last month’s floods in Texas personally affected the owners of Signarama San Antonio, who launched a sign donation project to raise funds for relief efforts. Before long, other Signarama centers stepped up to help out. Read More
Albert Einstein once said that the formulation of a problem is more essential than its solution; poorly thought through solutions could eventually be the root cause of an even worse future problem. In the latest installment of the Smart Decisions series, Wayne Lynn explores how to make sure you know what the actual problem is before you try to solve it. Read More
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. Read More
The postcard. So versatile. So easy to design. Easy to mail. So easy that it may not be the most effective direct mail format for every campaign. Here are some ideas to consider when the next direct mail opportunity comes up! Read More
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock lately, you will have seen a ton of information out there on artificial intelligence (AI). Much of it you probably skim over—discussions about the financials of AI companies, bits and bytes about how it works, debates over its ultimate impact on humans, etc. But what about something that helps you understand how you can actually benefit from it now? In Co-Intelligence: Living and working with AI, author Ethan Mollick does just that. We found it extremely helpful and hope you will, too. Read More
May 2025 shipments came in at $7.35 billion, down slightly from April’s $7.38 billion, an atypical May decline. Read More
Reasoning language models are easily confused by “query-agnostic adversarial triggers”—specifically, random mentions of cats. A customizable 3D-printed lamp. A round-up of five of the strangest books ever written, for your summer beach reading confusion. The New York Herald’s 1874 report on “The Central Park Zoo Escape.” A sidewalk artist turns a manhole cover into a waffle iron for a chalk-drawn possum and squirrel. Motorized trash cans that scurry about and cam automatically catch garbage in mid-air. Detroit has started using robots to pick up trash and provide other municipal services. A graphene-based brain-computer interface. The latest attempt at a practical flying car. “Radioactive wasp nest discovered at nuclear waste storage site in South Carolina”—a 1950s scifi movie maker’s fantasy. An etymological exploration of perhaps the most important word in the English language: “dude.” Battery-flavored tortilla chips, for some reason. RIP, Tom Lehrer. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Corporate climate pledges have become the ambient noise of our time. They flash across reports and websites like antivirus pop-ups on a machine already infected. The real malware is the logic that governs the system: delay action, externalize risk, and protect short-term performance at all costs. This, according to an article by Shivam Gusain, founder of Decypher, provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan. He insists that every company should be obligated to include a carbon-adjusted profit and loss line within their quarterly and annual filings which would have a real impact on how markets (and boards and shareholders) perceive the value of the company. Read on! Read More
