Get the trusted insights you need to understand our evolving industry and emerging trends. Become a Premium Member.
In this guest article by Bob Saunders, VP of Wise, talks about the advantages of being a print reseller, focusing on the fact that the repeat value of these jobs is very high and, depending on the application, can repeat for a decade or more. Read More
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. Read More
Labelexpo Europe is the biggest of all the Labelexpo events, and truly a global event. It is held every other year, with the US event held in the even years. Historically, it has been a label and converting event, but in recent years, it has seen flexible packaging solutions share the floor as the shift in packaging and demands for more sustainable solutions increase. This year, for the first time, the event will also host folding carton solutions. Read More
In this article learn how Hermon, Me.’s Snowman Group has leveraged the Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c to help grow their business. Read More
The latest study from Smithers—“The Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2030”—shows that there is room for digital production processes to expand into printing corrugated, folding carton, flexible, and rigid plastic packaging, offering greater customization, faster turnaround, and less waste, and with a print quality that increasingly matches those of established analog systems. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 9,180 establishments in NAICS 51913 (Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals). This category saw a net increase of 70% since 2010, but a 4% drop from the previous year. In macro news, ihe AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index indicated that demand for architectural design services continues to be relatively sluggish, which will impact the demand for new signage projects. Read More
A designer is entranced by the creator of colorful, handmade signs. Polaroid is promoting their new camera by tapping into “tech fatigue.” Print is not having a renaissance—because it was never dead to begin with. Ali Akbar, 72, is Paris’ last remaining newspaper hawker. To celebrate Singapore’s 60th anniversary, the National Museum of Singapore is exhibiting the country’s largest LEGO mural. Despite their reputation, the USPS was on the cutting edge of many new technologies. A ridiculous idea to use smart glasses to block physical ads. A temporary tattoo that can quickly tell you if someone has spiked your drink. Graphene Manufacturing Group is granted a battery patent. An all-terrain motorized bed. Limited-edition Guinness-flavored ice cream. RIP, Ozzy! Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Richard Romano provides an overview of how AI is being used in the sign industry, with a meditation on how AI as a technology is analogous to previous technological advancements. Read More
Predictability has always been a quiet partner in the printing industry, but lately it feels more like a luxury. Tariffs are creating ripple effects that touch every layer of the business: rising costs on substrates, longer lead times for imported components, and shifting strategies on everything from pricing to production. Businesses around the world are feeling the strain. This article discusses how tariffs are affecting the wide-format industry and considers how artificial intelligence and automation can help. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at the process of solving problems and, in addition, finding the leverage points that keep problems solved instead of becoming the seeds of the next-level problem that replaces it. Read More
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. Read More
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now poised to revolutionize print MIS by enhancing financial intelligence and improving budgeted hourly rates (BHRs). AI can analyze past data to keep BHRs accurate, suggesting adjustments when discrepancies arise. It can also assist in creating estimates for customer quotes by evaluating historical data and pricing conditions. Here is what to expect. Read More
Digital embellishment boosts margins, enhances efficiency, and meets rising demand for premium, sustainable packaging. With consumer preference shifting toward tactile, luxury print, it’s the key to standing out, scaling smartly, and future-proofing your business. The time to invest is now—embellishment is no longer optional, it’s the new industry standard. Read More
Net printing employment in May 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively flat (on net) from April—overall, production employment was down 0.5% and non-production employment up by 0.6%. Read More
The Bayeux Tapestry is headed to Britain for the first time in 900 years. Digital outdoor signage that can automatically detect spine problems as people walk past it. Which was invented first: the photocopier or the fax machine? The very creepy sounding “Skincase” is a smartphone case that almost perfectly simulates human skin. A kind of “buoy” for smartphones that get dropped in water. How long would it take for robotaxis to become profitable? A graphene-based artificial tongue displays near-human sense of taste. Constructing the table for the recent G7 Summit. Using radioactive cats to warn future humans. The first ever “Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off” was held in Riverside Park last weekend. Why is there a curved bulge at the top of some pint glasses? Find out the winner of this year’s International Whisky Competition for Best Bourbon. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
HR is complicated. It couldn’t be otherwise, because its domain is people. Changing laws and shifting societal trends add to the challenge of doing HR the right way. Here’s some guidance from experts. Read More
Arvind Limited, one of India’s largest textile manufacturers, is building what it calls a “near carbon neutral” wet processing facility, a part of the supply chain typically ignored by brands, underfunded by VCs, and misunderstood by climate advocates, as reported by Shivan Gusain, founder of Decypher, and provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan. The numbers behind this factory make it look less like a sustainability initiative and more like a carbon abatement powerhouse. Read More
David Zwang takes a close look at Canon’s imagePRESS V family of digital presses, designed with state-of-the-art engineering developments that are intended to deliver both high quality and high performance to address the needs of today’s customer. Read More
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. Read More
In this article, sponsored by Kodak, Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Continenza identifies the major challenges facing the print industry, as well as how Kodak has made a strategic priority of helping commercial printers to become more efficient, more productive and more profitable. Read More
If you don’t know your Budgeted Hourly Rates (BHRs), there is profit leaking from your business. Here are some guidelines that explain why knowing your BHRs are essential and where to look to ensure you are capturing the relevant data. Read More
It’s always a pleasure to visit family-owned printing companies that are excited about the business, adding new capabilities, and entering new markets. Ritter’s Printing & Packaging is one such company. Evolving over time from a Franklin’s franchise to a full-fledged printing and packaging (folding carton/labels) operation, they have a great story to tell. Read More
New data from Keypoint Intelligence shows rising interest in robotics among in-plant providers, fueled by labor shortages and new automation tech. What once felt like science fiction is now a strategic necessity—and this article reveals where robots are making the biggest impact and what PSPs need to know to stay competitive. Read More
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Qwerkywriter, a mechanical computer keyboard designed to resemble a traditional manual typewriter. Looking for a keyboard but don’t want to go the vintage typewriter route? Try a cheeseboard. The winners of Print magazine’s annual Print Awards, honoring the best in graphic design. Scientists use 3D printing as a kind of “evolutionary time machine.” A fake sign in Wales has become a beloved local landmark, for some reason. An emerging electronic display trend: large tablets on wheels. “Who makes a habit of sending strongly-worded letters to vermin?” A new book shows that not only was Agatha Christie a terrific mystery author but also a brilliant science communicator. A graphene-based self-healing skin-like electronic material. The world’s oldest boomerang was not Australian and did not return to the thrower. A pennyfarthing motorcycle made from tractor parts. Care to try Ernest Hemingway’s hamburger recipe? Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
This year’s FASTSIGNS Project of the Year Award went to FASTSIGNS of Missoula, Montana, for an overhaul of the University of Montana’s Lodge Dining Center—a project that included ADA signage, wall and window graphics, lit and non-lit channel letters, a “neon” sign, and more. Richard Romano talks with FASTSIGNS Missoula owner Todd Taylor. Read More
As companies race to meet increasingly ambitious sustainability goals, a new challenge is coming into focus: the “green” skills gap. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Green Skills Report, the demand for eco-aware talent is far outpacing supply. This article explores how businesses can close this gap, particularly as more individuals from Generation Z continue to enter the workforce. Read More
Pat McGrew takes a close look at PlanProphet’s new AI-powered Tools, designed specifically for print businesses, aiming to automate and elevate front office operations. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at making personal vs. business decisions, and why we are prone to making mistakes in our personal decision making. Read More
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? Read More
After 175 years in business, the company operates a well-established global network, with manufacturing and support centers in multiple countries, and has installed more than 400,000 printing presses worldwide since its inception. Like many other print equipment manufacturers, they went through some rough times, but today they are in a much better position. The question now becomes how do you maintain and leverage the leadership position and refocus for continued growth? Read More
Landa Follows Highcon into Insolvency, Vista Acquires Amtech, and more … Read More
Screen and digital printing represent two technological extremes, with the former a comparatively simple though versatile process that is mature, while digital printing is fast-growing and the subject of extensive technological development and innovation that are designed to broaden its application reach. A new market report, from Smithers, “The Future of Screen vs Digital Printing to 2030,” identifies the factors that are driving the replacement of screen with digital technologies. Read More
Here we are, 13+ years after the initial introduction of the Landa Digital Print technology. Today, there are more than 51 machines installed, and many more in the pipeline. The Landa Press technology, and their customer-centric support relationships, are fairly unique, and that is why they are growing. However, there have been internal and external headwinds to that growth, and on Sunday, June 29, Landa Digital Printing filed for a Title 10 reorganization plan in Israel. Read More
According to County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,321 establishments in NAICS 511199 (All Other Publishing). This category had been seeing a gradual decrease throughout the 2010s, but establishments shot up from 2020 to 2021, and then spiked 82% from 2021 to 2022. What?! In macro news, Q1 GDP growth revised down to -0.5%. Read More
Filmmaker Doug Wilson’s Linotype odyssey didn’t end with “Linotype: The Film.” The University of Florida’s Baldwin Library offers a digital archive of more than 10,000 historical children’s books. IEEE 1394, aka FireWire, the original computer connectivity standard that was an alternative to USB has been effectively killed. What does the Grateful Dead have to do with the Internet? Volvo’s idea of “smart seatbelts” doesn’t sound daft. ChatGPT loses to Video Chess, a 4KB chess game for the 1970s-era Atari VCS. AI has now “infiltrated” the perfume industry and it’s gotten up some people’s noses. A graphene-based food contamination detection platform. When on Martha’s Vineyard, visit the “Jaws Bridge.” Scientists recently confirmed that the shipwreck off the coast of Rhode Island was indeed that of Captain Cook’s Endeavour. How was a renowned sci-fi author involved in the invention of Pringles? Five non-bagel uses for Trader Joe’s “Everything Bagel Seasoning.” Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
In a joint effort with a company that otherwise is one of its main rivals, Heidelberg demonstrates that it isn’t always necessary to manufacture a product in order to be a competitive provider of that product. Read More
The fifth installment of a look back at Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano’s 2010 book “Disrupting the Future” looks at “the changing media mix.” Is it still changing? Is it still media? Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn explores how making effective decisions are often undermined by behavioral biases and how to remove those biases. Read More
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. Read More
The new 2025 Taktiful/WhatTheyThink Digital Embellishment Study is a close look at users of digital embellishments who use the capabilities to add special colors, effects, and textures to printed materials. The aim of the study is to understand who is using them, how often they are using them, what customer interest in them has been, and the extent to which they represent a profit center. This executive summary provides some top-level results from the study. (And don’t forget today’s webinar.) Read More
Trying to find a path to the hearts and minds of Gen Z and following cohorts takes some work. Most importantly, it takes an assessment of your current corporate culture through the eyes of a new hire in their first professional job. Here are some things Gen Z says are important. Read More
IDC Research Director Tim Greene was a bit ahead of the times when he conducted several multi-client and custom research studies on digital textile printing while he was at CAP Ventures/InfoTrends in 2014. Since those days, he sees dramatic progress and explains why. Read More
Meet Titivillus, “the medieval demon of typos.” Samsung’s new wireless, battery-powered color e-paper electronic sign. A new typeface that also includes instructions for handwriting. IKEA is switching from plastic to paper for its fastener bags. ChatGPT is perpetuating “em dash shaming.” A dating site that matches singles based on their browser histories. Smart tires can evaluate the road on which they drive. A graphene-based “methanol breathalyzer” to efficiently diagnose poisonings. “Stick Nation” is a community of stick fanciers that regularly produce “Official Stick Reviews.” Rosemary (the herb, not Clooney) may help in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Climate change is ruining cheese. Carnation collaborated with a TikToker to launch “Kickin’ Jalapeño Flavored Evaporated Milk,” a move applauded by the makers of Pepto-Bismol. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
April 2025 shipments came in at $7.35 billion, down slightly from March’s $7.36 billion, but still better than February, which isn’t saying much. Read More
Everyone knows that it’s important to protect our planet, but discussing sustainability in business settings can be challenging. When bombarded with inquiries about paper sourcing, energy efficiency, or waste reduction, sales reps might fear sounding uninformed. This article explores the emotional connection to sustainability and offers guidance so businesses can navigate these conversations effectively. Read More
The National Postal Forum attendees learned the valuable impact of leveraging AI for smarter targeting with propensity and predictive modeling, how hyper personalization at scale is boosting ROI. AI use cases included examples of enhanced attribution, omni-channel engagement, and improved shipping and logistics. Read More
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. Read More
In the face of a mixed global economic outlook, it’s time to prioritize internal controls to bulletproof operations. Focus on controllable elements to build resilience against economic fluctuations. This article walks you through why turning your attention to your operations is essential, and provides practical advice for how to do it. Read More
There’s been talk for years by textile industry stakeholders about making substantive changes to manufacturing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but to quote a common saying, it seems like all hat and no cowboy—such limited progress has been made. But now a project between Fashion for Good and Arvind stands to drive needed change. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 113 establishments in NAICS 511191 (Greeting Card Publishers)—unchanged from 2021. Although this represents a net increase of 10% since 2010, it has been a category that has ebbed and flowed over the course of the decade, although we’re not talking about a tremendous number of establishments. In macro news, inflation in May increased 0.1%. Read More
Part 2 of Ars Technica’s three-part “History of the Internet.” Nashville’s Hatch Show Print’s “huge format” letterpress press. “‘Necrobotics’ turns dead spider corpses into biohybrid robots.” A Vermont electrical engineer buys secondhand payphones, rewires them, and offers free, public telephone service for those without cellphones. When in Vienna, be sure to visit The Third Man Museum. Physicists used nanolithography to create the world’s smallest violin. Graphene foam communicates with cells to help induce cartilage formation. Feno is a “toothbrush” that supposedly brushes all your teeth simultaneously. Robot kickboxing is now a thing. Using a 10,000-psi pressure washer to slice fruit. A clever mashup of Big Bird inserted into iconic scenes from Hitchcock’s The Birds. The “Baconator Cheez-It” combines the Cheez-It cracker with Wendy’s bacon cheeseburger. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Plants that mix spot colors in almost any quantity can do it faster, more precisely, and more cost effectively with systems that also manage inventory and minimize leftover waste. Patrick Henry spoke with three vendors of ink management solutions to talk about the role of the process in a printing plant. Read More
This year's winners of the H&M Global Change Award are not just solving problems; they’re rethinking the systems behind them.. Read the full story compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan. Read More
Frank Romano remembers Harvey Levenson, former head of the Graphic Communication Department at CalPoly, who has just passed away. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at how the ability to evaluate how a decision turned out is an extremely valuable tool. Read More
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? Read More
Recently at a Dscoop event, Noam Zilbershtain, General Manager of HP Indigo said, “We’re moving to a world where everything is printed digitally, seamlessly, and autonomously—24/7. ‘Digital First’ is no longer an aspiration: it’s a standard.” David Zwang looks at how HP is building on that tenet. Read More
At Esko World 2025 in St. Louis, Esko underscored its ambition to reinvent packaging development for a faster, smarter, and more sustainable future. CEO Joël Depernet framed packaging as a strategic lever in today’s volatile global landscape—one requiring agility, precision, and accountability. Jan De Roeck’s live demo of the fictional “Dancing Fish Granola” brand showed the power of Esko’s end-to-end system in action, uniting design, compliance, production, and sustainability tracking in real time. The company’s direction is clear: automation, data integration, and cloud intelligence are no longer optional—they’re the path forward. Read More
While the industry grapples with tariff and trade turmoil, some printers and their clients are generating substantial returns through digital embellishment and finishing strategies. Don Carli takes a deep dive. Read More
Drummond Hits a Double, and more … Read More
Consumers, especially younger generations, are becoming more conscious of eliminating waste and diverting waste from landfills. While take-out or delivery food is convenient, it can be frustrating to have to throw away the containers knowing they will end up, perhaps permanently, in landfills. TOMRA has an answer. Read More
In an age of digital saturation, print’s role in marketing is shifting from routine to strategic. This article explores how print, when used strategically, doesn’t just stand out. It strengthens digital campaigns, boosts engagement, and drives results. Whether you’re a PSP, marketer, or strategist, this is a fresh look at where print fits now and why it still matters. Read More
A old monograph on goldfish was sold auction in 2022 for $36K. Graphene-based packaging extends the shelf life of instant rice. The rise of AI cheating in schools is spiking sales of “blue books.” What English word has the most definitions in the OED? A horror story told through Yelp! reviews. A new technology that will let users control their iPhones with their minds. An “e-tattoo” can warn users of potential cognitive overload. A Microsoft-backed “no code” AI startup turns out to be humans based in India. A new design makes doorknobs confusing. In-curb chargers for EVs. A novel written without using the letter “e.” What is your favorite Spam flavor— Wait…Spam has different flavors? Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
It has never been quicker or easier to create embellishments, which can make printed communications stand out with unique colors, eye-catching finishes, or appealing textures. This document cites recent research from Keypoint Intelligence to explore how PSPs and other businesses can sell and use color embellishments for market differentiation. Read More
FESPA Textile Ambassador and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan reports that FESPA 2025 was a dynamic showcase, where innovation and application intertwine to push boundaries. Read More
Issue 2 of the WhatTheyThink Quarterly Journal, “The Total Package looks at packaging, perhaps the fastest growing part of the printing industry. What and where are the opportunities for commercial printers in packaging? What is web-to-pack and how can you implement it? What are automation options for packaging workflows? What regulations regarding packaging should companies be aware of? What is the Brand Packaging Council and how it is unifying the packaging supply chain? What are the issues surrounding color management for packaging? Join us as WhatTheyThink’s contributors explore this high-growth area. Read More
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. Read More
According to The 2024 B2B Buyer Experience Report, “B2B buyers are nearly 70% through their purchasing process before engaging with sellers.” Have B2B sellers (OEMs) adapted and changed their process to be aligned with this? Industry veteran Mark Pomerantz looks at how the capex decision-making process has been changing for print businesses. Read More
In the hands of The Kennickell Group, print is not just paper. It is a performance. Taktiful’s Kevin Abergel looks at how one company is going all in on adding embellishments to printed materials. Read More
Print Management Information Systems hold a special place in the print industry. When implemented carefully, they can unlock profitability. When poorly or partially implemented, they can hide opportunities for more profit. Here are five things to consider if you are in the market for a new Print MIS. Read More
The U.S. Copyright Office released a three-part report on the impact of artificial intelligence as it relates to copyright issues. I probably would not have taken the time to read it but for the fact that upon publication of Part Three, Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, was fired (via email) along with the previous firing of U.S. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, by the current administration. I wondered what was in the report that triggered these actions. Read More
Digital print technology will advance rapidly over the next 10 years, increasing market value from $167.5 billion in 2025 to $251.1 billion in 2035 (constant pricing), according to the latest research from Smithers. Read More
In this exclusive Q&A, the eProductivity Software leadership team discusses product offerings, their strategy behind acquiring Avanti, and how they’re helping print businesses stay competitive through AI-driven solutions and smarter supply chain integration. Read More
Net printing employment in April 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively flat (on net) from March—overall, production employment was up 0.4% and non-production employment down by 0.4%. Read More
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the National Spelling Bee. The tallest 3D-printed structure on Earth. 3D printing is having a positive impact in health care. When in Liverpool, visit the Liverpool Central Library—and crack the code on its entrance path. A compostable graphene-based grocery bag. The origins of “cringey corporate jargon.” An AI system resorts to blackmail. A portable e-paper-based air quality monitor. Night-vision contact lenses. The James Webb Space telescope spots the most distant galaxy in the universe. Six Oscar Meyer Wienermobiles raced against each other in the first ever “Oscar Meyer Wienie 500” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Yes, Birthday Cake Trash Bags Are Real.” Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Owners of printing and printing-related businesses are struggling to understand how their vendors and customers will react to the tariff wars – and how their own business plans might have to change. Read More
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. Read More
Taktiful focuses on how to prepare and grow the digital embellishments market. Through education on the perception, value and market demand of selling embellishment, they have developed programs and now a software solution that actually quantifies how to sell to the market demand and get higher margins. Read More
In this article, written and sponsored by Fiery, discover how Fiery is driving DTF innovation with its patented Single-Pass Underbase with Highlight technology. Built into Fiery Digital Factory software, the technology allows printers to intelligently separate and apply both the solid white underbase and the lighter highlight white ink in a single pass. The result is brighter, more detailed prints with greater speed, consistency, and efficiency—no media rewinding or extra hardware required. Read More
When a decision has been made the job is, at best, half done. In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn explores how to implement that decision. Read More
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. Read More
An Intelligent Workflow Infrastructure should be designed to support an almost infinite selection of equipment and processes, to ensure a future-proof design. However, the real goal should be connecting and/or sharing data that will ultimately bring siloed companies and process automation to the entire supply chain. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,434 establishments in NAICS 51119 (Other Publishers). This represents a net increase of 41% since 2010—and a 71% increase from the previous year. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) found demand for new commercial construction projects to be stagnant. Read More
Use a “hamburgerfont” to check out font pairings. The Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books thanks to AI. “The sole prototype of the first Chinese typewriter was discovered in a new york basement.” How paperback books upended the publishing industry. Semicolon use is declining dramatically. Jaguar’s botched rebrand. Human tissue can apparently be used for computing. Graphene-enhanced zinc-ion batteries are a safe, scalable, and high-performance energy storage solution. Voyager 1, launched almost 50 years ago, is still out there, and NASA engineers managed to bring the spacecraft’s old thrusters back to life. Two words: “salmon cannon.” Foods that always need to be spell-checked. Norm! Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
The European Union (EU) recently passed the AI Act, which serves as the first comprehensive regulation governing the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). This legislation sets clear guidelines for AI use while aiming to protect fundamental rights. This article provides some highlights about the EU AI Act and discusses why they matter to your business. Read More
Last week, the PRINTING United Alliance hosted a “Legislative Fly-In,” bringing 40–45 print business owners and executives to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and discuss legislation currently before Congress that can and will affect the printing industry. Richard Romano attended as a representative from the trade media. Read More
There was a shared excitement about the future of mail and shipping at The National Postal Forum. Attendees, speakers and exhibitors shared direct mail success stories and ROI results. Case studies demonstrated engagement with mail, tactile experiences, and leveraging AI to improve logistics and ROI. Read More
![Print[ED] Renews Its Drive for Excellence in Graphics Education](https://d3a577syzx0or3.cloudfront.net/images/2025-05-20-ph-PrintED3.jpg)
Through its standards, competencies, and professional oversight, Print[ED] aligns teaching programs in graphic communications with the requirements of the graphic communications industry. Read More
Printers are often invited to join user groups, peer groups, and networking organizations. It’s a pull on time and resources, but is it worth it? In most cases, the answer is a rousing “Yes!” By sharing a table, discussing challenges, trading ideas, and learning how others solve similar challenges, printers can fast-path solutions that help grow their businesses. Read More
In my overview of Kornit Konnections, the recently held Kornit Digital users group, I mentioned a presentation by Stakes Manufacturing. The company’s unique approach to inclusivity deserves the more in-depth look this article presents. Read More
March 2025 shipments came in at $7.47 billion, up quite a bit from February’s utterly dismal $6.87 billion, and better than March 2024. Cold comfort, to be sure, but we’ll take what we can get. Read More
Advice for creative businesses in a time of uncertainty. Wrapping paper that makes gifts look like bread. A celebration of the life and works of Thomas Hardy to take place at Stonehenge. The book “Insectopolis: A Natural History” is a masterwork of history, science, and design. Visit the oldest public library in the Americas. “Is a smart toaster worth it?” Find out what your cat is saying by using…CatGPT. A comprehensive graphene handbook is now available. A video of a robot seemingly attacking two workers. Who (or what) better to offer thoroughbred betting advice than a race horse? A chess set whose pieces resemble sushi. Krispy Kreme celebrates the 45th anniversary of Pac-Man. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
A growing company complements its digital firepower with a sheetfed UV offset press that adds capacity, accelerates time to market, and makes the shop’s overall production more versatile. Read More
For two decades, HP Industrial Print and Dscoop have cultivated one of the most admired alliances in the printing industry. More than a partnership, it’s a vibrant ecosystem. David Zwang looks back as HP and Dscoop celebrate 20 years together. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at how a problem has been framed, how options have been identified, and those options evaluated. Now, the information you are using needs to be structured for maximum clarity about the strengths and weaknesses of options. Read More
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. Read More
This article, sponsored by Print Management Information Systems (PrintMIS), takes an in-depth look at PrintMIS ePRO management software. Read More
The BOBST Group plays a large role in setting the direction of the packaging industry today and in the future. Their core values of People, Technology, and Financial, with a strong desire to create a more sustainable future bode well for the many changes ahead. Read More
As Kornit’s customer base has grown, so has the value of a formalized user group. With the establishment of Kornit Konnections three years ago, the event has grown year over year, attracting 250 attendees for its Miami event at the end of April. We provide highlights from the event in this article. Read More
Why not fill a 3D printer with Nutella for that perfect bread spread? A painting mushroom. A creepy, humanoid housekeeping robot. The RoboFood project, which aims to develop a new generation of edible robots and intelligent food, for some reason. A village in the UK fought to keep its phone box. The Wind Phone: a non-functional phone booth that memorializes the deceased. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” What exactly is graphene anyway? A new study confirms that it’s possible for life to exist on Saturn’s moon Titan‚ but (spoiler alert) incredibly unlikely. Su filindeu is the world’s rarest pasta. What if, instead of the moon, a giant banana orbited the Earth? Dunkin’s new summer beverage lineup. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
