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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
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
