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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
PCH Exits Print, Arna Acquires Federal Direct, and more … Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 526 establishments in NAICS 51114 (Directory and Mailing List Publishers). This represents a decrease of 68% since 2010. In macro news, in Q1 2025, GDP growth declined for the first time since 2022. Read More
In this article, provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, Jos Notermans of The Note Consultancy B.V. (https://thenoteconsultancy.com/) provides an update on the status of pigment ink formulations introduced since ITMA 2023 as we prepare for ITMA 2027. Read More
The success of any campaign hinges on understanding the varying needs and preferences of the target audience. According to research from Keypoint Intelligence, younger adults have different priorities and values than their older counterparts. This article explores the role that age can play in fostering connections and delivering better results. Read More
A study from CNBC and Survey Monkey details the needs of women in the workplace. For printers wanting to increase their workforce or retain the women on their teams, what does the data say? Read More
Despite multiple forces pushing print service providers to adopt digital technology, a large installed base means analog presses will continue to print the majority of global output for years to come. Simultaneously, market factors will combine with technical developments to make flexo the fastest-growing analog process across the remainder of the decade, and beyond. This outlook is examined and quantified in the recent Smithers market report “The Future of Flexographic Printing Markets to 2029.” Read More
One of the most effective tools in your marketing box is a press release. It can lift your brand, promote your wins, lift customers, and keep you visible in your market. Sadly, a lot of companies miss the value and the opportunities. Here’s why press releases should be in your arsenal. Read More
The U.S. commercial printing industry is under significant pressure, as new tariffs and rising labor costs drive up expenses across the board. In this article written by Aleyant, COO George Mixco explains how automation tools are an effective strategy to protect against external market forces—such as the uncertainty caused by recent tariffs. Read More
FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson offers a preview of the upcoming Amplify Print event, and the “Technology Zone” that will showcase finishing/embellishment and other accessory equipment. Read More
3D-printed functional “houseplants.” A desktop UV printer that can produce textured prints. A pen that folds into the form factor of a credit card. a new book. Caroline Weaver’s new book “The Pencil Perfect” takes a fun look at the history of the pencil. A pencil sharpener from the 1890s work as well as any more modern sharpener. Target’s new line of wine uses paper bottles. The evolution of NYC subway map design—and the newest iteration. Newly uncovered evidence that Shakespeare’s wife lived with him in London. A Doom-like game that fits inside a QR code. 3D-printed graphene composites for efficient ice control applications. The James Webb Space Telescope takes a close look at the “city killer” asteroid that recently menaced us. Perfect for Mother’s Day (?): a 14-karat Kraft Macaroni necklace. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Net printing employment in February 2025 saw printing industry employment stay relatively stable from January—overall, production, and non-production employment were all down by 0.1%. Read More
From an editor’s desk, here are 10 free resources for gaining a better understanding of some essential subjects for print professionals. Read More
The fourth installment of a look back at Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano’s 2010 book “Disrupting the Future” looks at the value of forecasting. Read More
WhatTheyThink interviews AI expert, graphic designer, and app creator Michelle Moxley about paid versions of ChatGPT now incorporating Dall-E 3, which is able to add detailed text to AI-generated images for the first time. For Moxley, the new feature is not just cool. It has changed her business. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at how evaluating options determines the outcome of the decision you need to make. If you find that the criteria are hard to come up with, you may want to reframe the problem. Read More
Hybrid Software held its first-ever global user group meeting, “Hybrid Fusion,” in Amsterdam, bringing together 180 attendees. The event featured customer case studies, plant tours, and lively social events, highlighting Hybrid’s growing community and product innovation. The next user meeting will take place in North America in 2026. Read More
This ongoing series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at the UK. Read More
Digital embellishment is not just a niche segment or a fleeting trend—it’s a movement. It’s a bold call to action for print service providers, designers, and brands to break free from the shackles of ordinary, low-margin commodity printing and embrace a future where creativity, value, and profitability converge. Taktiful’s Kevin Abergel explains how this is your moment to seize the opportunity, to elevate your craft, and to redefine what print can be. Read More
Everything is changing—markets, technology, and customer expectations—so why should folding cartons be any different? While demand remains steady, consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and supply chain evolution are in constant motion. The real story lies in how print-service providers, converters, and equipment manufacturers will need to adapt. Read More
Scientists claim to have discovered a hitherto unknown color. London-based publisher The Folio Society is launching “The Art of Folio” exhibition. Did you know that you can mail potatoes without packaging? “Why do AI company logos look like buttholes?” A new book from Phaidon looks at mid-20th-century design. Using graphene to develop world’s fastest Flash memory device. Lyft can now provide transcripts of your private conversations. A stable Dyson sphere may actually be possible, which you were no doubt worried about. An LED-equipped drone can provide portable lighting. Some colorful characters from the history of the Papacy. Fermenting miso paste in space. 5-Hour Energy’s Caffeinated Hot Sauce. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Thanks to labor shortages, rising costs, and the constant push for efficiency, automation is now more important than ever. Although some may envision a robotics takeover of jobs within the industry, the reality is much less dramatic and much more necessary. This article explores some of the reasons that automation is taking center stage. Read More
The ISA Sign Expo kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas. Richard Romano recaps the major product announcements on Day 1. Read More
Want to see how print and digital communications can be integrated to support an outstanding donor experience? BioLife offers a master class. Read More
Print Service Providers should transition from email and adopt more structured communication tools. Email is unstructured, time-consuming, complex to share, ambiguous, reliant on specific knowledge, hard to audit, and vulnerable to security issues. It’s time to consider communication methods to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, strengthen security, and improve customer service. Read More
The Sourcing Journal has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, and it is chock full of all of the latest sustainability news and challenges facing the textiles industry. If you are in the industry or a consumer who cares about the impact of your textile (apparel) purchases, it’s a must-read. We provide a brief overview here, focused mostly on recycling, but there’s lots more to be learned in the report! Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 2,440 establishments in NAICS 51113 (Book Publishing). Although this represents a decrease of 20% since 2010, establishments increased by 83 establishments in 2021 and 2022. In macro news, inflation decreased in March. Read More
Ars Technica just launched a three-part “History of the Internet.” Archaeologists may have found the oldest calendar known to humans. A new study shows that if you want to sell more books, get it banned. OpenAI’s latest image generator makes it easy to create fake receipts. Upcycling fabric waste into useful household items. Removing “forever chemicals” with graphene. Thomas Edison recorded Victorian celebrities to promote his phonograph. In-car infotainment screens may be on the way out. Recreating King Kong climbing the Empire State Building using drones. When in San Francisco, visit the Two-Headed Calf MOOseum. Using oyster blood to combat antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” The “Sm’oyster” is a roasted oyster topped with chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham crackers. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
In our debut edition, we look at everyone’s favorite topic, so-called “artificial intelligence”—aka AI. There has been a lot of hype about AI, and even those who have been initially skeptical about its applicability to the print industry have come round to seeing the vast number of use cases it can have. There is no doubt that it has become a highly transformative technology—more than any we have seen since, arguably, the advent of digital printing. What are those use cases? What is it good for? And what is it not good for? Read More
Any printing or packaging business can analyze costs, establish budgeted hourly rates (BHRs), and benchmark costs against industry standards using Cost Rates Advisor—empowering smarter pricing decisions that drive increased sales and profits. Pat McGrew takes a close look at Cost Rates Advisor. Read More
With operations snarled to the point of getting members of Congress up in arms, the near-disastrous debut of a major mail processing facility exposed a gap between the U.S. Postal Service’s vision of a new, ultra-efficient national mail network and its ability to bring one into being. Patrick Henry explains. Read More
Microfibers are the bane of our existence—or one of them, anyway. In this article, compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, she highlights a new technology from Matter Industries that claims to be able to remove microfibers from the textile manufacturing process for the benefit of human and environmental health. Read More
In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn looks at how brainstorming—and other creative exercises—can improve a team’s decision-making abilities. Read More
As printers seek to diversify their product offerings, promotional products have been a frequent area of interest. But many of these items come—in whole or in part—from countries now subject to tariffs. Heidi Tolliver-Walker recaps a Print + Promo Marketing webinar with leaders in the promotional industry on the topic of tariffs. Read More
Automation is now a requisite to a profitable print or packaging company, and needs to provide for centralized business and production management. Ultimately, the solution needs to fit the specific needs of a PSP and their disparate customer and partner relationships. Read More
This ongoing series of short articles provides some country details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Switzerland. Read More
To say that the whole tariff situation is tumultuous is an understatement. But whether or not you are in favor of them, there may be some hidden value. In this article, we discuss the potential impact tariffs could have on textile-related pollution, including the dreaded Fast Fashion. Read More
January 2025 shipments came in at $7.31 billion, down slightly from December’s $7.34 billion—but still the second best start to the year since the pandemic. Read More
A collection of 12th- and 13th-century books were bound in sealskin. The latest Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry inductees include…Brian Eno’s Windows “chime.” When in Japan, visit a 3D-printed train station. In one Japanese town, kids collect trading cards of grandpas. Looking to shake things up this Easter? Why not try some lost Easter traditions from yesteryear. Was the dire wolf really “de-extincted”? So it’s come to this: how to protect yourself against a robot dog attack. A concept for a ridable, four-legged robotic “horse.” A new process that could replace copper with graphene in integrated circuits. A countertop device that harvests water from the atmosphere, suitable for drinking or cooking. Pepperidge Farm remembers…water desalination. Are we headed for a snackcession? Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
To remain competitive and keep up with the pace of change, it's essential to have the right resources working for you. The ramifications of not having them can be significant and far-reaching for even the most well-tooled organizations. This article explores how PSPs can improve business operations and strengthen their competitive edge by focusing on available resources. Read More
Foil print embellishments have emerged as a powerful tool for brands seeking to elevate their market position through tactile luxury and visual magnetism. Taktiful’s Kevin Abergel explains how, by combining prehistoric fascination with metallic surfaces and modern printing innovation, this technique can transform ordinary packaging into psychological triggers that command attention and shape consumer perception. Read More
When we think about clients “building trust” with their customers, we generally think about what happens on the front end. But what happens on the back end matters more than we might think. Heidi Tolliver-Walker looks at some key takeaways from a new study from Bloomreach/eMarketer, “The Power of Trust and Emotions in Building Customer Loyalty.” Read More
Automation has been the buzzword of the last decade as organizations across every sector have looked to its transformative potential to accelerate gains in sales, productivity, quality, sustainability, and much more. In this article, written and sponsored by HP, Joan Perez Pericot looks at HP’s portfolio of highly automated presses, robotic solutions like MoviGo, and HP PrintOS and Site Flow solutions. Read More
Wasserman Acquires Bluemedia, and more… Read More
Businesses supporting the print industry continue to face challenges in hiring staff and figuring out how to handle situations where new equipment, software, and business directions change the qualifications they need. The best practice is to assess your staff and create a re-skilling program. Here’s how to do it. Read More
Web-to-Print (W2P) is not new—but how it’s being adopted, applied, and valued across the print ecosystem is evolving at a pace many printers didn’t see coming. Joanne Gore looks at the current W2P landscape. Read More
According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 4,175 establishments in NAICS 51112 (Periodical Publishing). This represents a decrease of 42% since 2010. In macro news, Q4 GDP growth was revised up. Read More
A 16th-century collection of property records concealed in its binding a rare 750-year-old text on the legends of King Arthur. Did the decline of print advertising coincide with the decline of creativity in the ad business? A British window cleaner is trying to prove he has a priceless portrait of William Shakespeare. Using more environmentally-friendly materials for outdoor wear. Who wants a three-foot-tall marble bookmark? Upcycling hazardous chemicals into graphene. Ring Mouse is a smart ring that “happens to control your entire digital universe.” One of the last Radio Shacks is located in an actual shack—in Alaska. When did breakfast cereal companies stop putting toys in cereal boxes? The Blue Diamond Nutty Cruiser a 20-foot-long almond on wheels with a cannon that shoots almonds. The lyrics of the Gilligan’s Island theme song set to “Stairway to Heaven.” Omaha Steaks is releasing a meat-themed romance novel. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More
Patrick Henry explains how a chemical present in trace amounts came to be seen as an environmental threat worthy of a possible ban on the ink that contains it. Read More
