WhatTheyThink

Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

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Digital Technology in Interior Decoration: An Interview with Western Sensibility’s Kathryn Sanders

Digital Technology in Interior Decoration: An Interview with Western Sensibility’s Kathryn Sanders

In this article, compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, she shares insight from Kathryn Sanders, the founder of Western Sensibility, based in Montana, offering a fascinating look at democratizing design. From crafting one-of-a-kind bespoke textiles to innovating sustainable printing techniques, her work embodies the marriage of “Art and Technology.” Read More

Framing the Decision to Be Made

Framing the Decision to Be Made

In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn expands on how following a well-defined process works best in making decisions by discussing how framing the decision into a workable form is the first step. Read More

Marketing Takeaways from a Columbia University Teacher’s Study

Marketing Takeaways from a Columbia University Teacher’s Study

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

Smithers Data Tracks Five Sectors Powering Growth in $10.51 Billion Dye-Sub Print Market

Smithers Data Tracks Five Sectors Powering Growth in $10.51 Billion Dye-Sub Print Market

Demand for inkjet dye sublimation (dye sub) printing is again trending upwards. Almost 1.0 billion square meters (sqm) of extra output will be added to global totals by the end of the decade, opening new opportunities for print service providers, press OEMs, and consumables suppliers, according to Smithers’ latest report, “The Future of Dye Sublimation to 2029.” Read More

Online Print Symposium 2025: Social Selling Revolution in Online Print?

Online Print Symposium 2025: Social Selling Revolution in Online Print?

Top influencer Rick Azas gives insights into the world of TikTok, YouTube and co. The potential of social selling in online print. HelloPrint focuses on AI-first strategy. EU Accessibility Act is on the agenda. Read More

Printing Outlook—In the Year 2025

Printing Outlook—In the Year 2025

WhatTheyThink’s annual Print Outlook report is now available! Based on our Fall 2024 survey of print business owners and managers, as well as industry and general macroeconomic data, the report provides the latest industry trends, the latest cultural and technological factors that are driving those industry trends, and the overall macroeconomic landscape. Read More

Q4 2024 Publishing and Advertising Revenues

Q4 2024 Publishing and Advertising Revenues

Publishing had a rough time during the pandemic, although all three publishing segments—especially books—saw a rebound afterwards, with a leveling off as revenues returned to trend. Advertising in general has been on a steep rise, and have been constantly reevaluating where they are spending their budgets. Read More

Around the Web: Of Desks and Data

Around the Web: Of Desks and Data

A new history book called “Six Centuries of Type & Printing.” An exhibition showcases the beauty of book endpapers. Monochrome car wraps à la Pop Art comics. Painting murals using gardening equipment and a subwoofer. "The Savouring" is a desk that turns into a dining table (and vice versa). Vogue magazine’s new...economic indicator? Try playing some vintage word games. How much does the Internet weigh? Bogotà’s experiment with “traffic mimes.” A mechanical sculpture dramatizes the futility of trying to find the end of a roll of tape. “What pasta reveals about the universe.” Brach’s launches an official service that hides Easter eggs for you. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Still Disruptive After All These Years, Part 3: Patterns of Disruption

Still Disruptive After All These Years, Part 3: Patterns of Disruption

The third installment of a look back at Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano’s 2010 book “Disrupting the Future” asks the existential question: what is print? And how did it—twice!—become itself a disruptive technology? Read More

Tech Use in the Classroom: What Does the Future Hold?

Tech Use in the Classroom: What Does the Future Hold?

As was the case with many other sectors, artificial intelligence (AI) and smartphone use have come to the fore in the education industry. Students and teachers alike have begun using these applications and devices in their work, and their use is only expected to increase as time goes on. This article discusses the benefits and threats of emerging technologies in today’s classrooms. Read More

Fujifilm Digital Disruption: A Force to Be Reckoned With?

Fujifilm Digital Disruption: A Force to Be Reckoned With?

Last year, Fujifilm highlighted their post FujiXerox rebirth with wide range of new product previews and introductions targeting different market applications. While not everything previewed at drupa or PRINTING United is ready for shipment, some key market leading products and technologies were deemed ready for shipment at the Digital Disruption Event. They also seemed to put a stake in the ground identifying themselves as a forced to be reckoned with. Read More

What’s the Deal with AI and Copyright Infringement?

What’s the Deal with AI and Copyright Infringement?

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

Avoiding Intellectual Roomba: Does Your Team Know Their Tools?

Avoiding Intellectual Roomba: Does Your Team Know Their Tools?

You have a software tool kit to work with in your shop. No matter what you produce or the segment you serve, you have programs to help collect data, manage processes, and report results. Most of these tools require installation configuration and some training for the team on using them effectively. Over time, those tools are updated, but other things about your business also change around them. How can your team stay current to best use your software tool investment? It’s a game of intellectual Roomba. Read More

The Connected Catalog Renaissance: The Evolution and Resurgence of Printed Catalogs

The Connected Catalog Renaissance: The Evolution and Resurgence of Printed Catalogs

Once considered relics of pre-internet commerce, catalogs are evolving into sophisticated marketing tools that bridge physical and digital experiences. Contributing editor Don Carli looks at the resurgence. Read More

Newspaper Publishing Establishments—2010–2022

Newspaper Publishing Establishments—2010–2022

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 6,096 establishments in NAICS 51111 (Newspaper Publishing). This represents a decrease of 22% since 2010. In macro news, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Billings Index (ABI) found demand for new commercial construction projects to be waning. Read More

Around the Web: Of White Lotus, Wars, and Watches

Around the Web: Of White Lotus, Wars, and Watches

The design of the “White Lotus” season 3 opening credits. During the First World War, naval vessels used “dazzle” camouflage to dodge U-boats; now, new evidence as to why it worked. A solution to the horrifying problem of books that lean on a bookshelf. A line of Atari-branded watches that simulate classic Atari 2600 games. A “ruggedized” smartphone that’s water-resistant, has a miniscreen that can be detached and inserted into a watch accessory—and includes an earbud. What typeface would professional type designers want on their tombstones? A new performance of John Cage’s “Organ2/ASLSP” (As Slow As Possible) is slated to last 639 years. Jim Morrison is alive and well and living in…Syracuse, N.Y.? Graphene-enhanced roofing materials. “Mycelium foam” for more sustainable earplugs. Robotic cockroaches, for some reason. A plant-based egg substitute. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

How Burnishine Products Endures Where Many Others Have Disappeared

How Burnishine Products Endures Where Many Others Have Disappeared

This small but highly survivable “boutique chemical company” stays the course with a diversified product line and a personalized approach to supporting its customers. Read More

Why Your Shop Should Consider PDF2Press (Spoiler: It’s the UX)

Why Your Shop Should Consider PDF2Press (Spoiler: It’s the UX)

In this article, sponsored by Aleyant, Aleyant CEO, David Graves, shares some insights about the new PDF2Press preflight solution for the web-to-print industry. Read More

Bridging Art and Technology: Revolutionizing the Future of Fashion Manufacturing and Design with AI

Bridging Art and Technology: Revolutionizing the Future of Fashion Manufacturing and Design with AI

This article, provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor, shares her thoughts and key takeaways for fashion design and its future—as presented at the “Design2Futures” Summit held in Istanbul, 2025. One really important takeaway from Matthew Drinkwater, Head of the London College of Fashion Innovation Agency: “AI will not replace designers; rather, it will elevate their creative potential, allowing them to achieve outcomes they could never have imagined before.” Be sure to read the article for the full story! Read More

HP Updates Its Latex Portfolio, SitePrint

HP Updates Its Latex Portfolio, SitePrint

HP held its HP Amplify Conference this week in Nashville, and made several new product announcements, including the new HP Latex R530 flatbed/roll-to-roll all-in-one printer, new software for wide-format producers, and updates to its SitePrint robotic printer for the AEC market. Read More

Working with a Process

Working with a Process

In the latest installment of the Smart Decision-Making series, Wayne Lynn discusses the detailed process by which decisions can be made. Read More

Lessons from the Texas Tetas

Lessons from the Texas Tetas

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

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: It’s All About Data

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: It’s All About Data

In an intelligent workflow, the data is the key that drives the process. There is lot of data, and increasingly more to come as AI becomes more prevalent. However, that is also the problem. One of the most important keys to creating an intelligent workflow is to be able to normalize all of those different data sets into internally standardized sets. Read More

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Sweden

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Sweden

This regular 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 Sweden. Read More

Insight into Top Climate Trends for 2025

Insight into Top Climate Trends for 2025

Even though it seems the focus has somewhat been taken off of climate with new White House strategies and approaches, the Zero Carbon Academy expects firms to conduct a balancing act between short-term and long-term climate goals. They identified Top Trends for 2025, which we summarize here. Read More

Around the Web: Of Posts and Puzzles, Packaging and Plants

Around the Web: Of Posts and Puzzles, Packaging and Plants

Denmark’s state-run postal service is discontinuing its letter delivery service. Edward Tenner has a new book, “Why the Hindenburg Had a Smoking Lounge.” The Malling Hansen Writing Ball was an early typewriter, originally designed for the deaf. The oldest known puzzle is 11,000 years old. Here comes Generation Alpha and their love of…packaging? If you are going to rob a bank, practice your penmanship. An interesting documentary about timekeeping devices. An AI-controlled 3D printer cooks food using graphene. When in Connecticut, visit the Gaylordsville Spite House. Plants and mushrooms with bionic arms playing musical instruments. A clever Japanese strategy for clearing snowy roads using hot water sprinklers. Krispy Kreme has unveiled its St. Patrick’s Day collection. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Graphic Arts Employment Drops in January

Graphic Arts Employment Drops in January

Net printing employment in January 2025 saw printing industry employment drop from December—overall employment was down slightly by 0.1%, with production employment down 0.4% and non-production employment down 2.3%. Read More

Jos Notermans Shares His Insights on Balancing Investment and Financial Reward for Digital Textile Printers

Jos Notermans Shares His Insights on Balancing Investment and Financial Reward for Digital Textile Printers

In this article, provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan, SPGPrints’ Jos Notermans shares his thoughts about investing in digital fabric printing. He highlights the benefits of digital fabric printing and suggests a logical approach to adding this capability to your business! Read More

Direct Marketing in a Changing Industry

Direct Marketing in a Changing Industry

Direct marketing is evolving as technologies, consumer behaviors, and data analytics reshape the way that businesses connect with their audiences. Adaptability is the key to success because today’s direct marketing techniques are more dynamic, customer-centric, and reliant on digital channels than ever before. Citing recent research from Keypoint Intelligence, this article explores how direct marketers can maximize their impact, get noticed, and deliver a better customer experience. Read More

Unlocking the Potential of Industrial Printing with Fiery

Unlocking the Potential of Industrial Printing with Fiery

In this article, Giselle Robeson talks about how industrial printing is creating new opportunities across manufacturing sectors, from packaging and labeling to direct-to-object printing and textiles, and how Fiery is accelerating the evolution of industrial print, helping manufacturers integrate digital solutions more efficiently and cost-effectively. Read More

Online Print Symposium Features a Unique Speaker Line-Up

Online Print Symposium Features a Unique Speaker Line-Up

The organizers of the upcoming Online Print Symposium provide an update on the speaker line up. Dr. Michael Fries will open the 12th OPS with “Social Selling + Customer Centricity as the key to success,” and start-ups of “The Insight Pitches” have been determined. Read More

The Four Things Employees Need from You

The Four Things Employees Need from You

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

Imagine: Working with a Full Toolbox

Imagine: Working with a Full Toolbox

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

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Spain

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Spain

This regular 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 Spain. Read More

Fiery Post-Acquisition Update

Fiery Post-Acquisition Update

I recently had the opportunity to visit the new Fiery LLC headquarters in Fremont, Calif., and spend time with its CEO, Toby Weiss. Toby has been with the company through a few changes in ownership for more than 15 years. He shares his thoughts about the Epson acquisition, what it means for Fiery and its partners, and some thoughts about the future. Read More

Around the Web: Of Pics and Peeps

Around the Web: Of Pics and Peeps

The winners of the 2025 World Nature Photographers Awards. A new middle-grade book tells the story of the iconic photograph “Earthrise.” A previously unknown version of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116. The New Yorker and J. Crew offer New Yorker-branded clothing. An app that will generate “CliffNotes” for nonfiction books. An AI bookmark will ostensibly summarize what you just read. Goodbye, Skype. A set of postcards and prints based on They Might Be Giants song. Graphene-based brain implants. Genetically engineered “woolly mice” are a step toward de-extincting the woolly mammoth. When on Cape Cod, visit the original site of the Marconi Wireless Station. Just in time for Easter, Peeps-flavored Icee. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

The Target Report: Think Outside the Rectilinear—February 2025 M&A Activity

The Target Report: Think Outside the Rectilinear—February 2025 M&A Activity

Moss Acquires Rocket Graphics, and more… Read More

Publishing Establishments—2010–2022

Publishing Establishments—2010–2022

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 32,109 establishments in NAICS 511 (Publishing Industries [except Internet]). This represents an increase of 14% since 2010 and increase of 4% since 2021. In macro news, the danger of early GDP estimates. Read More

Kornit Digital and the Creator Economy: Forging a Collaborative Path for Growth and Innovation

Kornit Digital and the Creator Economy: Forging a Collaborative Path for Growth and Innovation

In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan shares insights from a talk that Chris Govier, EVP of Strategic Growth & Marketing at Kornit Digital, gave at the recent Heimtextil show. He points out that the digital transformation in textile printing makes it easier than ever before to transition from supply and demand to demand and supply, as well as an array of other valuable insights. Read More

Tariffs on Plate Metal Squeeze Litho Printers to the Limit

Tariffs on Plate Metal Squeeze Litho Printers to the Limit

Aluminum isn’t gold, but years of import duties on the raw material for lithographic plates are starting to make it seem almost as costly to printers who use those plates in production. Read More

Smart Decision-Making Is Key To Strategic Success

Smart Decision-Making Is Key To Strategic Success

Smart decision-making is key to strategic success. In this article, the first in a new series called Smart Decision-Making, Wayne Lynn introduces the steps in a process to ensure decisions are well thought-through. Read More

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

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

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

Unlocking Efficiency: Workflow Automation and Data in Mid-Size Print Shops  

Unlocking Efficiency: Workflow Automation and Data in Mid-Size Print Shops  

Automation streamlines repetitive tasks, leading to increased productivity, cost savings, an improved customer experience, scalability, and a competitive edge. Utilizing data is crucial for identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies, with practical methods including tracking job turnaround times, measuring waste, monitoring equipment utilization, analyzing error rates, and gathering customer feedback. Here is your guide to unlocking efficiency! Read More

Packaging Provides Main Opportunity In Evolving Offset Litho Market, Smithers Analysis Shows

Packaging Provides Main Opportunity In Evolving Offset Litho Market, Smithers Analysis Shows

Technical developments and other drivers are transitioning work from analog to digital and is notably affecting the market for offset litho print. These are analyzed and quantified in detail in The Future of Digital vs. Offset Printing to 2029—the new in-depth market study from Smithers. This article provides some highlights. Read More

Hunkeler Innovationdays: It’s a Wrap!

Hunkeler Innovationdays: It’s a Wrap!

Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 was a resounding success for the partners, the attendees and the industry at large. The theme of the event was Next Level Automation and it was displayed in every solution on display at the event. Importantly, it is also a sign that the industry as a whole is on the right track. Read More

From SOP to AI-Powered Precision: The Evolution of Direct Marketing

From SOP to AI-Powered Precision: The Evolution of Direct Marketing

Direct marketing is going through a major shakeup. With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming smarter, businesses rethinking outsourcing, and digital channels taking center stage, companies must stay nimble to keep up. New research from Keypoint Intelligence’s 2024 North American Consumer Communication Business Survey uncovered some of the biggest shifts happening right now. From message creation to delivery, the SOP as we know it is unrecognizable. This article explores what’s changing and how businesses can adapt to make the most of these new opportunities. Read More

Around the Web: Of Music and Motors

Around the Web: Of Music and Motors

Attaching a typewriter to a piano to “type” songs. An apple tree plays guitar. Who hasn’t fantasized about having a book ladder? The potential private hell that is in-car advertising. Disturbing video of a flying car test drive. The new, ostensibly addictive word game called Bracket City. Graphene-based “smart pajamas.” The James Webb Space Telescope catches two planets in the midst of disintegrating. A wrist-mounted vacuum for hands-free snacking. When in Macomb, Ill., visit the birthplace of the board game Monopoly. Forget eggs: how about a $19 strawberry? Cook Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in actual New York City water. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Still Disruptive After All These Years, Part 2: The Value of Print

Still Disruptive After All These Years, Part 2: The Value of Print

The second installment of a look back at Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano’s 2010 book “Disrupting the Future” asks the burning question: what exactly is the value of print? Read More

Direct Mail: Maintaining Relevance in an Evolving Industry

Direct Mail: Maintaining Relevance in an Evolving Industry

Direct mail is a long-standing staple of communication that continues to hold its ground in a digital world, but it must evolve to meet today’s demands. This article cites recent research from Keypoint Intelligence to explore how direct mail can maintain its relevance even as the digital transformation continues. Read More

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Changing the IJ Landscape: Canon Sheetfed Inkjet Turns 10

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Changing the IJ Landscape: Canon Sheetfed Inkjet Turns 10

Production inkjet technologies have roots dating back to the 1970s but really didn’t see any commercial impact until the early 2000s. In 2015, Canon introduced a sheetfed press that changed the landscape and went a long way to increase inkjet adoption. Read More

China’s Digital Embellishment for Label Goes Mainstream

China’s Digital Embellishment for Label Goes Mainstream

WhatTheyThink contributor Oleg Litvinov surveys the Chinese digital label embellishment market and details the latest equipment available. Read More

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

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

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

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Can’t Ride Until You Board

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Can’t Ride Until You Board

The print service provider and their customer are both a part of a value chain ecosystem, and as such their individual processes need to be closely aligned and bridged with each other. Since all printers and converters have specific markets they serve and products that they produce, it is important to understand the issues and options, since one size does not fit all. Read More

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Slovenia

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Slovenia

This regular 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 Slovenia. Read More

25 Years Since Launching and Mimeo is Still Innovating

25 Years Since Launching and Mimeo is Still Innovating

It’s been some time since we have provided an update on on-demand printer Mimeo. I recently had the opportunity to speak with the company’s Vice President of Engineering, Bassim Alamiry, who shared the latest company updates. Read More

TAGA… Four Words That Saved An Association

TAGA… Four Words That Saved An Association

Most in our industry are unaware that this title designates the culmination of a 30-year transition recognizing that the growth of the graphic communication industry rests in students, the future innovators and leaders of our industry. This transition resulted from four words: Open membership to students. Read More

December Shipments: …And That’s the Year

December Shipments: …And That’s the Year

December 2024 shipments came in at $7.40 billion, down from November’s $7.28 billion—not a great November but at least better than last year.   Read More

Around the Web: Of Fonts and Fingers

Around the Web: Of Fonts and Fingers

“The hardest-working font in New York.” Print magazine’s 2025 Typography Report. Have you ever spotted the marble typo in the inscription in the Lincoln Memorial? A new Game Font Library is a reference that lets you find what typeface was used in a given video game. MapCanvas lets you print customized maps as posters. A new exhibition of “New Yorker” magazine covers. Ordinary marker ink can be turned into graphene. India’s highly specialized world of chess-piece carving. A simple way to turn a wine bottle into a candelabra, for your Liberace cosplay. Electric unicycle racing looks terrifying. Igloo is recalling some of its coolers because of “amputation concerns.” Yikes. Cheetos catches “pickle fever.” Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

The Circular Manufacturing Report: The Transition to a Circular Fashion and Textile Industry Is No Longer Optional

The Circular Manufacturing Report: The Transition to a Circular Fashion and Textile Industry Is No Longer Optional

In this article, textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan provides insight into the recent Circular Manufacturing Report, noting that the  transition to a circular fashion and textile industry is no longer optional. A link to the full report is included, and we encourage you to read it! Read More

Living with Inkjet: Commercial Adopters Describe How It Fits in

Living with Inkjet: Commercial Adopters Describe How It Fits in

Now that production inkjet printing is fully ready to take its place as a solution for the commercial market, firms that have embraced it are finding that it meshes well with their offset litho activity. Read More

Talent: Where Leadership and Strategy Meet

Talent: Where Leadership and Strategy Meet

You can have the best value proposition, the most unique conversion process, a brilliant profit formula, and plenty of money. But if you don’t have your better talent in the most critical jobs in your company, you probably won’t win. In this final installment of the Smart Strategy series, Wayne Lynn explains. Read More

Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000C: Value and Opportunities for Production Inkjet

Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000C: Value and Opportunities for Production Inkjet

Historically recognized as a hardware provider, Kyocera has now established itself as a system and solution provider. Launched in 2019, their game-changing TASKalfa Pro 15000c press was developed as an affordable entry point into production inkjet while offering productivity and output quality to go toe to toe with its laser rivals. David Zwang recently had the opportunity to speak with Dustin Graupman, the Senior Director of the Inkjet Division for Kyocera Document Solutions America, Inc., about the company’s successes and peek into the future. Read More

Expect to See More of Those Conversational Ads

Expect to See More of Those Conversational Ads

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

Attracting Gen Z: 13 Lessons from Ted Lasso’s Leadership Playbook

Attracting Gen Z: 13 Lessons from Ted Lasso’s Leadership Playbook

Maybe you’ve watched Ted Lasso, or you’ve heard people talk about the show. It sparks conversation because the American coach hired by a British soccer/football club became a change agent in unexpected ways. Hired by an owner who believed he would fail, the opposite happened because Lasso surrounded himself with people he empowered, treated his team as individuals, and delicately balanced the needs of the team, staff, and management. Here are some ways we can apply his playbook Read More

Dave Fellman’s Last Column: The Thing That Hasn’t Changed

Dave Fellman’s Last Column: The Thing That Hasn’t Changed

On the eve of his retirement, longtime contributor Dave Fellman looks back at his 35 years of writing about the printing industry and that despite all the changes that have taken place over that time—inside and outside the industry—one thing hasn’t changed: this is a people business. Read More

Pre- and Postpress Establishments—2010–2022

Pre- and Postpress Establishments—2010–2022

According to the latest edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 1,036 establishments in NAICS 32312 (Support Activities for Printing). This represents a decrease of 50% since 2010. In macro news, inflation was up in January.  Read More

Around the Web: Of Mixers, Menus, and Memory

Around the Web: Of Mixers, Menus, and Memory

KitchenAid’s color of the year: butter yellow. An expanded version of Atkinson Hyperlegible, a typeface for those with low vision. A new type of origami-based packaging material. Apparently there is such a thing as “Affluent Millennial-coded packaging” and it’s torched, whatever that means. Are typos lethal in a work email? Uber Eats uses AI to create unappetizing menu items for an Italian restaurant. When in Philadelphia, check out America’s first-ever department store. Graphene-based semiconductor memory devices. A robotic desk lamp that can act like a puppy, for some reason. Perfect for Valentine’s Day: a man’s AI girlfriend encouraged him to kill himself. RIP Tom Robbins. Heinz collaborates with Grammy-winning producer Mustard to create a new kind of mustard. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Alliance Franchise Brands Talks eCommerce & the Future of Automation

Alliance Franchise Brands Talks eCommerce & the Future of Automation

In commercial printing, it’s all about automation. Fewer touches is the only way to move forward in the industry. That’s why Alliance Franchise Brands (AFB) chose Aleyant’s Pressero over 10 years ago. In this article, sponsored by Aleyant, Ryan Mastako shares their eCommerce journey and what he sees on the horizon for workflow automation. Read More

2025 Promotional Programs from the USPS

2025 Promotional Programs from the USPS

Postage rates are on the rise, and the USPS has launched its 2025 promotional programs to help mailers reduce costs and create more effective campaigns. This article offers insights on this year’s promotions with a special focus on the Integrated Technologies Promotion. Read More

From In-Line to Off-Line: How Bellia Print & Design Halved Job Costs with Duplo 700i Booklet System

From In-Line to Off-Line: How Bellia Print & Design Halved Job Costs with Duplo 700i Booklet System

In this article, sponsored and written by Duplo, learn how Woodbury, N.J.’s Bellia Print & Design improved productivity and profitability with the 700i Booklet System from Duplo. Read More

Online Print Symposium 2025: The First Visionaries to Set the Agenda

Online Print Symposium 2025: The First Visionaries to Set the Agenda

Keynote speakers and speakers to be announced. Numerous partners and supporters will be presenting at the OPS. Application deadline for insight pitches ends soon. Supporter tickets still available. Read More

What’s in Store for Packaging in 2025?

What’s in Store for Packaging in 2025?

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

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Single Source of Truth

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Single Source of Truth

Building an intelligent workflow infrastructure with the MIS system as the hub ensures that there is one source of truth and that as your business requirements change, you can safely add and support new processes as well as client and partner integrations. Read More

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Slovakia

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Slovakia

This regular 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 Slovakia. Read More

The Target Report: Print Everything Everywhere All at One Place—January 2025 M&A Activity

The Target Report: Print Everything Everywhere All at One Place—January 2025 M&A Activity

Riverside Acquires Vomela, and more… Read More

December Graphic Arts Employment Again Remains Generally Flat

December Graphic Arts Employment Again Remains Generally Flat

Net printing employment in December 2024 was not much changed from November—overall employment was down slightly by 0.1%, with production employment up 0.4% and non-production employment down 1.2%. Read More

Around the Web: Of Writing and Robots

Around the Web: Of Writing and Robots

A monthly postcard challenge. Letters have a molecular structure? Books written by humans are getting their own certification, because everything is nuts. When in Denver, be sure to check out the pre-Depression-era murals in the Mountain States Telephone Building. Glasses for the hard of hearing that transcribe spoken words. Graphene-coated drivers for noise-cancelling headphones. An upcoming Chinese half marathon pits human against robot runners. A new snow shovel designed to handle frozen tire tracks. Was Alexander the Great eaten by sharks? It is perfectly possible to ski on sand, and a resort in Bavaria specializes in it. No, we will *not* subscribe to socks. Harry Potter-themed Goldfish crackers. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Talking Textiles: GREEN GRADS X Crucial Trading to Showcase Sustainable Textiles at Chelsea Design Centre

Talking Textiles: GREEN GRADS X Crucial Trading to Showcase Sustainable Textiles at Chelsea Design Centre

At a recent show in Chelsea, London, six graduates were chosen for their common commitment to sustainable design and production, spotlighting natural fibers, dyes, and biomaterials, with ways to cut waste, water, and energy, plus other innovative eco-friendly techniques at the very cutting edge of textiles today. They are our future! This story is provided compliments of textiles expert and WhatTheyThink contributor Debbie McKeegan. Read More

Heidelberg Looks Ahead to New Opportunities in Milestone Year

Heidelberg Looks Ahead to New Opportunities in Milestone Year

Generational relationships, emerging technologies, and people with passion are what propel Heidelberg forward in its third century as a print market leader. Read More

Your Business Model—The People Resource

Your Business Model—The People Resource

In the latest edition of his Smart Strategy Insights Series, Wayne Lynn explains how talented and motivated people doing jobs they are well suited for can be the competitive advantage you need to outperform the competition in your market. How do you build a team that can help your company meet its goals? Read More

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

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

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

“It Takes a Print Sample to Sell Paper”

“It Takes a Print Sample to Sell Paper”

Why bother with print samples? It’s a good question. A great answer came from Don Clampitt, president of Clampitt Paper, at a meeting organized by the PIA Southwest chapter at the Clampitt Paper warehouse in Denver. He made the point that selling paper and understanding what paper can bring to a project takes great print samples. Read More

Navigate Regulatory Complexity in Print and Packaging: Insights from ACTEGA Experts

Navigate Regulatory Complexity in Print and Packaging: Insights from ACTEGA Experts

How prepared are you for the rapidly evolving world of print and packaging regulations? In this article, experts Mell Bishop and Bernd Elsler from ACTEGA share insights on tackling global compliance challenges, offering tailored solutions, and empowering converters to thrive. Discover how ACTEGA help businesses turn regulatory complexities into opportunities while driving agility and sustainability.   Read More

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Romania

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Romania

This regular 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 Romania. Read More

Around the Web: Of Pinks and Pens

Around the Web: Of Pinks and Pens

Is pink a color? A workshop for manufacturing imaginary books. A highly recommended “forever pen.” Cheetos launches a new handwriting font. Good news: “Matter will be better in 2025.” What was the very first photograph of a snowman? A new graphene filament for 3D printing. “Mercator Extreme” lets you have fun with geographic distortions. CVS makes the retail experience more annoying. The latest incident of a mob destroying a Waymo. An “AI-powered spice dispenser” because everything is insane. Dunkin and Native create doughnut-themed and scented personal care items. Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Book Printing Establishments—2010–2022

Book Printing Establishments—2010–2022

According to the latest, recently released edition of County Business Patterns, in 2022 there were 385 establishments in NAICS 323117 (Books Printing). This represents an decrease of 28% since 2010—although establishments were up from 2021 to 2022. In macro news, Q4 GDP was up 2.3%. Read More

From Offset to Digital: The Transition Continues

From Offset to Digital: The Transition Continues

The printing industry continues to experience a natural and organic shift from offset to digital printing, primarily driven by a growing demand for shorter print runs and greater customization. Despite this transition, a critical question persists—why is it that all potential digital printing volumes are not being produced digitally? This article explores some of the key barriers that continue to hinder the transition to digital. Read More

How Intelligent Automation will Unlock Growth in the Commercial Printing Landscape

How Intelligent Automation will Unlock Growth in the Commercial Printing Landscape

In this article, sponsored by HP, Haim Levit, SVP & Division President, HP Industrial Print, shares his observations and predictions for the Commercial Printing Industry after a drupa year. Read More

Texintel Live Interview with Margo Montoya of Coldenhove on Dye-Sublimation Paper Innovations

Texintel Live Interview with Margo Montoya of Coldenhove on Dye-Sublimation Paper Innovations

Texintel CEO Debbie McKeegan talks with Coldenhove’s Margo Montoya. At PRINTING United 2023, Coldenhove received feedback from soft signage customers seeking lighter grammage paper for dye sublimation and, in response, developed a high-performing, 100g paper that is highly absorbent and dries quickly. Read More

From Music to Masterpieces: How David “Guru of Printing” Drucker Embodies Luxury, Innovation, and Legacy in Print

From Music to Masterpieces: How David “Guru of Printing” Drucker Embodies Luxury, Innovation, and Legacy in Print

Kevin Abergel talks with print industry visionary David Drucker, also known as the “Guru of Printing.” Renowned for his innovative use of materials and exquisite finishing techniques, David takes us on a journey through his most jaw-dropping luxury print projects—including a copper-embossed, safari-inspired book and box set that truly pushes the boundaries of print craftsmanship. Read More

AI Checkers: The Reason to Use Less AI

AI Checkers: The Reason to Use Less AI

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

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Roll Up Your Sleeves

Intelligent Workflow Infrastructures: Roll Up Your Sleeves

To address the new and changing realities, it is important to develop workflows that support the new market demands, products, and product mix with optimal efficiencies. Currently, most work is handled on an exception basis. Everyone seems to be telling you to automate your production, but where do you begin? Read More

Keypoint Intelligence Study Highlights Global Production Software Revenue Growth Through 2028

Keypoint Intelligence Study Highlights Global Production Software Revenue Growth Through 2028

As the printing industry contends with rising material costs, faster turnaround demands, and a shrinking talent pool, efficient workflow software is more essential than ever. Keypoint Intelligence’s The 2023–2028 Production Software Forecast Report presents a focused look at the evolving global workflow software market. This article features the Global Production Software Revenue data, which illustrates key growth trends and provides an at-a-glance understanding of the market’s trajectory through 2028. Read More

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Portugal

Sizing the Print Industry in Europe—Portugal

This regular series of short articles provides some details on the size of the printing industry in Europe per country, especially tracking the number of printing establishments. This time we look at Portugal. Read More

A 2025 Sustainability Outlook for Textiles and Packaging

A 2025 Sustainability Outlook for Textiles and Packaging

As we enter 2025, we also enter a time of growing climate-based trauma for Planet Earth. Both textiles and packaging contribute to these issues, and both are facing increasing regulatory actions designed to reduce their impact. In this article, we provide an overview of the climate situation, the actions being taken, and some hopeful signs for the future. Read More

November Shipments: Pride Goeth Before the Fall

November Shipments: Pride Goeth Before the Fall

November 2024 shipments came in at $7.35 billion, down quite substantially from October’s $8.20 billion—the worst November in at least five years.   Read More

Around the Web: Of Semiquincentennials, Sharpeners, and Soup

Around the Web: Of Semiquincentennials, Sharpeners, and Soup

Finland’s Metsä may herald the future of packaging. Various events and Regency balls will celebrate the 250th birthday of Jane Austen. The National Archives is inviting volunteers to help transcribe and digitize handwritten historical documents. Walgreens’ ongoing battle over digital freezer door displays. The Royal Shakespeare Company is developing a Macbeth-based video game. A study underway in Canada is investigating the ability to control mobile apps with one’s feet while walking. Three words: luxury pencil sharpener. Scientists have created invisibly thin strands of “nanopasta.” A graphene-based radiator launches on SpaceX Falcon 9. A farm-to-table restaurant that makes its own bone china dishware. Mark your calendars for next month’s seven-planet alignment. Progresso’s Soup Drops are soup as a hard candy.Welcome to WhatTheyThink’s weekly miscellany. Read More

Graphic Designers Profess Their Continued Love of Offset

Graphic Designers Profess Their Continued Love of Offset

Offset lithography is no longer the sole option for graphic designers who want their printing to be top-quality. But, the process still commands a remarkable amount of loyalty from designers who value the range of creative possibilities it offers them. Read More

Still Disruptive After All These Years Part 1: The Email of Doom

Still Disruptive After All These Years Part 1: The Email of Doom

Fifteen years ago, Dr. Joe Webb and Richard Romano published the book “Disrupting the Future: Uncommon Wisdom for Navigating Print’s Challenging Marketplace.” In the first article in a series, Richard Romano looks back at the topics discussed in the book—what has changed, what has stayed the same, what wisdom has become common, and which remains uncommon? Read More

Your Business Model—The Profit Formula

Your Business Model—The Profit Formula

In the latest edition of his Smart Strategy Insights Series, Wayne Lynn explains how to devise and then test the assumptions you make in gauging profitability. Read More