Editor's Note

Welcome to Issue 2 of the WhatTheyThink Quarterly Journal, a compendium of articles that take an in-depth look at the various aspects of a single topic. If you missed Issue 1—“The AI Reality Check Issue”—be sure to check it out here.

As we noted in our inaugural issue, this publication comprises a standalone module within the WhatTheyThink content universe. The vast majority of the content was written specifically for the journal and was not—and will not be—repurposed for WhatTheyThink’s regular site.

This issue, “The Total Package,” presented by Canon, looks at…packaging, undoubtedly one of the high-growth-potential parts of the printing industry. How potentially high-growth? In our opening feature, longtime packaging expert and consultant Kevin Karstedt offers a “realty check” for commercial printers looking to expand into packaging. What and where are the opportunities, and how can printers start the journey? Kevin had presented a complementary webinar on this topic, as well. 

You all have likely heard of “web-to-print” (we hope), but the rise of packaging has spawned the new term “web-to-pack,” or an online portal where packaging customers can order packaging materials. There are huge growth opportunities for web-to-pack and short-run on-demand packaging. In fact, study after study has shown that B2B buyers have shifted to digital channels and expect the same kind of buying experience they have as a B2C consumer. David Zwang provides an overview of what web-to-pack is, and also runs down some of the solutions currently available for those who want to implement web-to-pack.

In “Uniting the Supply Chain,” branding expert Steve Smiley, owner of SmileyColor & Associates, looks at how unified standards and collaboration are transforming global packaging workflows, specifically citing the Brand Packaging Council and the ISO 193030-1 standard.

As anyone involved in packaging knows, there are a plethora of regulations going into effect around the globe that affect the packaging industry. And even if you don’t have a physical presence in a given region, if your products are sold there, you are likely bound by and must comply with local laws and regulations. Therefore, in “Are You Up to Date on the Latest Packaging Regulations?,” Cary Sherburne takes a look at the current regulatory environment.

Automation is a hot topic these days, and Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee look at two aspects of packaging workflow automation. In “Packaging Perfected: The Three Pillars of Production Automation,” they look at what packaging automation entails, and in “AI in Packaging Today,” they look at where to start with artificial intelligence for packaging production.

Smithers presents the handy infographic “Key Drivers in Sustainable Packaging,” gleaned from their new market report on the packaging industry.

This issue’s installment of “Cool Tools with Mary Schilling” offers a “Recipe for Inkjet Color in Packaging,” or how to manage color in packaging workflows.

The Quarterly Journal takes a step away from packaging to debut a new series, “The Startup Chronicles,” in which Nick Gawreluk talks about his experiences starting up a new print software venture: Print Profit.

In “Thriving in Chaos: 5 Ways to Make Money as a Printer in a Digital-First Era,” Joanne Gore shows that while print is a proven, unforgettable channel of communication, when strategically marketed, sold, and delivered, it can help you rise above the noise and soar to the top.

Finally, this issue of the Quarterly includes a special edition of our “Around the Web” online miscellany of items that caught our editors’ attentions with this installment focusing on packaging.

Enjoy Issue 2 of the WhatTheyThink Quarterly Journal!