Wide-Format & Signage
This section of WhatTheyThink focuses on emerging trends in wide-format printing. It identifies new business opportunities and provides strategic analysis of new applications, technology, and events.
Cracking the Code of 2021: Businesses with QR Codes and Near Field Technology Expand
As businesses start to open back up, the way businesses interact with their customers has changed. “Contactless” has become the key phrase, and merging print media with digital media is key to unlocking the way forward in today’s pandemic-recovery world. FASTSIGNS International’s Wayne Rasor provides an introduction to using QR codes and Near Field Communication to make print interactive. Read More
Sign Franchise Review 2021
In WhatTheyThink/Printing News’ Annual Sign Franchise Review, we take a look at how the major sign franchises fared in the past year, how they managed the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they plan to make up lost ground in 2021. Read More
ISA Sign Expo Virtual Aimed to Foster Real-Time Online Networking
Last week, ISA staged its Sign Expo 2021 Virtual, which succeded in replicating, perhaps as best as possible, the feel of being at a live event and networking with colleagues. Here is a quick rundown of the first day. Read More
Keep Strong While Moving Forward: Signarama’s Advice for the Future
2020 was a challenging year, but for the Signarama franchise, tough times allowed its franchisees to become stronger, smarter, and more prepared, allowing them to adapt. Signarama president A.J. Titus explains how. Read More
Make it Move: New Challenges for Dynamic Digital Signage
The challenges of the last year may have slowed some progress in the expansion of dynamic digital signage (DDS), but it has, at the same time, opened up some new opportunities for DDS technologies—especially as they become less expensive and higher quality. Read More
A Surprising Reason for More and Better In-Store Signage
There are lots of reasons to encourage your customers to beef up their in-store signage and displays. Great marketing. Safety and regulatory compliance during COVID-19. But did you know that really good signage can also make your customers less price-sensitive? Read More
Four Must-Attend Events at ISA Sign Expo 2021–Virtual…And Three Tips to Make the Most of It
ISA Sign Expo 2021–Virtual is coming up on April 7–9. This article, sponsored by the International Sign Association, previews four essential features to attend, and offers tips for navigating the virtual event. Read More
Finding Our Way: Printed Signage Helps us to Navigate Safely Through the COVID-19 World.
Wayfinding signage abruptly evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributor Mark Vruno looks at how sign companies coped with the change—and surge—in demand. Read More
ISA Quarterly Economic Report Looks at the Top 10 Economic Trends for 2021 and Their Impact on the Sign Industry
A recent ISA webinar looked at how the sign and display markets fared in Q4 2020, and offered up some forecasts for 2021, which IHS Markit analysts see as a “transitional year” from COVID to post-COVID while 2022 will see the rebirth of the economy, employment, and the industry. Read More
Vax Populi: Now that COVID Vaccinations Are Underway, What Does That Mean for Display Graphics?
Signage has almost always been one of the most essential means of communicating important messages, which was why wide-format and sign shops early on in the pandemic were considered “essential services.” Health and safety messaging was the killer app for display graphics in 2020, and that is going to remain the case for the foreseeable future. Here’s what to look for. Read More
Get Ahead of the Tech Curve: Smart Signage Expands Experiential Marketing Opportunity
Connecting brands to consumers is incredibly important, and in the print and sign industry, it’s all about making consumers feel a part of something larger than themselves. In this article, guest contributor Larry Oberly, President & CEO of SpeedPro, explains the advantages of SpeedPro’s InfoLnkX NFC application for creating interactive, touchless, smart signage. Read More
Main Routs: Options for Adding Traditional Signmaking Capabilities
An introduction to one of the essential tools for traditional signmaking: the CNC router. Read More
News
N3 Display Graphics Stays One Step Ahead with Drytac Polar Street FX
Roland DGA and Skip Barber Racing School Team Up in Co-Promotional Partnership
The Mosaica Group and HIX Corporation Announce Partnership to Enhance Distribution
FESPA Innovation & Trends: One Automation Software for All Wide Format Applications
Fujifilm and Inca Digital Announce Launch of Advanced Automation Options for Onset X HS range
Kernow North America Introduces NEW KernowJet RoadSharK PVC-Free Outdoor Floor Graphics
M/I Homes Chooses Videotel Digital for its Reliable and Affordable Digital Signage Media Players
Roland DGA Introduces New V-BOND Ink for VersaUV LEF2 Series UV Printers
Introducing New HP Durable Foldable Document Material—Fold and hold!
Business Owners Overcome Diversity and Inspire the Community
Lamin-8 Spices Up Jimmy Guaco's Wall Graphics with Drytac
Videotel Digital Announces Hands-Free Screen Control
Media Graph's New EFI VUTEk h5 Printer Opens a World of Opportunities and Creativity
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions Announces Change to 2021 Wrap Training Classes
Roland DGA Announces New Roland DG Connect App
Video
Warren Werbitt Goes Printer to Printer with Vinylbomb
Published: February 24, 2021
This week, Warren talks to Chris Rodkey, President and “Expert of the Strange and Unusual” at Vinylbomb. A four-year-old printer to the trade based in Hamilton, N.J., Vinylbomb specializes in grand-format printing CNC routing, laser cutting and engraving, and fabrication. During COVID, Vinylbomb successfully started selling face shields and sneeze guards, which helped the company thrive during the pandemic. Watch Video
Warren Werbitt Goes Printer to Printer with Ace Designs’ Sheri Robertson
Published: January 6, 2021
This week, Warren talks with Sheri Robertson, VP of Awesome! for Ace Designs, a grand-format print shop serving predominantly retail and hospitality markets. The company has been using the pandemic period to reexamine and reset themselves and decide "what they want to be when they grow up.” Watch Video
Mimaki's Mike Maxwell Shares Update on Mimaki Solutions for Signs/Display Graphics
Published: December 17, 2020
Mimaki offers a broad portfolio of solutions for the sign and display graphics market. Mike Maxwell, Senior Manager–Corporate Strategic Development at Mimaki U.S., provides a look at the range of applications customers are producing, including how customers can incorporate 3D printing into the sign and display graphics businesses. Watch Video
Lori Anderson on Cancellation of ISA International Sign Expo 2020
Published: May 15, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Sign Association Board of Directors met this week and has voted to cancel ISA International Sign Expo 2020 re-scheduled for August 22-25. Lori Anderson, ISA President and CEO of ISA talks about decision to cancel this year's event and the scheduling of next year's Sign Expo to be held in Las Vegas during April 2021. Watch Video
From Photolabs to FASTSIGNS
Published: April 6, 2020
Todd Fitzgerald, owner of FASTSIGNS Wappingers Falls, N.Y., talks to Kelley Holmes about his journey from running several camera stores/photolabs to the sign industry. When the photo business started to change, he saw the sign business as a natural progression, and took advantage of FASTSIGNS’ Co-Brand program. Watch Video
FASTSIGNS Vero Beach and ABC Printing Co-Brand to Offer Complete Signage and Commercial Printing Services
Published: March 23, 2020
Gordon Sellers, FASTSIGNS Vero Beach, Fla., and & Chris Beals, ABC Printing, talk about the evolution of their partnership. ABC Printing was founded in 1975 as a quick printer. When Gordon opened FASTSIGNS Vero Beach, Chis became a top customer, selling signs to his customers and acquiring them from FASTSIGNS—and Gordon’s customers also needed small-format printing. As their partnership grew, they decided to take advantage of FASTSIGNS’ Co-Branding program. Watch Video
For Gaby Mullinax & Kaitlyn Mullinax-Fischer, FASTSIGNS is a Family Business
Published: March 16, 2020
Gaby Mullinax & Kaitlyn Mullinax-Fischer, Owner & Director of Business Development of FASTSIGNS of Brea and Fullerton, Calif., talk about how their franchise became a family business, and how Gaby jumped off the corporate ladder to run a FASTSIGNS franchise. They encourage young people to get involved in the FASTSIGNS business. Watch Video
Stan Gray Benefits from FASTSIGNS Veteran Program
Published: March 9, 2020
Stan Gray, owner of FASTSIGNS Torrance and Long Beach, Calif., talks about his military background and how he came to FASTSIGNS via the Veteran & First Responder Franchise Program. Gray also has a background in architecture, and his franchise specializes in ADA signage. Watch Video
Wide-Format & Signage Section Editor
Richard Romano
Richard has written about graphic communication hardware and software trends for the past 25 years.
Articles by Richard Romano | Contact
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