Editor’s Note
Define Your Vision
There’s a lot to be said about the industry and where it’s going. However, there’s an
unspoken value in taking the questions facing the industry at large and asking them
of our own business pursuits.
explore
the realm
of interactive print. Th e challenge that
print commercial owners are tasked with
is defi ning their own story so that eff orts to
implement new technology aren’t an attempt
to throw paint at a wall, but rather a strategic
initiative that is part of a larger vision.
As you look this issue, I hope you ask
yourself and in turn, those leading alongside
you, “Who do we want to be? What is our
story?” It’s in those answers that you’ll fi nd
an opportunity to bring your vision to life.
Technology and the many innovations
discussed in these pages will simply be the
carriers that help you arrive.
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Rebecca Flores
Managing Editor
Rebecca Flores is an editorial
professional with more
than 7 years experience in
content management,
corporate communications,
and leadership. With a
demonstrated history of success
in writing and editing, in addition
to a keen insight for current trends,
she brings an energized approach
to coverage of the print and
graphics industry. Email Rebecca at
rebecca@printingnews.com.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the
annual Xeikon Cafe in Chicago. As I got to learn about
Xeikon’s latest developments in technology, as well as
their increased focus on high value specialized segments,
I listened to Andy Paparazzi, Chief Economist and SVP at
Idealliance, discuss a macro-level upturn in the print industry
over the last seven years. Since 2011, print has experienced
a 5.9% increase in sales. Th e industry is steadily climbing as
innovative commercial print owners take the opportunities
technology has provided to them to serve clients more effi ciently
without compromising value.
Increasingly, commercial print owners
are discovering they must rethink not
only their technology, but also their labor
force, their value propositions, their suite
of customized solutions, and their sales
opportunities.
In this issue, you’ll have the opportunity
to look at the numbers reported by our
2018 Top 100 Quick and Small Commercial
Printers, as well as glean key fi ndings from
their proven success.
In addition to these key insights, you can
turn to page 18 to learn about how Treasury
Wine Estates is capitalizing on the advent of
technology, augmented reality in particular,
to drive interest in print. When is the last
time you “interacted” with a wine label? Over
and over again, the consumer experience is
being expanded to go beyond the purchase
point and bring one into the part of a story.
Marketers and brands continue to
Ink & Media Without Limits
From automotive parts to suitcases, there are very few items that cannot serve as a
substrate for printing given the advances in ink and processes that have been the driving
factor in expanding the possibilities. Turn to page 24 to learn more as Carol Brzozowski
discusses these with industry experts.
6 Printing News June 2018 PrintingNewscom
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