3D Printing will have no effect on business valuations of print, mail, and graphics communications companies—for the foreseeable future. Simply, owners and senior managers of privately-owned print providers will need to look elsewhere than 3D Printing for growth. This technology may someday be relevant and perhaps even “disruptive,” but today it has zero relevance to the 28,000 or so...

When Kaufmann’s department store opened in the Town Center Mall in my hometown, the Diamond department store closed its doors. The Diamond’s management (Federated Department Stores) had fought the mall and other changes to retail (they fought for the blue laws keeping stores closed on Sunday, for instance). But practically to the day that Kaufmann’s (now Macy’s) opened, they closed. I...

Last week I had the opportunity to attend EFI’s Connect conference at the Wynn Las Vegas. Now in its 14th year, EFI Connect caters to graphic arts business leaders' need for continued innovation and education and profitable growth opportunities. Graphic arts professionals had the opportunity to participate in more than 150 sessions covering MIS/ERP software, Web-to-print systems, industrial...

Just after Drupa, Andy Tribute - Print guru – claimed that the future for print lay in the opportunities for inkjet technology in both packaging and Industrial Print. He explained "Inkjet technology has lots of potential in these areas. They are both getting better and better in terms of quality, and these markets are ones that will drive print forward. It is worth owning some intellectual...

As he handed me my birthday gift last year, my son said, “Mom, before you open this I have to warn you that I’ve committed sacrilege.” He spoke the truth. Resting inside the wrappings was a Nook e-reader. To get the full impact of this, you need to understand that when I say Bob and I are book people, it’s like saying the ocean is a tad damp. After a recent cleaning frenzy, we...

“You are only as good as your worst employee.” I heard this from one of the attendees during a recent seminar. I thought it was so appropriate. There are many shops out there that will never be as good as what the owner desires, because they continue to put up with underachievers or bad-attitude employees. Even though finding a replacement for this type of individual is a top concern for...

By John Giles With all of the cool new print equipment and technology at drupa and at the upcoming Graph Expo, printers need to make sure they are covering the basics before they add something new to their production mix, especially if it requires a big investment. Financials – In this day and time, you need strong financial information before you make a decision and ask your banker for...

By Bob Hall An op-ed piece in this Sunday’s paper caught my eye with the headline: “Writing: more important than ever” Since I’ve blathered on about lousy writing over the years, I had to read the article. Pointing out that documents written centuries ago still influence our lives (the Bible, the Quran, the Constitution, etc.), the authors noted that technology is spurring another...

A MyPrintResource.com exclusive By Mark Vruno, MPR Portal Editor Akin to automakers, press manufacturers face the sullen fact that not very many commercial printer budgets can withstand brand-spanking-new hardware investments. That explains why still-struggling OEMs are more warmly embracing the idea of selling their own used or “pre-owned” output devices, be they conventional iron or...