Author: JOSSGROUP (Page 1 of 3)

The Real Reason 1984 Was Not Like 1984: PostScript

February 14, 2023 / JOSSGROUP

On January 22, 1984, during that year’s Super Bowl, the now-iconic and totally unforgettable Apple Computer advertisement aired. The commercial never showed the computer itself, but ended with this audio: “On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’”

We were there, and we remember. And, we would strenuously argue the Macintosh did change the world in some ways.

But, we would also argue the real reason 1984 was not like the book 1984 and one of the foundational reasons the entire world began to change so profoundly that year is because of the software that is PostScript and not hardware that was Macintosh.

So, we want to draw attention to a December 2022 announcement and article released by the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The museum announced the public release of PostScript’s source code. The article talks about the origins of PostScript and its significance inside the enormous world that is Print and points to its wider significance to the world that is, well, the entire World. For Seybold Report readers and followers, the article is a must-read.

“Today, the digital printing press has far exceeded anything envisioned by the Adobe cofounders when they first set out create PostScript with their team. Almost everything printed on paper is done so using computers. Indeed, in many areas of the world, computers have become the overwhelming tool for writing. As Doug Brotz puts it, PostScript ‘democratized the print world.’ With PDF now so successful that it too has become a global standard, the number of PDFs created each year is now measured in the trillions.”

Does Print Have a Branding Problem?

February 2, 2023 / JOSSGROUP

In a 2022 in review article, industry observer and crusader Deborah Corn makes two bold statements we wanted to highlight in this post:

“We have a tremendous workforce development problem, that is swiftly moving toward a crisis.”
“Since I don’t have a vested interest to attract people to a specific program, print organization, or company, I can see the bigger picture. In this case, PRINT has a serious branding issue.”

Corn makes several suggestions in her article about what print providers should do in 2023 to help bolster the Print’s brand. We suggest readers of this blog read her article and share with her and the Joss Group their reactions. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Joss Group says, “PRINT is vital!” Deborah Corn says, “Print has a serious branding issue.” Both statements are true, but there is more to the story. It is time for more than a few serious discussions. Let us get started!

January 19, 2023 / JOSSGROUP

Once upon a time, posters full of dazzling images and arresting slogans dominated the media landscape. They were displayed in shop windows, covered billboards, and were even draped over human bodies when the 19th-century Sandwich Men patrolled city sidewalks carrying advertising posters over their shoulders.

The Library of Congress’ collection of posters traverses nearly two centuries and multiple continents. Its contents tell the story of an evolving form that exhibited the work of major artists and promoted everything from food to political candidates.

Here we present images of a few of the posters in the Library’s collection. To view the entire article about posters owned by the Library of Congress, please click here to view the January/February issue of the Library of Congress magazine.

Robert Half Says Nearly 50% of United States Workers Plan to Look for a New Position in 2023

December 23, 2022 / JOSSGROUP

It is almost 2023, and many graphic arts businesses will be gaining or losing employees in the new year. At least that is the takeaway message from a recent Robert Half survey. “According to the company’s biannual Job Optimism Survey of more than 2,500 professionals in the United States, 46% of respondents are currently looking or plan to look for a new role in the first half of 2023, up from 41% six months ago.”

The graphic arts industry today relies heavily on contracted labor, either through small firms which are really collectives of contractors working together or through individuals who contract their services out to a number of companies. Thus, the finding of “nearly three in 10 professionals (29%) are considering quitting their job to pursue a full-time contracting career” caught our eye at the Seybold Report.

We agree with the statement in the Robert Half press release from Paul McDonald, senior executive director of the company, “The employment landscape is changing day to day, and it will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out. Regardless of what happens, employers cannot take their foot off the pedal when it comes to earning trust and driving engagement with current staff and creating a positive experience for potential hires.”

For more findings from the Robert Half survey, click here.

Print is Vital: Holiday Edition

December 1, 2022 / JOSSGROUP

No surprise here: American Greetings likes cards, all kinds of cards including printed cards. And, the company says, most adults in the United States do, too. More than half send some kind of card during the year-end holiday season.

The press release about the study got us thinking about one of our favorite Seybold Report subjects: the amazing vitality of Print. So, here is a quick gallery of some of the holiday-related print products and projects most people (but not us!) take for granted. Spread the word: Print is Vital!