The wonders of laser, inkjet, and so many new techniques and inks I saw at IPEX were still floating in my head....

...but I am home now -- in Central NY -- far from the world of specialty printers.

Saturday afternoon, here I was, just driving around, running errands -- when I was absolutely floored listening to NPR. I heard an interview with the executive chef Homaro Cantu at Chicago's MOTO restaurant. He prepares food -- get this -- with a Canon i560 inkjet printer (using FDA approved edible ink, of course!) He also works with a laser printer (printing on edible thermal paper).... and next he wants to experiment with a 3D printer which would allow him to manifest the creations he can only dream of now.

Read this article in the New York times for more on Chef Cantu. (And believe me, next time I'm in Chicago, I must visit his restaurant!)

The best part of my job, and my vision for ThinkPlaza -- is to create a place where we can discuss things that make you think. And when I did a little surfing this morning I came across another article, this one in PC World that also mentions inkjets being tested to create skin tissue -- for skin grafts and potentially organs! To be able to grow parts of the body -- using a printer-like machine -- takes away the whole organ donation shortage, removes the black market organ farms and keeps people from waiting in a limbo state while organ compatibility issues are resolved.

Being a Star Trek fan, I can't help but smile when I think of the food replicators ("Earl Grey, Hot") and the non-invasive surgeries imagined on the show.

This technology, this humble technology which allows communication far and wide -- is contributing more to our future than ever expected. I am thrilled to be along for the ride.

Wendy

9 million+ American jobs

$900 billion in commerce

9 percent of the gross domestic product

DEPEND ON MAIL AND PACKAGE DELIVERY

Those numbers are staggering no matter how you look at it.

As we launch thINK Plaza, I had to remind myself of the facts:

• The USPS delivers 212 billion pieces of mail to over 144 million homes, businesses, and Post Office boxes
• The USPS handles more than 44% of the world's card and letter mail volume — delivering more mail to more addresses and to a larger geographic area than any other postal service in the world.
• About 14% of the nation's population moves every year, generating more than 45 million address changes.
  
• There is serious money being exchanged.

Correspondence & transactions — $36 billion
Business advertising — $18.9 billion
Expedited delivery — $5.5 billion
Publications delivery — $2.2 billion
Standard package delivery — $2.2 billion
International mail — $1.8 billion

This industry touches everyone in the United States -- six days a week, sometimes seven. It's not "just mail". It's communication and it makes our world run.

from: Senate Passes Postal Reform Bill by RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, Associated Press Writer

source: AP Online, February 10, 2006.

via: HighBeam™ Research

Update from IPEX, Birmingham, UK 2006

Is it April already?

Along with showers and flowers, the new specialty equipment that I am seeing at this year's IPEX convention is surely something to write home about.

From the big HP/Scitex Wide format printers (billboard sized takes 3 minutes to print!) to the Indigo Presses to the new offerings at Xerox, Kodak and the numerous other printer "names" at the show, to the mailroom automation equipment -- there is something for everyone at the show.

As I walk the exhibits, meeting with manufactureres and dealers, the reality of our
Think Plaza launch is setting in. Everyone I've spoken with has expressed interest in reaching out to other dealers, manufacturers and end users -- and the media is interested in the trends our research will uncover.

As we kick off our launch this week, I encourage you to post questions, add areas of interest, and personalize this community so that it reflects the print world as you know it.

Cheers from the UK,

Wendy