In the digital age, an increasing number of publications choose to eliminate their print issues and move entirely online. However, those publications with a loyal print subscriber base are left to choose between a myriad of local carriers or the United States Postal Service (USPS). There is no correct answer. Publications must do the research and evaluate the market.

With costs rising, many publications are looking for ways to cut down on expenses in order to increase ROI. One such strategy for decreasing expenditure might be a reduction in print frequency, but publications must consider the effects of such a change on their brand and audience. Changing your print frequency is a question that should be carefully considered.

In February 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, escalating the Russo-Ukrainian War that has been ongoing since 2014. The ripples of this conflict have been felt worldwide, with the global economy experiencing rising costs. Many industries — including the printing industry — have a common denominator that could be a contributing factor to the rise in costs: aluminum.

Despite what many believe about printing, it is not a dying practice. The printing industry continues to experience growth in other areas, such as advertising. The Global Commercial Printing Market is projected to be worth $484.22 billion by 2027, a nearly 12% increase from 2021.

Relief may be at hand for newspaper operations dogged by newsprint supply chain snarls and the rising costs of the paper over the past three years. Newspapers should expect significant changes in the market by early 2023 along with downward pressure on prices, according to Derek Mahlburg, director of North American paper and packaging analysis for Fastmarkets, an information provider for the forest products industry that newspaper operations pros turn to for data.

After a nearly three-year COVID-related hiatus, newspaper industry executives gathered at the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island, for an International Newspaper Group conference, Sept. 17-19. The conference provided a snapshot of the innovations, challenges and general state of newspaper operations in North America. Here are five takeaways from the event.

The newspaper pros working in news publishing operations and logistics not only understand every department’s mechanics (beyond presses and equipment), they often contribute new thinking and concepts to help uncover profitability. Operations All-Stars — a joint project between E&P and the International Newspaper Group — recognizes three winners, plus three additional runners-up, as this year's top talent.

Longtime media industry consultant Ken Harding has taken his talents to Hearst Newspapers. Harding’s title at Hearst is senior vice president of business effectiveness, an unusual — though fitting title — to describe what he’s doing.