Impressions from Our Venerable List -Michelson

Gone from this year's list are Vertis, in the process of being swallowed by Quad/Graphics; as well as iconic, family-owned enterprises that frequently appeared within past PI 400 rankings, like Williamson Printing, Finlay Printing, Branch-Smith Printing and Sells Printing, to name just a few.

This special issue also contains 2013 forecasts for key print market segments, namely books, catalogs, magazines and direct mail, and for commercial printing overall. Check out our exclusive interviews with several of the largest industry players in these segments as they reveal the dynamics that are reshaping their traditional and multi-channel offerings in response to evolving customer needs. One recurring theme: Digital printing and personalization capabilities are becoming ever more critical to success. Likewise, the elephant in the room remains the troubled U.S. Postal Service, and what reforms Congress will adopt to stop its financial hemorrhaging and to rightsize the distribution channel upon which our industry is so dependent.