While work on the first issue of 2023 is well underway, we paused to see which PostPress articles from 2022 caught the eyes of our readers. The following stories were the top reads from 2022 for visitors to the website.

1. Troubleshooting Foil Stamping Challenges on Press

FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson recently queried a trio of industry experts about foil stamping and embossing challenges. Bertrand Hayoz, Bobst; Andy Dvorsky, Dvorsky Press Services; and Sean Hurley, MCD, offered advice for finetuning techniques, making jobs more cost effective and speeding up production.

2. Revival of the North American Book Market

Despite (or because of) the COVID-19 pandemic, more printed books were sold in 2020 as compared to 2019. We are seeing a general flight back to reading printed books. Also, the younger generation is reading more again.

3. Top 10 Packaging Trends for 2022

Explore the packaging trends for 2022, including contract packaging, automation and virtual/augmented reality packaging. Luxury and vintage-style packaging also need to be considered.

4. Cast and Cure Finds Niche for Many Applications

Although film casting, known as Cast and Cure™, is not a new print technology, many industry veterans still misunderstand how the process actually works. PostPress sat down with Tim Cain, president of Breit Technologies, to discuss Cast and Cure, the best applications, and the advantages and disadvantages of the process.

5. Designing for Specialty UV Coatings

To take full advantage of the creativity offered by UV coatings, it is helpful to understand their strengths and weaknesses as dictated by the underlying press being used – traditional vs. digital. And it takes design expertise to use UV coatings for the most effective and memorable results.