People of Print

I strongly believe that a key strategy for keeping print alive and thriving will be the ongoing collaboration of various facets of the industry. "Strength in numbers" is not just an old saying - it is a tried and true method. 

People of Print logo

An organization working in this direction is People of Print. Founded in 2013, PoP was originally a web-library which listed various illustrators, printers, and the like, especially those who favor the old ways of printing over newer, digital methods. Today, PoP headquarters not only offers print services and consulting, but they have also grown into a large community of print industry creatives who support and inspire one another.

Earlier this year, People of Print published a compilation book containing art from various printers, presses, designers, and illustrators, all of whom favor more traditional approaches to printing. Like the folks at GF Smith Papers, these are creators who do things the old way, yet manage to keep it fresh and new.

People of Print can be purchased here

One of the most exciting things about print culture is the amazing community of artists, dreamers, and innovators who belong to it. Often, they are the misfits, the romantics, the marginalized. They're funky, independent, and weird. These people will always be able to find a way to keep books, print, and publications around because that's what they've always done - create, conceive, and devise.

However, as western culture continues to move toward an increasingly high-tech state of being, we "people of print" will need to remain ever-diligent and conscientious. We must always remember to keep looking ahead and moving forward.