HOW DIGITAL PRINTING HELPED A 130-YEAR-OLD BUSINESS SURVIVE Digital printing completely changed the print industry, forcing traditional printing companies to adapt to faster production, smaller orders, and new customer expectations. In season 2 episode 2 of Nobody Knowz, Callie sits down with Scott Gipson of Caxton Printers to explore how a family-owned printing and publishing company founded in 1895 survived the transition from traditional printing to digital technology and what artificial intelligence could change next. HOW DIGITAL PRINTING CHANGED THE PRINT INDUSTRY When Caxton Printers began in Caldwell, Idaho, newspapers, books, advertisements, business records, and public information all depended on physical print. Early printing required individual pieces of lead type to be arranged by hand before words could be transferred onto paper. Today, Caxton uses advanced digital printing technology that can produce materials faster, more efficiently, and in smaller quantities. Scott explains that print did not die when digital technology arrived. The industry changed, and printing companies had to change with it. HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS CHANGING PUBLISHING After surviving the transition to digital printing and e-books, the publishing industry is now entering another major technological shift. Scott explains how Caxton already uses artificial intelligence for correspondence, fact-checking, book-cover concepts, design assistance, and publishing workflows. He also believes AI could have a larger impact on textbooks and education than the original transition from printed textbooks to digital textbooks. A digital textbook still asks a student to read traditional material on a screen. Artificial intelligence could completely change how students find information, interact with educational content, and complete assignments. WHY PRINT ISN’T DEAD The print industry has repeatedly been declared dead, but Scott believes that description misunderstands what happened. Print did not disappear. The amount being printed changed, the technology improved, and the reasons people choose physical materials became more specific. Books, educational materials, historical records, specialized publications, and commercial printing still serve purposes that digital media cannot completely replace. The future is not necessarily print versus digital. It is understanding which format delivers the most value for a particular audience, message, or experience. 00:00 – Welcome to The Nobody Knowz Podcast 02:05 – Six Generations of a Family Printing Business 05:15 – How Caxton Preserved Family Ownership 08:00 – Why Caxton Must Continue Publishing Books 09:25 – Changes Facing the Print Industry 11:15 – Traditional Printing vs. Digital Printing 16:20 – How Caxton Became a Recognized Book Publisher 19:15 – Protecting a 130-Year-Old Family Business 21:00 – Why Print Is Not Dead 22:30 – How Businesses Survive Major Change 23:25 – The Fire That Destroyed Caxton Printers 26:00 – How Community Supports Local Businesses 29:15 – The Future of Community Leadership 31:00 – Why Younger Leaders Need Mentorship 36:20 – Why Physical Books Still Matter 37:30 – How Print on Demand Changed Publishing 40:20 – The Book Publishing Process Explained 43:35 – How AI Could Change Textbooks 45:20 – How Publishers Are Using Artificial Intelligence 47:00 – The Future of Printing and Publishing Join the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and follow Nobody Knowz wherever you listen or watch. It helps more people discover the conversations and stories we’re sharing. Everyone has a story, a lesson, or an experience worth hearing. If you or someone you know has a story that could inspire, educate, challenge, or connect with others, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and share your story for the chance to be featured on an upcoming episode. Because once your story is shared, it’s no longer one that nobody knows. Listen Here: https://www.nobodyknowz.com
