Here's a description of my commute to work in the year 2017: After boarding the train, I catch up on the latest news headlines by unfolding not that morning's edition of the printed Chicago Tribune but my Apple iTV—a paper-thin, 8-1/2 x 11-in. screen with the capability of pulling in satellite-television programs from across the globe. And who do I have to thank for this technology? I sure hope it'll be the converting industry.

Printable electronics are what I'm talking about. It's a subject we've covered off and on for the past few years, and while RFID tags and labels are top-of-mind with converters today, a whole host of products—from lighting and batteries to, yes, televisions—await our industry's skills in printing, coating and laminating to make them a reality tomorrow.

A just-released new market study by Glen Allen, VA-based NanoMarkets details the opportunities ahead in various converted materials and supplies for printed electronics. Among them:

• Nanoparticulate silver inks improve conductivity, lower curing temperatures and print finer lines. About $900 million worth of nanosilver inks will be sold by 2014.
• Organic LEDs, key enablers of mobile video and flexible displays like my Apple iTV, are driving the market for polymer inks, which may reach $1.7 billion in sales by 2014.
• PET and PEN plastic-film substrates alone could be a $7.7 billion market seven years hence because no other materials are so suitable for these roll-to-roll production processes at their relatively low price for printed electronics.
• And overall, the total materials market for this field is expected to grow to $7.7 billion in the next five years. In fact, several firms are gearing up now to enter full-scale production in 2007 and 2008.

If printing flexible packaging, labels or cartons isn't enough for the long-term growth and/or viability of your business, the brave new world of printable electronics is beckoning. Successful 21st century converters will be those who identify—and exploit—innovative ways to deploy their expertise.

On a more down-to-earth note: With this issue, we launch another new column: Small Business Savvy. Four times a year, we'll present advice on a range of topics from recruiting and retaining employees to the tax and business-incentive advantages (or disadvantages) of locating your operation in various states. To kick off the series, you'll find help from Richard A. Moras of UBS Financial Services on how to develop a retirement plan for your employees (see page 22).