“History does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.” In this study, we explore how imaging technologies have transformed with changes in content, business models, and key innovations in painting, photography, and printing over the ages. Finally, we make recommendations for the future of printing, which is challenged by the internet and digital technologies, so that we can "learn the new from the old.”

In 2019, e-manga surpassed paper publications in sales. Specifically, in FY2021, paper sales were ￥264.5 billion, whereas electronic sales were ￥411.4 billion, making electronic sales the mainstream. The research question of this study is why only e-manga are accepted. The cause of this was analyzed using a questionnaire survey. Our findings showed that readers in their 20s to 40s tended to read e-manga, and that many of them did not have fixed occupations (e.g., they held part-time jobs or were full-time housewives). By contrast, men in their 50s and 60s were more likely to read paper manga. Both groups indicated that they preferred to read paper manga when they wanted to keep it in their memory and that they preferred e-manga when they wanted to read something in their spare time. Regarding purchase choices, all respondents, regardless of whether they preferred paper or electronics, indicated that they wanted to read their favorite writers and originals.

Delay just after page turning is an unavoidable and problem when music players use the traditional paper music scores. We expect electronic music scores can solve this essential problem because electronic media can offer easier page turning method for players. An electronic music score terminal using e-Paper medium was already developed and put on the market as a paperlike music score with easier page turning by touch switch or foot pedal. We compared three types of pages turning conditions: paper score, e-Paper score with screen touch page-turning, and e-Paper score with pedal operation page-turning. Continuity of keyboard play after pageturning was self-evaluated by players. The foot pedal operation of the e-Paper music score showed the smallest delay after page-turning. This result indicates the usefulness of the e-Paper music score.

Printing media have a higher resolution than electronic displays and can reproduce sufficiently small figures and characters (fine shapes) that cannot be seen unless observed closely. Therefore, Central Prophics Co., Ltd. proposed new halftone-screening technologies for poster designs that allow one to see completely different information when viewed from different distances. The first technology is named “Icon Screen,” which replaces the halftone dots with shapes (icons). When viewed closely, only the icons are visible; however, when viewed from a distance, a different image appears. The second technology is named “Font Screen,” which replaces the halftones with texts. When viewed closely, one can read the texts, but when one moves away, one can see the picture.