You’ve probably seen the name floating around if you’re into high-end architectural photography or the nitty-gritty of the wide-format printing industry. It’s one of those titles that sounds massive—Big Picture—and for a long time, it really was the "it" book for anyone trying to figure out how to print a billboard without it looking like hot garbage. But when people go looking for the publisher of Big Picture magazine, they often hit a wall of corporate mergers and digital transitions that make the whole thing feel like a scavenger hunt.
Honestly, the publishing world is a bit of a mess right now. Brands change hands like baseball cards.
The short answer? ST Media Group International was the long-time engine behind the brand, but the story gets more corporate and "B2B" than that. In the world of trade journals, the "publisher" isn't just one person sitting in a mahogany office; it’s a massive infrastructure of editors, sales reps, and industrial experts based out of places like Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Roots of ST Media Group
For decades, if you wanted to know about sign-making or screen printing, you looked toward Cincinnati, Ohio. That’s where ST Media Group International lived. They weren't just the publisher of Big Picture magazine; they were a hub for the entire visual communications world. They owned Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, and a handful of other niche titles that your average person on the street has never heard of but that keep the global advertising machine running.
Tedd Swormstedt is the name that usually comes up when you dig into the history. The Swormstedt family is basically royalty in the sign industry. They didn't just print a magazine; they helped found the American Sign Museum. That’s the level of "deep tracks" we’re talking about here.
But then, things shifted.
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In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the "traditional" trade pub model started to feel some serious heat. Printing a physical magazine about the printing industry is, ironically, a very expensive irony.
The Big Pivot to SmartWork Media
Around 2020, a massive shift happened. ST Media Group's assets were acquired. If you go looking for the publisher of Big Picture magazine today, you’ll likely find your way to SmartWork Media.
SmartWork Media is a different kind of beast. They’re based in the New York area (Montclair, New Jersey, to be specific) and they focus heavily on "engagement." It’s less about the smell of ink on paper and more about digital webinars, "Best in Show" awards, and keeping the community tethered together through the screen. They also handle Instore (for jewelry) and Pets+. It’s a eclectic mix, but it works because they understand that a magazine isn't just paper; it’s an audience.
What actually happens in the magazine?
It's not a "lifestyle" mag. You won't find recipes for sourdough here.
Big Picture is—or was, depending on how you consume your media—focused on the "big" stuff. We're talking grand-format digital printing. If you see a wrap on a city bus or a three-story graphic in an airport, the person who made that probably reads Big Picture. The editorial voice has always been about the intersection of art and heavy machinery. It’s one part "how-to" for technicians and one part "look at this cool thing" for designers.
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Adrienne Palmer was a long-time editorial force there. She’s one of those people who can talk for forty minutes about the tension of a textile print and make it sound like the most fascinating thing on earth. That’s the "secret sauce" of a good trade publisher—finding editors who actually give a damn about the technical stuff.
The Weird State of Trade Publishing in 2026
We have to be real: the "magazine" as a physical object you hold while sitting on a plane is becoming a rare bird. Many of these titles have moved to "Digital Only" or "Hybrid" models. When you search for the publisher of Big Picture magazine, you’re often looking for a website that functions as a news portal.
The current landscape is dominated by:
- Webinars: Because why read about a printer when you can watch a guy in a polo shirt demo it?
- Daily Newsletters: The "inbox invasion" is the new subscription model.
- The "Big Picture Conference": Events like THINK or various wide-format summits are where the real money is.
SmartWork Media has leaned hard into this. They realized early on that selling ads on a glossy page wasn't going to keep the lights on forever. You have to sell "access." You have to sell "community."
Why the Publisher Matters to You
If you’re a designer or a print shop owner, knowing the publisher is about knowing who to trust. In an era where AI can churn out a "Top 10 Printers of 2026" list in six seconds, the legacy of a publisher like ST Media or SmartWork actually matters. They have the archives. They have the relationships with manufacturers like HP, Epson, and Roland.
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When the publisher of Big Picture magazine puts their stamp on an "Editorial Excellence" award, it carries weight because they’ve seen the industry evolve from literal hand-painted signs to UV-curable inks and 3D-printed displays.
The Competition
It’s not a vacuum. Big Picture has always looked over its shoulder at Wide-Format Impressions (published by NAPCO Media). The rivalry is kinda like Coke vs. Pepsi but for people who get excited about "dots per inch."
NAPCO is a giant. They’re owned by the PRINTING United Alliance. This is a massive trade association. So, while Big Picture (under SmartWork) feels a bit more like a focused, editorial-driven boutique, NAPCO is the heavy-hitter backed by the biggest trade show in the country.
Actionable Steps for Professionals
If you are trying to get featured or simply want to stay ahead of the curve in the large-format world, don't just look for a "Subscribe" button.
- Check the Masthead: Go to the Big Picture website and look at the "About Us" or "Staff" page. See who the current Editorial Director is. Names change fast in this business.
- Look for the Parent Company: If you want to pitch a story or buy an ad, you aren't just talking to Big Picture. You’re talking to SmartWork Media. Look at their other titles to see if your "story" fits their broader vibe.
- Engage with the Awards: Big Picture is famous for its "Women in Print" and "Best in Show" awards. These are the primary ways the publisher keeps the brand relevant. If you want to be "seen," you enter the contests.
- Follow the Editors, Not Just the Brand: In 2026, the individuals often have more "pull" on LinkedIn than the magazine’s official account does. Find the people who actually write the words.
The publisher of Big Picture magazine isn't a mysterious shadow figure. It’s a team of people in New Jersey and Ohio trying to make sure that the world of giant graphics doesn't lose its soul to automation. Whether you’re reading it on a tablet or (if you’re lucky) a rare physical copy, the goal remains the same: making sure the "big picture" stays in focus.
The industry is smaller than it looks. Everyone knows everyone. If you’re looking to break in, start by understanding that the publisher is more than just a name on a copyright line—they’re the gatekeepers of the industry’s history.