IFS managing director Eric Keane

In 2024 there will be a continuation of the pressures felt during 2023 – high interest rates, high inflation, labour and skill shortages, and some disrupted supply chains. There will likely be an accelerated trend in mergers and acquisitions for ambitious print companies to make either strategic acquisitions of their competitors, or in order to secure diversity in their product offering, do this through acquisition of other companies.

The sector will continue with consolidation and this will drive more investment in more technology and automation. The latter, in particular, was an accelerating trend in 2023. Most leading print companies have been looking to increase investment in more automated print finishing systems. This in turn has enabled IFS, in collaboration with our partners Horizon and Tecnau, to be at the forefront in supplying innovative, automated print finishing systems, that meet this demand to reduce operator touch points, improve output speeds and utilise less labour.

With the world around us so uncertain, trade fairs like drupa really do bring the business communities together. Business people do mix, and with that entrepreneurship and enterprise flourishes.

Phil McMullin, head of sales for Commercial & Industrial, Epson UK

Continuous improvements with sustainability considerations at their core will remain a significant focus for print production environments and suppliers in the short-to-medium term. Epson strives to build technologies that last and support responsible and efficient production. As we develop our own printheads, print hardware, and print software, we’re able to deliver a very customer-focused portfolio that responds to increased demand for product longevity and reduced energy and waste. We can also help operations explore the most effective options as well as offer support, advice, and guidance when it is needed. 

Ease of use is crucial for both operational efficiency and the ability to move into new markets. Simple and fast setup via user-friendly touchscreen ensures operator confidence and quick throughput to maintain agile and responsive production. These are key persuaders for businesses considering their next steps towards successful growth, and  empower operations to expand their offerings. This is important to help them capitalise on the growth opportunities of markets such as personalisation, where production needs to be right the first time, and every time.

Martyn Train, managing director, Duplo UK

With a steady 2023 under our belt we turn our sights to 2024 and the future of print, which appears to be thriving with resilience and innovation. Despite digital communication’s prevalence, our industry is undergoing a renaissance, embracing cutting-edge technologies to enhance its relevance to add value to the consumer, especially in sectors such as education, greetings cards and the recovery of in-plants.

This resurgence is fuelled by a growing appreciation for tangible, tactile experiences as well as the enduring appeal of high-quality printed products. As we have always said, print in its various forms continues to play a pivotal role in communication and the purchasing experience, offering a unique and timeless way to engage audiences.

At Duplo we are really excited about drupa and some of the new products we’ve been itching to show the industry. This includes upgrades to our range, brand new products that will take Duplo into new areas, as well as some innovations that will show how we are preparing for the future of our industry.

Yale Goldis, director strategy, commercial products and solutions at HP PageWide Industrial

As traditional print volumes decline, digital print will continue to grow. Commercial printers adopting the latest high volume production printing capabilities find better economics for themselves and their clients. They will also redefine their offerings and reimagine applications that bridge digital online and physical media.

Publishers are moving towards sustainable, targeted production. Shorter, frequent runs in the market are replacing large, centrally produced orders to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce book miles. Publishers are also adopting ‘gap’ printing, using POD production from the onset of a book’s life cycle, to meet unpredicted demand. 

Direct mail will continue its renaissance in 2024 as marketers rediscover the performance and value of print in the overall marketing mix. While postal and paper costs pressure overall mail volume, digitally printed, personalised, impactful and relevant mail will see healthy growth. 

Business models such as web-to-print meet growing consumer demands for convenient online ordering, customisation and improved customer experience. Closer integration with large data warehouses and powerful marketing engines enable true multi-channel campaigns executed across online and print media.

Will Mansfield, director, solutions marketing, Kodak

In 2023, the pursuit of production efficiencies was paramount. Advances such as higher quality faster inkjet presses, smarter workflow platforms and more automated CtP systems have significantly streamlined production. These innovations have reduced labour requirements and also improved the accuracy and consistency of printing, thus reducing waste. The economic landscape was again characterised by uncertainties and inflationary pressures. To adapt to these challenges for our plate customers, Kodak continued to invest in regional manufacturing as well as technology innovations.

Kodak is anticipating drupa 2024 as a unique opportunity to connect with printers from around the globe and debut new solutions. The show provides a valuable platform for Kodak to engage with customers and prospects and gain deeper insights into their evolving needs. We are excited to showcase our latest innovations in high-speed inkjet, workflow and offset solutions, demonstrating our commitment to advancing the industry. We are committed to being a strategic partner to our customers, helping them navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Duncan Smith, country director, production, Canon UK & Ireland

As customers are expecting faster turnaround times and higher quality products than ever before, we at Canon have seen an increasing demand for cutting-edge inkjet technology in 2023.

Alongside quality and productivity, businesses are starting to realise that inkjet also delivers many economic and environmental benefits. With reliable equipment that harnesses automation, businesses can save on total cost of ownership with reduced power consumption and streamlined workflows. Additionally, inkjet enables print solution providers to broaden their media capabilities and branch out to a variety of markets, such as retail, manufacturing and interior décor.

We’re excited to return to drupa next year alongside some of the key players in the industry. We see this as a huge opportunity to not only showcase new technology, but also celebrate our achievements over the last few years. We expect to see a lot of conversation around the advancement of inkjet technology when it comes to production and wide-format print and are excited to share our developments in this space.

Andy Kent, general manager, Fujifilm UK

Sustainable and energy-efficient machinery and practices were key factors in 2023 when printers were looking at suppliers for equipment or consumables. The market has also seen many mergers and acquisitions as companies join forces to reduce fixed costs.

Energy costs remain a problem but other costs are stabilising, or even going down in some cases. With interest rates moving upwards, we initially saw some reluctance to invest in new equipment in 2023. I think this was because people felt it might be a temporary situation, but are now accepting that the higher rates appear to be here to stay for some time.

Analogue processes are increasingly transforming to digital, particularly in the packaging space where the market is still growing. I expect this to be one of the main trends and biggest opportunities in 2024.

I see AI as another trend with complimentary technology for making quick decisions in time-limited situations. I expect drupa to be well-attended because we will see new sustainable products and services that will inspire print businesses looking for an extra edge.

Charlotte Tueckmantel, GM Enterprise Print & eCommerce, eProductivity Software

2023 in many ways was the reset of the new normal. Coming out of Covid we saw a huge resurgence in our customers’ businesses, and record numbers in many areas. While 2023 took a slight step back it was still well above the Covid years, despite increasing costs across the board. This included the rising cost of people/talent; difficulty attracting new talent is a challenge that the industry has seen for a few years now and we will continue to see in 2024.

The rising costs of people, materials and energy will continue to drive higher levels of automation, supported by the emergence of actionable insights and AI starting to appear in the industry.

For 2024, we see a trend towards more remote or hybrid work in the front office driven by the need for greater flexibility and the challenges to hire skilled people. This shift, enabled by technology and coupled with the arrival or more automation, actionable insight, API integrations and AI will continue to change the landscape.

The post Past and future appeared first on Digital Printer.

Printers and suppliers share their thoughts on the industry in 2016 and look forward to 2017.

1. What was the most significant development in the printing industry in 2016?

Richard Leach (RL), managing director, Leach 

The outcome of the EU referendum had a significant impact. We remain confident despite the Brexit decision, but it has to be one of the most significant developments we’ve encountered.

Andrew Hall (AH), marketing manager, Oki Systems (UK)

A huge take up of personalisation and on demand print.

Gerard Heanue (GH), managing director, Heidelberg UK

Inkjet developments and the partnerships forged between litho and digital companies.

James Jarvis (JJ), channel director for print, Antalis

Print volumes may be in decline, but demand for high quality, creative print continues to rise and printers are embracing new technologies, new markets and new revenue streams.

Keith McMurtrie (KM), managing director, Tharstern

We’ve seen a big increase in personalised products that have been ordered online. More and more printers want the ability to process these hands-free.

Sarah Crumpler (SC), marketing manager, Duplo UK

Printers are focusing on finishing options that add value. There has been a significant drive to greater workflow automation.

Stephen Palmer (SP), director of production print business, Ricoh UK

The acceptance of inkjet. Printers in the UK have begun to adopt this technology that now meets the speed and quality demands to offer an alternative to litho. 

2. How would you describe the state of the print industry in 2016?

Jon Bailey (JB), CEO, ProCo

Competitive and challenging but upbeat! There are jobs out there to be won and, with some creative thinking, margin to be gained too!

RL

In one word, encouraging. Forward-thinking companies are innovating more than ever before. That constant eye on the future and a commitment to adding value for clients is what has continued to excite me during the year.

Bryan Godwyn (BG), managing director, IFS

It is in a state of change but it is in a very exciting and healthy condition for those forward thinking printers.

GH

Heidelberg carries out regular customer surveys and our latest one found that 90% of printers were optimistic about increasing their revenues. Brexit has led to a weakening of sterling but companies have continued to invest where there is a clear business rationale and measurable ROI.

SC

There is a sense of optimism despite the Brexit vote, and customers are continuing to invest.

3. Have you detected any sign of a swing back towards print?

JB

Price stops people going down the print route, and postage plays a massive part in that. However, people are beginning to understand that digital just doesn’t do it on its own and that DM delivers the best ROI.

 Antony Paul (AP), marketing manager, Neopost

There does seem to have been something of a return to direct mail from email. Although not necessarily visible in pure volume terms, DM does seem to be an increasing part of the mix.

JJ

Yes absolutely. The initial rush to move online has plateaued. Consumers are growing immune to the barrage of digital communications. Marketers are increasingly considering print within a multi-channel approach to maximise response rates.

Rob Fisher (RF), Ipex event director, Informa Exhibitions

I have noticed a swing towards print. The central theme is a ‘kick-back’ on the digital world with people wanting to see and touch an analogue version like vinyl albums covers and books.

SP

Most definitely. Print forms part of an increasingly complex marketing mix.  There is a swing towards direct mail because brand owners are realising the chance to cultivate an emotional response. Clients have reported double-digit growth in this area in the past year.

4. What was your favourite printed job of the year?

AH

Our Oki Print my Ride campaign.

BG

The new £5 note.

GH

The Times, which increased its circulation significantly in the last 12 months. A return to the printed word?

JJ

The standout piece was ‘Don McCullin: Irreconcilable Truths’ printed by Opal Print and designed by The English Group.

Peter Bray (PB), managing director, Durst UK

A project created for the Sumburgh Marine Life centre by Leach Colour, including an interactive 12-metre glass wall that uses 50 hexagonal lightboxes.

5. What was the most significant development in your business in 2016?

Bob Usher (BU), managing director, Apex Digital Graphics

The adoption of LED-UV litho presses by digital printers.

BG

Tony Hards retired after 50 years in print and Jason Seaber became a shareholder.

David Smith (DS), marketing communications manager, Vivid

2016 was the year that foiling and spot UV-style effects using the Matrix really came into their own.

GH

The recruitment of three new apprentices: Elliott Brettle; Harry Thomas; and Ryan Watts. People count and teams matter. Our industry must invest in the future by recruiting, training and re-training staff to optimise skills and business performance. 

KM

Launching in the US – we invested hundreds of thousands of pounds.  We’re very happy to say it was worth it.

PA

The launch of partner services. We now have six commercial partners and a base of pro-photographer customers that shows our approach working. The partner model has been instrumental in finding customers that really appreciate and demand quality.

PB

Durst Water Technology. It’s a long-term strategy to offer systems an alternative to UV and solvent.

SP

The inkjet Pro VC6000 and its latest capability to print on coated litho stock. The need to expand the media is critical to our customers.

Steve Giddins (SG), partner, PBS

The introduction of on demand and short run luxury box making by IML.

Read the rest of the answers here.

The post Industry insight appeared first on Digital Printer.