Commentary & Analysis
It’s 2012… and the Transformation of the Printing Industry is Happening NOW!
By Barb Pellow
Published: January 12, 2012
It’s a brand new year and a great time for predictions about what the future holds for the production printing market. This article outlines InfoTrends’ top seven predictions for 2012 related to digital technologies within the printing industry.
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A digital printing and publishing pioneer, marketing expert and Group Director at InfoTrends, Barbara Pellow helps companies develop multi-media strategies that ride the information wave. Barb brings the knowledge and skills to help companies expand and grow business opportunity.
Please offer your feedback to Barb. She can be reached at barb_pellow@infotrends.com.
No one can deny that digital printing makes a lot of sense for many applications today. However, despite this increased use, the core printing process is still (at least for now) offset when considering total print volume,in North America as well as globally. Gravure and flexo processes also account for a major portion of the total print volume. It is somewhat misleading when this fact is not mentioned in an article of this type.
I would like to see current and estimated future volume of digitaly printed pages as part of a larger picture that would include total print volume (including all current processes)in article of this type to keep things in their proper perspective.
Wasn't the 'last' Drupa, the inkjet Drupa?
Roland, I agree with you 1000%.
Barb's article is right on. It is not about print volume, it is about applications and fulfilling the needs of the customer. This is where digital shines along with its 40% margin. Employement in the print industry has been reduced by 38% over the last eight years and half the print shops are gone or merged. Successful printers understand that they are in the business of communications, not print. They are providing print as the core media along with other cross media to help their customers communicate. It is all about providing solutions to the customer's problems thereby helping the customer acheive their goals. Printers who do this will grow. Now the hard part: 1. learn about the customer's situation 2. understand their problems 3. uncover their needs 4. provide solutions for their specific needs that actually solve real business problems. Sales order taking has to migrate to sales consulting.
Drupa 2012 is predicted to be for second time InkJet drupa......
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