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New Day, New Challenges: Three Factors Driving Growth in Wide Format and Signage

When the pandemic hit in 2020, to keep business flowing, many printers seized the opportunity to step into the wide-format space, producing pandemic-related signage, floor graphics, and face shields. Fast-forward to 2022 and these wide-format heroes find themselves facing a new set of issues—all threatening its continued growth. Contributor Joanne Gore looks at these new challenges.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

When the pandemic first ensued, printers were left scratching their heads wondering how to keep business flowing. Many seized the opportunity to bounce back and stepped into the wide-format space, producing pandemic-related signage, floor graphics, and face shields. Fast-forward to 2022 and these wide-format heroes find themselves facing a new set of issues—all threatening its continued growth.

Many states have lifted COVID restrictions and are returning to “normal,” significantly reducing the demand for pandemic-related signage. This hits the provisional revenue streams many printers—especially wide-format print shops—have been relying on for the past 18 months.

Creating further challenges are supply chain and labor shortage issues, which in some instances are fueling one another. Some economies, like the U.S., are opening—while others, like Canada and Asia, continue to face restrictions.


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About Joanne Gore

Joanne Gore is a B2B marketer, content strategist, author, and president of Joanne Gore Communications (JGC), a full-service marketing agency that helps the print industry sell more print.

With over 30 years of experience in the tech and print industries, Joanne brings a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing today’s PSPs. She is a frequent contributor to industry publications and a passionate advocate for helping businesses understand who they help, how they help, and why it matters.

When she’s not helping brands grow, Joanne is leading conversations on key trends like sustainability, digital transformation, AI, customer experience – and the evolving role of print in today’s marketplace.

Follow Joanne on LinkedIn | Visit Joanne Gore Communications

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