Printing Industry Commentary & Analysis

Articles by Sean Smyth

Sean Smyth is print consultant at Smithers Pira, the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Sean has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.

Displaying 1-19 of 19 articles

After the Flood: BOBST Opens New Competence Center in Florence, Italy

Published October 22, 2024

Sean Smyth reports from the opening ceremony at BOBST’s new 1,200 square meter Competence Center in Florence, Italy, where they showed off six of their label, flexible packaging, and carton presses.

Musings on drupa, 2024

Published June 20, 2024

Industry analyst Sean Smyth offers some initial impressions of drupa 24.

Global Perspectives: Print in Western Europe

Published June 11, 2024

Each edition of the drupa daily featured a Global Perspectives article that looked at the state of the printing industry in a specific nation or region. In this article, Sean Smyth profiles Western Europe.

PCMC to Host Two Exciting Open House Events in Packaging Innovation Center

Published March 20, 2024

Smithers Analyst and Consultant Sean Smyth talks to Windell Mcgill of PCMC about two recent open houses they'll be hosting in their Packaging Innovation Center in Green Bay, Wis.

The Whole Package: From Economics to Ecology, What the Does the Future Hold?

Published October 2, 2023

Contributor Sean Smyth looks into his crystal ball at what the future of packaging production will entail, from trends in sustainability to automation and robotics, and more.

Digital Print for Packaging: The pace is steady and picking up with lots of room for growth

Published July 18, 2017

In this article, Sean Smyth – Print Consultant with Smithers Pira examines the results of a new report that looks at the growth of Digital Print for Packaging to 2022. This report breaks down the projected growth by packaging application, and shows some surprising results.

Global Flexible Packaging Market Set for Rapid Growth

Published August 19, 2015

Advancements in flexible materials have made them mainstay substrates for food and beverage packaging all around the world. A new report foresees solid growth for the sector in most regions from now through 2020.

Inkjet – State Of The Art Or Sci-Fi Fantasy Print?

Published August 14, 2015

Parents know this refrain well – “Are we there yet?” – just as they know the answer – “In a little while.” I spend my working life with printing technology and have heard this for many years. In the case of inkjet, this is a recurring theme. And while we are not there yet, we are getting much closer.

The Colour of Money

Published March 14, 2014

Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World looks at the importance and capabilities of colour control in print as brands invest more heavily in design.

3D Print Building More Than Hype

Published February 18, 2014

Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry, looks at the progress of 3D printing and the momentum being built that promises an emerging technology that commercial printers can profit from.

Sizing Up Inkjet’s Paper Requirements

Published December 13, 2013

Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry, looks at how paper grades are changing to meet inkjet requirements.

On-pack Traceability Points to Digital Print Future

Published November 19, 2013

Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World looks at digital print’s growing role in pack traceability.

The Scale of Inkjet

Published June 24, 2013

Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry, looks at how the advancing inkjet market is changing to accommodate new technologies

Personal Print Job: Today's Web-to-print Automates Artwork Production

Published December 11, 2012

Developments in web-to-print are moving the industry toward automated artwork generation, says Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry.

The Price of Inkjet Ink

Published September 17, 2012

Will inkjet ink prices come down? Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry, looks at the current trends

Impressive progress in printed electronics signals new market opportunities for printers

Published August 27, 2012

With price pressure and volume reductions being forecast for print, the industry it is on the lookout for new opportunities. Adding electronic capability has been on the horizon for many years. After a hiatus instigated by the global slowdown, there are encouraging examples of how print might evolve to create new high-value print products.

European demographics and advertising trends – how they will affect print

Published July 25, 2012

With the Olympics starting in London, let’s turn our attention to Europe and specifically the future of print and paper in Europe.

Outlook for Digital Printing for Packaging

Published July 3, 2012

Digital Printing for Packaging is growing quickly; by 2016 it will be worth nearly $12.2 billion, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6% during 2011–16. This equates to 37 billion A4 prints in 2011 and 75.9 billion in 2016. The growth is driven by the changing demands of packaging buyers – more varieties and pack sizes is fragmenting the market, leading to shorter runs that digital technology can produce economically

The Future of Inkjet Printing – post drupa review

Published May 29, 2012

Inkjet printing will grow from a $33.4 billion market in 2011 to $67.3 billion in 2017, according to new research from Smithers Pira. Dr. Sean Smyth, consultant at Smithers Pira, provides an overview of the latest trends in inkjet printing, including developments from drupa.