Future of printing industry ?

[Francois]

Perhaps it is not the printing industry as a whole that is in peril, rather the printed communication venue. Providers of news and communication may actually just need to adapt to a new supporting tool to communicate and continue to make money.

Francois
controlgraphicsusa

[PrintMaster]

I think with the change in the market , offset presses will start to "evolve" or advance in technology wise in order to be relevant. Quicker setups , more efficient plates and inks which result in competitive with short run (at digital) making it more the choice for longer runs + short runs etc.

[Servicetech]

Heaven help us all if they learn how to transmit food through the Internet.

We better call on someone closer than that for help.

Seriously, I felt the industry decline to the point I was forced to change industries, so far it was the best decision I ever made.

[Cornishpastythighs]

I see a lot of places closing down, everytime I read a print news piece its about how someone has gone into bankruptcy. I dont see too many new printers opening up out there. Packaging seems to be holding its own and I think it will get more demanding as the younger tech savvy generation become consumers. If you have a press that can print multiple colours,UV, and do some special effects in one pass then I think you will rule the roost. I wouldnt be running out and buying a newspaper press though my 0.02c

[printsnpaints]

I don't believe that the printing industry in on its last legs. Change is inevitable, though. 3D printing technology may catch up, for example. Services would become more affordable as well, allowing small businesses to maximize traditional marketing materials and sustain the printing industry in the process.

[iamgemini]

I think the future of the industry is looking pretty bright. It's tough to get the same quality printing from online services as prepress, and advertisements rely on their quality.

The only thing the industry needs to do is cut down on its physical waste in order to remain competitive. Being that the backbone of the industry is brick and mortar, it needs to cover overhead, operation costs, etc.

As long as the industry can evolve and learn to run with reduced waste it will be just fine.

[D Ink Man]

Print touches all 5 senses.

The new media may touch 3 senses.

Which gives lithography and ink on paper a pretty dam good chance.

D

[Printers Cloud]

Before we discuss the future of print, it is important to understand that print isn’t alone. Almost all industries are facing the same challenges like print. TV took over Radio, Cable has taken over TV, and now Internet has changed the entire sea! Printing is not an exceptional from Basic Economics. The use of Print has changed. Future lies in knowing why people print and not just how to print. The equipment will not be a differentiator anymore; it’s what the printer does with equipment that will mark the future!

[D Ink Man]

Before we discuss the future of print, it is important to understand that print isn’t alone. Almost all industries are facing the same challenges like print. TV took over Radio, Cable has taken over TV, and now Internet has changed the entire sea! Printing is not an exceptional from Basic Economics. The use of Print has changed. Future lies in knowing why people print and not just how to print. The equipment will not be a differentiator anymore; it’s what the printer does with equipment that will mark the future!

One thing print does have going for it, it's longevity. It surpasses all other mentioned industies in your reply. I believe this has significant impact on it's chances of survival as the future continues.

[Cornishpastythighs]

Lets face it nearly everything that is printed (except for packaging which has to perform other functions apart from nice graphic images) could be made available on some type of electronic device, even wedding invitations could be sent electronically with video images. Flyers and coupons can be made available electronically. My generation (baby boomer) who aren't as savvy as the present connected generation will I believe access their information via electronic means rather than paper.