Message of the Week 3 - 7 May 2021

Future of printing

The explosion of digital media has had a major impact on how business is done and how consumers are engaged, and despite the use of print having declined over the last two decades, the industry is embracing a new range of modern applications and is set to embrace new waves of innovation.

The demand for printing is in fact so much greater than most people realise, and that demand is driving constant innovation. In the post-COVID era, workplace applications allow users to securely access devices from their smartphones or tablets, introducing the concept of touchless printing and scanning, for example.

The reason for companies doing more with print is interactivity ~ with printers integrating technologies into their workflows to provide more comprehensive solutions. In so doing, people are building seamless connections between the digital world and the physical, with printing playing a critical role in that process.

Customers today want customisation and one of the biggest developments in printing has been the shift towards smaller runs with greater customisation. It’s the integration of digital technology that has made it affordable to do small print runs that were once impossible due to cost.

No matter where you go, printed matter is visible everywhere. From labels to booklets to packaging and much more, print remains in demand and the new print technology enables people to coordinate campaigns that make the most of both print and digital media to deliver messages and information efficiently and effectively. It’s an industry in flux, and one to watch. We’re continuing to find new ways to reduce waste and make printers more environmentally sound, whilst also improving productivity, speed and production times. 

I for one, am proud to be part of this dynamic and innovative industry. Aren’t you?

Greg Griffith - Hardware Product Manager - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa