In the USA, a new TrendWatch Graphic Arts mini-report – ‘Printers & Packaging: 2006’ - looks at who is doing packaging work, for what applications, in what volumes, and on what devices. The result, according to TrendWatch is “an industry that clearly has a split personality in its approach to this market”.
Nearly a quarter of printers and trade shops indicate that they are currently producing packaging work of some type in-house. The report revealed some interesting surprises. For example: despite the popular “talking point” of using toner based presses for short run packaging, shops with digital printers were among the least likely to be involved in the packaging market. Quick printers were among the most likely to see opportunities in the packaging market, but they were also the least involved in this market, and the least likely to be making packaging-specific investments.
Also, says TrendWatch, trade shops are solidly vested in the packaging market, but the most popular output method is not offset or even toner based press printing. The majority - 43 per cent - are using wide format inkjet printers.
The report also found that while the overwhelming majority of shops said packaging comprises 25 per cent or less of their overall mix, 10 per cent are doing 50 per cent or more of their volumes in packaging. And while most are using offset or digital presses, a significant percentage of respondents are using flexo machines. In addition to the traditional packaging applications adopted by commercial printers, such as folding cartons and labels, a significant percentages of respondents are also producing blister packs, flexible packaging, and other non traditional applications.
“Packaging appears to offer significant opportunities for graphic arts firms, who are facing an increasingly competitive marketplace,” notes Heidi Tolliver-Nigro, author of the report. “But the realities of this marketplace mean that, in order to succeed, graphic arts firms must either make a significant investment in skill sets, workflow, and hardware; or have a keen eye for where they can apply existing workflows with only minimal retooling. Clearly, a certain percentage of firms have figured out the right balance and are capitalizing on the available opportunities, but there are clearly missed opportunities and unrealistic expectations, as well.”
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