How Printers Can Get Started in a World Dominated by Converters

By Joann Whitcher

Ryan McAbee

Print service providers (PSPs) are constantly searching for new opportunities to provide to their customers. “Digitally printed packaging will be the next opportunity for PSPs, confirms Ryan McAbee, associate director, Keypoint Intelligence – InfoTrends. McAbee is presenting the session “Converging on Packaging – How Printers Can Get Started in a World Dominated by Converters,” Thursday, October 24th at 1:00pm in Room C140.

Packaging applications are less susceptible to digital displacement and have favorable growth factors, such as population growth. There is also considerable upside for new entrants focused as none of the four primary application categories (corrugated, labels, flexible packaging, and folding carton) have more than 10 percent of total volume printed digitally today. The analog-to-digital conversion is just now starting in packaging and will is likely to follow a similar path seen in document-based printing.

The ecosystem is also taking shape to support digitally printed packaging applications. E-commerce storefronts with embedded online design tools allow customers to quickly select and customize a package. The online design tools also offer the ability to see a 3D view of the package along with any embellishments, such as varnish coatings. Meanwhile the digital printing equipment continues to offer support for higher weight stocks (up to 400 gsm), larger substrate sizes, and additional color options beyond CMYK. Lastly, new finishing equipment using laser technology can cut and crease variable sized jobs without the costly and lengthy setups of traditional equipment.

“Before jumping in, PSPs need to understand the market trends and dynamics of the traditional, industrial-scaled packaging industry and how to focus on the more accessible small-batch packaging opportunities,” says McAbee. “PSPs can sell small-batch packaging to existing customers and directly to consumers for applications from pillow to wine boxes and more. Join the ‘Converging on Packaging: How Printers Can Get Started in a World Dominated by Converters’ session at PRINTING United to learn about the market opportunity and technical requirements for small-batch packaging.”

Participants will learn: