Thinner. Faster. Cheaper.

What does that mean for the average printer?

It means that in the not too distant future, you will be able to purchase a production machine capable of printing complex circuits, that perform increasingly complex actions, in-line with other inks. As the costs continue to come down, more brand managers and print buyers are going to be open to testing new ways to use this technology to enhance their marketing messages. Instead of a call to action, you could have a button printed right on the postcard that lets a consumer opt in to receiving further messages, for example. Or, as screens continue to get lighter, thinner and cheaper as well, you can even embed video in a standard direct mail postcard.

“Reduced cost and ease of set up for printing things like circuit boards, electronics and other parts associated with printed electronics,” are driving the market, says David Conrad, Director of Sales and Marketing, Mutoh America (Booth 2545).

We are still at the cusp of this technology, and it still has a long way to go before it is mainstream. But as you walk the show floor, and as you listen to this year’s dedicated speakers in the Printed Electronics Symposium today, let your creative juices start flowing, and start thinking about how you can integrate these new processes into your shop, setting you up for success in this brave new world we are creating.