There has a been a steady rise is digital printing and is forecasted to keep doing so. A recent report by the Smithers Pira (UK) indicated that the global digital printing market will grow to €165 billion in 2019, almost 50 percent of the offset sector across the world and higher in the more mature regions.
Since 2008, the volume of digital printing is said to rise to a 68% increase by 2019. Although in decline, the black and white print market is still relevant. In 2012, research company Caslon estimated the size of the B&W market in Western Europe to have leveled off at digital page volumes of around 230 billion and that it is likely to remain at around the same level for the next four to five years. Because of its cost-effectiveness and use of direct mail, books, reports and forms, the B&W industry will still be in effect.
Customer considerations
Migrating B&W from offset to digital: The flexibility of digital printing technologies is increasingly suited to the changing needs of the B&W market. As run lengths fall and the need for just-in- time print production increases, digital print becomes a more viable technology for the anticipated migration of B&W applications such as books, instruction manuals, reports, direct mail, and transactional statements. A huge opportunity for PSPs is to educate their customers about the unique advantages of print-on- demand, as well as highlighting how they could benefit the customer’s business.
Take a consultative approach: PSPs need to shift their focus away from volumes and focus instead on finding out what the customer’s needs are and providing services that can address them. By taking on a more consultative approach, a PSP will be able to produce projects for the customer that not only meet their requirements, but that also add value and strengthen the relationship with the customer, becoming a trusted advisor and safeguarding their business.