Drupa: Digital Exhibits Highest Growth Among Print Processes

Drupa has announced in its third Global Trends report that, out of 14 print processes studied, digital imaging technologies are growing the fastest at an average annual rate of 28 percent. The report is based on a survey of approximately 750 printers across the globe; drupa says the aura of its findings is cautiously optimistic.

“The previous report in 2015 was upbeat in general, globally,” says Richard Gray, one of the researchers and writers, in a release. “In 2016 the picture is patchier, with some regions thriving, such as North America; others are struggling, including some of the developing regions. Similarly, while packaging and functional markets are in general doing well, those in the commercial market are more challenged, and those in the publishing market particularly so.”

While roughly 37 percent surveyed described their condition in 2015 as good and 12 percent described it as poor, 50 percent of printers said they expected their economic condition to improve in 2016 while only 6 percent expected it to deteriorate.

The release also emphasizes that “the ability of digital to print variable content is important, with 59 percent of functional printers and 35 percent of commercial printers reporting that more than 25 percent of their digital turnover was variable.”

Drupa heads to Düsseldorf, Germany, this June for the mega-tradeshow which takes place every three years. Its organizers have strongly emphasized exploring potential markets for printers, including packaging, industrial, and 3D-printing fields.