The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and market research firm Keypoint Intelligence recently surveyed 147 North American packaging converters to learn where the market is now in its adoption of digital print technology for packaging and to gain insight into its future.
The Digital Print for Packaging Study analyzes folding carton, flexible packaging and corrugated converters’ printing habits and preferences, and the current role of production-level digital printing at these companies. The survey further studies the opinions, needs and plans of converters that will determine the future of digital print for packaging.
“Our study shows that digital printing is now growing as a complement to analog, because it allows converters to offer a greater range of services they could not offer otherwise,” said Bob Leahey, Associate Director, Keypoint Intelligence.
Leahey added that another key factor in the adoption of digital print is the increase in short-run jobs. “More than half — 54% — of survey respondents say their short-run jobs are growing,” he said. “Digital is often the best option for those jobs because its pre-press work is all electronic.”
“We will use these findings to help SGIA members learn how they can take advantage of the opportunities that packaging presents through reports, articles, blog posts and presentations,” said Olga Dorokhina, Research Coordinator, SGIA.
SGIA will host a series of upcoming webinars, one for each of the surveyed packaging segments: Folding Carton (April 17), Flexible Packaging (April 24) and Corrugated Packaging (May 1) to present their findings. Registration and additional webinar information are available at SGIA.org/events.