Professional opinion surveys confirm that the global printing industry and its associated suppliers are very optimistic about their economic development in 2016.

DRUPA, the world’s leading exhibition for graphic and industrial printing

A recent survey organised by DRUPA, the world’s leading trade fair for graphic and industrial printing, shows that 37% of the panel of experts questioned among printers and 41% of suppliers considered their economic situations to be good in 2015, compared with 12% and 14% respectively who considered them to be mediocre.

The third edition of the report on global trends in the state and outlook for the printing industry was presented and commented on to printing professionals at this world trade fair.

The report provides an opportunity to take stock of these businesses in an economic climate that is still somewhat gloomy. It shows that commercial printing is diversifying even further, publishing is still struggling to find a response to the development of digital technology, the packaging sector is holding its own thanks to value-added items, and only the functional printing market is holding its own thanks in part to textiles and interior decoration.

Against this mixed backdrop, we learn that the effects of the 2008 crisis have unfortunately not yet disappeared everywhere, and that the recovery is not being felt uniformly across the sector. Nevertheless, printers are optimistic about 2016, despite the fact that profits are still limited and prices are still falling.
Globally, forecasts for 2016 show a net positive/negative balance of over 40%, compared with around 25% in 2015. The North American and Asian markets are the most optimistic for 2016 (70% and 60% respectively). Europe is about average, with just over 40% of printers optimistic.

Many print professionals are looking for an increase in growth

For 2016 , many print professionals, given the way they perceive the evolution of the markets in their field, envisage an increase in their growth.

On the one hand, there are more of them in this position than in 2015, and on the other, 50% of them believe that their economic situation will improve this year, compared with just 6% who say that the situation will worsen.
In terms of global distribution, the Middle East and the continents of Asia, Africa and Australia have the highest levels of confidence; from the point of view of professional sectors, the functional and commercial markets are the most optimistic in terms of economic development.

On a global scale, suppliers are not to be outdone, as their confidence shows a positive balance of 50% for this new year, whereas 2015 ended with a balance of 25%.
This renewed optimism is due in particular to the continents of Africa and South America, and in part to the Middle East.

In conclusion, printers and suppliers alike have fully understood that their businesses can only be sustained at the cost of a positive development strategy, and in the face of a world undergoing profound digital change, these businesses need to find ways of remaining relevant and competitive.

Related article: DRUPA 2016: a new edition focused on technologies in the field of graphic printing