These are the print trends 2020

1. individualization and mass customization

The topic of individualization has already played an important role in the printing industry in recent years and will continue to grow in importance. Companies want individual designs and products - without having to dig deep into their pockets or go to great expense. Online platforms on which customers can create and order individual products themselves thanks to simple handling and design templates are therefore in vogue. They meet the tastes of everyone: from private individuals to one-man businesses and small, medium-sized and large companies. Print shops are well advised to invest even more in this field in the new decade and, in addition to easy-to-use tools, offer suitable designs, offers and products for all types of companies.

2. interlocking and diversity of the product worlds

Close integration of the ordering processes and the variety on offer are also important. Customers don't want to redesign every product. They need solutions where they can order matching items in the same design after designing a product. One example: If you design business cards, you also want stationery and envelopes in the same layout. However, if they have to adapt and redesign these products themselves, it costs them time and nerves. Solutions where the products are closely interlinked are therefore an argument for customers to remain loyal to the print shop. The option of easily reordering certain products in the design already created is of course also important. Also relevant: Responding to new trends and current major events and offering suitable products at an early stage. For 2020, for example, the European Football Championships or the Olympic Games are a good example. Customers also want to use these events for marketing purposes and are looking for suitable products that they can brand in their design.

3. automation is progressing

Increasing automation in the printing industry 4.0 is also a trend for the coming years. This is because digitalization affects all industries and therefore, of course, us too. In the printing industry, advancing digitalization means, among other things, the automation of print production - from data input to production and further processing through to dispatch. But there is more to it than that: better interlinking and optimization, for example of ordering processes, data transfer or invoicing, is also necessary in the age of Print Industry 4.0.

4. environmental protection - the printing industry is becoming even "greener" 

It goes without saying that the printing industry is also concerned with environmental protection and will be increasingly so in the coming decade. The demand for climate-neutral printing, recycled paper and environmentally friendly printing inks is increasing and print shops need to take action. New, environmentally friendly initiatives must be launched and environmental protection must be considered at all stages of production. This starts with climate partnerships, continues with climate-friendly products and projects and extends to climate-neutral shipping.

5. new work in the printing industry

The shortage of skilled workers is also affecting the printing industry. We already have to think about how we can reach and attract motivated employees - and we will face this challenge even more in the coming years. The topic of New Work plays an important role here: flexible working time arrangements, individual employment contracts, development opportunities, company benefits and much more. With the right offers, young people will continue to find their way into the printing industry.