We’re almost done with the first quarter of 2024 and are seeing the results of how organizations are implementing the latest print industry trends. Is your organization exploring or applying any of these?
Sustainable Materials
With the rising general demand for eco-consciousness, there is a greater incentive for marketers to pursue sustainable material options. The most obvious sustainability-driven material selection is paper. There are three possibilities available if you want to decrease your environmental footprint and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills including the use of recycled post-consumer wastepaper, bamboo paper, hemp paper and cotton and tree-free cotton options. Ink is another area where you can explore more sustainable choices including vegetable, UV, algae, soy and water-based options.
Growth in Custom Labeling
If you’re on the lookout for standout packaging, consider how custom labeling may be the solution you need. Reinforce your brand with eye-catching labels that tell your brand story. Available in different materials, shapes and sizes, your labels can include variable data printing for unique text, images, QR codes or other differentiators that ensure your product stands out from the competition. This type of personalization aligns with “the broader shift towards more meaningful and authentic brand communication.
Special Print Effects
Give your print work a unique edge with special effects and finishes like foils, spot UV, embossing, debossing, die-cutting, laminates, varnishes, soft-touch coatings or special inks. The use of specialty effects helps your mailer, card, or other print piece to stand out from the rest of the pieces in your audience’s mailbox or on their desktop. The best part is these are not necessarily expensive additions to your work, but they can add depth and texture and increase the durability of a piece.
Try out New Substrates
There are several reasons you may want to dive into new substrate options. For instance, if your concern is sustainability, you may wish to explore pre-consumer recycled paper, post-consumer recycled paper or specialty papers made from industrial waste, agricultural waste or bamboo. Another emerging substrate option is synthetic paper made from polypropylene. If you’re not looking to print on paper at all but to explore other options, you may want to consider fabric, plastic, glass or metal printing.
Print-On-Demand (POD) Service Growth
POD services allow for small batches of customized items to be printed digitally in specific amounts, leading to reduced waste and lower costs. The expansion of digital printing services makes POD possible with its quick setup, high-quality output, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. If you are ordering marketing materials, for instance, you can precisely order the number of pieces you need for a given campaign, letting you ensure that your materials are always timely and relevant. This precision also eliminates large inventories and lets you adapt to changes in your business easily.
Conclusion
The new year has brought a lot of change to the print industry—and more is sure to come. The good news is that these new changes also offer new opportunities for customers who want to explore new services, strategies, and technologies. Contact our team today to see how we can help!
