Eef de Ridder, Vice President, Graphic Communications Group, Ricoh Europe, looks back at 2024, which was a significant year for online print. He also discusses the printing landscape in 2025 and how print service providers (PSP’s) can adapt to evolving global conditions.

2024 was a historic election year with more than 70 countries taking to the ballot boxes. In over 80% of democracies, the incumbents were voted out. In Europe this has resulted in significant national shifts and regional instability due to the polarisation of the left and the right. It has had a financial impact, particularly on interest rates. As print growth follows GDP growth, a reduction in business opportunities and trade volume is likely. Proving a hindrance too, will be trade barriers limiting transactions for export to the US.

America was no different. As well as the political change accompanying the return of a Trump administration the rest of the world will, it seems, face higher import taxes. This will affect orders and may drive a shift towards local production of price sensitive products. Demand for imported print may move away from commodity applications to focus on high quality items such as luxury coffee table books and specialist publications.

War continued to have an impact on business in 2024 and it will be shaping it in 2025 too. All eyes will continue to be on the Russia-Ukraine war while potentially damaging boycotts will be created by the conflict in Gaza. The full impact of all these influencing elements is still yet to be completely understood as situations evolve daily.

Continuing to evolve too, is universal commitment to environmental responsibility for print production. The Paris Climate Agreement and more recently COP 29 have reconfirmed a wide international effort. In Europe, PSPs are working on meeting the 2024 European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) which requires any business with revenue of more than €40 million (and any non-European company doing business in Europe with more than €150 million) to start quantifying and measuring their sustainability performance.

We have all seen how extreme weather has added to the cost of operations as companies invest in making supply chains more flexible while customer activism is set to put pressure on companies to exceed legal standards. Plastic bans will continue to encourage greater adoption of paper solutions, especially in packaging, labels and card applications, while the emphasis on local production will increase, benefiting those PSPs that are as close as possible to their clients. All of which ensure sustainability will become an increasingly key factor in purchasing decisions for print.

PSPs are also having to ready themselves for more stringent data protection laws with regards to hosting customer data owned by their clients, new employment laws, and stricter health and safety requirements. The disconnection between the creation and governing of laws in different countries has the potential to impact the export and import of printed products, favouring the online selling of print.

In fact, 2024 was a significant year for online print as for the first time more than 50% of all print sold was online. Digitisation of documents is continuing to accelerate while inkjet is becoming a dominant print technology in many applications. There is a growing focus as well on what AI can do and how the use of robots can increase productivity.

At the same time, PSPs are changing from a labour intensive to capital intensive business model. Most have to borrow money to finance new equipment and those that experience challenges in finding and retaining skilled labour may find capacity and production under pressure. Investing in digital printing capabilities and automation can help mitigate employment costs, reduce waste associated with analogue production and increase production flexibility to manage last minute orders – no matter the volume. The recent easing of challenges surrounding the supply of consumables and substrates has enabled PSPs to refocus their attention on improving operational efficiency and productivity.

While the stabilisation of inflation might help, operations will continue to face expenditure increases on a number of fronts: rising energy prices affecting costs and travel; higher interest rates impacting national debts and hindering access to capital; trade barriers limiting transactions with some countries and placing downward pressure on consumer spending. This could result in reduced spending on printed communication, especially in retail and photo merchandise. It may also drive the consolidation of printers in certain markets.

There are social and cultural considerations to consider as well, from an ageing population impacting access to a skilled workforce and more and more people working from home. Other considerations include migration and a mounting trend of income inequality. Also proving transformative is the growth in retail e-commerce sales estimated to exceed $4.1 trillion worldwide by the end of 2024 with new heights expected to be reached in the years ahead. Children’s literacy is seeing a widespread decline, and that has the potential to reduce the run length of books, possibly driving digital production. We are seeing too, an increase in active monthly users on social media despite privacy issues, the proliferation of fake news, and inaccurate sponsored posts. This may actually boost printed communications.

The printing industry landscape in 2025, as we see it now, is marked by economic uncertainty, environmental demands and rapid technological innovation. PSPs that embrace sustainability, digitisation and automation will be well positioned to adapt to shifting consumer and client preferences as well as regulatory pressures. This will empower their resilience and growth, despite the evolving global conditions.

RICOH
https://www.ricoh-europe.com

Visitors at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, taking place 11-13 September at Gallagher Convention Centre, can engage with industry-leading companies who will showcase their latest solutions in wide format digital printing, vehicle wrapping, textile printing, signage, laser engraving, display, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, garment printing, screen and pad printing, and other cutting edge technology.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the latest digital printers live and in action and chat with experts about the best solutions for their unique business needs.

Besides cutting-edge equipment and beautiful prints, Africa’s biggest signage and printing exhibition will also feature workshops, and is your opportunity to level up your business.

Key reasons to visit:

New Technology And Solutions

See the latest signage and print product launches live and in action. Get expert insight on new industry developments and opportunities.

AI Design Workshop For Signage And Print

Learn how AI is transforming the way we conceptualise, create and produce design and content. Discover the AI tools that many are using to transform their work. Book here.

Network

Meet with your fellow industry professionals and speak to product experts on the best solutions for your business.

FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, taking place from 11-13 September 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre from 9am-5pm, is sponsored by Stixo and Roland. Entrance is free, please register online.

I want to exhibit.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
www.fespaafrica.com

Midcomp showcased Canon’s new Colorado M-series at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, which ran from 13-15 September at Gallagher Convention Centre.

The new Colorado M-series is a modular 1.6m roll-to-roll printer with two speed configurations that also features Canon UVgel white ink, boosting the printer’s unmatched productivity and substantially expanding the range of applications that customers can create.

Retaining Colorado’s industrial build quality, the new M-series design is based on a single platform that can be configured to customers’ needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades. The scalable series includes two base models (M3 and M5) offering a choice of output speeds – cruising speed of 29sqm/hr (312 square feet/hr) and 40sqm/hr (427 square feet/hr) and a maximum print speed of 111sqm/hr (1195 square feet/hr) and 159sqm/hr (1709 square feet/hr) respectively, with the option to upgrade from one model to the other. Both printers can be easily upgraded to ‘W’ versions for white ink (M3W and M5W).

UVgel Ink

The introduction of a white UVgel ink maximises the scope for customers to benefit from UVgel’s renowned performance advantages for a full spectrum of premium graphics and décor applications – for example window graphics, labels and wallpaper. With this addition, and with new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, Colorado M-series customers can expand their typical product offering using heavy structured, transparent, coloured, reflective and magnetic materials.

The unique gel formula of Canon UVgel ink translates to fast build-up of dense and opaque white images in fewer passes than with conventional printing technologies, and printed output maintains its original whiteness over time. UVgel’s particular properties also eliminate many of the production, nozzle-cleaning and maintenance issues commonly associated with white ink, offering smooth, error-free printing, minimising ink usage and waste, and maximising productivity.

Customers can also choose the popular FLXfinish+ option with their Colorado M-series printer, allowing them to add matt, gloss or mixed matt and gloss on the same print, without additional varnish. High-volume customers can automate the print-to-finish process with a UVgel Print Factory or UVgel Wallpaper Factory configuration, which seamlessly integrates the Colorado M-series printer with cutting, rewinding, taping or sheet stacking to manage volumes of at least 50,000sqm (500,000 square feet) per year with minimal operator time.

Canon UVgel ink delivers pin-sharp image quality and consistent colour, while its instant drying properties enable immediate cutting and finishing, and its ultra durability removes the need for lamination. Like previous Colorado models, the M-series is designed to handle the workload of multiple legacy roll-to-roll printers, with industrial-grade round-the-clock reliability and unattended printing with minimal operator intervention. The new M-series Colorado printers are supported by PRISMAguide XL, the easy and powerful make-ready software which results in effortless production runs with consistently high quality.

Compared to other ink technologies such as latex or eco-solvent inks, UVgel technology consumes up to 40% less ink to build up the same image quality and colour intensity. The low-heat, energy-efficient LED curing system and ‘instant-on’ operation results in reduced energy use compared to other technologies. Furthermore, with UVgel technology, customers can print on environmentally responsible materials such as PVC-free and paper-based media, even uncoated. This means the Colorado M-series printer fits perfectly in a sustainability-conscious organisation.

The Colorado M-series is designed with low total cost of ownership and rapid return on investment in mind, thanks to the lowest operating costs in its category, the ability to produce high-value applications, and the unique modular upgrade options.

Suitable For A Wide Range Of Print And Signage Businesses

The Colorado M-Series is aimed at print service providers (PSPs), such as sign makers, who already have large format print businesses, or those who see an opportunity for large format, roll-to-roll applications. With the Colorado M-series, they can expand their in-house graphic arts production capabilities, increase their efficiency or explore new business. Because the Colorado M-series can be upgraded in the field, it can scale up with them as their business grows. The Colorado M-series offers an extended application range through its breakthrough white ink and even more versatile media range (structured, black backed, reflective, transparent and coloured media).

The printer is also ideal for producers of wallpaper, packaging, and other specialised high-volume items. Print companies like these are dedicated to specific applications that are produced in very high volumes. The cost efficiency and productivity of the Colorado M-series are important factors in the purchasing decision, along with the unique high quality that UVgel brings in terms of print robustness, colour consistency and dimensional stability of the printed products.

With the M-series, Canon are offering an extended application range because of the white ink and broader specialty media range that can be handled. For very high volume users, they are offering the UVgel Print Factory that allows reliable handling of jumbo rolls.

Mass customisation is here to stay and typically leads to the production of larger batches of similar products, where each product is tailored to the end-user’s needs. This type of production, enabled by digital printing, is often done at large scale in central print factories, which could even be part of larger corporations with multiple regional production locations. Print factories can easily produce volumes of more than 1,000,000sqm per year. With the white ink option and expanded media range capabilities of the M-series, these print factories can now produce applications, such as window graphics, much more efficiently than with their existing equipment.

New Sensor Technology

The new sensors, in combination with new markers, (for structured and white ink-based) extend the wide media range of the Colorado M-series even further. Challenging media, such as fully transparent, reflective, coloured or black back media, are now also supported. This enables products such as window graphics, structured and shiny wallpaper, fleet graphics, transparent decals, magnetic applications for example in retail environments, multi-layer applications (like 5-layer), pre-coloured media types, and block-out films with black backings.

The unit is up and running in Midcomp’s iHub and it is ready for sample testing and demonstrations on request online nationwide or onsite at the iHub.

The event was sponsored by Platinum sponsors Roland DG South Africa and Stixo Signage Supplies.

Yusrie Adams, Adnaan Abrahams and Gary Stockenstroom, Canon South Africa.

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR  MIDCOMP Tel: +27 11 789 1222 Email: sales@midcomp.co.za Website: http://www.midcomp.co.za

STIXO Signage Supplies showcased BGS material samples at its stand at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, which was held from 13-15 September at Gallagher Convention Centre.

Included were Reeded Glass Film L-9341, Window Film-Sandblast 215 L-9375, Rainbow Sticker-Sapphire Blue L-9335, Ultra Clear Window Sticker I-1024 and Window Film-Silver Pearl L-9394.

BGS is a professional manufacturer of adhesive products, with a range that spans vehicle wrapping, whiteboard stickers, anti-skid floor stickers, and adhesive leathers.

A Taiwanese company and a worldwide leader since 1993 in the manufacturing of innovative digital printing materials, the hidden meaning behind BGS is ‘best graphic solution’.

The company has been deeply engaged in the industry for many years, committed to using the unremitting spirit of innovation and strict quality requirements, so users can enjoy a high reputation in the global market.

The event was sponsored by Platinum sponsors Roland DG South Africa and Stixo Signage Supplies.

STIXO SIGNAGE SUPPLIES
+27 11 830 1838
info@stixo.co.za
www.stixo.co.za

See live product demonstrations, and get a feel for how these can benefit your business at the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, which runs from 13-15 September at Gallagher Convention Centre. 

Attending the expo is a great way to connect and network with other professionals. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover new solutions that can elevate your business.

Visitors at the exhibition will have the opportunity to meet with industry-leading companies, who will showcase their latest innovations in wide format digital printing, signage, textile printing, vehicle wrapping, laser cutting and engraving, displays, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, garment printing, screen and pad printing, and much more.

Exhibitors will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights on how to optimise your business offerings, as well as offer advice about new industry developments and opportunities.

Entrance to the event, which takes place from 9am-5pm, is free, please register online. The event is sponsored by Platinum sponsors Roland DG South Africa and Stixo Signage Supplies. The event is co-located with Africa Print, Sign Africa, Modern Marketing, and Graphics, Print & Sign.

FESPA AFRICA EXPO
+27 11 568 1894
https://www.fespaafrica.com

3A Composites, the manufacturer of the original PERSPEX® cast and extruded acrylic glass sheets, will put a special highlight on these materials this year. A variety of different colours, tints, textures and effects can be explored during the FESPA Africa and Sign Africa Expo, taking place from 13-15 September at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

PERSPEX® cast acrylic sheet is recognised as a premium product, one of the best quality acrylic materials in the world. Continuous innovation over the past years has resulted in the creation of a wide spectrum of products. The versatility of PERSPEX® cast acrylic sheets offer international designers a valuable source of inspiration.

PERSPEX® XT is an extruded acrylic sheet with outstanding performance advantages during fabrication, installation and in use. Available in a range of clear, opals, selected colours, as well as a single-sided anti-reflective clear, PERSPEX® XT sheets offer excellent thickness tolerance and are extremely easy to vacuum form, making it ideal for applications where complex shapes are required.

The company can offer its customers a unique and perfectly coordinated range of products, with everything being from a single source, thanks to a diversified range of products. These include: DIBOND®, DILITE® and HYLITE® aluminium composite sheets, FOREX® and FOAMALITE® rigid foam plastic sheets, KAPA®, FOAM-X®, SMART-X® and GATORFOAM® lightweight foamboards, DISPA® and SWEDBOARD® paper boards, LUMEX® and HIPEX® PET sheets as well as PERSPEX®, CRYLUX®, CRYLON®, AKRYLON® and PERSPEX® XT acrylic glass sheets, POLYCASA® PS extruded crystal polystyrene sheets, and IMPEX® and IMPEX® MULTIWALL polycarbonate sheets.

These branded products, produced by 3A Composites, are available at leading distributors in the paper, plastics and metal sectors, who offer not only competent advice, but also service, catering to individual customers’ requirements. Insist to be delivered with the original brands produced by 3A Composites.

The main applications for the products include digital and screen printing, exhibition booth construction and shop fitting, interior and shop design, photo mounting as well as signage, POS/POP displays and furniture construction. Samples of each product will be available.

The company will also focus on its 3A Composites’ corporate MISSION: TOGETHER.RESPONSIBLE. As part of this mission, 3A Composites also incorporates its products in the mission objectives and has created a system to classify them: the FIVE-DOT-MISSION. The FIVE-DOT categories are: biobased content, recycled content, fossil CO2 bound in the material, product life cycle and recyclability.

Entrance to the event, which takes place from 9am-5pm, is free, please register online. The event is sponsored by Platinum sponsors Roland DG South Africa and Stixo Signage Supplies. The event is co-located with Africa Print, Sign Africa, Modern Marketing, and Graphics, Print & Sign.

3A COMPOSITES
+27 82 450 8994
Lynn.Smith@display.3AComposites.com
www.display.3AComposites.com

In the inaugural episode of The Switch podcast series, Timothy Thomas, Country Manager at Epson South Africa, and Samantha Choles, Communications Specialist at the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) share their thoughts, as well as industry-based evidence, to bust the prevailing myths surrounding print and the manufacture and use of paper.

The world of print has received its fair share of criticism and predictions about its future in the past two decades, brought on mainly by the digitisation of industries and the disruption this has caused to print as a result. Many have predicted the downfall of print altogether, believing digital content makes print obsolete, which could not be further from the truth.

Myth 1 – The Print Industry Is On Its Way Out

It’s no secret that print in the traditional sense has been on the decline, particularly in the realm of the media where newspaper and magazine circulations have dropped considerably and in many cases, publications shut down entirely. However, print has been around for over two centuries and will always have a place in many ways. Where the pandemic led to people increasing their use of screens and digital devices, many turned to physical books as a way to shut down and enjoy a kind of digital detox. This is not to speak of the importance of paper in other applications: tissues, product packaging, labels, milk and drink cartons, and dosage leaflets for medicines.

People have also realised that reading reams of content from a screen for hours on end was not just uncomfortable but lacked the charm of the familiar feeling and smell of a book. And, of course, being able to surround yourself with printed pictures of precious memories is far more appealing to a lot of people than storing them away in the cloud where you hardly get to see them.

Myth 2 – Paper And Printing Are Unsustainable

With the disruption caused by digital technology, the print and paper industries have been forced to transform their products and other offerings to meet the evolving demands of consumers and heed calls to reduce the negative environmental impact caused by printers. ‘Through the process of print, more trees are planted, which means more carbon dioxide gets sucked up,’ said Choles, while laying deforestation concerns as a result of trees being cut down for mass paper manufacturing to bed. ‘Trees are a crop; just as we farm mielies and grain for food, we farm trees for paper and many things beyond paper too.’

Printers are now also designed to be more lightweight and compact to ensure they take up less space, and incorporate innovations to ensure the printers consume less energy by producing less heat and, as such, requiring less cooling.

Myth 3 – The Printing Industry Is A Major E-Waste Contributor

It’s true that the print industry has historically produced a considerable amount of e-waste in the form of consumables that were either non-recyclable or incorrectly disposed of, causing items such as toner cartridges and even old printer devices to end up in landfills.

However, with the transformation of print to meet modern sustainability standards, print manufacturers are working harder at reducing their carbon footprints. Epson, for example, has committed to stop selling laser printers entirely and is focusing fully on its inkjet printer offering, which consume up to 85% less energy than a similar-speed laser printer.

‘Laser unfortunately does leave a very negative footprint on the environment. In South Africa, we actually fast tracked that decision and two years ago stopped the sale of laser devices in South Africa to really centre and focus our attention on contributing towards both South Africa and the African continent with new technology that lessens the impact on environment,’ said Thomas.

Contrary to common myths, the print industry is anything but dead, it is alive and well, having simply pivoted away from unsustainable practices that don’t serve the eco-friendly agenda of today and the future. Paper, on which print relies, is equally deserving of a more positive reputation, particularly as it does have positive environmental ripple effects.

EPSON SOUTH AFRICA
www.epson.co.za

Visitors who are attending the Sign Africa Expo, taking place from 13-15 September 2023 at Gallagher Convention Centre, can maximise their experience by downloading the SignPrintNews app.

The app will feature breaking expo news – be the first to know about new products that are launched at the event as well as other exhibitor news, demonstrations and specials that are happening on each day of the event.

Other app benefits:

The app is also packed with features that allow you to find products, suppliers and deals, and view and load industry relevant classifieds regionalised per country.

Classifieds: advertise used equipment for sale, find items to advance your business, advertise job vacancies or find your ideal job, all for free.

Deals and suppliers: find suppliers for products or services in your industry. Discover deals to save your business money and add new services to your customers. Advertise your products, services and deals direct to the industry.

Download the app on the App Store, get it on Google Play, or explore it on AppGallery.

SIGN AFRICA
+27 11 568 1894
https://signafrica.com/