Australian Printer March 2025

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Bright Print Group 58 Signarama Tuggerah

Cactus Imaging 59 SS Signs

Eckersley Print Group 60 SunPrint

Global Signs 61 Valiant Press

Grand Print Services 62 Vista Australia

Imagination Graphics 63 FESPA Australia

Kwik Kopy Australia 64 LIA

Lamont Print & Signs 65 VMA

MBE Parramatta 66 Messe Düsseldorf

Mint Imaging 67 David Fellman & Associates

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Welcome to the first issue of Australian Printer for 2025. I hope the past three months have been kind to you and your businesses.

The general sentiment, in our industry, so far this year has been one of optimism, even though challenges are still existent.

Printers, manufacturers, and associations alike have all identified silver linings to the challenges, saying they present new opportunities to tap into.

This bumper issue of the magazine takes a deep dive into industry insights in the Print Leaders Forum pages, where several of our thought leaders look back on the year that was and forecast what we can expect throughout the rest of 2025.

This issue also provides a peek into all the events that have happened so far this year – from the Durst Open House at Evan Evans, to Hunkeler Innovationdays, FESPA Australia socials and ASGA’s Vic Bowls Day.

We hope you enjoy your read of this special issue.

FUJIFILM Graphics Systems and FUJIFILM BI sales teams merge

The local FUJIFILM Graphics Systems (FFAU) and FUJIFILM Business Innovation (FBAU) sales teams will soon merge, creating a single, go-to-market sales team.

In a letter to staff, FUJIFILM Graphic Communications senior general manager and head of Oceania Yoshitaka Nakamura provided an update of the changes taking place on 1 April, and then progressively until 1 April 2026.

“I would like to provide an update following the communication in November announcing the decision to implement a business unit responsible for the overall execution of both digital and analogue product offerings within the Graphic Communications space from FBAU and FFAU, with a focus on workflow software,” he said.

“I am pleased to advise a decision has been made to centralise the graphic communication sales function, which means we will be merging the FBAU and FFAU sales team under one leader effective 1 April 2025.

“By the end of FY25 (1 April 2026), we expect the FFAU sales function to come across to FBAU. The result will be one team led by Steve Fisher, head of graphic communications, FBAU.

“Centralising this business means we can more effectively offer customers our entire portfolio of graphic communications products and services, maximising value for them and our business.”

This change will also see the transfer of the wide format business from FFAU to FBAU.

FFAU will continue to have a focus within the graphic communications market as it continues to deliver analogue products (plate and chemical).

Fisher provided key messages around the new strategy, telling Australian Printer, “FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia and FUJIFILM Australia are incredibly excited to be engaging the market with a single sales team, combining the graphics and communications function to elevate our selling and servicing, delivering the best possible outcomes to customers.

“Through this model, all of our high-quality analogue and digital offerings will be delivered through our singular sales team, providing a more seamless and better quality experience for our customers.

“This allows us to focus on the continued growth of solutions and services to support digital transformation.

“We are also continuing all support for FUJIFILM wide format offerings by the FUJIFILM teams for continuity for our customers.

“We look forward to continually evolving the rapidly changing landscape and providing our customers with everything from a graphic communications perspective.”

Managing Director

James Wells / 02 8586 6101 james@intermedia.com.au

Subscriptions / (02) 9660 2113 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

Editor Hafizah Osman / 0431 466 140 hosman@intermedia.com.au

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National Sales Manager Carmen Ciappara / 0410 582 450 carmen@proprint.com.au

Design and Production Manager

Sarah Vella / 0406 967 559 svella@intermedia.com.au

Steve Fisher, head of graphic communications, FBAU

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HP takes the wraps off two new PageWides in global launch

HP has launched two new presses globally, the PageWide Web Press T4250 HDR and PageWide Web Press T500M HD, that aim to redefine high-volume digital production.

Fuelled by the company’s continuous innovation in HP Thermal Inkjet Technology, these industrial presses address industry needs for solutions that deliver productivity, quality, and versatility in the direct mail, general commercial, and book publishing segments.

“At HP PageWide, we constantly pioneer advancements to ensure our customers remain at the leading edge of digital print technology that empowers their success,” PageWide Industrial vice-president and general manager Barbara McManus said.

“The industry-leading productivity, versatility, and quality of our new industrial presses provide our customers with powerful digital solutions to meet the needs of an evolving print market.”

HP A/NZ regional industrial manager Craig Walmsley highlighted the importance of these innovations for the local market.

Bannershop closes business after 18 years

Hong Kong-based printing company

Bannershop has suddenly closed its Australian business in western Sydney surprising many members of the local industry.

In a message published on the company’s website, Bannershop CEO, Anthony Choi, issued a short statement under the words, ‘Thank You For Your Support’.

“After 18 wonderful years of serving our customers in Australia, we have made the difficult decision to cease trading. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our loyal customers for your support and trust over the years. Your patronage has meant the world to us, and we are truly grateful and thankful to your support. Thank you for being a part of our journey!” the statement said.

He told Australian Printer, “The launch of the PageWide T4250 HDR and T500M HD underscores HP’s commitment to equipping Australia and New Zealand businesses with cutting-edge digital printing solutions. These presses are poised to meet the evolving demands of our print industry, delivering exceptional speed and quality”.

Designed for a wide variety of publishing, direct mail, and commercial print work, the T4250 HDR features fast speeds and consistent print quality, allowing customers to print more high-volume, high-coverage jobs.

The new 42-inch (106 cm) web press prints up to twice the productivity of its predecessor, the HP PageWide T485 HD, resulting in 20,000 B1 duplex sheets and over 200,000 letter-sized duplex colour pages per hour.

Combined with HP Optimizer, the press maintains high speed and quality on coated and uncoated media with weights ranging from 40 to 350 gsm. This press also comes

After 18 years of serving customers in Australia, Bannershop has ceased tradingCredit: iStock.com/MicroStockHub

Bannershop sponsored the South Sydney Rabbitohs over a four-year period from 2019 to 2022 and described itself at the time as “one of Australia’s leading large format digital printers” responsible for printing the club’s stadium and event signage.

“Bannershop prides itself on delivering the best value for money in the industry, a signage specialist catering for everything from retractable banners and posters to outdoor vinyl banners, window and vehicle stickers and exhibition display systems and graphic design service.

with the benefits of thermal inkjet technology – eight nozzle redundancy, user replaceable printheads, automated web-wipe cassettes, and on-press colour profiling.

The machine also keeps environmental sustainability in mind. HP Brilliant B70 Ink has low VOCs and reduces drying time, with up to 50 per cent less energy use than that of the T485 HD.

As for the HP PageWide Web Press T500M HD, it offers book manufacturers a purposebuilt solution to meet their clients’ demands for shorter run lengths, tighter turnaround times, and more frequent high-volume orders.

The 54-inch press is designed to use standard offset media and impositions, allowing operators to shift seamlessly between offset and digital print lines, reduce paper inventory, and streamline labour resources.

The 1000 fpm (305 mpm) speed rivals offset turnaround times and throughput by producing finished book blocks of variable trim sizes that move directly to the final production stage, saving time, labour, and floor space.

With reduced paper waste at start-up and between jobs with variable cutoffs, an optimised factory floor, and the complete elimination of offset aluminium plates, this press features the environmental advantages of industrial inkjet without compromising productivity or profitability.

“Bannershop has been heavily involved in supporting the Club at all levels, providing the highest quality products to showcase our various partners’ branding and provide the very best Red and Green match day experience,” Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, said in 2022 when the company renewed its agreement.

“They have been wonderful partners throughout the challenges of the past three seasons, and we’re excited to have them on board once again.”

Bannershop launched its 2022 partnership by providing Rabbitohs Members and supporters with 10,000 free flags at the opening home game of the season against the Roosters.

Bannershop CEO Anthony Choi explained in an interview in 2015 that he started the business after studying in Australia and found the cost of producing a pull-up banner to be very expensive when he was seeking promotional materials for a project. With a belief that he could manufacture the banner cheaper, he returned to Hong Kong in 2006 and started Bannershop.

The HP PageWide T4250 HDR

Koenig & Bauer’s Dr. Andreas Pleßke named drupa committee chairman

Koenig & Bauer A/NZ has welcomed the appointment of Koenig & Bauer AG CEO, Dr. Andreas Pleßke, as chairman of the drupa committee.

“We are super excited to be playing a part in shaping the future of print globally. Our focus on innovation, collaboration and sustainability will assist our Australian and New Zealand industry develop and be world leaders,” Koenig & Bauer A/NZ national sales manager Rayne Simpson said.

Pleßke said it is an honour to continue to actively help shape the development of drupa as chairman of the drupa committee.

“The world is changing rapidly – both in technical and political terms. Together with the committee we will ensure that drupa constantly develops further to also assert its pole position as a world-leading trade fair for print technologies in future and to orient the industry for the future,” Pleßke said.

Wolfgang Poppen, deputy chairman and managing partner, Freiburger Druck GmbH & Co. KG (bvdm) said, “drupa is the centrepiece of the industry, a place of innovations and technology launches. The coming months will be used intensively to further sharpen the profile of drupa’s position in 2028”.

Staying true to its four-year cycle, the next drupa will be held again in May 2028 – but this time, as a nine-day event that will only run over a single weekend. The event’s organiser, Messe Düsseldorf, said the decision to reduce the number of days was to adjust to the changing needs and expectations of exhibitors and visitors, and reflects the continued transformation of the industry. drupa 2028 will take place in Messe Düsseldorf from 9 to 17 May 2028.

As part of the further development of the world-leading trade fair, the strategic process towards drupa 2028 is already initiated. Alongside the proven trade fair format, innovative formats are being developed with a view to enabling even stronger networking within the industry.

Due to succession planning and personal changes, four new members were also included in the committee:

• Markus Hoffmann, executive senior vice-president, Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG & chairman of the Printing and Paper Association in VDMA

• Marcel Martens, general manager Industrial Print EMEA Direct, HP Indigo & Pagewide, HP Industrial Printing

• Thomas Heininger, CEO, MBO Postpress Solutions GmbH & CEO, Komori International Europe

• Peter Voigt, managing director, Perfecta Schneidemaschinenwerk GmbH.

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Koenig & Bauer’s Rayne Simpson and Andreas Pleßke

IVE Group sees “a very solid result” for first half year

IVE Group managing director Matt Aitken has described the financial performance of the company in the six months to 31 December 2024 as “a very solid result”.

IVE Group grew revenue to $507.8 million for the six months to 31 December with gross profit margin increasing to 48.5 per cent.

“All key profit metrics are up significantly. We have had strong margin expansion and further uplifted operating cashflow with working capital levels normalising and the balance sheet has been further strengthened with gearing continuing to sit below our internal target,” he said.

Aitken confirmed IVE Group has ‘fully realised’ the cost synergies delivered to the business following the acquisition of the Ovato and JacPak businesses and fully integrated the Elastic acquisition that took place in May last year.

Here are the numbers:

• Revenue for the six months to 31 December was $507.8 million, up 0.4 per cent from $506.0 million in the same period a year prior

• Material gross profit margin of 48.5

Easy Signs responds to Trump’s aluminium tariffs

Easy Signs director Andy Fryer has weighed in on US president Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports entering the US from 12 March, stating the proposed move will simply force the company and its competitors to slightly increase prices to adjust and maintain margins.

However, Australia is hoping to secure exemptions to the new taxes.

“While we are still awaiting further clarification on the amount of aluminium a product must contain to be included in the tariffs, we are working on the assumption that all of our imported aluminium products will be included,” Fryer said.

per cent was up from 46.2 per cent in the same period a year prior

• EBITDA was $74.1 million, up 12.6 per cent from $65.8 million in the same period a year prior

• EBIT was $51.4 million, up 23.4 per cent from $41.7 million in the same period a year prior

• Net Profit After Tax was $29.3m, up 29.1 per cent from $22.7m in the same period a year prior

• Net debt was $121.4 million, down from $131.0 million at 30 June 2024, reflecting continued strong operating cash conversion and greatly reduced restructuring costs, partially offset by peak working capital seasonality and capex associated with the packaging capacity build-out.

“If this is the case it will simply force us and all our competitors to slightly increase prices to adjust and maintain margins. The hardware components we import are not manufactured locally in the USA, so we have limited options.”

The company has revised its net profit for the full year (FY25) from $45 million to $50 million to a new guidance of $47 million to $50 million.

During the 1HFY25 call, Aitken also announced that IVE Group will replicate its Braeside supersite with a new 42,000sqm building at Kemps Creek in Western Sydney and will relocate its third-party logistics (3PL) business to a 32,000sqm facility in Dandenong South, Victoria.

Aitken said the new Sydney supersite expands the business into horizontal adjacencies, including packaging, to drive revenue growth and operational efficiencies.

“Four locations will come together at the Sydney supersite including the commercial print operations from Silverwater, Brand Activations from Granville, CX and Data from Homebush, and Paper Storage for print web offset from Warwick Farm,” he said.

“The site was chosen as it is close to key transport hubs as well as IVE’s Erskine Park and Huntingwood sites bringing together the Western Sydney teams.

“The benefits of the Sydney supersite include avoiding an additional $3.1 million per year in rental costs as well as provide operational efficiencies and a centralised strategic labour pool to optimise labour mix enabling flexibility across business units and reduce external labour hire.”

Easy Signs first opened its US operations with a $US2.8 million investment for a 6700sqm facility in March 2022.

Last year, Easy Signs was featured on the front page of the New York Times commenting on possible 400 per cent tariffs placed on aluminium components from China.

“We had been running into huge challenges with tariffs being applied on imported aluminium products such as pull-up banner stands, media wall frames and gazebos adding up to 370 per cent of the value of the aluminium,” Fryer said previously.

“This forced us to redirect containers that had arrived to the US from China, all the way to Australia,” Fryer said previously.

In September 2024, Fryer also mentioned that after doubling sales from 2022 to 2023, Easy Signs has experienced a further 50 per cent increase in sales as it grows to more than 50 staff members from its operations in Pennsylvania.

IVE Group managing director Matt Aitken

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Take your print shop to the next level with Heidelberg’s Customer Portal

Heidelberg’s all-in-one digital Customer Portal is a reinvented production management solution that brings together all of the company’s apps into a centralised platform

Solving a business need can be a challenge, especially when it comes to getting short print runs produced cost-effectively. As operating a print shop is becoming increasingly complex, staying competitive means optimising the use of resources, materials, and time.

And with the print industry becoming more digital now than ever, software is taking centre stage in a space that has traditionally been heavily skewed towards hardware.

With these factors in mind, Heidelberg has reinvented production management with its Customer Portal – a cloud based all-in-one digital portal that allows users to manage their operations effortlessly.

It provides easy access to production workflow apps, analytics, service and maintenance, shopping, administration, and a holistic 360-degree overview of a user’s

printshop. This enables businesses to simplify their operations with a single interface to access information and get support, streamlining their print shop responsibilities.

“With our digital tools and services, we are a pioneer in the digitisation of print shops around the world,” Heidelberg Australia national sales manager Dierk Wissmann said.

“The Heidelberg Customer Portal provides everything a user needs to run their print shop smoothly and profitably, helping them optimise their print shop’s efficiency, performance, and transparency.

“It is one customer portal with endless possibilities, and it lets users reduce touchpoints and achieve full transparency in their print shops. It is a powerful tool that users can use to identify and eliminate weak points in production more quickly, thus increasing their efficiency and performance.”

The portal houses up-to-date data, making it readily available at a user’s fingertips –enabling simple access from any device, anytime. The easy-to-use interface makes it convenient for a user to see what is important at the moment and allows them to have full transparency of their print shop so that they can take the relevant action immediately.

Since its introduction into Asia Pacific in 2023, there are more than 350 users regionwide – with businesses taking on this software platform growing quickly.

The wide range of apps offered through the Heidelberg Customer Portal include:

1. Analytics: Print Shop Analytics provides real-time evaluation of status and key performance indicators (Insights) including the possibility to benchmark the printing machines against others (benchmarking)

The Heidelberg Customer Portal is a fully cloud-based, all-in-one digital portal

5. Administration: Users can enjoy the benefits of a thorough, quick, and easy overview of all their equipment and contracts. as well as integrated advice/ recommendations on how to improve the performance.

2. Production: Everything is located in one application to help users prepare, produce, and manage their production workflows. The Inventory Management App provides users with up-to-date information on consumables.

3. Support: Users can obtain a complete overview of their current service incidents and maintenance status, including the Online Training App to get access to helpful resources in an array of topics.

4. Shopping: Users can get direct access to the Heidelberg eShop with straightforward ordering processes and offerings that are customised to their equipment. They can also track

orders and get a full overview of all invoices (not available in all countries).

Dat a is presented as analysis, which can be read with just a few clicks on the modern dashboard

One portal to manage all

Improved efficiency and analysis of performance with insights is the key benefit of the Customer Portal.

Using the Insights app, printshops can see, in real-time, important key production figures which the app can then evaluate and interpret.

This analysis can be read with just a few clicks on the modern dashboard of the Insights app.

“Printshops will get real-time information about their pressroom and can quickly identify and eliminate weak points,” Heidelberg Australia technical sales and product manager, Darren Brookes said.

“Insights warns when set target values are not reached or problems occur within production that enable users to precisely narrow down where issues are occurring. These reports are then a basis for improvement with a focus on efficiency and improved performance in the pressroom.”

Benchmarking allows printshops to measure and track their performance within their market segment

Performance evaluations and comparisons with benchmarking is also another feature. For example, if a user is wondering how they’re performing in terms of waste with heavier substrates or how good their makeready times are in comparison to the competition for complex job configurations, the Print Shop Analytics app shows benchmarking in detailed reports. A user’s performance will be compared to their competitors within their market segment.

“Benchmarking also allows printshops to measure and track their performance within their market segment. Printshops will get real-time information about their pressroom and can quickly identify and eliminate weak points,” Brookes said.

“Insights warns when set target values are not reached or problems occur within production. This will make users more efficient and improve the performance of their pressroom.”

In addition, digital assistants help improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

The Heidelberg Customer Portal provides everything a user needs to run their print shop smoothly and profitably

The portal houses up-to-date data, making it readily available at a user’s fingertips

with Performance Advisor Technology (PAT). Available as an app in Print Shop Analytics, the artificial intelligence PAT continuously analyses a user’s pressroom and machine data and, if necessary, automatically recommends solutions, just like a human consultant would do.

PAT offers practical suggestions for improvement, highlights strengths and potential savings, generates comprehensive diagrams and data, and gives specific recommendations. PAT also monitors the printing process, recognises deviations, and suggests suitable optimisation measures that will make a company more effective.

Efficient service ticket submission and tracking is also offered within the portal. A ‘traffic light’ logic design easily shows users the service status of their press and software modules (Prinect). The users can create a new ticket from a new issue directly via the app, using very few steps, including uploading a picture or video if necessary.

The status of the ticket can be easily tracked and with every update from Heidelberg’s service colleagues regarding the issue, users will directly get a notification and are able to chat with the experienced Heidelberg team.

Reduced maintenance effort through process efficiency and professional instruction is also achievable through Heidelberg Customer Portal. The Maintenance Manager is a software system that offers the complete maintenance documentation to a user’s dedicated Heidelberg machines.

Additionally, it supports the complete maintenance process administration including planning, due date monitoring and documentation of maintenance. These additional features are bound to a Heidelberg machine service contract.

Customer success

Heidelberg has seen global success in the uptake of its Customer Portal platform.

Edmonton, Canada-based Burke Group of Companies Limited, is one of the companies that has successfully implemented the Heidelberg Customer Portal.

Aiming to be the best single source solution for its clients, the Burke Group of Companies has gone on to develop its print division into one of the top print production facilities in Canada by investing in the acquisition of other companies whose services add greater value for its current and future customers.

In line with providing an unparalleled and robust suite of solutions, the Heidelberg Customer Portal has enabled the business to continue providing a customer-first commitment.

“The new portal is a great tool. It would take hours to compile and analyse data that the portal provides in seconds,” the company said.

Another company that is a strong advocate of the Heidelberg Customer Portal is Emibra Brazil, a packaging company in Suzano, Brazil.

With a focus on technological evolution, financial solidity, and valuing people, Emibra goes beyond simply supplying packaging. Its mission is to offer customised solutions that meet the needs

The benefits, at a glance

Some of the benefits of the Heidelberg Customer portal include:

• Improved efficiency and performance through real-time production data analysis via the Insights app

• Performance evaluations and competitor comparisons with benchmarking reports in the Performance Benchmarking App

• Automated improvement suggestions through AI-powered Performance Advisor Technology (PAT), offering optimisation recommendations

• Simplified service and maintenance processes with clear service and maintenance tracking

• Reduced maintenance effort through efficient process management and professional instructions in the Maintenance Manager

• Transparent shopping processes with direct access to the Heidelberg eShop and order tracking

• Comprehensive production management via apps such as Inventory Management

• Cloud-based platform for easy, anytime access to important data and applications from any device

of customers in various segments, many of which are long-standing partners, with more than 40 years of collaboration.

By using the Heidelberg Customer Portal, the company has been able to remain faithful to the values that it has always been guided by – innovation, quality, and sustainability. The portal offers a solution to Emibra Brazil’s customers that adds value and strengthens partnerships.

“The new Heidelberg Customer Portal is a strategic innovation that expands our ability to make informed decisions at management level. By providing us with actionable data-driven insights, it not only elevates operational effectiveness but also allows us to identify opportunities for growth and longterm improvements,” the company said.

As evidenced by these companies’ successes, Wissmann said, “Take your printshop to the next level with Heidelberg Customer Portal”.

Turning challenges into benefits

The Heidelberg Customer Portal addresses several major pain points for print shops, including:

• The lack of real-time production visibility – It offers real-time insights and analytics, helping identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks quickly

• Complex workflow management – The platform streamlines production processes and inventory management, making it easier to handle multiple tasks

• Performance benchmarking –Print shops can compare their performance to industry peers, which is difficult to do manually

• Service and maintenance inefficiencies – The portal simplifies service ticket submission and tracking, along with predictive maintenance, reducing downtime

• Manual performance optimisation – The AI-driven Performance Advisor Technology (PAT) app provides automated recommendations for continuous improvement, eliminating the need for manual analysis

• Cumbersome procurement processes – Direct access to the Heidelberg eShop simplifies ordering and tracking, reducing administrative effort.

The artificial intelligence PAT continuously analyses a user’s pressroom and machine data

Durst Oceania hosts first local Vanguard Open House at Evan Evans

The event saw the showcase of the Vanguard VK300D-HS high production flatbed LED UV printer, which Evan Evans bought from Durst Oceania last year

Durst Oceania recently hosted its first local Vanguard Open House at Melbourne-based printer Evan Evans, providing visitors with an opportunity to see the Vanguard VK300DHS machine in operation.

Evan Evans installed the Vanguard VK300D-HS high production flatbed LED UV printer last year shortly after the brand was launched in Australia following the Fespa Global Print Expo in Amsterdam.

Evan Evans owner Roger Cameron said, “Durst Oceania has been a supporter of us for a long period of time. Today is the first time we have opened our doors to people in the trade. For us, this is not only about showcasing Vanguard, but also showcasing our capabilities”.

The event also reinforced that Durst has solutions for all levels of the market and not just top-tier, high volume customers.

Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman said, “Durst Oceania has been in business for five years. We now sell equipment big and small across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Oceania region. We, at Durst Oceania, are growing – so much so that we’re doubling down on the Vanguard and Durst Oceania brands.

“Because of this growth, we will be moving into a new facility in Melbourne later this year, amplifying the support we provide the industry.”

Jarrod Whyte (Omnigraphics), Nigel Spicer (Cactus Imaging), David Walton (Omnigraphics), Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania) The Durst and Vanguard team at Evan Evans

Nicky Asseraf (Cactus Imaging), Rene Watson (Evan Evans), and Andrew Piperni (Zest Image)

Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania) with Sonya Cameron and Roger Cameron from Evan Evans

Kim Pitskos, Brett Matthews, and Mark Canavan from Graphic Art Mart

Jack Scanes (Barrier Signs), William Berlowitz (Zünd Australia), and Dale Hawkins (Zünd Australia)

Roger Cameron (Evan Evans) and Nick Unwin (Nuvis Media)

Steven Spear (Omnigraphics NZ) and Brett Addison (Durst Oceania)

Ron Straathof and John Pestell from PrintIQ

Gary Di-Losa (Select Textiles) and Sonya Cameron (Evan Evans)

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VMA releases latest industry metrics at annual roadshow across Australia

The Visual Media Association said the data from the survey is crucial for the industry as it aims to help local business owners with their planning and forecasting

The Visual Media Association (VMA) has released findings from its 2024 Annual Industry Metrics Survey and recently hosted a roadshow across the country to present the findings.

The Annual Industry Metrics Report, supported by Ricoh Australia, captures salary benchmarks, skills and training levels and shortages, employment demographics, customer group breakdowns, certifications, operational practices, and perceived challenges.

“We need this data for our industry. This data helps business owners with their planning and forecasting. If you’re considering new investments – what should I be investing in? What are others investing in? Where am I sitting when you look at financial benchmarks? Where am I sitting with salary benchmarking? These are things that really help your businesses, and the more data we get the more we can build in on it,” VMA CEO Kellie Northwood said.

According to the VMA report, industry employment figures represented stability across most sectors since last year’s Annual Industry Metrics report. In 2024, total industry employment is 229,113, a modest decrease from last year’s 229,194.

“This is an incredibly strong number. We still sit as one of the largest manufacturing

employees in the country. What’s also interesting is that despite recent consolidation of our industry, we are increasing in the number of businesses recorded under the ABS as ‘print or visual media related services’ businesses, with a rise from 4414 businesses recorded in 2023 to 4435 in 2024,” Northwood said.

“We remain a male dominated industry, but that number is coming down. It was 64 per cent in 2023, as compared to 58 per cent in 2024. We have more women joining the industry, which is terrific, and what we’re also seeing, which I am really excited by, is that our industry is one of the fastest growing for female apprentices.”

A notable finding in the survey was the increased number of apprentices in the industry, with 77.78 per cent of businesses currently employing one or more first year or stage 1 appreciates, compared to 38.46 per cent in 2023. More than 75 per cent of businesses currently employ one or more second year or stage 2 apprentices, compared to 53.85 per cent in 2023.

“In 2023, our apprenticeship numbers were quite low, but we’ve since seen this surge,” Northwood said.

“What we’re also seeing is that we’re attracting talent from different cohorts. One industry that is struggling [for employment] in Australia is graphic design.

One of the largest cohorts of apprentices coming into pre-press and print are now coming from the design channel. There just aren’t enough jobs for designers in this country.

“A lot of design is being offshored, and we have great, talented people who have an eye for creativity and understanding of the software. So, if you’re looking for apprentices and not sure where you can attract them, have a think about your local design college.”

Key findings from the 2024 VMA Annual Industry Metrics Survey:

General industry trends

• Total industry employment is 229,113, reflecting the largest sovereign manufacturing employer in the country

• 4,435 (4,114 in 2023) businesses are registered as print or visual media businesses across Australia, with most businesses being in New South Wales (28.75 per cent) and Victoria (28.75 per cent)

• 67.50 per cent of businesses operate across a single site

• 86.25 per cent of companies are privately owned and operated

• More than a third of industry businesses reported $500,000 to $3.5 million in annual turnover

• Only 17.5 per cent of businesses reported less than $1 million in turnover

• 37.5 per cent of businesses reported $1 million to $5 million in annual turnover

• 37. 5 per cent of businesses reported $5 million to $50 million in annual turnover

• 17.5 per cent of businesses reported less than $1 million in annual turnover

• 7.5 per cent of businesses reported $50 million to $100 million in annual turnover

• 57 per cent of businesses said labour is the highest cost to their business

Quoting jobs and workflow

• Email ordering (59.95 per cent) is the predominant avenue in which job orders are received. Direct sales orders are also common (27.09 per cent), followed by external EDI or API connection (15.33 per cent) and e-commerce/web to print (14.82 per cent)

• 34 per cent of businesses report

Kellie Northwood (VMA) and Henryk Kraszewski (Ricoh)

average job size has increased; however, 19.74 per cent report job size declined significantly

• 62.5 per cent of volume trends are linked to seasonal campaigns, such as Easter, Christmas, or sporting events

• 41.07 per cent of volume trends are linked to education and government, such as elections, budgets, or school terms

• Four in 10 businesses are collecting payment owing within 30 days

Service offering and diversity

• 84 per cent of average job size are under 1000 units, with 30.6 per cent being under 500 report offering commercial print – digital to market

• 42 per cent of businesses are looking to invest in new equipment and upgrades to expand service offerings

• Diversification investment is reported to occur mostly in the next one to two years with 43.09 per cent reporting this focus

• Packaging, warehouse, and logistics and finishing are the three top growth areas (this is the second year that packaging ranks the highest in diversification investment)

• In 2023, promotional products, merchandise, and wide format ranked as the top three. 2024 reports these sectors are receiving investment, however, warehouse and finishing is pushing ahead

Employment, skills, and training

• 83.52 per cent of employees are full-time (80.11 per cent in 2023)

• 16.14 per cent of employees are part-time (16.34 per cent in 2023)

• 7.21 per cent of employees are casual employees (12.94 per cent in 2023)

• 4.07 per cent are contracted employees (4.37 per cent in 2023)

• 38.75 per cent of companies currently employ less than 10 employees

• 26.25 per cent of companies currently employ 11 to 30 people

• 12.5 per cent of companies currently employ 51 to 100 people

• 64.91 per cent of industry employ men, while 38.63 per cent of industry employ women and 8.33 per cent employ non-binary people

• Finding candidates with the right skills is the biggest challenge for the industry (68 per cent) and a further 47.3 per cent report finding job-ready candidates is challenging

Labour and salary benchmarking

• 77.78 per cent currently employ one or more first year/stage one apprentice (38.46 in 2023)

• 77.78 per cent currently employ one or more second year/second stage apprentice (53.85 per cent in 2023)

• 55.56 per cent currently employ one or more third year/third stage apprentice (30.77 per cent in 2023)

• 33.33 currently employ one or more fourth year/fourth stage apprentice 30.77 per cent in 2023)

• 2.44 per cent of companies pay 100 per cent to the award (10.29 per cent in 2023)

• 26.83 per cent of companies pay five to 10 per cent above the award (38.24 per cent in 2023)

• 39.02 per cent of companies pay 11 to 20 per cent above the award (36.76 per cent in 2023)

• 21.95 per cent of companies pay more than 20 per cent above the award (5.88 per cent in 2023)

Business certifications and standards

• 51.35 per cent of businesses hold no certifications

• 27.03 per cent of businesses are ISO9001 certified

• 24.32 per cent of businesses are FSC certified

• 8.11 per cent of businesses report carbon mapping

• 8.11 per cent of businesses are SGP certified

• 16.22 per cent of businesses have other certifications

• 18.92 per cent of businesses are ISO 14001 certified

• 8.11 per cent of businesses are PEFC certified

• 8.11 per cent of businesses are APCO certified.

Diana Nikolic (Ball & Doggett), Paul Jones (Mercury Printing Services), and Lindsay Scott (Ball & Doggett)

Andrew Shailer (Platypus Print Packaging) and Shaun Payne (Ball & Doggett) in Brisbane

VMA’s Kellie Northwood presenting the findings

Dave Shaw and Henryk Kraszewski from Ricoh Australia in Adelaide

Luke Allen (Crystal Media) and Cialan Shine (Ricoh Australia)

Jon Williams (Sustain Paper) and Peter Harris in Brisbane

Katherine Puttlock and Simon Lane from Lane Communications in Adelaide

Shaun Payne (Ball & Doggett) and Gareth Price (CPX)

(l-r) The Ricoh Australia team in Brisbane: Andrew Richardson, Cialan Shine, Nick Cella, Henryk Kraszewski, and Michael Leins

Liz Sheppard and Damien Hunt from Q-Print Group in Brisbane

Susan Ryan (Cbus Super) and Paul Hardie (Ball & Doggett)

John Olive and Helma Ambachtsheer from Spot Productions in Brisbane

Cutting-edge solutions shown at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025

The event, which recently took place in Lucerne, Switzerland, offered attendees a chance to see the latest and greatest in digital print, inkjet, and finishing technology

The 15th edition of Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 presented the latest and greatest in high performance digital print, inkjet, and finishing technology. With an interdisciplinary concept, the event stood out as an exciting and knowledgeable place to network and connect.

The biennial event, held in Lucerne, Switzerland, was Hunkeler’s first since its acquisition by Müller Martini. It offered live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and in-depth discussions with industry experts in high volume digital printing technology.

Canon leads the way in digital transformation

For Canon’s customers and prospects, Hunkeler Innovationdays was a chance for them to experience ‘The Power to Move’. There were several opportunities to get hands on with the latest Canon technologies in commercial printing, and discover how companies have used its innovations to redefine the possibilities of print.

Canon reaffirmed its commitment to commercial print by displaying the latest digital print technologies and shared how its automated, end-to-end solutions deliver the efficiency, flexibility, and quality required for sustainable growth.

From live examples of how Canon supports print service providers in identifying new business opportunities, to defining matching strategies and business models, and how to select tailored workflow and press technologies to accelerate digital transformation, Canon offered a roadmap to success.

Products on display included:

• The ProStream 2000 production printer – an industrial-scale inkjet printer that allows for greater flexibility, fast-setup times and high-quality output. It prints at up to 133m/min and has a print quality of up to 1200dpi by 1200 dpi. It also protects the environment through reduced energy consumption, optimal paper usage, and maximises productivity via an improved product platform.

The machine also prints on a variety of applications including books, medical leaflets, travel books, business statements, and newsletters. It prints on a wide range of media including uncoated, matt, silk, and gloss coated offset media and on inkjet papers up to 300gsm.

• The Canon varioPRINT iX3200 –a high speed, high uptime, high value digital colour press. Canon’s sheetfed inkjet technology offers a streamlined production workflow and stable performance, with little to no setup time.

At its core, the varioPRINT iX3200 delivers ultra-fast production speeds of 9120 SRA3 duplex images per hour, high uptime (more than 90 per cent) with automated efficiencies, and minimal labour involvement. That all adds up to an attractive total cost of ownership and streamlined production.

• PRISMA Cloud Services – an easyto-use central web platform that allows users to access their PRISMA cloud-based workflow applications and print management tools 24/7.

Part of the software, PRISMA Home allows users to take their print operations to new levels of efficiency and allows them to self-activate applications

Attendees at the doors of Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025

The Canon varioPRINT iX3200 on display

and manage users, subscriptions and devices wherever they are.

Fujifilm showcases its Jet Press 1160CFG inkjet press

Fujifilm’s new continuous feed inkjet press, the Jet Press 1160CFG, was featured alongside several integrated inkjet solutions as the company demonstrated how strategic partnerships are helping to add value for customers.

In line with the Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 theme, ‘Connect’, Fujifilm partnered with several vendors to demonstrate the full capabilities of its inkjet solutions.

The Jet Press 1160CFG took centre stage on the stand. Launched at drupa 2024, the Jet Press 1160CFG is a high-speed full-colour continuous feed inkjet printer. The printer is equipped with a newly developed ‘Paper Stabiliser’, designed following vigorous R&D and analysis of paper characteristics during high-speed continuous feed printing.

The conditioning unit enhances productivity, production efficiency, and print and finishing quality by regulating the amount of moisture in the paper before printing. With the enhanced drying technology, the press delivers highspeed printing of 80 meters per minute –even on thick and thin coated paper.

Fujifilm showcased the press in collaboration with Hunkeler’s finishing equipment to produce high quality promotional postcards live at the show. Additionally, a joint demonstration with Meccano Tecnica highlighted the possibilities of Fujifilm’s inkjet technology for high quality, flexible, short-run book production. Finally, Fujifilm showcased instant switching capabilities between books of varying sizes and pagination, in collaboration with Horizon and its StitchLiner technology.

In addition, Fujifilm had on show its integrated inkjet solutions. Integrated inkjet is an approach that custom-integrates an inkjet print engine into an existing press or other print equipment. Fujifilm’s inkjet integration experts were in attendance to demonstrate the many ways this can be done.

Fujifilm’s inkjet print engines on display at Hunkeler Innovationdays included the 42K Printbar System and the Mini 4300 Printbar System, which can be placed in various locations of the process including in places where finishing alone typically resides.

Fujifilm has integration products for a wide range of printing including monochrome, four colour, extended gamut, jettable functional fluids, and spot varnish embellishment.

“Our participation underscores Fujifilm’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, in keeping with the ‘Connect’ theme of this year’s show.

The Jet Press 1160CFG is a milestone product for Fujifilm,” Fujifilm EMEA head of digital press solutions Taro Aoki said.

“There is nothing else like it on the market, particularly with its advanced paper stabiliser. We have been market leaders for continuous feed inkjet in the Asia Pacific region for some time and we’re now delighted to be bringing this technology to the European market.”

Heidelberg unveils new Stahlfolder

Heidelberg took the wraps off its new Stahlfolder TH 56/66 models for automated end-to-end production in digital printing in a world first at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025.

The Stahlfolder TH 56/66 Fireline for nearline postpress operations in digital printing enables highly automated processing of digitally printed sheets in a single operation, all the way through to the finished cut and folded print product.

Cutting, creasing, and folding all take place in just one pass.

The Stahlfolder TH 56/66 Fireline is also fully integrated into the Prinect workflow. As a result, the system can be preset automatically based on the job parameters from Prinect and with no operator intervention.

The standard programs stored in the system cover a wide range of different end products. The possibilities with the Jetfire 50 include A3 and A4 posters trimmed on all four sides for full-bleed motifs, four-page pamphlets (A4 portrait plus A5 portrait and landscape), and

eight-page A6 products with concertina, parallel, or letter fold. To minimise the number of system changeovers, Prinect groups similar orders into batches, and these jobs are then completed one after the other on the Jetfire 50 and the Stahlfolder TH 56/66 Fireline.

The company also showcased its digital ecosystem for end-to-end production based on the new Jetfire 50 at Hunkeler Innovationdays. The Jetfire 50 is based on inkjet technology from Heidelberg’s cooperation partner Canon and marks its expansion into industrial digital commercial printing.

“In the industrial printing context, efficient and highly automated postpress operations are vital if production departments are to process a large number of highly diverse orders efficiently and ensure the profitability of digital print production. That makes our new Fireline postpress solution a key addition to the Heidelberg digital ecosystem, taking us a big step closer to end-to-end print production,” Heidelberg chief technology and sales officer Dr. David Schmedding said.

HP proudly demonstrates its PageWide Advantage 2200

HP took to Hunkeler Innovationdays to introduce a smaller, cost-effective new configuration for its HP PageWide Advantage 2200 web inkjet press. The new configuration features a single-zone drying system and a passive web cooling module, allowing customers to print mono and full colour jobs efficiently across a wide range of uncoated and coated applications.

Designed for PSPs whose primary print offering includes uncoated media, the new configuration offers the opportunity to expand into high-value commercial print applications on offset coated media.

While optimising total cost of print, the press has the capability of printing colour jobs up to 244m/min with PageWide’s powerful new Performance Economy Color print mode. Built on a modular platform, the new configuration can be upgraded with additional drying and web cooling, to enable PSPs to scale capabilities as their business grows.

The Fujifilm Jet Press 1160CFG on display at the show

Heidelberg’s Dr. David Schmedding with the Stahlfolder TH 56/66 Fireline

The HP PageWide Advantage 2200 web inkjet press on display at the show

“Our customers value the flexibility of the modular HP PageWide Advantage 2200. The digital press enables PSPs to offer print solutions that meet customer needs and growth aspirations for their business,” HP PageWide Industrial vice-president and general manager Barbara McManus said.

“With the new single-zone dryer configuration with passive web cooling, more businesses than ever can access a unified platform that supports diverse printing applications and differentiate themselves from competitors with high value jobs, all in one easy to upgrade press.”

HP also demonstrated its fastest integrated book production solution at the show, printed with both HP Indigo Liquid Electrophotography (LEP) and HP PageWide Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printing technologies.

The fully integrated book production line was orchestrated by the HP Intelligent Automation Platform, PrintOS. Leveraging HP Site Flow, nearline intelligent automation with HP PageWide Smart Workcell Controller and partner technology from Hunkeler, Harris & Bruno, Müller Martini, IDEAL, Movigo and Spencer Metrics, the solution produced more than 750 books live but can produce up to 2,000 books per hour.

HP Indigo also introduced the next generation of consumable supplies designed to enhance print sustainability and boost productivity. The key innovations include the CMYK+ with new advancements such as a higher ink solid concentration, the Printing Imaging Plate (PIP+) with a new formulation in two key layers, and the Regenerated Imaging Oil (RIO), in-press recycling system for the ink carrier.

Hybrid Software highlights performance and quality

Hybrid Software, a full-stack supplier of all critical core technologies needed for industrial inkjet printing, took to Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 to feature a full array of cutting-edge solutions for labels and packaging, software and hardware for inkjet press OEMs, and colour management.

Hybrid’s OEM business unit (formerly Global Graphics Software) highlighted SmartDFE, a digital front end for singlepass, high-speed digital presses.

SmartDFE’s capabilities include an AI-accelerated Harlequin RIP farm that drives data inline directly to the printhead electronics and OPC UA connectivity for industrial print environments, as well as integrated prepress workflow automation and advanced PDF editing tools.

Meteor Inkjet, an independent supplier of industrial inkjet printhead driving solutions under the Hybrid Software Group, was also at the show discussing printhead drive electronics and waveform development for inkjet printing devices.

In addition, Hybrid’s ColorLogic business unit demonstrated its latest colour management products that deliver superior colour accuracy, consistency, and flexibility for even the most complex print jobs.

“We regard Hunkeler Innovationdays as a very prestigious event in the industrial inkjet calendar,” Hybrid Software CEO Mike Rottenborn said.

“It’s always enjoyable – a gathering of like-minded people in a very focused setting – and provided an opportunity to connect with customers and OEM partners and listen to their challenges.”

Kodak showcases its “world’s fastest” inkjet press

Kodak demonstrated speed and versatility in inkjet production printing by running live demonstrations of the Kodak Prosper 7000 Turbo Press, calling it the world’s fastest web-fed full-colour inkjet press. The show was the Prosper 7000 Turbo Press’ first appearance in Europe.

Kodak demonstrated the Prosper 7000 Turbo Press printing with water-based Kodak Ektacolor Inks in a roll-to-roll configuration with an unwinder and a rewinder designed and manufactured by Kodak.

The Prosper 7000 Turbo Press is capable of printing at speeds of up to 410m/min. Its three print modes – Turbo, Performance and Quality – enable printers to easily fine-tune optimal speed and quality balance for each job.

The company said these capabilities make the Prosper 7000 Turbo Press an excellent solution for migrating larger direct mail,

commercial, transactional, and book printing jobs from offset to digital.

At the show, Kodak printed various applications at super-fast speeds on the Prosper 7000 Turbo Press several times a day. Along with scheduled demos, printers booked individual demonstrations of the press through Kodak sales representatives.

Visitors to the Kodak booth also had the opportunity to view a vast collection of print samples illustrating the high-quality output and the variety of applications that can be produced with the Kodak Prosper Ultra 520 Press, powered by Kodak Ultrastream Technology, and the new Kodak Prosper Print Bar, which incorporates Kodak Prosper Plus Imprinting Systems.

Kodak, in cooperation with partners Horizon International and Hunkeler, also demonstrated the efficient processing of paper rolls printed on Prosper Presses into finished printed products. A saddlestitched catalogue was produced on a Horizon iCE StitchLiner Mark V, and a Hunkeler paper processing line will handle a demanding direct mail application.

“We were excited to bring the Prosper 7000 Turbo Press to Europe for the first time and to raise the bar in terms of speed and production efficiency at Hunkeler Innovationdays. This cutting-edge inkjet press helps printers transition from offset to digital production and profitably serve their customers,” Kodak CEO and executive chairman Jim Continenza said.

“Our Prosper Presses, using high-speed continuous inkjet technologies and proprietary Kodachrome and Ektacolor Inks and Kodak Optimax Primers, help printers succeed in the ‘and’ era of print by providing ultra-productive, cost-effective printing of a wide range of applications.”

Kurz sets new standards and redefines digital embellishment

Kurz presented its latest technologies and solutions at Hunkeler Innovationdays, where it demonstrated how digital embellishment is setting new standards with outstanding productivity, speed and efficiency.

Visitors also saw some of its machines, applications and solutions, including the

(l-r) Lawrence Geere, Justin Bailey, Mike Rottenborn, Victor Asseiceiro, and Christopher Graf from Hybrid Software at the event

The Kodak Prosper 7000 Turbo Press on display at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025

The DM-MAXLINER 2D live in action using high-quality substrates from Kurz’s cooperation partner Sappi

DM-MAXLINER 2D, a highly industrialised solution for digital sheet embellishment that was shown live in action using high-quality substrates from its cooperation partner Sappi. Following its successful premiere at drupa 2024, the machine was presented again in an exclusive setting.

The DM-MAXLINER 2D combines patented cutting-edge technology with versatility and enables high-quality metallisation on a wide range of substrates, including openstructured, uncoated papers. Thanks to the patented inkjet-on-transfer technology, the machine sets new standards in precision, print quality, and reliability.

As an interactive state-of-the-art exhibit, the DM-UNILINER 3D offered a technology deep dive into 3D inkjeton-substrate technology for label and roll applications. Event participants experienced how this technology produces fascinating effects and exciting creations in just one work step, through digital metallisation and coating. The flexibility of the machine enables flat and tactile effects from four to 100 μm with impressive quality on an industrial scale.

With the ultra-compact MCUBE complete solution, Kurz subsidiary MPRINT presented economical and easy-to-integrate solutions for variable data printing. These are ideal for latestage four-colour printing on labels with QR or barcodes and batch numbers.

Kurz also presented a wide range of applications and exhibits for hot, cold and digital embellishment as well as security solutions for brand protection.

Ricoh puts end-to-end automation on display

Ricoh demonstrated highly automated end-to-end processes that enhance the productivity of print operations.

Ricoh’s expansive high-speed inkjet and sheetfed production portfolio, represented by Ricoh Pro VC80000, Ricoh Pro VC40000, and Ricoh Pro C9500 technologies, as well as an interactive presentation of the Ricoh Pro Z75 B2 inkjet press, demonstrated how everyday capabilities can be elevated to create a highly productive concept to completion environment.

The company said efficient and profitable end-to-end production begins with software solutions including the Ricoh TotalFlow BatchBuilder, that simplifies and automates many steps in short run digital production, and Ricoh ProcessDirector, that captures, transforms and manages production information and print processes with precise tracking.

Ricoh Predictive Insight, first introduced on the Pro VC80000 high speed inkjet press, provided data driven insights into device utilisation and operator productivity. Ricoh said by using Artificial Intelligence and machine learning capabilities, processes and operations are monitored to help optimise hardware uptime and throughput while minimising maintenance interruptions.

Completing the highly connected approach was a new automation protocol called Print Line and Finishing Interface (PLF-I). This open-source interface enables a step change in communication between web fed printers such as the Pro VC80000 and pre- and post-processing equipment, resulting in enhanced automation.

Elevating print production automation further, Ricoh executives said the Ricoh Auto Color Adjuster provides easy, fast and accurate colour management capabilities, and ensures consistency from system to system and job-to-job.

Ricoh Europe Graphic Communications vice-president Eef de Ridder said, “Automation has the power to positively enhance every stage of the print production process. The increased role of AI and machine learning provide levels of understanding, operational improvements and touchless workflows that help reduce pressures and increase productivity.

“Building on the ‘Connect’ theme of Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025, Ricoh demonstrated how automation also continues to elevate hardware and software capabilities and allows commercial, transactional, and enterprise printers greater freedom to competently and confidently expand their service offering.”

Screen powers print connections

At the tradeshow, Screen showcased innovative inkjet printing solutions under the theme “Powering Print Connections”. Visitors to the Screen booth experienced a range of solutions designed to elevate print production to new levels, such as: Truepress JET 560HDX with Hunkeler finishing integration: The flagship Truepress JET 560HDX combines printing precision with seamless finishing equipment integration. Regular live demonstrations illustrated how the new Truepress SC2 Ink produces high-resolution 1200 dpi full

colour output at productive speeds of 150m/min, without primers and on offset-coated papers.

The new Truepress JET 520NX AD: Engineered for transactional and direct mail printing, the Truepress JET 520NX AD was unveiled at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 with live demonstrations – printing at 225m/min. This press sets a new standard in high-speed performance for the transactional printing market as it can bring dense, high-contrast designs and legible text on thin 40 gsm substrates.

Collaborative partnerships for innovative digital inkjet solutions: With Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 highlighting the importance of a smooth, integrated print production workflow, Screen showcased its partnerships with various industryleaders in print finishing, workflow solution developers, and MIS systems.

IBIS Bindery Systems’ saddle stitch binding system was on the Screen booth, providing visitors with a window into digital print production, processing printed rolls from various digital inkjet presses as they are saddle stitched and bound, ready for packing and shipping to clients.

Screen also supplied rolls printed on its Truepress JET 520HD+ system with SC+ inks to the Hunkeler and Horizon booths and provided support during both companies’ demonstrations using control barcodes generated by EQUIOS workflow, and showing in real-time, the smooth transitions between different jobs within rolls during postprocessing.

Screen Australia managing director Peter Scott, who was on the ground, said, “The great thing about this event is its focus on highest-volume digital print and finishing. It’s definitely ‘big end of town’ for digital printing, both reel and sheetfed and Hunkeler bookends the amazing technology on show with its excellent feeding and finishing technologies covering books, direct mail, pharma, transactional and now even magazine and commercial print thanks to advances in ink and drying.”

*Photos courtesy of LinkedIn and attendees of Hunkeler Innovationdays.

Demonstrating the capabilities of the Ricoh Pro VC80000

Screen Australia’s Peter Scott with the Truepress JET 560HDX

Müller Martini presents exciting Smart Factory solutions with partners

Müller Martini and Hunkeler continue to innovate and pave the way for a new era of printing excellence, which was recently demonstrated at Hunkeler Innovationdays

Müller Martini recently demonstrated its industry leading innovation at Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025. The three smart factory solutions presented revolutionise production processes in the digital printing industry for the long-term.

With 6,800 participants and 120 exhibitors presenting 40 live solutions, the event grew once again year on year.

“We are proud that together with our partners, we were able to present pioneering solutions during the four days of the trade fair that will shape the future of the digital printing industry,” Müller Martini CEO, Bruno Müller said.

Impressive smart factory solutions

For the first time, Müller Martini presented a significantly larger booth, integrating technologies from multiple vendors. This setup reflected the broader global industry trend toward collaboration, where printing presses, finishing equipment, and workflow solutions are no longer isolated systems but part of a cohesive production line.

“This is what we face these days. When we talk about ‘Smart Factories’, we talk about combined lines with presses from different vendors, and we add the finishing to it. On top of that, we have our workflow solutions. This approach allows for greater efficiency and flexibility, ensuring that print jobs are seamlessly processed from start to finish,” Müller Martini Australia country manager Ian Sampson said.

All three Smart Factory applications on display captivated countless visitors to the Müller Martini booth and demonstrated how Müller Martini can set new standards for end-to-end production processes in collaboration with its partners.

Visitors also experienced how a finished softcover book was produced inline from both the white roll and the white sheet – from the digital web-fed or sheet-fed printing machine to the cutting robot with subsequent sorting line, fully automated and without manual intervention.

Customers from across the globe were particularly impressed, stating, “Müller Martini has networked everything that can

be networked on its booth. From the white roll to the finished book – it’s fantastic to see how everything works seamlessly”.

Highlights included the showcase of the Vareo PRO perfect binder and the InfiniTrim cutting robot, which are ideal for digital printing productions, especially due to the elimination of changeover times.

“The ability to implement individual customer requirements quickly and efficiently with these networked solutions is a decisive advantage in today’s fastmoving printing industry. Müller Martini is heading in the right direction with these innovations,” Sampson said.

The Prinova Digital saddle stitcher on show also produced eight different saddle-stitched products in very short runs from the roll in a continuous process.

By integrating finishing solutions such as Hunkeler Unwinding, Folding and Cutting High Precision Binding and Trimming, Müller Martini demonstrated a nearly ‘lights-out’ production environment.

“We needed to be able to demonstrate that such machines can run independently with as little personnel as possible as we know finding skilled operators is challenging,” Sampson said.

“I believe, one of the major challenges in modern print production is handling diverse job specifications on a single roll of paper – there could be 100 different jobs, all variable in content. These jobs may have varying page counts, sizes and cut lengths. Our Connex Workflow ensures every job is

tracked and finished correctly, even when dealing with complex, mixed format jobs.”

End-to-end networking

Müller Martini also showcased connectivity at its stand. The Connex workflow system, a key technology to produce individualised print products, controlled all three lines from the digital printing press to the finished sorted product stack. The seamless integration of all production steps, from impositioning the print data to sorting the finished products, fascinated the trade visitors.

Adapting to digital transformation

The printing industry is in a digital revolution, with requirements for shorter print runs and an increasing demand for customisation, according to Sampson.

“To embrace the digital transformation is to remain competitive. Print runs are shrinking globally and the companies that can handle this shift require the right equipment. Müller Martini and Hunkeler demonstrated this at HID25,” Sampson said.

To meet these evolving needs the teams at Müller Martini and Hunkeler have integrated transactional and trans promotional applications expanding their finishing capabilities. With the acquisition of Hunkeler, the Müller Martini portfolio now includes additional applications that further streamline ‘print to finish’ workflows.

As Innovationdays concluded, those that made the effort to travel to Lucerne to witness these efforts were demonstrated to a show of fully integrated, automated print factories that to some was just a vision.

“Seeing was believing. Once visitors and customers see how seamlessly our systems work together, the complexity fades away. With Smart Factories, connected Workflows and Automated finishing solutions, the future of print production is clear – it is faster, more efficient and highly adaptable to market demands,” Sampson added.

Müller Martini and Hunkeler, together, continue to innovate and pave the way for a new era of printing excellence.

The Müller Martini booth at the recent Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025

Müller Martini is the leading provider of system solutions for digital transformation processes in the printing industry, catering to both smart factory and conventional manufacturing customers. mullermartini.com

A strong passion for digital printing: Southern Impact’s Sharna Beck

When Sharna Beck started her career in print, she quickly realised it was not just a job but an art form that required precision, creativity, and technical skill

Sharna Beck, HP Indigo digital press operator from Southern Impact, has had a steady, upward trajectory in her performance and personal development.

Beck, who was named by Women in Print Australia as the winner of last year’s HP Dscoop giveaway, travelled to APJ Dscoop in Cebu, Philippines, where she joined a global community of HP Graphic Arts users, industry leaders, and innovators for a unique opportunity to network, learn, and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in the printing industry.

But Beck’s initial transition into print was purely coincidental. With a background in hairdressing and business administration, alongside her personalised apparel merchandise and signs side hustle, Cre8, she never anticipated taking the path in print.

Beck’s digital print journey began in 2018 in the mail room at Southern Impact in Victoria, where she trained on several digital presses before later joining the company’s digital department as an HP Indigo digital press operator.

“It turned out to be a pivotal moment in my professional journey,” Beck said.

“As I began working in the mailing department, I quickly realised that print was not just a job but an art form that required precision, creativity, and technical skill,” she said.

“My early days involved learning the intricacies of mailing processes, and I became proficient in operating various machines. This fundamental experience was critical as it instilled a deep understanding of the workflow in print production.

“Through hands-on practice, I evolved from a beginner to someone capable of troubleshooting and diagnosing machine issues, which helped me gain respect among my peers. As my interest in printing grew, I sought further knowledge and skills.”

Within a year, Beck completed training on the HP Indigo Series 3 and Series 4 digital presses, making her the only digital operator at Southern Impact with the ability to run all four digital presses, which includes three Indigo presses –

an HP Indigo 7600, HP Indigo 7800 and B2-sized HP Indigo 15K digital presses.

“Pursuing certifications like the HP Indigo Series 3 and 4 level 1 further solidified my expertise in the field. I also worked with Xerox and Konica Minolta machines, which allowed me to delve deeper into the mechanics of printing. The experience of producing variable data jobs like flyers and postcards ignited my passion for digital printing,” Beck said.

“Being part of a team that values collaboration and mentorship has been a rewarding experience. The wealth of knowledge shared among colleagues has been an indicator of how integral teamwork is in achieving success within the industry.”

Beck also received the Printers Award at APJ Dscoop, which she said is a testament to the collective efforts and unwavering support from her colleagues.

As a woman in the print industry, Beck draws inspiration from several industry figures including Southern Impact commercial digital print general manager, Wendy Coss.

“I find motivation in trailblazing women in our industry, who have shattered glass ceilings and challenged stereotypes. Their stories are a powerful reminder that perseverance and dedication can lead to significant changes in an otherwise traditional field,” Beck said.

“Wendy has been a significant mentor in my career, not only in giving me the opportunity to pursue a new direction but also opening the doors to a new set of possibilities as a digital printer.

“Additionally, I am inspired by colleagues like Indigo guru Marcus Cafolla, lead digital printer at Southern Impact, who has equipped me with valuable tools by sharing insights, providing constructive feedback, and encouraging me to push my boundaries.

“My mentors have played a critical role in equipping me with the tools I need to learn and print effectively. They provided not just industry-specific skills but also essential leadership qualities, such as confidence, resilience, and effective communication.

“Their guidance helped me navigate challenges and taught me the value of networking and collaboration. With their support, I’ve learned to embrace my unique perspective and use it to drive innovative solutions within the business.”

Looking ahead, Beck’s aims include not only advancing her professional skills but also contributing to a more sustainable and equitable print industry.

“I envision a future where diversity is not just an initiative but a fundamental aspect of our business operations. By engaging in continuous learning and advocating for women’s leadership roles, I aim to cultivate an environment where everyone can succeed,” she added.

“My journey in print has been filled with continuous learning and growth, and I look forward to what the future holds in this exciting field.”

Southern Impact’s Sharna Beck

PRINT LEADERS FORUM 2025

2024 was another year filled with contrasts and transformation for the print industry. While economic conditions remained unpredictable, businesses that stayed agile and invested in the right technology found opportunities for growth. The most successful businesses focused on adaptability.

The biggest challenge remained the cost of doing business, with rising wages, material costs, and supply chain pressures requiring smarter investment decisions.

We witnessed a strong appetite for automation and efficiency-driven solutions as companies focused on streamlining operations and improving profitability. A real shift towards low-touch workflows also emerged, reducing manual labour and increasing efficiency.

Sustainability also became a more urgent priority, with customers demanding real action rather than just conversation.

Diversification was another major subject, with many printers expanding their offerings into adjacent markets –whether through labels and packaging, sign and display, or large format. Those who leaned into personalisation and customisation also set themselves apart, taking advantage of digital print’s flexibility. Above all, businesses that stayed relevant had one thing in common: they embraced change rather than resisting it.

2025 will be about efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.

The industry has started shifting towards leaner, smarter, and more connected operations. AI and automation will continue to reshape workflows, while robotics will play an even bigger role in reducing manual intervention.

Opportunities in automation and workflow optimisation will result in speed to market becoming an ever-increasing differentiator. The demand for short-run,

A future filled with opportunities

high-value applications continues to grow, and those who embrace it will thrive.

Sustainability will no longer be an option – it will be a business imperative. We also expect more convergence between digital printing, with datadriven print campaigns becoming more personalised and interactive.

Most notably, the sign and display segment is seeing increased demand for highimpact, high-quality short-run applications, with businesses seeking versatile, durable, and cost-effective solutions – especially in interior decor applications.

Labels and packaging remains a large opportunity, especially as brands look for more sustainable and short-run solutions.

We’re seeing increasing demand for high-end embellishments and finishing, as brands invest in premium-quality print. All these opportunities and innovations will present themselves during this year’s events and tradeshows. We can expect to see major breakthroughs in robotics and AI-driven workflow automation. Print technology will continue to push boundaries in speed, quality, and sustainability, with more hybrid solutions combining analog and digital strengths.

New finishing technologies will also be a highlight, giving businesses more ways to differentiate their output. Sign and display innovations will focus on versatility, with further developments in UV printing delivering enhanced durability and sustainability benefits.

Additionally, we expect to see more consolidation in the industry, as businesses either scale up or struggle to keep pace. The biggest challenge though will be navigating rising operational costs while maintaining profitability.

Labour shortages also remain an ongoing concern, driving automation

as a necessity, rather than a luxury. And of course, keeping up with changing customer demands – particularly around sustainability and speed to market will be critical.

For Currie Group, 2025 is about deepening our partnerships, driving innovation, and expanding our capabilities. We’ll continue to bring the latest technology to market, helping customers unlock new revenue streams.

Investment in service remains a top priority, as we know that the best equipment is only as good as the support behind it. We’re also looking at key strategic growth areas, particularly in labels and packaging, sign and display, automation, and finishing solutions.

We are also actively working with our partners to bring more energy-efficient solutions to market, alongside materials and processes that reduce waste.

A major focus for us is our partnership with the HP Planet Partners Program and Close the Loop initiatives committed to reducing waste by recycling and repurposing printing hardware and consumables.

Beyond these efforts, we are actively supporting our customers on their own sustainability journeys, providing education and customised strategies to help them implement more responsible and efficient printing practices.

To conclude, the industry needs to embrace change to thrive. The businesses that will succeed in 2025 and beyond are those that invest in the future, stay agile, and focus on value creation.

The industry is evolving at an incredible pace. AI, automation, and sustainability are no longer trends, they are business imperatives. Continue to innovate, invest for the future, and push the boundaries with trusted partners. The future is filled with opportunities.

Rob Mesaros CEO, Currie Group

In 2024, the industry experienced drupa for the first time in a long time, with everyone returning to Düsseldorf for the largest print event on the planet with high expectations.

It was great to experience the largest exhibition booth that Durst has constructed anywhere in the world, that was expanded even further with the impressive products featured on the adjacent from the joint venture with Koenig & Bauer.

The products showcased at drupa in 2024 represented the latest digital platforms that now provide solutions for businesses who previously would not have considered Durst as their primary partner of choice. But as Durst CEO Christoph Gamper said at the inaugural ProPack Packaging Forum in Sydney in October 2024 – “Digital is no longer wearing its baby shoes”.

Durst now has a broad range of digital platforms that offer versatility, speed and quality that are now attracting businesses not only from the wide format sector, but also more traditional print categories including lithographic, flexographic and packaging.

Coming into 2025, this momentum has continued with Durst’s client base expanding beyond its traditional sectors with new customers who have embraced the opportunities from digital technology die to the changes in market demands, order sizes, turnaround times and versioning.

We have continued to see the packaging sector growing exponentially and we will

Made in Durst

further strengthen our cooperation with market leading manufacturers such as Omet and Koenig & Bauer that follow the same philosophy and outlook when it comes to doing business.

We are looking forward to the 2025 FESPA Global Print Expo as the newly appointed Digital Excellence Partner.

Once again we will be welcoming more Aussies and Kiwis to our annual Open House event that we have been running for five consecutive years prior to major European trade shows.

We know how much customers benefit from understanding the Durst story and seeing where the magic is created – Made In Durst.

My key message is that the Durst brand now offers a full suite of solutions for potential print customers following the launch last year of two key machines from the entry level P5X true flatbed through to the groundbreaking premium P5 Super Multi Pass (SMP) with projected speeds of up to 4000 square metres an hour.

Both machines are not prototypes – they are now available for purchase – moreover Durst Oceania expects both of these machines in our region before the end of the year.

We cannot underestimate the power of the right software solutions to take a business to the next level of efficiency and automation.

In 2024, Durst Oceania set a new record for software sales across its Smart Factory

portfolio of solutions including LIFT ERP and Workflow Plus and we have seen this growth outpace other regions globally.

Durst Oceania’s rollout of LIFT ERP and Workflow Plus at Cactus Imaging in Sydney represents one of the largest implementations of its kind to date.

Durst LIFT ERP is a cloud-based ERP/ MIS software which provides a single integrated platform to run every aspect of a print business.

The process is automated and streamlined, from taking a customer’s order online, into pre-flight and manufacturing, and all the way through to customer delivery.

Durst Workflow Plus is a fully featured RIP and pre-press software production suite.

Durst continues to invest heavily in software development providing modern and dynamic print businesses with a suite of ever-expanding solutions that we have identified must be machine agnostic.

So far in Australia and New Zealand, the number of Durst software installations continues to grow and we see no signs of this part of the business slowing down.

It is essential for progressive print businesses to have the ability to manage operations with an effective workflow and back office management solution.

As a result, I feel that in the medium- to long-term, we will not only be known for our best in class digital equipment, but also the industry’s best in class software solutions – all Made In Durst.

Matt Ashman Managing Director, Durst Oceania

2024 was a year full of challenges and opportunities. Early in the year, a decline in consumer confidence led to reduced demand for commercial print. Instead of slowing down, we saw this as an opportunity to invest in our team, focusing on cross-training staff across different areas. This addressed a longstanding challenge of workforce versatility.

As the year progressed, we began to see the benefits of this effort as the last quarter brought a noticeable increase in workload – significantly higher than in previous years. It was then that we could truly see the benefits of the training conducted earlier in the year.

Skilled labour shortages continue to be one of the biggest challenges in the industry, but businesses that focus on training and cross-skilling will be in a stronger position, especially as experienced workers start retiring. Keeping that knowledge in-house is key, and mentorship programs or even just better documentation of processes can go a long way.

Attracting new talent is also crucial. We need to show younger workers there’s a real career potential in print. It’s not just about running machines – it’s about creativity, problem-solving, and adapting to new technology.

Automation won’t replace craftsmanship, but it can take pressure off areas where skilled hands are harder to find. Businesses that build multi-skilled teams and embrace smart solutions will be the ones that come out ahead.

One of the priorities for Marvel in 2025 is staying ahead of the game with innovative finishing solutions. We always look at ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our equipment. This has always set us apart and allows us to deliver unique and

Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible

high-quality results that meet the different needs of our customers.

Our goal remains to continue expanding the options available, offering customers solutions that are both creative and practical. More importantly, we aim to do it all locally, supporting onshore manufacturing and ensuring faster turnarounds without compromising on quality, as there is a real push towards this.

Automation and smarter workflow solutions support the push for faster turnarounds without sacrificing on quality. At drupa last year there was a big focus on robotic arms packing off the back of machines –something that could be a game-changer for high-volume operations. But for companies like ours, where craftsmanship and flexibility are key, there’s still no substitute for skilled hands and experience.

Diversification is going to be another big focus this year, especially with the way digital printing keeps evolving. Digital is catching up fast, offering new opportunities for short-run, high-quality, and personalised work. Printers and finishers who can cater to offset and digital will be in the best position to meet a broader range of customer needs.

At Marvel, while our setup has traditionally focused on offset printing, some of our recent machine acquisitions are designed specifically for digital printing and shorter runs. This flexibility allows us to deliver efficient solutions, whether the job is produced on an offset or digital press.

Another focal point for businesses this year is the shift towards sustainability. Customers are more aware of their environmental footprints, and that’s driving demand for eco-friendly stock, smarter waste management, and production practices that prioritise sustainability instead of ticking boxes.

Richard Eastaugh General Manager, Marvel Bookbinding

It’s not just about using recycled paper –it’s about minimising waste from start to finish and making more conscious choices at every stage. What’s interesting is how sustainability has become part of the design process itself. Customers aren’t just asking for green options – they’re actively choosing materials that add both aesthetic value and an environmental edge to their projects.

The real opportunity is in finding that balance – premium finishes that don’t compromise on sustainability. I can see this becoming a major focus in 2025 as more companies push towards carbon neutrality and long-term responsible manufacturing.

As a trade finisher, our role in the sustainability chain is a little different. While we don’t dictate most materials that come through our doors, we do have control over certain components, and we’re mindful of making responsible choices where we can. Minimising waste, refining workflows, and making sure jobs are done right the first time all play a part in reducing unnecessary impact.

If there’s one thing that keeps print exciting, it’s the constant evolution of what’s possible – especially when it comes to finishing. There’s still so much untapped potential in how we can elevate print with unique textures, specialty coatings, and bold finishing techniques. As technology advances, so do the opportunities, and the businesses that lean into this will be the ones that stand out.

But innovation is rarely a solo effort. The strongest results come from collaboration – printers, finishers, and suppliers working together to push the limits of what can be achieved. Print is at its best when it’s a team effort. The more we embrace that mindset, the stronger and more creative the future of print will be.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, 2024 was not without its challenges. The rapid pace of technological advancement meant that staying ahead required constant adaptation and learning. Additionally, the competitive landscape, with larger companies often pricing out smaller businesses, remained a significant hurdle. Despite these challenges, our team’s dedication and resilience allowed us to navigate these obstacles successfully.

1800 Projects experienced another remarkable year of growth, particularly within our print division. Our continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and equipment provided us with a significant edge in the industry, enabling us to deliver high-end results more efficiently than ever before.

Among the many project highlights, such as Nine’s Paris Olympic merchandise and national signage rollouts for Australian designer Camilla, one major standout project that we worked on last year was producing and installing more than 400 metres of print for the new Stan office located in North Sydney. This project allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to quality and precision, reflecting the high standards we maintain across all our work.

In order to keep up with increasing demand and maintain our high-quality standards, we made substantial investments in new machinery. Last year, we added several key pieces of equipment to our collection, including the Canon Colorado M5W for high-speed and highquality print jobs, a Summa flatbed cutter for precise cutting, and a Mimaki DTF printer to enhance the uniform branding solutions we offer.

These additions have not only increased our production capacity but also enabled us to offer a wider range of services to our clients, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the print industry.

Having quality as the cornerstone of success

Our commitment to innovation extends beyond just hardware. We also focused on enhancing our internal processes and workflows to improve efficiency and deliver better results for our clients. By continuously evaluating and refining our operations, we ensure that we are always providing the best possible service.

In 2025, our primary focus will remain on maintaining the highest quality in all the work we do. We believe that quality is the cornerstone of our success and will continue to be our top priority.

In addition to this, we are committed to fostering a fun, professional, and productive work environment. Our team is our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to their ongoing development and well-being.

Sustainability is also a key focus for us this year. We are exploring new ways to become a more sustainable and eco-friendly business. This includes looking into green printing substrates and other environmentally friendly practices that can help reduce our carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future for the industry.

We are also committed to reusing materials wherever possible, as this not only benefits the environment but also makes good business sense.

As we move into 2025, I believe AI will play an increasingly significant role in the print industry. The integration of AI technology has the potential to streamline processes from sales to production, making operations more efficient and cost effective.

As more industry professionals adopt AI, it will drive increased creativity and innovation within the print sector. AI can enhance everything from design to production, allowing for more personalised and efficient services. It is important for businesses to embrace

this technology and leverage its potential to stay competitive.

At 1800 Projects, we are excited about the possibilities AI brings and are ready to embrace these technological advancements to further enhance our services.

At the 2025 tradeshows, I expect to see a range of innovative technologies and solutions including AI generative software, improved IT solutions for managing print shops, affordable green printing substrates, and high-speed, high quality printers. These innovations will help businesses operate more efficiently and sustainably, providing new opportunities for growth and development.

Other areas of growth for businesses will vary depending on their specific focus and capabilities. However, another promising area is specialty printing, such as fivelayer printing and white ink and textured SAV printing.

These advanced printing techniques offer unique value propositions and can set businesses apart in a competitive market. By investing in specialty printing capabilities, businesses can expand their service offerings and attract new clients.

One of the significant challenges facing the industry, though, is the competitive pricing strategies of large companies, which can marginalise smaller businesses. Additionally, the prevalence of online businesses with extremely low margins has devalued signage and printed media, making it harder for traditional print shops to compete.

But these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and differentiation. By focusing on quality, specialty services, and customer relationships, smaller businesses can carve out a niche and thrive.

Ben Browning Managing Director, 1800 Projects

Key priorities to focus on

Dean Wright Managing Director, ADS Australia

The print industry is at a pivotal moment, with technological advancements and sustainability taking centre stage.

2024 was shaped by a continued shift towards digitalisation and sustainability. Highlights included the growing adoption of automation and AI in printing processes, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. There was also a surge in demand for personalised print products, with consumers seeking unique, tailored items, particularly in packaging and marketing materials.

However, the year also faced challenges, including rising raw material costs –especially paper and ink, supply chain disruptions, and environmental regulations pushing for greener practices. The ongoing pressure for cost reduction, alongside the necessity of investing in new technologies, presented both opportunities and hurdles for businesses aiming to stay competitive. These, alongside the need to ensure employees have the necessary skills to operate new technologies and adapt to changes in production processes, will be an ongoing challenge.

To maintain relevance in 2024, our business embraced digital transformation by integrating smart technologies into our operations. For instance, we installed the Canon Colorado M5W and since then, we’ve seen significant improvements in efficiency and productivity. The advanced features of the Colorado have allowed us to take on more complex projects while reducing turnaround times. Additionally, the versatility of the machine has enabled us to expand our service offerings.

Additionally, we invested in sustainable practices by shifting to eco-friendly materials and reducing waste, in line

with both regulatory requirements and market demand for environmentally responsible products. We also prioritised staff upskilling, ensuring our workforce was proficient in the latest printing technologies and innovations to stay ahead of the curve.

As we enter 2025, the industry needs to embrace innovation, invest in greener practices, and stay agile in an increasingly digital world. By doing so, we not only ensure our relevance but also contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for the industry.

I foresee a more digitally integrated print landscape in 2025. With advances in digital printing, providing customised, personalised products will be a significant growth area, particularly in packaging, textiles, and promotional materials.

In addition, the line between traditional print and digital media will continue to blur, especially with the rise of hybrid printing technologies. The rise of hybrid print technologies will provide businesses with more versatility, combining the strengths of both traditional and digital printing.

Automation will play a larger role, not only in production but in supply chain management as well, allowing businesses to respond faster to market demands. Advances in automation will make production faster and more costeffective. Plus, the boom in e-commerce will present opportunities in packaging, with companies needing more efficient and creative solutions for shipping and branding. It has made packaging a crucial point of focus, especially sustainable packaging solutions, which will see increased demand in the coming years.

Interactive and smart packaging that incorporates QR codes, near-field

communication (NFC), and Augmented Reality (AR) will capture the spotlight, redefining consumer engagement and offering new marketing opportunities. Collaborating with technology and design companies to integrate innovative solutions like AR and smart packaging will help businesses stay competitive.

In addition, sustainability will influence everything from materials to production processes. Focusing on eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient production will be key. Sustainability innovations, such as new eco-friendly inks, biodegradable substrates, and energyefficient printers, will take centre stage.

As such, for 2025, our company will be focused on three key priorities:

1. Innovation: We plan to invest further in automation and AI to optimise production, reduce human error, and enhance operational efficiency.

2. Customer experience: We are committed to improving customer engagement by offering more personalised print solutions, leveraging data analytics to better understand and meet consumer needs.

3. Sustainability: We aim to introduce more environmentally friendly materials and reduce our carbon footprint across all operations. We are also committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 20 per cent through energy-efficient operations and switching to renewable energy sources. We also plan for at least 50 per cent of our raw materials to be recyclable or biodegradable. Additionally, we aim to improve our waste management practices, striving for zero waste to landfill.

People remain at the core of everything we do – they are the heart of our industry and the cogs in the wheel that keep it moving forward. In 2024, supporting, developing, and recognising our people remained a top priority, both within our business and across the industry.

However, the challenge of finding and retaining skilled people continued to be one of the biggest hurdles. This was echoed in the VMA Skills Roundtable, where industry leaders highlighted the urgent need for structured training, mentorship, and stronger career pathways.

The message was clear – investing in people is not just important, it’s critical to the future of print. When we create opportunities, support apprenticeships, and nurture our talent, we secure a stronger future for our industry.

At Breen Printing, we’ve seen the impact of putting people first. This year, our emerging team members – Liam, Justin, and Jaz – were recognised for their hard work and dedication. Liam was a Casey Apprentice of the Year finalist, and at the 2024 ProPrint Awards Justin was recognised as an Emerging Talent Finalist, and Jaz was awarded the inaugural Geoff Selig Industry Scholarship, an honour that reflects Geoff’s lifelong passion for people and their growth.

Breen Printing also focused on growth to stay relevant in 2024. A major milestone was securing a second site to accommodate our expanding print and solution offerings. In addition, we partnered with Anchor Health Group to promote mental health awareness and fitness within our team. We worked with Steven Gamble, providing

Surviving the ever-changing print landscape

training in mental health first aid and support through Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offerings.

In 2025, we will focus on bringing our growth strategy to life – by investing in new equipment, expanding our team, and refining our direction. A major priority is the launch of a targeted B2C platform, a project that has been years in the making.

Collaborating with our industry software partners will be a vital part of the success of this project and I am excited to launch this soon. There has been a notable shift in consumer preference for online ordering and developing customised ordering platforms and we’ve positioned ourselves to meet that demand.

In 2025, we’ll also continue to push forward with sustainability initiatives that create real impact. As we continue to work with our team to implement environmental accreditation, we are also developing recycling solutions for our clients and community. Our focus is on creating a closed-loop system, where we partner with suppliers and waste management partners to offer solutions that allow clients to return their products to us for responsible recycling and waste management.

From an industry standpoint, change is around the corner for our industry in 2025. I predict we will see a significant shift in the way businesses operate. Digital integration, automation, and the evolving needs of consumers are just some areas that will make an impact on business.

The rapid advancements in AI and automation over the past year also mean these technologies will be integrated more deeply into print production. Working with

Kirsty Woodhead Co-Owner, Breen Printing

these changes, rather than against them, will be key to keeping our industry thriving.

These trends are fast moving, and we will need new people in our industry to assist as we adapt to the changing environment. The next 12 months will bring these talents into our sector, and with them, new ways of working.

We are looking to find out more about innovations that can support our growth at this year’s tradeshows, such as PacPrint. We are particularly interested in exploring automation technologies to improve efficiency, streamlining workflows, and integrating smarter automation into our production processes.

The biggest challenge for many, though, will be staying competitive in a space where large players dominate. As small business owners transitioning into the medium business space, we have faced significant challenges in line with the cost-of-living crisis affecting Australia.

Pressure has come from every direction, and we have found supporting our people and community a vital part of staying motivated for our future. For us, that means diversifying our service offerings, embracing automation, and finding new ways to connect with our customers.

In today’s climate, both within our industry and the wider community, we continue to face challenges that we will need to find ways to overcome. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. We can’t rely solely on resilience, grit, and determination to carry us forward as the weight of it all can be too much. Asking for help, prioritising mental health, and creating a culture of support will allow us to thrive in this ever-changing landscape.

The hallmarks of industry leaders

Every year has its challenges and opportunities, and 2024 was no different. In retrospect, 2024 was about finding new ground and developing new benchmarks. Comparison to previous years leads to ambiguity given the drastically different trading conditions from the past. Financial and operating budgets have all had to be re-written. In some respect, it was a year where flexibility, vigilance, and patience were key for many industries.

We also came into the year with supply constraints and inflation ramping up. Power prices and freight costs continued to create pressure on profitability, along with a shrinking pool of potential print employees and retiring engineers.

Many of the same challenges will remain in 2025. An ageing workforce will also mean some segments of the industry will likely have to close because they simply cannot staff their operations, or the financial returns for that particular segment no longer justifies the risk in investment. There will be more offshoring of products and services due to rising local labour and input costs.

The demand for traditional print products continues to wane as well. The ability to pivot into new revenue streams and services is essential for the sustainability of many older print companies, who have traditionally invested in heavy metal.

There are opportunities for packaging and digital printing – particularly with new technologies now emerging. Packaging, particularly sustainable and recyclable packaging which can eliminate plastic waste, will continue to be sought out by food and product manufacturers.

Being able to invest in R&D for paperbased product development will reap rewards environmentally and economically, as the evolution from plastics to paper will continue to drive opportunities for the wider print industry.

The forced slow-down in manufacturing and product development during COVID has now abated and we will see a flurry of advancement taking place. The ability to incorporate greater efficiencies into workflows and to have the skills to take advantage of AI will be the hallmark of industry leaders.

The rampant rise of AI will have an impact on a lot of industries and likely in ways that are yet to become apparent. Efficiency of operations and the use of AI for automation will also be key to product development.

Lifecycle consideration will also be high with vendors paying closer attention to not only the lifecycle of the product but also the longevity of machinery and parts.

In a world where non-recyclable waste streams continue to grow at alarming rates, and redundant technology piles up unabated and with reckless abandon, ethical manufacturers need to take greater responsibility for their products and their lifetime footprint.

As for BPG, we’ve had ISO14001 accreditation since 2008. Our commitment to sustainability and environmental policy is well documented and recognised. Our environmental plan is continuously monitored for opportunities as new products are released to market.

We will continue to look for products and inputs that reduce our environmental

footprint and allow better recycling options. Continual operational improvements driving efficiency and less waste is always sought.

Our industry has a part to play in ensuring responsible manufacturing in this country and an ability to accept the opportunity for smarter, greener packaging and product. We can make a difference with continued investment and commitment to ensure our industry continues to strive for greater sustainability and environmental responsibility. Flexibility, innovation, and vigilance to emerging trends and technologies are crucial.

In times of uncertainty and quickly changing markets, the key is to also stay close to your clients. The ability to work in partnership with key accounts is critical to your own stability, but also the operational stability of your clients.

Understanding the importance your products play in their operations; whether it’s to enable the unhindered flow of packing lines, the marketability of their product, or as a support to administration and operations, it is vital to maintaining strong relationships but also in identifying other areas where your knowledge and expertise can assist.

The key pillars of any organisation remain as the focus points for BPG in 2025: employees, clients, and cashflow. Each needs to be nurtured.

For more than 60 years, BPG has ensured it conducts its operations in the best interests of all stakeholders and in a manner that ensures long-term sustainability. We shall continue to keep a close eye on the health and welfare of our employees, our clients, and our financial stability.

Debbie Burgess Joint Managing Director, Bright Print Group (BPG)

The industry, as a whole, has consolidated more significantly in 2024. It has faced some challenges, there’s no two ways about that. Several SMBs didn’t fare well and went broke. The larger organisations got bigger, while the smaller ‘mum and dad printers’ that didn’t have succession planning in place struggled.

There’s a lot of doom and gloom about, but we’re not one of them. For Cactus Imaging, it has been a very big year.

In 2024, our profit was a fair bit more than the previous year, which was a record year. The investment in technology enabled us to bring on a number of new clients and staff. For instance, we bought a hybrid printer last year and got into some more flatbed work – not actively looking for it, but to appease our current client base.

With improved technology, we’ve been able to produce solutions for clients quicker, and in better quality. We’ve also been able to print on a variety of different substrates, opening us up to new markets including retail display, event signage, and fabric printing.

Over the years we’ve been known as a static billboard printer. But with the growth of LED billboards, that market segment has and will continue to impact the growth of static billboards, even though volumes haven’t decreased that much. We see it coming and thus, have diversified into these other areas of play.

In 2025, Cactus will be building on what we’ve been doing and continuing our diversification strategy. We’re always

Investing in tomorrow’s technology today

looking at new technologies and we’ve got some clear ideas on where we want to be and the direction we want to head.

We’ve probably got the best of what’s available at the moment in terms of printers, but we’re keen to see what’s in store at FESPA Berlin 2025. Cactus Imaging is a little different to some other printers – we’re not looking to buy for our needs of today. We’re looking at what will be relevant to our business in 12 to 18 months. Key to technology innovation in our industry is speed and the diversity of technology.

AI is another innovation that needs to be integrated into operations. To enhance business processes and to remain competitive, companies need to fully grasp and effectively utilise the capabilities and limitations associated with AI. It’s currently fraught with danger, but it’s certainly a thing of the future.

At Cactus, we’ve already purchased software that is AI compatible and is integrated into our systems, but it’s still very much in its infancy. It’s something that we’re trying to grasp and work with, and see what opportunities arise from it.

In terms of sustainability, what we’re investing in at the moment, from a billboard perspective is Ecobanner – a fully recyclable fabric material. Ecobanner was designed by Gale Pacific and we’ve been working in close collaboration with them.

It’s the only material around that you print on and gets fully recycled back into material to print on again. You can do that between five and eight times, depending on what size and what material you’re using.

Ferrel Co-Founder and General Manager of Operations, Cactus Imaging

But the challenge with sustainability is that there is a cost involved and many clients shy away when they find out the cost of sustainable materials – even though they intend to improve on their sustainability initiatives.

So, until sustainable materials come in volumes that enable printers to lower the price, until we have proper recyclable infrastructure here in Australia, and until the state and federal governments provide some direction on this issue, sustainability will continue to be a buzzword.

In terms of market outlook, consolidation will continue to happen in 2025. The print industry will continue to be riddled with formidable challenges, including an economic downturn, pricing pressures, rising labour costs, inflation, and getting more people involved in the industry.

FESPA and ProPrint are leading the way in acknowledging the efforts of emerging leaders and future leaders, but we need to get more young people involved in the industry. As an industry, we’ve got to go out and make it happen.

Another big problem facing the industry is staying current, which is very important in this day and age. To be relevant, you’ve got to produce things faster, better, smarter, and to get everything out the door.

2025 is going to be tough, but you’ve got to keep doing the good things right. There are plenty of opportunities for growth; you’ve just got to diversify. The days where you stick to one market segment has long gone.

Keith

Strategies for growth

For Eckersley Print Group (EPG), 2024 was our most successful year in 53 years of trade. We experienced significant growth in print and steady growth in promo, uniforms, signage, and logistics.

EPG’s highlights for the year included an array of new software and the addition of new production equipment following our visit to drupa.

We added a new Ricoh C9500, Duplo iSaddle5.0, Card Cutter CDUPLO 648, and a Horizon PUR Binder BQ-280 to our arsenal. In logistics, we added a new Crown picking bay lifter and added an additional van to the delivery fleet.

In addition to the new equipment added, we made significant changes to our online portals. As a result, we managed to increase our average monthly orders received online to 200 per month.

We also completely re-racked our logistic sheds, adding an additional 120 pallet bays and 200 picking bays. We plan on further growing our logistics department and see growth through further acquisition.

In addition, to help combat the industrywide skills shortage, we introduced and launched our Apprentice Employer of Choice campaign and initiatives.

Through the apprenticeship program we have increased awareness of the great employment pathways within our business and within our industry. Our focus has been to employ the local area youth.

Our goal is to become the best and most desired employer for apprentices and trainees. We now have four apprentices, and we have plans for two more to join us.

We also established a mentorship program, and this is led by one of our experienced team members. The whole program is overseen and headed by Emma Biermann, our business manager.

On the environmental front, EPG was re-audited and re-accredited for ISO 14001 and SGP. In addition to maintaining 14001 and SGP, we have committed to be carbon neutral by the end of 2025.

For 2025, EPG has a focus on lifting productivity, recognising this is across the entire business and not just in the operational space. We measure this by the total employment wages and salaries divided by total revenue.

While our overall budget is 10 per cent higher than the previous 12-month period, we seek to increase the percentage amount of promo, uniform, and signage revenue as a part of total revenue – in other words, we want growth across all our business segments, but more growth in promo, uniform, and signage.

Generally, across the entire printing industry, I see good opportunity and increased revenues and profits in our space.

However, I see further consolidation occurring across the industry and tough times can be expected for any business that turns over less than $2 million, unless they outsource non-core activity and/or specialise in certain niche markets.

The big players in print will keep getting bigger, while the smaller ones will either sell out to the bigger businesses, close, or go bust. Consolidation has been happening in our industry over the past few years and will well and truly continue into 2025.

Facing an ageing workforce is another challenge for the industry. Our ageing workforce will see more people leave the industry than join it. Effectively training apprentices and taking a concerted effort to hire from outside the industry will help alleviate this challenge.

The continued, slow push to digitise traditionally printed content is also another area of focus, which can be offset by investments in automation and increased efficiencies via software and technology. I predict trade printers will commence supplying inkjet digital services.

In terms of growth, it can be found in different markets, but we all need to understand and know the costs to enter those markets.

We see outsourcing non-core activity as a better, imperative strategy to build critical mass as compared to investing in production capacity in any new growth area where we want to produce product.

Vendor collaboration will also be more prevalent in 2025 – as evidenced by the numerous suppliers that have been coming together to merge the best of their technologies. I expect these innovations to house more automation, and be shown at the upcoming tradeshows later this year.

My final message to the industry is this – profit is not a dirty word. If your business is not making EBIT of greater than 10 per cent, I would anticipate that times will get tougher and not easier. Plan to be successful and profitable and if that cannot occur within the model you have, change the model, sell, merge, or get out.

Tom Eckersley Managing Director, Eckersley Print Group

2024 was a steady year for Global Signs. However, from an overarching industry perspective, the economy was in a bit of a ‘limbo’ coming off the back of the interest rate rises in 2023. The effect of that clearly put a bit of a downer on everything and marketing budgets were the first thing to get slashed.

Dealing with this was a challenge for most in the industry as many businesses these days depend on event activations for jobs, and we saw some of the large corporations either significantly reduce budgets for campaigns or cancel them altogether.

I expect 2025 to be similar – the year will continue to be challenging, and the industry needs to focus on innovation and constantly adding value to our clients and surpassing their expectations to stay relevant.

In saying that, I believe our biggest challenge is also our biggest opportunity. Time and time again, we have had to deal with challenges such as pricing issues and certain players driving prices down while the costs of business escalate.

We know from experience that in the long-term, this strategy is not sustainable. We have seen the effects of this – the price driven companies are not able to sustain themselves and eventually, close their doors.

As an industry, we need to ensure we maintain a level of integrity and value our work. In turn, our clients will see more value than just dollars and cents.

Building a smart, creative, and resilient industry

As for Global Signs, streamlining some of our production processes has been on the top of our list for a while, so we will be concentrating on that this year. In our industry, there is so much involved from the initial sales consultation process to finally installing a sign or print.

Therefore, we need to always be looking at ways to quicken the process in between to provide our customers with not only quality products, but also speed to market. This will be the primary focus for Global Signs for the rest of the year.

Adding value is also very important to us as a business. Sometimes clients will only focus on the price of the print, and it’s our responsibility to remind them that it’s also about the service.

In 2024, to improve on our services to market, we promoted our sustainability offerings to ensure our clients were well educated on the process of print and the ways where we can help them reduce their carbon footprint.

This year, we aim to take this one step further by pushing out PVC-free roll media. About 60 per cent of our rigid printing is on environmentally friendly stock, so getting our roll substrates up to the same mark would be a dream.

Our clients love it, but it’s just a matter of bridging the gap on price as compared to what they have been used to paying.

With larger corporations pushing hard for greener materials, I expect suppliers

to increase their offerings of sustainable materials as well.

As speed to market and sustainability will lead priorities in 2025, I foresee faster machines with green credentials to be debuted at this year’s tradeshows. Printers are getting faster, more environmentally friendly, and more cost effective – this is very welcomed by the industry.

I have been in this space for 20 years and the evolution of wide format has been phenomenal. I always look forward to seeing what suppliers have on offer at tradeshows. We usually use it as our base for purchasing – for example, at the last PacPrint, we ordered a full wide format kit, swapped out all our eco solvents for latex, and brought in a new cutter.

My final message to the industry is this –keep striving for excellence. We made it through COVID, so the challenges we face now are simpler, in comparison.

People in print are so unique. I tell everyone how dedicated people in our industry are. We are smart, creative, and resilient. If we value our work and the people around us, our businesses and staff will prosper.

Moving forward, training staff to be skilled in more than one job will be paramount to business, especially considering the lack of skilled people in print. Education in any form is a great tool, but in our fast-evolving industry, this is vital to both the business and the employee.

Joseph Lagana Owner, Global Signs

Clients at the core of business

2024 was a strong year for Grand Print Services. We had moved into our new premises in late 2023, so 2024 was busy for us in terms of print jobs and setting up the new facility. We still saw growth in sales throughout 2024.

In saying that, there were mixed responses from the industry – most of Grand Print’s clients were very busy, but we would hear of companies being quiet on a regular basis.

In 2024, Grand Print continued its investment in technology with the addition of a Canon Colorado 1630 modular UVgel roll-to-roll printer for large format graphics and a Fuze Industry taping machine.

Our investment in these machines came off the back of being able to provide the best solutions for our clients. We always have our clients’ needs front of mind and continue to tailor the business to support them.

Grand Print prides itself in keeping very close to its clients, concentrating on what we are good at, which is delivering on their needs. Whilst being busy, we had to focus on not losing sight of the exceptional service that we provide. This is how we keep relevant in this industry.

Always listening to your clients will enable you to continue to forge strong long-term relationships. And, working with the right partners who are hungry to grow their businesses goes a long way to continued growth too.

This year, we expect to make further upgrades to Grand Print. Having just invested in machinery, our equipment is

still relevant and working well, but we are now turning our focus on to automation in all of our processes.

Robotics is not applicable for us at this stage, but we are taking a detailed look at every process throughout the business and implementing ways to be more streamlined and efficient.

In terms of sustainability, Grand Print continues to look at every piece of waste we produce in the print process and try to work out ways to recycle or reuse where possible. We also encourage customers to use products that can be recycled. We continue to offer free recycling of products that we print to ensure what we produce is being repurposed as much as possible.

For the industry, 2025 will be similar to what the previous years have been. The industry will continue to innovate and find new ways and opportunities to grow – whether that be growth through more sales, new products, or just doing what it does better.

My predictions for 2025 is that it will be another strong year. From discussions with others in the industry early this year, there seems to be a fair amount of optimism.

Interest rates in 2024 slowed people down a bit but hopefully there is a rate reduction to give consumers some confidence. Whilst we don’t deal directly with the public, consumer confidence flows down the line and this affects the spending of my clients and their clients.

However, challenges do remain. The number one challenge for the industry

would be the rising costs of running a business. Everything we do to keep the business running is costing more. If companies don’t adapt to rising costs and make the required changes, it will continue to erode margins and make business less and less viable.

The challenge with this is a lot of clients don’t want to pay more for the same product. Therefore, if price rises are not an option, businesses need to find ways to save costs and be more efficient in other areas of their business.

As for trends, digital will continue to take a bigger share of the market, just as it has been doing in recent years. Digital equipment will continue to develop in speed, efficiency, and quality. These machines will become more and more automated, removing manual tasks required of staff.

The quality produced will also continue to improve, enabling printers to move into new areas of play, or expand their clientele base. With machines that work quicker, they will also be able to offer clients faster turnaround times. We have no doubt suppliers will continue to support printers with new innovations and improved offerings in current markets.

Here’s my final message to the industry – this year will have its challenges like other years, but if you push the boundaries with new products and keep doing the good things you do for clients, the industry will continue to grow. If the industry is strong, it will support business and everyone will benefit.

James Sultana Managing Director, Grand Print Services

2024 was a very ordinary year at best, with several companies calling it “a terrible year” as interest rates, along with the cost of utilities, materials, and wages all continued to rise.

It was a challenging year, especially from a profitability standpoint. From a print service provider’s perspective, we had to increase prices to survive but were unable to escalate prices to the extent of what was required. I found many companies had to dip into their savings just to keep their heads above water.

To counter these challenges, many companies had to revise their operational costs, look at their overheads, and try to reduce them as much as possible. This was an unfortunate but necessary move to keep business going.

Imagination Graphics, too, was affected by this. We had to revise the number of staff working at our site in 2024 and sadly, made some staff reductions. We also ramped up our advertising investment in trade magazines, offering some of our long-standing clients incentives if they print extra volumes with Imagination, or print them earlier than they normally would.

Having gone through the troughs in 2024, I expect 2025 to be a year of peaks for many. For those who weathered the storm successfully, 2025 will be busier than the year that was.

However, my advice is to navigate the year slow and steady and watch your spending. The economy will pick up and there will be a little more spending on print and

An overturn in market conditions

advertising this year should interest rates start to fall. Also, be ready to take on any new opportunities that may arise.

I believe signage will be one of the biggest areas of growth in our industry. The retail sector is a huge market for window signage and packaging. This is an area most printing companies can dabble in, especially in creating smaller jobs for them.

For companies that don’t see the business sense to pivot in a new direction, collaboration with a signage company will allow you to join forces and produce a better outcome for your client.

Signage is only one of many areas that will be lucrative for businesses in 2025. Print service providers should look at the opportunities within their wheelhouse and determine how to deliver exceptional solutions for clients. This will open the doors for you to work in closer collaboration with clients, offering them more products and add-ons.

As opportunities arise, print service providers need to be proactive and make these moments count. Instead of sitting on your laurels waiting for things to happen, make an effort to meet new clients and reconnect with old ones.

At Imagination Graphics, we have built our business on relationships. We are an easy-going family-owned business that thrives on service.

The other key area of focus for 2025 should be keeping up with technology.

Emmanuel Buhagiar Director, Imagination Graphics

If you don’t keep up, you will get left behind. Then challenge is if you can afford it and if you have the work for it.

Digital is developing steadily, and automation is maturing. The tradeshows this year will be a testament to the growth of these technologies. I always look forward to a tradeshow as the new machinery and digital finishing are amazing, and I expect to see many new large format/signage presses with all the bells and whistles on show.

In 2025, Imagination Graphics’ main priority will be streamlining the way we work and making the business more efficient. As always, we will continue to strive and offer our clients a better service and work more closely with them.

In addition, we will be looking at furthering our sustainability practices. Imagination has been doing its best to be as sustainable as possible, but we aim to look for new and better ways to improve our practices.

My message for the industry this year is to keep your chins up and come out swinging. Help each other out where possible as there is room for all of us, and there are profits to be made. Be smart and don’t overextend yourselves by purchasing machinery unless you need to.

Have your finger on the pulse and know exactly how you are going week to week and month to month. Finally, get out there and let your customers know you are still available for work and be ready to make them look good.

Print is in the midst of an exciting renaissance

Sonia Shwabsky CEO, Kwik Kopy Australia

2024 was a year of growth and transformation for the print industry. A key highlight was the rising demand for branded products that are fully sustainable and non-toxic, pushing innovation in areas like adhesive-free packaging, sustainable event stands, and environmentally friendly materials. These developments showcased the industry’s commitment to aligning with customer values.

On the flipside, a major challenge was balancing sustainability with costeffectiveness, particularly as more customers explored DIY or digital alternatives, often with subpar results.

This underscored the importance of expert services and personalised solutions, which remain a strength of print businesses like Kwik Kopy.

In 2024, Kwik Kopy remained steadfast in driving creativity and problem-solving for our customers.

Our core value of community is pivotal, enabling us to leverage the collective knowledge and experience of our franchise network to deliver outstanding results. This collaboration allows us to address challenges effectively and innovate continuously.

Additionally, our focus on exceptional customer services continues to set us apart. We partner with our clients to understand their goals, ensuring their projects exceed expectations. From concept to completion, we aim to provide solutions that deliver measurable impact.

This year, Kwik Kopy’s primary goal is to solidify our leadership in the wide format space. All centres are equipped to deliver high-quality wide format products, and we are committed to educating

and streamlining pricing and estimating processes to enhance service levels.

Moreover, we will prioritise professional design services to ensure every project starts with a strong creative foundation. This focus will help us deliver print solutions that not only meet but exceed client expectations.

As for the print landscape in 2025, the print industry will continue to innovate, driven by advancements in digital technology and sustainability. We expect to see further integration of AI in design and pre-press processes, improving efficiency and personalisation.

The rise of experiential marketing, using physical print elements to create memorable brand interactions, will also gain momentum. This trend will push the boundaries of traditional print applications and drive further innovation.

Growth opportunities in 2025 will also lie in short-run packaging, wide-format products, and creative branding solutions. Physical marketing, such as unique packaging, installations, and custom unboxing experiences, can help brands stand out in an increasingly digital world.

In addition, sustainability will remain a focal point, with new materials and technologies emerging to minimise environmental impact while maintaining print quality.

Sustainability and design will play key roles, with businesses needing to align their materials and aesthetics with consumer demand for environmentally friendly and visually engaging products. At Kwik Kopy, we are excited to explore these developments and work closely with suppliers to bring cutting-edge solutions to market.

Sustainability is both the industry’s biggest challenge and opportunity. While transitioning to fully sustainable practices requires investment and innovation, it also offers a chance to redefine print’s role in a world increasingly focused on environmental responsibility.

Educating customers about the benefits of sustainable print products compared to the environmental costs of digital alternatives is key, and is critical to the industry’s long-term success. This is where PSPs can step up and contribute.

In 2025, the spotlight will be on sustainable packaging and innovative branding strategies. These will include beautiful, eco-friendly designs that merge creativity with sustainability to help businesses cut through the digital clutter.

At Kwik Kopy Australia, we anticipate breakthroughs in sustainable inks, enhanced colour quality, and AI-driven design software that simplifies processes and elevates creativity. These innovations will further enable businesses to deliver exceptional results while reducing their environmental footprint.

Kwik Kopy is proud that all our centres hold SGP Level 1 certification, with a goal to have 30 per cent of centres achieve SGP Level 2 by the end of 2025. This commitment reflects our dedication to driving sustainability across our network and supporting our clients in achieving their environmental goals.

As print is in the midst of an exciting renaissance, embracing sustainability, creativity, and collaboration can position the industry as an essential part of modern marketing strategies. So, find your niche, leverage your expertise, and continue to deliver value with confidence and passion.

In 2024, the industry faced numerous obstacles, many of which were shaped by broader economic pressures and sector-specific dynamics. Among these, the lack of qualified staff remained a persistent issue, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis and successive interest rate hikes.

These factors collectively undermined business confidence, as evidenced by slower decision-making processes and hesitancy in committing to marketing budgets. The ripple effect was clear: surges in production during sporadic periods rather than the steady workflow we had previously come to expect.

Adding to these challenges, the industry witnessed a concerning trend of businesses closing their doors. These closures were often the result of financial pressures that left companies unable to sustain operations.

Despite these challenges, 2024 also presented opportunities for introspection and innovation. Businesses that managed to survive and adapt demonstrated the importance of agility and forwardthinking strategies.

In 2024, Lamont Print & Signs made a conscious decision to align our operations with the triple bottom lines of results, relationships, and reputation. This strategic focus was designed to ensure that our business remained relevant and competitive, even in a challenging environment.

Our approach centred on the delivery of supreme quality and consistent service, coupled with an unwavering commitment to building and maintaining trust – both within our organisation and with our clients.

To achieve this, we prioritised internal cohesion, fostering a culture of trust,

Results, relationships, and reputation

collaboration and accountability. By emphasising the importance of trust and quality, we positioned ourselves as a reliable partner for our clients, even during uncertain times.

As we look ahead to 2025, our priorities are clear and ambitious. Central to our strategy is the development of our executive team’s ability to foster a culture that emphasises trustworthiness, accountability, and collaboration, strengthening our organisation’s foundation and preparing it for long-term success.

Another key focus for 2025 is the continued development of our company culture. Our succession plan is being designed to transcend the leadership of a single individual, ensuring that our future leaders embody our core values and commitment to excellence. This cultural evolution will be instrumental in creating a sustainable and scalable business model.

Furthermore, we aim to lead by example within the industry by promoting an operational model that prioritises more than just profit. By extending an invitation to our peers to join us in this endeavour, we hope to set a new standard for the industry – one that integrates sustainability and ethical practices into every aspect of business operations. This approach aligns with our broader vision of building a business that prioritises long-term value over short-term gains.

As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2025, I encourage the industry to embrace innovation and sustainability as cornerstones of success. By working together and sharing best practices, we can create a more resilient and prosperous future for the print and signage sector.

Stephen Lamont Director, Lamont Print & Signs

The print landscape in 2025 remains somewhat of a mystery, but certain trends are likely to continue shaping the industry. One notable trend is the ongoing expansion of large trade houses into areas traditionally dominated by niche businesses. This trend reflects a broader shift towards consolidation and diversification, as companies strive to remain competitive by offering a wider range of services.

While this evolution poses challenges for smaller, specialised businesses, it also underscores the importance of differentiation. Companies that can carve out a unique value proposition and maintain high standards of quality and service will be better positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Customisation is also emerging as a key area of growth within the print industry. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, businesses that can offer tailored solutions will be well-positioned to capture market share. From personalised marketing materials to bespoke signage solutions, it allows companies to meet the growing demands of their clients who need to stand out in a competitive marketplace.

In my opinion, labels and fabric will be the standout growth areas in 2025. These segments are gaining traction as businesses and consumers alike seek innovative and versatile solutions.

The 2025 trade shows are expected to highlight significant innovations, particularly in the realms of AI and software applications. From enhanced automation to smarter workflows, these advancements will offer new opportunities for businesses to optimise their operations. In the hardware space, I anticipate a greater presence of Asian manufacturers, who are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future.

Adopting an abundance mindset

It’s great to have 2024 in the rear-view mirror. 2024 started with relocating MBE Parramatta, after 18 years in the same location, which took a heavy toll on both finance and focus for a few months. It also highlighted the power imbalance between a large landlord and a small business.

After that slow start, 2024 started to blossom with some parts of the business well up on previous years, such as Christmas cards. A renewed focus on marketing with the engagement of a full-time marketing manager is also already paying dividends.

Across the industry, the businesses focused on abundance and growth appeared to do well, while those who tried to defend an existing position seemed to struggle.

In our recent planning day, we identified “Speed, Care, Quality” as our catchphrase for 2025. Our customers increasingly want fast responses, whether that’s quotes, information, production or delivery. It’s easy to rush but that can be detrimental. We need to take enough time to make sure things are right – not just fast.

In a cost-of-living crisis, some businesses are tempted to buy cheaper supplies, use less reliable couriers or cut corners. We will be increasing quality and reliability even more than before.

Beyond that, it’s about talking to customers and prospects. Better marketing, more time attending BNI, Bx Networking, Chambers of Commerce and more time talking to people is key.

My prediction for the market in 2025 is that there will be further consolidation,

with more print businesses closing. The pandemic, and all that it brought, will take its final toll this year on those businesses that haven’t been able to repay debt incurred through that period.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. New technology will bring new opportunity. Printers adopting and promoting new solutions will flourish.

In addition, direct mail will evolve and grow. The ever-increasing postage costs kill basic direct mail but ensure that high quality direct mail items will get even more attention from those receiving them.

As we saw last year, customers will increasingly demand faster turnaround times with exceptional quality, because that is becoming the new normal and printers will need to respond effectively to this new way of service.

The key growth areas that businesses should be looking to in 2025 are wellknown to most – labels, signage, and embellishing. These are all strong markets now and all have an enormous upside for businesses that have tapped into these areas of play.

We find that short-run books and magazines are becoming more popular, too. People started writing more during the COVID lockdowns and are now finishing those projects or are moving to subsequent publications.

In addition, web-to-print will become increasingly important for printers to attract new customers and to retain existing ones. As this technology develops, it will provide better solutions for our customers.

2025 will also be the year that business in general works out what the ‘new normal’ is for their organisations. Whether it’s fully work-from-home, a set number of days per week in the office, hybrid working across home/serviced office/corporate office –the ‘new normal’ will be known. With that, we’ll be better placed to work out how to service our customers.

Australia will benefit from turmoil in other parts of the world. It might push up prices, but bigger international businesses will be looking for somewhere stable and well located to access the Asian market, which Australia is well-suited for geographically.

However, ongoing political bickering over energy production will lead to increasing blackouts, resulting in the increasing sales of generators and UPSes.

Electricity prices get all the press coverage, but for most in the industry the biggest and fastest growing expense is labour costs. Neither side of politics will push down wages and conditions, so our opportunity is to improve automation and efficiency throughout our supply chain.

Challenges aside, I’m excited about 2025. Businesses are ramping up participation in trade shows, expos and events which leads to lots of economic activity. Training is moving back to being in-person rather than online. These moves are particularly good for the print industry.

My message to the industry for 2025 is to be kind to each other. Have an abundance mindset. Our industry will be better and stronger if we build each other up instead of tearing each other down.

Charles Batt Owner, MBE Parramatta

2024 was an exciting yet challenging year for Mint Imaging and the industry. We continued to push the boundaries of innovation, collaborated with industry colleagues, and worked closely with our clients to develop groundbreaking products. However, we also faced one of the most pressing challenges in the industry – staffing.

One of the biggest concerns for the print and signage sector remains attracting and retaining skilled workers. The industry has seen a significant skills gap as experienced professionals retire, and fewer young people consider print as a viable career path. This challenge only intensified in 2024, with many businesses struggling to find and retain the right talent.

At Mint Imaging, we firmly believe the future of the industry depends on making print and signage more appealing to younger generations. We must work collectively as an industry to showcase the creativity, technology, and opportunities that exist in print. Whether it’s through apprenticeships, educational outreach, or demonstrating the high-tech nature of modern printing, we need to invest in the next generation of print professionals.

As we move into 2025, Mint Imaging’s primary focus will be on efficiency and autonomous business operations. We aim to streamline processes across the entire production cycle, working closely with our suppliers to optimise stock ordering, production workflows, and delivery –all while maintaining the high-quality standards our clients expect. Automation and operational efficiency will be at the core of our strategy, ensuring faster turnaround times without compromising on precision and craftsmanship.

We’re also making significant strides toward sustainability in 2025 by

Pushing the boundaries of innovation

taking a multi-faceted approach to both environmental responsibility and operational efficiency. At the heart of this commitment is a major investment in cutting-edge, energy-efficient equipment designed to use less power while improving production quality.

We also aim to fully power our factory with solar energy, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and reinforcing our dedication to green practices. We’re also refocusing our customer offerings toward eco-friendly products.

More broadly speaking, sustainability will become a business imperative, as companies face growing pressure to prove their environmental credentials.

2025 will be a challenging year for the industry, with economic uncertainty, rising costs, and shifting client demands requiring businesses to be more agile than ever.

Companies that rely too heavily on a single revenue stream will struggle, making diversification essential. Print businesses will need to expand their offerings by integrating digital solutions, providing installation services, or developing specialty products such as grand format lenticular printing, fluorescent inks, and interactive signage.

At the same time, automation and AI will become critical differentiators, widening the efficiency gap between those who invest in AI-driven workflow solutions and those who don’t. From prepress to finishing, AI will help reduce waste, improve turnaround times, and lower costs, giving forward-thinking businesses a competitive edge.

As static print becomes less effective, experiential and interactive print will continue to grow, with brands demanding more tactile and immersive experiences. Innovations such as invisible ink billboards,

Adam Middleton Managing Director, Mint Imaging

augmented reality (AR) print, and motionbased lenticular designs will gain traction, setting businesses that push creative boundaries apart from the rest.

Supply chain instability will also make local manufacturing more important than ever. Print businesses that can offer faster turnaround times and reliable, localised production will have a significant advantage over those dependent on offshore suppliers, as clients prioritise service and dependability over the lowest price. In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, success in 2025 will depend on adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

In 2025, businesses should focus on several key areas of growth to stay competitive and capitalise on emerging trends, including promotional printing and branded merchandise, the demand for personalisation, the rise of experiential marketing, Print-on-demand (POD) and e-commerce integration, smart and interactive printing, and connected packaging.

On a final note, as a close-knit industry, we have a unique and powerful opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and support one another in ways that can drive greater profitability and growth for all. By sharing knowledge, leveraging each other’s strengths, and working together on sustainability and technological advancements, we can elevate the entire sector.

We’re not just competitors; we’re part of a community where collective growth can lead to a stronger, more resilient industry. Let’s embrace this opportunity to build lasting partnerships, share best practices, and work towards common goals because when we support each other, we all thrive. The future of print is bright, and together, we can make it even brighter.

The hallmarks of industry leaders

2024 was a year of remarkable progress for Next Printing. One of our key highlights was our continued growth in sustainable solutions, which now represents nearly 40 per cent of our business – a significant leap from less than 10 per cent just three years ago.

A notable achievement was the introduction of our carbon emissions calculator, enabling us to provide emissions data at a project level. This tool has resonated strongly with our clients and has driven deeper conversations about sustainability.

However, while achieving 40 per cent sustainability-led work is encouraging, the remaining 60 per cent presents a challenge – particularly in managing materials such as polyester fabrics and other plastics. Transparency around the material’s emissions and recyclability remains elusive.

Additionally, our industry faces increasing demands to do more with less, often within shorter timelines. To address this, we’re developing automations – both software and mechanical – that will streamline processes and ensure efficiency.

Attracting top talent is another persistent challenge, but we’re tackling this by promoting a purpose-driven story. Our sustainability ethos is resonating with a younger workforce, helping us appeal to individuals seeking careers with meaningful impact. Even so, attracting and retaining the best talent in this competitive market requires constant effort.

To further strengthen our position, Next recently acquired some assets of Blow Up Imaging, including its customer list and remarkable team of employees. This strategic move represents an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation. Integrating these valued customers and talented individuals into our operations is a priority. While we

recognise the challenges involved in fostering a seamless transition, we are determined to make this acquisition a success.

Our key priority for 2025 is enhancing our commitment to sustainability. By leveraging our carbon emissions data at the project level, we aim to move beyond superficial buzzwords like ‘recycled’ or ‘green’ and educate our customers about what sustainability truly entails. We’re also targeting a pivotal goal of ensuring more than 50 per cent of our work becomes sustainability-led by the end of 2025.

Additionally, we are focused on further automation to streamline production processes, enabling quicker responses to the tightening lead times in the industry. At the same time, we will maintain our emphasis on integrating sustainable practices into every facet of our operations.

Lastly, we aim to align our brand ethos with future-forward professionals who value purpose and innovation. To support our commitment to cultivating talent, we are transforming our management and leadership styles to empower employees at all levels. We aim to encourage decision-making that not only drives positive outcomes for our business but also contributes to the personal and professional growth of our team members.

In terms of trends, sustainability is a clear growth area business should focus on this year. Experiential print is another exciting avenue. By combining print with physical structures and interactive elements, businesses can create memorable experiences for audiences.

Print that integrates seamlessly with digital campaigns can further enhance brand engagement. Additionally, workflow automation remains a growth enabler.

Streamlining processes and implementing cutting-edge technology will allow businesses to tackle the growing demand for faster turnarounds.

Understanding the origins of materials also presents both a significant challenge and an exciting opportunity for the industry. The environmental impact of raw material extraction and processing should be better understood.

Through knowledge we can unlock opportunities to educate our customers about the origins and lifecycle of the products they use. By raising awareness, the industry can foster trust, drive demand and connect with younger generations.

In terms of market trends in 2025, brands will continue to evolve their strategies to blend digital and physical mediums, exploring ways to captivate audiences with real-world experiences. Print companies that can merge these elements creatively will thrive.

The continual interest rate rises throughout 2024 led to a noticeable decline in brand spending, particularly towards the latter half of the year. This tightening of budgets reflected broader economic pressures, as businesses sought to mitigate increased costs and preserve stability.

However, with the recently announced interest rate cut, there is renewed optimism for the industry. We expect spending to rebound significantly in the second half of 2025, driving renewed investment and innovation as brands regain confidence and allocate resources towards growth initiatives.

Shorter lead times will also persist as a pressing trend. Economic conditions will prompt brands to delay decisions, and the pressure will fall on printers to meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.

Pranil Chandra General Manager, Next Printing

2024 was an exceptional year for Note Printing Australia (NPA), showcasing that the Australian printing industry can hold its own on the world stage with product technology and quality.

With an expected, significant ramp up on print volumes at the commencement of 2024, one of our biggest challenges last year was increasing our workforce by approximately 20 per cent to cover increased future production capacities and capabilities. As we are all aware, finding skilled staff is always a challenge for our industry and training people takes time.

As we enter the new year, 2025 is looking very promising with NPA building strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders throughout the region and beyond.

In my role as a trainer, my focus is the challenge we face with an ageing workforce. At NPA, we are developing a long-term strategy for staff crosstraining to develop and retain the skills in our specialised workforce. This includes our apprentices across our pre-production and print departments.

To support the TAFE training, NPA has invested in setting up a printing apprentice training centre with an offline press to conduct practical training away from the pressures of day-to-day production. Giving our apprentices the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in a training environment is going to be key contributor to a quality outcome for our apprentices and NPA.

This training model brings back memories from when I attended Croydon TAFE in Adelaide when they had a press room with training machines. It feels like we have gone back full circle to the ’80s focusing on hands-on skills development.

Building the next generation workforce

Our most valuable asset is our staff, so at NPA, we are also focusing on fostering and retaining our talent. We are doing this through capability development, employee empowerment, and maintaining a workplace that stays true to its values.

NPA works extremely hard on being an employer of choice. We know there are other work options out there, so we pay our staff well and offer excellent benefits. Further, having a safe and inclusive workplace supports a positive culture that drives staff engagement and productivity.

With such a specialised skill set we also have a strong focus on succession planning to pass on and retain knowledge within the business to support future generations through meticulous documenting of standard operating procedures, and work instructions, capability development through multi-skilling and apprentice training programs.

NPA has also launched a Cultural Roadmap aimed at fostering an engaged, empowered, skilled, motivated, and recognised workforce. The aspiration is to maintain cultural integrity, achieving social harmony, and embracing innovation while staying true to our values. Our focus is to provide and continue to strengthen a safe and supportive culture for all employees. Part of this work has been implementing and sustaining the company’s core values which underpin our culture (respect, accountability, integrity, safety, excellence). These values serve as a foundation for how we work together, agree on priorities, and make decisions.

While our focus is on being an employer of choice, as an industry, we don’t promote print very well as a career of choice. How many children come through the school system with a career in printing on their wish list? Print is not dead, but it is changing.

We work in a great industry, and we need to promote the printing industry to schools and job seekers as a lifetime career – my parents did it 45 years ago. If every print company takes on just one additional apprentice in 2025, how much healthier will the industry look for future generations?

In addition, with growing concerns about climate change and resource depletion, the print industry will likely place a stronger emphasis on sustainability this year. This will include the increased use of recycled materials, plant-based inks, and sustainable paper sources. Carbon offset programs, zero-waste practices, and energy-efficient printing technologies will become more widespread. In our market, keeping ahead of security/counterfeiting threats is always a high priority. This is an ongoing focus to stay ahead of threats with cutting edge products and processes.

With an ever-increasing level of competition across the industry, we also need to work towards efficiencies in reducing waste while still maintaining quality. Looking beyond the waste that goes in the bin, but across all aspects of waste within the business to remain competitive. Having a process-driven business drives continuous improvement and consistency.

NPA’s current strategic focus on sustainability is climate action, with emissions tracking based on a 2019 baseline. As the business has evolved significantly since 2022, NPA is in the process of revising its sustainability strategy. In the meantime, NPA’s key sustainability initiatives for 2025 include sourcing its energy from onsite solar and from grid-based green sources, with the longer-term goal of transitioning to green energy, as well as significantly reducing its landfill waste.

Andrew Reynolds Specialist Technical Trainer, Note Printing Australia

Having a vision for future success

David Walton CEO, Omnigraphics/MMTB

In 2024, Omnigraphics and MMTB entered its second year being independently owned. Going from strength to strength, our clients have seen how efficient operating in two different states is – improving fire power, speed to market, and costs.

Internally, we made some significant leadership changes across both companies. In an industry largely dominated by males, we now have more than 50 per cent of our leadership roles filled by talented females with proven industry experience.

Both facilities also recently updated their warehouses with new and improved machines to service clients. Our Melbourne facility added a Fujifilm Acuity Ultra R2 in 2024, while Queensland also added a Fujifilm Acuity Ultra R2 as well as three new L-Primes. In 2025, MMTB is set to take delivery of a brand-new automatic welder and eyeleting machine.

With both companies on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, social media has proven to be a great way for us to stay connected and promote the work that we do. Being able to showcase the finished projects we printed in 2024 has opened the doors for new and existing clients to see our full capabilities.

On the other end of the scale, the rapid decline of the environment in which we live in has forced us all to start thinking about the decisions we make each day and the waste we contribute to landfill.

As this is something we are passionate about at Omnigraphics and MMTB,

we have invested both time and money into receiving real-time data reports on the impact our waste can have on our world and are implementing ways to reduce this.

Omnigraphics and MMTB are also both committed to ensuring we are reducing our own carbon footprint wherever possible. In 2025, we hope to keep the conversation of recycling as a high priority. While many of our clients have now heard of Climate One, we hope to be able to offer this solution to the wider market.

With recycling becoming a bigger issue now more than ever, Climate One has developed technology to recycle and reuse unwanted vinyl to avoid it going to land fill and damaging our environment.

With third-party accreditation well under way, it is hoped we can showcase the importance recycling vinyl banners has on our environment when it is not in landfill.

We hope that in 2025, more businesses will look at offering this service to their clients to avoid the harmful material sitting in waste disposal sites.

Sustainability will continue to be a key focus in 2025, with businesses adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency.

AI will be another major trend of this year. It will continue to revolutionise industries, enhancing efficiency, personalising services, and optimising decision-making through real-time data analysis. AI integration and machine learning will allow for production processes to be more streamlined.

In 2025, I expect to see a significant push toward faster, more efficient, and higherquality machines across various industries at tradeshows. As technology continues to evolve, we’ll likely see advancements in automation, and these will be evident at the upcoming shows.

My advice for new and emerging leaders in the print industry would be to know your products and understand your client’s needs to achieve the best outcome. Having a team of people around you with a wide range of industry knowledge allows you to learn new things and bounce ideas off one another.

For Omnigraphics and MMTB, a priority of ours is continuing to build stronger relationships with industry partners –both suppliers and clients – to ensure we are delivering on our clients’ expectations with quality and delivery timeframes.

Another priority across both businesses for this year is providing support, guidance, and growth to our up-and-coming sales teams. With our new recruits already on board, we look forward to seeing our sales teams go above and beyond with new energy and techniques. With years of industry experience behind us, we hope to provide our staff with the knowledge and confidence to take on new challenges.

My final piece of advice for the industry would be to start the topic of sustainability now. This is a conversation that will continue to be brought up in future generations. Work with clients to find out what you can offer them as a sustainable solution and what information and action will positively impact their business.

In 2024, the biggest challenge, for me, was adapting to AI and accessing its impact on my business. Overall, AI has been an asset –boosting content production and solving technical issues, especially in Excel, much faster than before.

Embracing AI is crucial as it provides significant advantages in accessing targeted knowledge.

When searching for solutions, Google searches result in a lot of dead ends, while AI cuts through the noise efficiently.

I believe the next evolution in SEO will involve AI discovering and prioritising content, making it essential to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape.

This year, Posterboy Printing’s main focus will be on revamping our website.

With a new site launching soon, ensuring it runs smoothly, stays optimised, and performs effectively will be a top priority.

This is because the website is a crucial tool for attracting and retaining customers, as it’s often the first place people look when searching for suppliers.

Maintaining a strong online presence is essential to remain competitive in the market.

We’ll also focus on improving the user experience, making it easier for customers

Standing out in the digital noise

to complete purchases and encouraging repeat business.

By prioritising these areas, we aim to drive growth and strengthen customer relationships.

As for general industry trends, AI has been a seismic shift in the marketplace, but I don’t believe it will impact the print industry to the same extent as social media and search engine marketing did.

AI seems to primarily effect information workers and doesn’t appear to significantly influence the work done in print.

That said, the challenge for the print industry will be learning to leverage AI effectively, using it to enhance processes and maximise its potential benefits.

While its direct impact may be limited, understanding and utilising AI where possible will be key to staying competitive and efficient in the evolving landscape.

The level of noise in the digital space has been increasing for years, and AI is only going to amplify it further.

This creates a unique opportunity for the print industry, as print remains a communication medium that exists outside the digital noise.

Print offers significant advantages to advertisers by reaching audiences away from their devices, providing a more focused and tangible experience.

Mark Bouris recently mentioned how rare it is to receive direct mail these days and how it stands out to him. This highlights the power of print in cutting through the clutter and making a lasting impression.

“The level of noise in the digital space has been increasing for years, and AI is only going to amplify it further. This creates a unique opportunity for the print industry, as print remains a communication medium that exists outside the digital noise.”

Strengths and weaknesses are often two sides of the same coin.

Many of us in the print industry are small to medium sized businesses, which means there’s little bureaucracy between us and our customers.

This gives us a unique advantage: the ability to provide personalised service and a human touch, something increasingly absent in today’s world of self-checkouts and offshore call centres.

By leaning into this strength, we can stand out – offering exceptional service, knowing our customers by name, and building relationships.

The goal is to turn first orders into second orders and create loyal, long-term customers through genuine connection and care.

Daniel Edwards Founder, Posterboy Printing

Positioned for more growth

Nigel Quirk Director, Printgraphics Printgreen

Printgraphics Printgreen experienced a mix of highlights and challenges in 2024. It was a historical year for us, with our long serving managing director Mark Terrill stepping away from the business.

At Printgraphics Printgreen, we continue to support our industry in the best way we can, which is to ensure the livelihoods associated with it remains strong and relevant. We have been and will always continue to advocate for the advantages of print.

Mark’s ability to focus on clear structures, set specific goals, and implement a system of checks and balances has left Printgraphics in a great position for the future.

One significant highlight of 2024 was the resilience of publications post-COVID. In my last Print Leaders Forum address in 2022, I discussed how businesses in print were in a transition phase and had to adapt following the flow-on effects of COVID. How things have changed in just a matter of a few years.

The industry has remained steadfast and has evolved to meet customers’ requirements, showing that disruption enables flexibility and entrepreneurship.

Sustainability also remained a key focus in 2024, including the rising use of eco-friendly materials and processes to meet consumer demand for greener practices. I once mentioned that the growth opportunity that a green economy portends could be substantial, and this still stands true for today.

However, we still experienced challenges such as supply chain disruptions, rising costs of raw materials, and labour shortages. But, overall, the industry showed resilience, adapting to market changes while exploring innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

This year, Printgraphics Printgreen’s focus will be on key areas such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and operational efficiency, with a greater focus on sustainability and innovation to help drive long-term growth and adaptability.

Looking more broadly, I think the industry will continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic this year, with growth driven by technological advancements and sustainability initiatives.

Job markets may see improvements as industries adapt to newer working models. However, challenges such as geopolitical tensions, climate change, and potential economic disparities could also impact overall growth.

Additionally, the shift towards digitalisation and remote work may reshape industries and consumer behaviours significantly.

The challenges are also highly evident with a decline in traditional print demand as the need for digital alternatives surge. Unfortunately, the continued shift to digital media and marketing has reduced the demand for traditional print products such as newspapers, magazines, and brochures.

We also face a rising cost of raw materials, as well as skill gaps and labour challenges, including an ageing workforce.

In order to stay relevant in today’s environment, businesses need to be customer-centric and laser focused on meeting the needs of our customers. This involves gathering feedback through direct communication, analysing customer behaviour, and tailoring products and services accordingly.

Additionally, effective communication and collaboration within teams is crucial

to ensure that all employees are working towards common objectives.

Leveraging technology also helps track customer interactions and preferences, ensuring a more personalised experience.

Artificial intelligence and automation are the obvious picks when it comes to areas that businesses should be looking more closely at this year. The capabilities of AI and automation will continue to expand, offering new solutions and efficiencies.

Secondly, sustainability and green technologies will be crucial as consumers demand more environmentally friendly products and practices.

Opportunities for the industry will be in sustainable and eco-friendly printing, increasing demand for biodegradable inks and sustainable substrates, digital printing advancements, and hybrid printing (combining digital and traditional techniques for enhanced cost-effectiveness and creativity).

I also see growth in niche publishing, including growth of self-publishing and independent media.

The innovations we can expect to see at industry trade shows later this year will be largely focused on the emerging technologies that are set to redefine the printing landscape – such as AI capabilities in printers and tools for the industry that can offer faster production times, sustainable solutions, and greater customisation to meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries alike.

Finally, to not only keep relevant but ahead of the curve, businesses should be monitoring market trends and adapting strategies accordingly. This should remain a constant priority to stay competitive.

Rainbow Industries had a great year in 2024 despite difficult business and economic circumstances. One of the highlights for the company was providing materials for the Governor of NSW and items relating to the King’s coronation on our Intaglio die stamper.

For us, 2024 was the year of change. If you’re in business and you’re not able to pivot and be flexible, you won’t be there for long.

As a second-generation printer, I have been driving change at Rainbow Industries by navigating the business to embrace the latest in digital print technology, whilst also committing to traditional offset applications by continuing to utilise older print methods like letterpress printing and Intaglio die stamping, making old and ’redundant’ technology relevant again.

Embracing wide format latex print has allowed us to specialise in areas now such as signage, complemented by our CNC router.

The company’s premises house the only remaining Intaglio die stamper machine in Australia, and we aim to keep this highquality print tradition alive and showcase the art of print with our letterpress machines still producing work daily.

This year, our main priority will be focusing on our clients’ needs and showcasing more of what we offer. As a bespoke print house with 43 years of experience across all facets of print, we are in a strong position

Keeping the print craft alive

to not only look after our clientele, but also other printers and their needs.

Rainbow Industries works with high-end brands and retailers to bring their print campaigns to life. Providing an extremely high level of quality – whether it be in printed materials from offset to digital and in recent years in wide format, or even fabrication – with a heightened level of service is crucial in today’s world and to stand apart from the rest.

Our commitment to sustainability is also a priority this year. We are working closely with our business partners utilising ecofriendly materials. We now opt for recycled or responsibly sourced paper products over traditional plastic options wherever possible.

As these paper-based option materials adjust to acceptable market prices we expect to see a renewed enthusiasm for responsibly sourced print solutions.

Rainbow Industries owns a HP fourthgeneration Latex printer, resulting in us becoming the second company in the country to install the HP Latex 700W. We chose it for its market-leading technology, green accreditations, water-based inks, and HP’s commitment to sustainability. Our Intaglio die stamper is also one of our most environmentally friendly machines, as all Intaglio ink is water based. As technology advances, we have plans to invest in more sustainable equipment in the future.

The main trend we can expect to see this year is the increase in automation.

Dean Boceski Managing Director, Rainbow Industries

Other than that, I think it will be more of the same of what we have seen in previous years. Unfortunately, I don’t expect to see any significant changes to external factors in these unpredictable economic times.

Areas of growth that businesses should be looking to in 2025 are automation and acquisition. Automation will significantly change how the industry operates. I also expect to see more consolidation in the market.

As more owners of family businesses move towards retirement age, combined with property prices going through the roof and not many succession plans in place from generation to generation, many family businesses will be looking to sell. These businesses are the pillars that this industry is built upon.

Businesses that keep their overheads low, cash flow positive, and sell at a reasonable price will thrive in 2025 as opportunities arise for businesses or machinery at a reduced rate.

My advice for the industry this year is to partner with like-minded businesses as you can’t do everything, regardless of your ego or business name.

Sell on your print knowledge and service level, not just undercutting on price to get a sale, driving the profits overall of the industry down. Remember, price is only an issue if value is absent.

Our industry is still a craft, let’s keep it alive.

Focusing on the fundamentals

Lisa Michalanney Co-Owner, Signageworld

Managing Director, 3D SA

SA Chair - Australian Signs & Graphics Association

We are a relatively young business, but 2024 was the hardest year in business for us so far. In the first eight months of the year, it felt like we were working very hard but making little progress; however, we had a very positive sales and production period in the last quarter.

One of the main highlights for us last year was manufacturing and installing the signage for the new South Australia Police Road Safety Centre. We also continued our partnership with the Adelaide Thunderbirds – providing signage for all the Thunderbirds’ home games at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Our biggest challenges were human resources and slow payers – we hadn’t had that issue previously.

Looking ahead to this year, one of our main priorities is securing our workforce. We are currently restructuring our business with the aim to get our managing director Derek Michalanney ‘off the tools’. We have successfully recruited new staff and continue do so, with the aim to also hire an apprentice, ideally through the ASGA partnership with MGET.

Another priority for us is replacing one of our existing printers – we run HP printers and cycle them out every three years –and purchase a 3D printer. We are really fascinated by this technology and a 3D printer will help us with fabrication in the workshop –for example, fabricating custom brackets for signage we have created in-house. We intend to apply for a small business growth grant to help with this investment.

In terms of trends this year, I think corporate customers will be increasingly

looking for architectural design and printing to stand out from the crowd as digital printing becomes more of an affordable solution to modernise workplace interiors rather than undergoing a complete renovation.

While not a new market trend, customers will also be after more environmentally friendly options – whether that’s recycled or sustainable materials – or just wanting to have a better understanding of a product’s lifecycle. If you are a printer and you aren’t offering options of sustainable products and recycling, you may be cutting out commercial customers who have their own internal sustainability targets to meet.

I also think there will be increased demand for digital printing of personalised items such as phone cases and drink bottles, where the customer is in control of designing their item.

AI is a fascinating area that businesses should also be looking to in 2025. You can’t fear it or ignore it, it’s already here and you need to understand and embrace it. Opportunities for automation within business is exciting – from automating workflows to predicting trends to improving machinery maintenance.

Regulatory compliance is another area businesses should be focusing on. With increased industry and government requirements for work health and safety, there are opportunities for increased printing for businesses to communicate safety messages and comply with legislative requirements.

One of the biggest challenges remains attracting and retaining new talent to the industry. However, attracting talent doesn’t necessarily mean recruiting young people to the industry. It’s about being open to people with transferable skills. I think this continues to be a difficult mindset in our industry to change.

Sustainability, while there are great opportunities for businesses to support the industry with the disposal and recycling of materials, it also presents challenges. Smaller sign shops like us can’t rest on their laurels and think legislative change is only going to impact the big end of town. Change will be coming for all of us.

I’m looking forward to attending the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin this year – thanks to the FESPA Future Leaders program – as well as PacPrint 2025 in Sydney in May, where I am hoping to see some 3D printers! ASGA has partnered with signage consultancy Make It Happen to run bootcamps at PacPrint 2025. These intensive, full-day programs cover everything from products and materials, latest innovations, through to practical advice and strategies to help build your business. This is a great opportunity to add a workshop onto your visit to PacPrint. It’s also the first time Make It Happen workshops have been offered in Australia.

Overall, I feel very positive about the industry this year. We do great work and are a good group of people. However, my message to the industry for 2025 is this: we need to get better at promoting what we do and how big of an economic impact we have. Keep showcasing the beautiful that work that we do, promote our industry, and be proud of it.

Over the past 12 months, Signarama Tuggerah achieved significant, award-winning sustainability milestones, catapulted by its sustainable signage project for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The 12-month AOC project involved designing and manufacturing worldfirst eco-friendly signage solutions for high-profile locations in France, including five hotels, two shipping containers, and seven sporting venues. This effort required innovative thinking and collaboration with industry leaders. As a result, Signarama Tuggerah pioneered the first ever development of recyclable, reusable, and repurposable signage materials and packaging produced with 22 per cent less carbon, based on certified carbon quotas.

This year, some of our main priorities include:

• Workforce development: The apprenticeship scheme allows us to train and develop our own skilled workforce, which is critical in an industry that requires specialised knowledge in areas like graphic design, signage installation, and advanced printing technologies. By building expertise internally, we can ensure a consistent pipeline of qualified workers who are well-versed in the company’s specific processes and standards.

• Fostering a culture of innovation: Young, motivated apprentices can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the business. This will help Signarama Tuggerah stay ahead of industry trends and adopt new techniques that enhance service offerings in 2025.

• Supporting business growth and capacity for larger projects: A larger, more skilled workforce will allow Signarama Tuggerah to take on bigger projects. This will be a key driver of business expansion in 2025.

Seizing business opportunities

To capture growth in 2025, print businesses should focus on diversifying their offerings, embracing technology, and meeting evolving consumer demands. Sustainability, customisation, and the integration of digital and print media are critical areas for innovation. Expanding into packaging, and personalised products, along with leveraging new technologies can unlock new revenue streams and ensure competitiveness in an increasingly digital and environmentally conscious market.

Some of the major trends that we expect to see in 2025 include:

• Green innovation: Companies will continue to adopt sustainable practices in response to increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and services. Expect to see greater use of renewable resources, waste reduction strategies, and sustainable supply chains. Businesses will also face more regulations regarding carbon footprints and environmental impact.

• Circular economy: The shift toward a circular economy, where products are designed for reuse and recycling, will be more pronounced cutting down on waste.

• Carbon neutrality and ESG: Businesses will increasingly integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into their strategies. Many companies will commit to achieving carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions, driven by both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

• AI-powered decision-making: AI will play a critical role in business operations, from automating routine tasks to providing deeper insights into consumer behaviour and market trends. Machine learning and AIdriven analytics will allow businesses to optimise everything from supply chains to marketing strategies.

• Increased digitalisation: Businesses across all industries will continue to embrace digital tools

for everything from remote work to e-commerce. Cloud computing and digital platforms will be essential for scalability and competitiveness.

On the other hand, some challenges this year will include:

• Rising raw material costs: This is due to global supply chain disruptions and increased demand for sustainable materials. This poses a significant challenge for print businesses that need to balance competitive pricing with rising production costs. We will need to explore cost-saving measures, such as optimising production processes, seeking alternative suppliers, or finding innovative ways to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

• Labour shortages and skills gap: Print businesses will need to invest in workforce training and development programs to upskill existing employees and attract new talent. Automation and AI-driven systems can also help address labour shortages by reducing the need for manual intervention in some processes. Companies will continue to invest in new equipment, software, and processes. However, smaller print businesses, in particular, may struggle to keep up with these costs.

• Consumer behaviour: The shift toward digital content consumption and increasing concerns over print’s environmental impact are altering consumer behaviour. Younger generations are less inclined to engage with printed materials, affecting the demand for traditional print products.

As we move into 2025, the print industry stands at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. The future of print is no longer just about traditional methods, but about how we adapt, evolve, and embrace new technologies to better serve our customers, communities, and planet.

Melissa Marshall Director, Signarama Tuggerah

Leading the charge on innovation

2024 was a transformative year for SS Signs, driven by strategic investments and operational growth. One of the standout achievements was the successful implementation of our DigiTech flatbed printer and Aristo cutter, which boosted production efficiency by more than 20 per cent.

We also expanded our capabilities with key equipment purchases, including a guillotine that has the ability to cut up to 6mm steel, a bender for 6mm steel, and is one of the safest aluminium extrusion cutting saws available in Australia.

A major milestone was the expansion of our vehicle and access equipment fleet. We added two scissor lifts, a cherry picker, a tilt truck with a 13 tonne capacity, and a 60 foot knuckle boom.

Owning our access equipment has been a game-changer. It gives us complete control over installation timelines, eliminates the need for third-party rentals, and provides flexibility to take on last-minute projects.

Overall, 2024 marked a year of innovation, efficiency gains, and capacity building, setting us up for further success in 2025.

As someone who has grown up surrounded by the print industry, with both my father and grandfather being well-known figures, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the business.

At just 21 years of age, I’m proud to continue their legacy while carving my own path. In 2025, SS Signs will focus on innovation, growth, and sustainability as we continue to scale our operations.

Key priorities include:

• Launching our online ordering platform: A major milestone for us, this new online website built

and designed by myself will streamline the ordering process.

Clients will be required to supply production-ready artwork, eliminating the need for graphic design adjustments. This initiative will reduce customer contact, increase efficiency, and provide a better service experience for our clients.

• Accelerating growth in Melbourne: While the region has seen some progress, we are implementing strategies to scale more rapidly.

This includes increasing our marketing efforts, expanding our client base, and focusing on building a stronger presence in Melbourne’s signage market. As we focus on growing our Melbourne operations, we’ll look for new opportunities to expand into underserved markets and diversify our client base.

• Sustainability initiatives: We will increase the use of eco-friendly materials and improve our recycling practices.

This includes bundling recyclable waste and ensuring it’s sent to the correct facilities. By prioritising sustainability, we aim to meet the needs of environmentally conscious clients while reducing our overall impact on the environment.

• Team development: We’ll invest in training and upskilling our team, ensuring they are equipped to utilise our equipment and technology to their fullest potential while maintaining the high-quality service our clients expect.

The biggest trend in 2025 will be automation, particularly in the automatic loading and unloading of machines. Technologies like automated cutting and online ordering becoming standard.

At SS Signs, our streamlined DigiTech and Aristo setup exemplifies this trend.

As print businesses aim to boost efficiency and reduce labour costs, this technology will become a game-changer. By minimising manual intervention, printers can achieve faster production cycles, consistent output quality, and fewer errors.

Sustainability will also take centre stage, with eco-friendly materials, water-based inks, and better recycling processes becoming essential. But a key challenge will be the pressure to adopt sustainable practices while maintaining profitability.

Clients are demanding more eco-friendly materials and processes, but implementing these can be costly and logistically complex. Balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness will be critical, especially as competition intensifies in an increasingly price-sensitive market.

Custom and on-demand printing will also grow, driven by online platforms that allow clients to upload productionready artwork for faster turnaround.

This is the most significant opportunity for the industry as businesses are looking for unique, personalised products which present a major opportunity for companies to offer tailored solutions, such as custom signage, branded materials, and specialty prints.

Wide format and specialty printing, including applications like construction mesh and personalised metal signage, will also expand as businesses seek unique solutions.

My message to the industry is simple: embrace innovation and automation. The future of print lies in technology, sustainability, and adapting to everevolving customer demands. I’m excited to contribute to this transformation and continue driving growth in an industry I’m passionate about.

Luke Lambourne

Production Manager, SS Signs

In 2024, SunPrint’s revenue went up, but profit was down. The major challenge we faced, and continue to face along with many others, is the quality of supplied prepress files.

Within our client base, we found the quality of print ready files to have deteriorated, and having had discussions with other printers, know there are others facing the same issue too.

This is largely due to the increased use of web-to-print platforms, as well as a lack of education – design students are not being taught about the preparation of files for print.

Another challenge we faced in 2024, which is still ongoing, is personnel. When a team member leaves, it’s a challenge to automatically replace them in this industry, and even if you do find someone, the quality of work or skillset of that person might not be what you require. Based in Noosa, we face an added, unique challenge – a lack of local labour due to housing affordability.

The highlight for us in 2024 was our continued investment in our equipment and automation – there’s now very little in our factory that is less than three years old. In 2024, we bought a new Fujifilm press as our previous machine was struggling to keep up with our increased volume of work, and we also invested in a new MIS system. This year, our focus is on raising margins as well as continuing

Automating to cater to your market base

to invest in our equipment and sustainability initiatives. In addition, we will be concentrating on what we call ‘multiplier’ clients – clients that have their own print base and are capable of feeding through multiple jobs.

At SunPrint, we’re now doing a greater number of jobs than we’ve ever done, and there’s a clear trend across the industry for demand for smaller, more frequent jobs. With our new machine and new MIS system, we’re now geared to be able to better handle these types of jobs.

But a point print service providers should take note of is, it’s all well and good to have the latest and greatest equipment, but if you don’t have a high level of automation that can cater to your market base and customise to their needs, you’re not going to be able to capitalise on it.

Some companies may have installed an MIS system 10 years ago, but they haven’t evolved to this new landscape of print. I would suggest that anyone who hasn’t done that needs to take a good look at their current system and review it.

Businesses need equipment, staff, and systems that can handle customised jobs. A good MIS system, and the ability to be able to tailor it to your client base, is critical.

In terms of market trends, we’re seeing an increase in the use of online platforms by corporate clients to prep their

files. We’re not seeing it often, but it is happening more regularly.

The opportunity lies in embracing these webto-print platforms and having the capabilities to provide print services for short-run, instant, digital on-demand type clients.

There’s money to be made from these clients but you need to educate them on how to use these online platforms so they’re able to provide you with a quality file.

Within that smaller on-demand space, the challenge is getting quality files that don’t need time and resources spent on them by staff just to get them to press; however, people don’t put a value on that, and neither do they want to pay for it.

In 2025, power costs will also become an increasing issue, which is why we’ve invested heavily in becoming more sustainable. As part of our five-year sustainability plan, we’ve invested in solar panels and batteries, LED lighting, and we’re very selective with the equipment that we purchase.

It’s no good claiming to be sustainable because you use soy inks; it goes way beyond that. When it comes to sustainability, you have to put your money where your mouth is. If you have solar on your roof, put some batteries in –you can only benefit from it.

My message to the industry is this: act now, don’t wait and see.

Steve Hall Director, SunPrint

Focus on the pedals, not the podium

2024 was the biggest year in our company’s history, posing highlights and undeniable challenges for our team. One of the more significant achievements was moving Valiant Press to a factory next to our existing one, merging all of our Melbourne production facilities and teams.

Last year, the industry, undeniably, faced external pressures, the rising cost of living – and the impact that had on wages – but also ongoing supply chain issues from macro-economic factors. 2024 was an interesting year, but we are incredibly proud of our team and bring a lot of momentum into 2025.

This year, we embark on our next round of capital investment into the business with imminent digital and offset machinery purchases. It’s naturally an exciting time, but the challenge is partnering with the right supply chain partners who align with our long-term visions. Focusing on ongoing improvement of our internal processes to keep them best in class and improving our level of service to our clients continues to also be a priority.

My business buzzword for 2025 is ‘productivity’, whether factory throughput through investing in automation or getting software like our sales CRM working for our sales team rather than the other way around.

Looking more broadly at the industry this year, there will be continued consolidation. As companies start to rethink their machinery fleet, others are thinking about their own personal appetite in investing, solidifying their long-term plans.

Naturally, this means further opportunities through acquisitions, but we need to make sure that the industry, machinery, and people align with our group strategy. The people and culture piece have traditionally been the most difficult part of mergers and acquisitions.

The great print businesses I’ve seen are so inherently different, so growth will look different for companies. But, companies should focus on their bottom line and internal growth – growing your team members and developing them to be leaders within your business.

My cousin Seth Watts, who is a key leader within our business, says, “at the heart of every great business is its people”, so continuing to build the team around you so that you can continue to grow is an area that we’ll be focusing on this year and into the future.

In terms of trends for 2025, I’ve recently seen a swing back to brands and companies using print as a point of difference in the marketing funnel. Whether it’s packaging, catalogues, or user manuals, combined with the digital space being so crowded, high impact print marketing is coming back in vogue.

As social media becomes more expensive, direct marketing is turning into a costeffective way of reaching the consumer. From a printed product point of view, overall, we are seeing a lot more colour in designs. I think this is driven by furniture and architecture from the ‘70s coming back. It wouldn’t surprise me if we start to see the dial move back to more coated paper stock and finishes like gloss laminate.

Currently, there is also a generational changing of the guard happening throughout the industry. Our company is no different. This generational change gives us a massive opportunity to reshape this industry. In saying that, there are undeniable real-life challenges, predominately around doing more to attract younger people to our industry.

Another of our commitments for 2025 is sustainability and extending our existing ISO certifications to include ISO14001. This certification will put in place the frameworks for our future. Whilst there’s always more we can do, this is a start in our journey.

Sustainability commitments and targets are often met by businesses with jargon that don’t reflect concrete potential actions. When we talk about the environment, we want to make sure that our words aren’t just words and that this subject is taken with the seriousness that it deserves.

My message to the industry for 2025 is this: Print is not dead. We are lucky to have three apprentices in our company, two of which are offset apprentices. The energy within our business, and across the industry, continues to grow and shows this is an industry which is starting to get its mojo back.

I listened to a podcast recently and there was this nice quote I took away which was, “focus on the pedals, not the podium”. We might have these massive goals for our businesses but it’s about being able to execute on all these small strategies and improvements that will get us that podium finish in the end.

Clinton Daley Director, Newlitho Group (NEO, Eastern Press, Valiant Press) Managing Director, Valiant Press

2024 was a great year for Vista. We saw strong and continued demand for our products and received a great response from customers to the new products that we launched.

Some of the highlights for the business last year included expanding our product offering by 20 per cent – we plan to double our offering over the next 12 months.

We invested in new machinery that will allow us to continue to innovate on behalf of customers and bring new products to life where there is a customer need. Importantly, we also reinvested in Australian production. We grew our workforce last year and made significant investments in equipment at our Derrimut facility in Victoria.

Looking at the industry more broadly, a notable highlight was the innovation that we witnessed across the sector. We want to see our fellow print businesses innovate and drive creative solutions for customers, just as we try to do each day at Vista.

However, the industry was presented with challenges as well. The challenges for us were the same as everyone else. The costs of raw materials increased as the Aussie dollar weakened against the US dollar, and as a result, we saw the emergence of the battle to keep costs competitive for customers. This challenge still lingers till today.

Moving forward, Vista has several plans in place to boost business. In 2025, we are focused on a few key areas, including:

Innovation and collaboration key to success in 2025

• Custom printed packaging, which will be a key area for us as we grow our mailer box range and double down on paper bags and other packaging solutions.

• Signage, which has been a big focus for the business. We will continue expand in this area as we see our customers asking for more. There are some great gaps we are filling in adding some great value premium offerings.

• Our continued expansion in our stickers and labels category as it was highly successful in 2024 –and customers want more.

• Sustainability, which is also another key area of focus. We are introducing an eco-friendly paper across multiple products that will elevate our ecooffering and provide a well-rounded solution for consumers wanting a more sustainable option.

• As we look to do more for our customers, quality is always top of mind so developing new ways to offer better quality for customers remains a big focus.

More broadly, when looking at growth areas, there is no uniform strategy to suit all – it differs from business to business. Our role at Vista is not to push where customers should look to grow, but to listen to feedback as to where they want to grow and develop offerings to support them.

As their custom print partner, our role is to help them maximise exposure in the market.

Looking at industry trends for 2025, I predict we will see a continued, and strong, demand for customised printing. It is of growing importance how you can tailor your brand and stand out to connect with consumers individually.

Another trend is premiumisation. Customers understand the fact that their custom print products – whether it be business cards, t-shirts, flyers, A-frames, all the way to mugs – they all represent a business. As such, we’re also seeing a growing demand for more premium products to reflect on this trend.

We are also expecting to continue to see a strong demand for packaging as consumers look to add a personal touch to how they engage with their customers. We, at Vista, are expanding in this segment and look to provide some amazing value for our customers to bring their brands to life.

We also expect to see continued demand for customised apparel. This segment has been performing well across the industry and has been put in the spotlight within our business as a strong focus, as we add ranges to our offering. We will look to ensure we can meet both individual consumers as well as large multinational business requirements in this category.

Finally, my message to the industry for 2025 is this: Continue to innovate and put the customer first.

Marcus Marchant CEO, Vista Australia

Strength in numbers

2024 was a strong year for FESPA as we saw many highlights for the organisation, including our social events in Sydney and Melbourne, and hosting many of the 2023 Future Leaders in FESPA Amsterdam. The pinnacle for me is constantly introducing a new cohort to our FESPA Future Leaders program and hearing of the transformational experience it has been for them.

In 2024, our FESPA Australia Annual Conference was the centrepiece of our board’s investment in preparing our members and the industry for the strategic issues facing us. A lot of research went into the selection of topics and panellists.

In many cases, the panellists met twice before the event to discuss points of view so that our attending members could receive a deep insight into the topics. With the insights from the professional speakers, attendees received tremendous value for money and a built a deeper understanding of key strategic issues.

The FESPA Australia Annual Conference has become a key event in the print and signage industry calendar, dedicated to thought leadership and networking opportunities. The mission of FESPA is to connect, inspire, and support.

Our conferences are a fantastic way to provide our members with a broad perspective of several topics, but sometimes they only scratch the surface of some complex subject areas. As such, this year, FESPA Australia plans to host workshops on topics such as succession, so members can continue their research and apply the principles they learnt.

Youth engagement and sustainability will always be on the agenda for FESPA

Australia, and the FESPA UK association inspires us with its Next Generation youth initiative and recycling programs.

I would love to take the first steps towards a program that helps younger professionals in our industry equip themselves for a long future in print, in the same way that our Future Leaders program further develops more experienced leaders.

In addition, our commitment to sustainability is primarily through education, but industry associations such as ours are well placed to initiate and facilitate schemes to encourage recycling, such as the FESPA UK Waste Accreditation Scheme.

With mandatory climate reporting having commenced on 1 January for large businesses and institutions, FESPA Australia will support and connect members on requirements, reporting and compliance.

We encourage the industry to continue backing association activities by supporting our sponsors and our events. The work of associations and the networks that they nurture, develop, and support is crucial.

It’s clear that individual companies alone will not overcome the challenges we face as an industry. Many dimensions of industry challenges, such as youth engagement and sustainability demand coordinated action between suppliers and printers, and it’s only through the collective efforts of passionate individuals working towards a common goal that we can make significant progress.

FESPA Australia is committed to addressing these industry challenges.

Generally, for the industry, 2025 will likely be challenging for many companies as we deal with a sluggish economy and an

uncertain political environment both here and overseas.

Exchange rates may work against us and put further pressure on raw materials prices, and we will have limited ability to pass on these costs.

We will also see more consolidation in the industry, with both print companies and suppliers looking to acquire vertically or horizontally to counter slow organic growth. This has been happing in our industry for a few years and is only expected to continue.

We’re heading towards a cliff’s edge on some of the issues that our industry is facing, and sticking our heads in the sand won’t help.

As for trends, the hype of AI should have subsided into a more realistic view that recognises AI as simply another tool to refine your workflows in business and make them more efficient.

There is no question that generative AI will equip a new generation of creators, and those well-positioned for business-to-consumer work will keenly eye off niches where they can make the most of personalisation tools.

In the business-to-business market, there are opportunities for companies to leverage data and automation to better cater to the needs of brands that are facing strong ESG and sustainability commitments in the coming years.

At the upcoming tradeshows this year, we will see a focus on integrating AI tools into software used for prepress, ripping, and ERP software. The move towards automating the materials handling elements of print will continue, and you will see the use of more sustainable materials across the board.

Nigel Davies President, FESPA Australia

As each year rolls around, they seem to reach the end quicker than the previous. 2024 was no exception. The year saw some significant redirection from businesses into other forays. The number of print businesses operating in Australia remained steady year-on-year, which is a pleasant result compared to previous years.

However, we sadly lost some key figureheads and inspiring print stalwarts. Additionally, we are still trying to find common ground in rallying together to effectively promote the printing and graphics art sector in its entirety as one that provides a valuable contribution to the economic growth of the country.

In 2024, there appeared to be a ‘businessas-usual’ approach. Some new equipment and software purchases, and additions to sustainable substrate options were consistent. We also saw some great work experience initiatives and targeted approaches to apprentice attraction and retention.

We will continue to see workforce attraction as one of our main challenges. This provides a terrific opportunity for businesses to work on their culture –to make it diverse and inclusive, and to support a workforce with opportunities to continually learn.

If we want our next generation to embrace and join the sector, we need to be able to provide them with a clear career pathway and a workplace that actively embraces and celebrates their contribution.

The LIA’s continued priorities are to encourage, support, and celebrate the next generation of apprentices and print professionals.

Creating a desired and sustainable sector

We have some amazing talent currently in the early stages of their career; but we need more. Until the industry can rally together effectively to promote the printing and graphics art sector in its entirety, it will continue to be overlooked as a viable option for career choice.

Workforce opportunities have also presented themselves following the completion of the $6.8 million facility in Victoria that will print solar panels.

This is a great example of how innovative our industry can be. I recall in 2017, the roll-out was widely talked about at PacPrint. It has been seven years in the making. All good things come to those who wait.

This year, the industry will have to step up regarding its emissions reporting. Small to medium businesses should consider their approach to recording data to support the drive to net zero.

The first mandatory sustainability reporting will be for the year ending 30 June 2026, for Group 1 businesses. Whilst businesses may not reach the threshold targets for this group, they will likely be in the supply chain of such groups. Businesses need to get prepared.

By identifying and recording their energy baselines, we will be seeing the larger corporations, of whom many printing companies are suppliers, exerting downward pressure to reduce energy emissions over the next 12 months.

Companies will find themselves squeezed out of contracts if they don’t support their clients in achieving the net zero targets required.

What I would like to see this year is instead of businesses looking solely at say, sales growth as a measure of success, it would be great to have a focus on cost reduction instead.

While many companies understand the concept of ‘lean’, very few, in my experience, have made it a part of their business model. There is so much saving to be made across business process that can very easily be quantified with a dollar value.

As for trends, packaging, signage, and labels will continue to be a high growth area into the future. With the social awareness of plastic reduction and use of recyclable substrates, there is a clear opportunity for this sector to continue to grow.

As far as new technology goes, I anticipate to see software that tackles sustainability reporting, cybersecurity platforms that will assist businesses in data protection, and AI applications to assist with process efficiencies at the upcoming print tradeshows.

For me, innovation is about the ability for people to find solutions, not just the addition of a new piece of equipment that has a unique feature.

What tradeshows provide is the added opportunity for the industry to communicate and discuss technology, and how it may apply to their own business that they haven’t considered before.

My final message for the industry is this – support and connect with each other. Also support your industry bodies and networks, and work towards a common goal of creating a desired and sustainable sector.

Mel Ireland National President, Lithographic Institute of Australia (LIA)

Innovation and specialisation to drive industry forward

The key areas of focus for the industry remains skills and training, and the lack of skilled labour, for our industry. However, we are seeing this ongoing challenge addressed with improved automation investment from workflow to technology, equipment and more. Additionally, we have improved our uptake of apprentices, and that investment will pay dividends over the next five years.

Consolidation across the industry continues as the industry is disrupted with diversified offerings to market, mergers, acquisitions, and more. If we examine international trends, this consolidation is likely to continue for a further period until stabilising. However, we can be buoyed by the stabilisation in print volume decline numbers, now at a forecasted dip of 1.6 per cent, improving from the past five-year CAGR of 3.1 per cent.

Certifications aligned with sustainability has also been a growing focus over the past 12 months, with improvement industry standards and certifications that relate to our industry needs and specifics. Understanding how we can improve our businesses across sustainable initiatives, without simply funding certifications, for certifications’ sake is necessary. This revised approach will bring a stronger industry in the next one to two years.

The main priority for VMA in 2025 is to support the industry in all the opportunities and challenges faced. We will continue to build an independently verified certification standard to reduce cost for member businesses, whilst also improving our environmental, social, and governance footprint across the broader industry.

We will diversify our offering across HR/ IR advisory and lobbying and advocacy work increasing the Mail Industry and

Labels & Packaging Coalitions, while also expanding our HR/IR advisory into sign and display, labels and packaging, commercial print, and vendor support.

Another focus this year will be returning the National Print Awards to its former glory with a united, national approach to bring all of industry together under the week of PacPrint25.

Business growth lies within diversification and specialisation. Print is broader than print alone – print, and visual media is our future. An expanded, diversified offering across ink on substrate to multi-channel output, workflow solutions for customers and improved application is key. Businesses diversifying their manufacturing, but also their service offering, and building niche markets for their businesses to maintain margin is critical.

When I look to businesses that are doing well, they have found a specific service, demonstrating value that is beyond commodity pricing and reduced margin. Successful businesses will find this and the VMA’s role is to assist all businesses in reducing non-core costs from their businesses to further improve their success.

Under the VMA’s current offering, we deliver below market HR/IR advisory and legal costs, buying co-operative across insurance, reduced environmental certification accreditation, reduced sales training fees, reduced immigration law fees and marketing collateral to promote member’s businesses, with more to come across 2025.

In addition, a national election will deliver much focus for the government, and in turn the industry. Our industry enjoys volume increases across election years, for all sectors. However, this is also an opportunity

to build our advocacy platform into all sides of government and begin calling out our value and economic contribution as a large manufacturing employer.

Sovereign manufacturing must be more than a catch phrase used in parliaments. We are a large manufacturing industry and standing together makes us stronger. We need to ensure governments understand increasing land taxes on our large manufacturing sites is crippling, introducing regulations that do not apply, to the same rigour as overseas manufacturing, is crippling, ignoring apprentice and skills and training needs for an ageing workforce is crippling and more.

We will see an improved communication platform to ensure one consistent message, and we call on all industry bodies to come together in our voice to government.

The greatest opportunity is our products – the return to print and visual media being trusted, sustainable, and effective are key to our volume stabilisations. The challenges will be to ensure we can deliver with ongoing pressures and obstacles from government, labour shortages, and operational costs.

The VMA’s message to the industry is this: Our industry is resilient, intelligent, and innovative. Working together to deliver effective programs across the challenges we face is critical to our success.

Mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions are all opportunities of investment into our future industry of people, innovation, products, and services. Similarly, the VMA will continue to work to a united voice for you and deliver a commitment to reducing your business costs with commercial and relevant services to assist your businesses throughout 2025 and beyond.

Kellie Northwood CEO, Visual Media Association (VMA)

The print and packaging industry in 2024 was a year of innovation and resilience, shaped by geopolitical, economic, and technological dynamics. The industry faced significant challenges, including geopolitical disruptions, rising energy costs, and material shortages, particularly in Europe, while stricter regulations and sustainability goals added pressure to adapt production processes.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggled with automation and digital integration, highlighting the need for accessible, affordable solutions and targeted support.

Sustainability continued to lead the print and packaging industry, with innovations in bio-based materials, advanced recycling systems, and circular packaging designs setting new standards, particularly in Europe.

Despite these headwinds, the industry’s ability to innovate, adapt, and collaborate highlights digital transformation, consumer engagement, and sustainability as key drivers for future success.

The print and packaging industry remained relevant by prioritising technological and eco-friendly innovations, customercentric solutions, adopting recyclable materials, advancing carbon-neutral goals, and meeting stricter regulations. Businesses embraced digital printing, AI, and smart packaging to enhance efficiency, personalisation, and consumer engagement, while also addressing supply chain disruptions through regional sourcing and optimised logistics.

By balancing functionality with sustainability and fostering collaboration across the value chain, the industry demonstrated resilience and adaptability in overcoming global challenges.

In 2025, the industry will continue to evolve by focusing on ongoing automation,

Shaping an industry where innovation meets impact

Sabine Geldermann

Director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf

circular economy, technology integration, and consumer engagement to remain competitive. At the same time, businesses will adopt hybrid solutions that combine the strengths of digital and traditional printing methods to deliver both flexibility and costeffectiveness for diverse market needs.

The print and packaging industry will be shaped by sustainability, smart technologies, and localised production. Digital printing will dominate due to its speed, cost-efficiency, and capacity for large-scale personalisation, while ecofriendly innovations such as waterless printing and biodegradable inks will become standard practices.

Sustainability efforts will drive the adoption of circular packaging systems using reusable, recyclable, and compostable materials. Advancements in bio-based materials, such as algae-based plastics and mycelium packaging, will gain momentum, driven by stricter regulations and growing consumer demand.

Smart packaging integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, and freshness indicators will enhance product tracking and engagement, especially in food and pharma.

Localised production will expand in response to geopolitical and economic pressures, reducing risks and carbon footprints while improving supply chain resilience. E-commerce will drive demand for lightweight, durable, and sustainable packaging solutions. Additionally, advances in AI and automation will streamline manufacturing processes, enhancing efficiency, quality control, and waste reduction.

Minimalist, transparent packaging will dominate consumer trends, while industry collaboration on recycling initiatives will strengthen circular systems. Companies that embrace innovation, sustainability,

and smart technologies will lead the industry transformation.

Technological advancements, including smart packaging, AI-driven processes, and digital printing for personalised solutions, will drive efficiency and meet the growing demand for lightweight, durable, and recyclable e-commerce packaging.

Tradeshows in 2025 will focus on pushing the boundaries of sustainability, digital transformation, and consumer-centric solutions. Companies showcasing disruptive innovations and scalable sustainable practices will lead conversations, offering a glimpse into the future of the print and packaging industry. We are looking forward to the following upcoming trade fairs as part of drupa’s global portfolio: Print & Digital Convention in Düsseldorf (13-14 May 2025), PackPrint International and Corrutec Asia in Bangkok (17-20 September 2025), PackPrintPlas Philippines in Manila (18-20 September 2025) and All in Print in Shanghai (12-16 October 2026).

In a world constantly evolving, the print and packaging industry stands as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and creativity. 2024 showed us that challenges are not barriers but opportunities to reinvent and lead with purpose. As we look to 2025, circular economy, technology, and consumer connection are no longer just trends – they are the foundation of our shared future. This is an industry where innovation meets impact, and where every printed page inspires. Together, we have the power to shape a world that is more sustainable, more connected, and more human.

Let’s embrace the possibilities, ignite our passion, and continue building a future where we not only meet expectations but exceed them – leaving a legacy of innovation, responsibility, and inspiration for generations to come.

What can sales automation do for you?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on everybody’s minds these days. One of the top applications for AI in the printing industry is sales automation. The idea is intriguing, but also, in my experience, it’s highly misunderstood. If you’ve been hoping for a sales robot to bring you new business every day, that isn’t going to happen (well, not soon enough to help you in 2025 anyway).

There are elements of sales automation that can help you right now, though, once you understand a fundamental point. The whole goal of sales automation is to create more time for salespeople to sell; defined as time spent convincing prospects to become customers and customers to become maximised customers. It does that by automating some of the critical yet time consuming activities that take up so much of a typical salesperson’s day.

For example, sales automation can pull data from various platforms into one place – accounting software, estimating software, production management software, CRM software, even pulling contact data from prospects’ social media platforms into a CRM.

I frequently hear salespeople complain about how much time they have to spend pulling data from various sources. Today’s sales automation programs can reduce that time significantly.

Routine contact

They can also manage some of the “routine” customer contact that helps to maintain relationships. In the old days, many printers did that through a “monthly mailing”. Using a full-featured CRM, a salesperson could automate a wide range

of contact plans. A small, occasional customer might get a lightly personalised email version of that monthly mailing. A small customer with large potential could get something more highly personalised.

The AI being built into modern sales automation software could identify which products a customer is currently buying from you and send them monthly emails about other products. A salesperson could design a “marketing plan” for just about any situation ranging from early-stage prospecting to customer maximisation.

Sales automation will not, however, close the sale. Sure, sometimes it will, just like SEO brings people to your website and they end up getting a quote and placing an order without much human intervention. That’s not making you rich, though, is it? Those tend to be small orders, and small customers. The big fish tend to require a salesperson’s involvement, to overcome obstacles, handle objections, build a relationship and close the sale.

So, here’s a closing thought on sales automation. It can help a star become a superstar. But it probably won’t help a poorly trained, poorly managed underachiever to be anything more than one of those with more time to goof off. Don’t expect miracles!

Other observations

On a related subject, print salespeople have been complaining to me for years that the “new” generations in the workforce are very difficult to connect with.

I’ve heard numerous variations on the theme that “they only want to text or email, they won’t agree to face-to-face meetings”.

Further research suggests that this is a “prospect” problem more than a “customer” issue. On one hand, it has been proven that you can have very satisfactory relationships with active customers without a great deal of face-to-face. Text, email and telephone have proven to be perfectly adequate for “project management” communications. Also, in my experience, active customers are generally willing to have an occasional face-to-face with valued suppliers.

The “prospect” problem is real, but there’s more to it than “generational” differences. A colleague said this to me recently: “I don’t have time for anything I don’t have time for”.

We on the sales side have to recognise that the people on the other side are pressed for time. We should never ask them for something that doesn’t represent a good investment of their time.

Which means that, in the prospecting scenario, the first sale a salesperson must make is the value of a face-to-face meeting. Don’t just ask for an appointment. Be prepared to sell the appointment, to justify the value of the meeting.

My experience with buyers of all generations is that they’ll give you what you want if you make a good enough case for it. That ends with giving you the order, becoming a customer. It starts with selling the value of simply engaging with you.

And please, have more to say than, “I may be able to save you money on your printing”. Here’s a final observation. The buyers who make the best customers are more moved by the prospect of better results than by lower prices.

David Fellman President, David Fellman & Associates

2024 was a year of innovation, optimisation, consolidation, doing more with less, maximising profits on decreasing print volumes, getting work in and out faster with fewer employees, and reducing environmental footprint.

Innovation: After an eight-year hiatus, drupa, the world’s largest and most comprehensive printing event, returned to Messe Düsseldorf in May 2024. The energy was high, and printing innovation was on display for 11 days across 18 halls of the vast fairground.

Why this matters? drupa is a bellwether for things to come and where many trends in the printing industry are born. Some suppliers will be building equipment for the next three years to fulfill orders from the show.

With the impending threat of imposing tariffs from the US and the potential for limited inventory due to supply and demand, I suggest PSPs get in the pipeline now if you are in the market for new equipment.

Consolidation: Mergers, acquisitions, downsizing, and closures were prevalent 2024 trends in the printing industry. This was felt on the customer side, too. Everyone is operating with less time, money, and people.

Adjusting how to communicate, educate, and market to customers and consumers will require embracing empathy and patience and delivering it.

Provide customers with convenience and as much information about your business as possible, including what you do, who you help, what you sell, why it matters to that business (vertical), how it can help

Navigating the ‘survival of the fittest’ era

that business (vertical) generate results, an easy way to order and pay, and manage assets if that applies.

If you can’t do it all, ask your customers which is most important to them, and make decisions from there.

Frustration: Workforce development ranks high as a collectively shared problem and one of the top trends in the printing industry.

We don’t do a great job of changing the perception of print from an antiquated communication channel that kills trees and contributes to climate change to a modern, data-driven, and innovative service that invests heavily in producing products to be used, reused, recycled, and reclaimed.

Getting people excited to work in print is challenging if they think it’s a dead-end industry for a career. That is a high hurdle to get over.

We must step outside our echo chamber and launch a global PR campaign to address these misperceptions. The problem? Utilities and financial institutions, frequent users of ‘go green, go paperless,’ are also major paper and print buyers.

Industry organisations don’t want to publicly call them out and upset them, prioritising industry business relationships over consumer protection from misleading environmental claims.

If we can start a meaningful conversation with the world to illustrate that print is not the enemy of the environment, we are in a much better position to keep the focus on the value of print with print customers, and the value of a career in print with potential employees.

2025 is going to test our resolve individually and as an industry. We have now entered the ‘survival of the fittest’ era. The industry will get smaller.

Those who haven’t evolved will find it harder to catch up, and those who have evolved or are in the process should look at becoming a one-stop resource for all communication, marketing, sales, promotional, and education needs –online and offline. Find partners –you don’t have to do it by yourself.

The global political climate and related economic uncertainty will continue to present many challenges to the industry. Opportunities arise for those prepared to speak about price increases and potential supply chain disruptions with relevant customers in advance, so they are also prepared and budgeting accordingly.

If you haven’t met with all your current customers to find out what else they buy from other printers and related vendors, start there. You are leaving money on the table, and more than you know.

Looking for new ways to share information and break free of the noise in all marketing channels will be significant trends in 2025.

Print Media Centr’s mission is to provide ‘printspiration’ and resources to print and marketing professionals around the world. We will continue that mission in 2025, with a priority on growing our global audience through trust, authenticity, and a value-based exchange of our content and their time.

Print Long and Prosper in 2025 and beyond!

Deborah Corn

Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse, Print Media Centr

Annual ASGA Social Bowls event in Melbourne a huge success

The networking event is part of a series of bowls events that the Australian Sign & Graphics Association hosts annually around the country

The Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) recently hosted its Victorian Social Bowls event in Melbourne, bringing together local industry members for an afternoon of networking, activity, and fun.

Held at the Melbourne Bowling Club in Windsor, the event was well-attended, with industry friends and colleagues, and their families, all gathering for a fun and friendly game of barefoot bowls, and the chance to catch up over some delicious food and drinks.

The networking event is part of a series of bowls events ASGA

hosts annually around the country following a successful pilot by ASGA’s South Australian Committee over the past couple of years.

“These Social Bowls events were among ASGA’s most popular last year, so we are delighted to be bringing them back for 2025 thanks to the generous support of our Bowls Series national sponsor, ORAFOL Australia,” ASGA president, Mick Harrold said.

“It’s great to see so many here tonight, and we are looking forward to similarly successful events around the country in the coming weeks and months.”

Some of the attendees at the ASGA Social Bowls event in Melbourne

Industry friends and colleagues, and their families, all gathered for a fun day of barefoot bowls

Industry friends and their families tried their hand at barefoot bowls

The event was a chance for attendees to mingle and have fun

The ASGA Social Bowls calendar kicked off for the year in Melbourne

ASGA president Mick Harrold shows how it’s done

FESPA Australia hosts Melbourne BBQ

The annual event drew a diverse crowd of people, with members enjoying drinks and a sit down catered BBQ meal while they caught up with industry colleagues

Members of Australia’s wide format printing industry recently gathered at the Richmond Rowing Club Boathouse in Melbourne for the annual FESPA Melbourne BBQ.

At the event, FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies spoke about the association’s FESPA Future Leaders Program and announced a new program that it will soon launch.

“One of the proudest initiatives or programmes of FESPA Australia is our FESPA Future Leaders Program. We all know talented people – they’re not necessarily young, but are talented. I want you all to think about who these

people are – they might be clients that you work with, or people in your own circles,” he said.

“We’re holding the event again this year and applications will be opening in the coming months, so please do put some thought into that.

“The FESPA events that you all know internationally are owned by the FESPA association in which FESPA Australia is one of them. All the profits from the global events go back into the kitty and they get divvied out to the various country associations to support programmes.

“A few days ago, I found out we were successful in getting a project funding

grant to deliver a program which revolves around the FESPA UK’s Next Generation initiative.

“While the FESPA Future Leaders Program celebrates people that have been in the industry for a long time and are going into senior leadership roles, the Next Generation initiative supports people that are new to the industry.

“So, please think about how you can bring these new talents in.”

Davies also thanked the generous support of its sponsors: Avery Dennison, Ball & Doggett, Coritex, Cactus Imaging, Durst Oceania, Easy Signs, Kissel + Wolf, Mimaki, Orafol, PrintIQ, and Spicers.

Jason Kennedy and Scott Niven from Orafol

Carmen Ciappara (Printer Media Group) and Jamie Xuereb (Mediapoint)

Nathan Brown (IVE Group) and Ambrin Begum (M-Power)

Nicky Asseraf (Cactus Imaging), Brett Addison (Durst Oceania), and Nigel Spicer (Cactus Imaging)

Kohei Kobayashi (Mimaki Australia) and Iman Monem (The Shann Group)

Peter Lucas (GMS Pacific) and Stuart Fox (Kongsberg PCS)

Wayne McIntyre (Celmac), Mark Ennis (Celmac), David Watt (Celmac) and Chris Gardiner (The Print Factory)

Peter Scalzo (Spicers), Kuldeep Sharma (Mimaki Australia), Cameron Bongartz (Mimaki Australia) and Kohei Kobayashi (Mimaki Australia)

Daniel Watts (Coritex), Julia Watts (Pattern Room), and Ashley Playford-Brown (Orafol)

Alistair Smith with Kim Wilson and Alasdair Wilson (Colourtech)

Arnie Roy (IVE Group), Scott Houghton (Spicers), and Shane Britten (IVE Group)

Glen Makary (Spicers), Dale Hawkins (Zünd Australia), William Berlowitz (Zünd Australia), and Mariano Imbrioscia (Vivad)

David Asker (Image Box), Mick Harrold (ASGA), Nigel Davies (FESPA Australia)

Gerard Mudford (Omnigraphics), Stuart Fox (Kongsberg PCS Belgium), Peter Lucas (GMS Pacific), Jarrod Whyte (Omnigraphics)

Alasdair Wilson (Colourtech), Ewan Donaldson (Vivad), Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania) and Chris Gardiner (The Print Factory)

Industry comes together in good spirit for FESPA Sydney Social

The annual FESPA Sydney Social recently took place at the Sydney Rowing Club, attracting a crowd of more than 100 attendees from the printing industry

Following on from the FESPA Melbourne BBQ, members of Australia’s wide format printing industry gathered at the Sydney Rowing Club in Abbotsford last month for the FESPA Sydney Social.

Attendees were welcomed by FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies, who thanked members and sponsors of the event.

Sponsors included: Ball & Doggett, Coritex, Cactus Imaging, Durst Oceania, Easy Signs, Mimaki Australia, Orafol Australia, printIQ, and Spicers Australia.

Davies spoke about some of FESPA Australia’s significant achievements and the launch of an upcoming program that supports new people in the industry.

“My proudest achievement with FESPA is the Future Leaders Program. We now have 36 people graduating from that program. As we start this year, I want you to think about all the talented mid-career people that you work with that have the talent and potential to go up to the next level,” he said.

“Recently, we received significant funding to start a new program, for people in

their 20s, based on the Next Generation initiative – a formula that has proved to be highly successful for FESPA UK. We’re going to have our own slant on that.”

More information on this program will be released in June.

Davies also provided an update on the FESPA Australia event in Berlin during FESPA 2025 (which will take place from 6-9 May), saying it will be held at 2.30pm on Wednesday, 7 May.

Davies encouraged everyone to attend FESPA 2025 in Berlin.

Adam Parnell (Easy Signs) and Andrew Hall (Factory One)

Carmen Ciappara (Printer Media Group), Keith Ferrel (Cactus imaging) and Claire Hibbit (Printer Media Group)

Brent Wilson (XMPie) and Justin Webber (PrintIQ)

Andy McPhail and Craig Whitelaw from Canon

Jack Matheson (The Shann Group) and Daniel Watts (Coritex)

Brett Wark (Smartech), Karen Lawler (Cactus Imaging) and Kohei Kobayashi (Mimaki)

Andy Fryer and Gavan Moore from Easy Signs

Brett Addison and John Bryson from Durst Oceania

Jason Kennedy (Orafol) and Glenn Moffatt (Cactus Imaging)

Dale Hawkins (Zünd) and Jason Turvill (Easy Signs)

Karen Lawler, Rebeca Garcia and Gabriella Kangas (Cactus Imaging), Que Nhi Makar (Ball & Doggett), Carmen Ciappara and Claire Hibbit (Printer Media Group)

Carmen Ciappara and Claire Hibbit (Printer Media Group)

Jonny Rumney (Celmac) and Sarah Moore (Visual Connections)

Cleiton Schneider (ORAFOL), Stuart Kennedy (Inkwell), Michael Hawkins (Hawk Print), Tim Hawes (Smartech), Michael Boogaard (Celmac), Brett Wark (Smartech), Andrew Hall (Factory One) and Ian Cleary (Visionary Digital)

Steve Warn, Tatjana Ferguson, Qui Nhi Makar and James Merhab from Ball & Doggett

Michael Boogaard (Celmac), Jonny Rumney (Celmac) and Jeremy Brew (HP)

Russell Cavenagh (Mutoh) and Romano Bacci (Epson)

Nigel Davies (Fespa) and Nigel Spicer (Cactus Imaging)

Michael Boogaard (Celmac), Kennith Miller (Cactus Imaging), and Jonny Rumney (Celmac)

Justin Kirkland (Fujifilm) and Glenn Moffatt (Cactus Imaging)

Kohei Kobayashi (Mimaki), Emmanuel Buhagiar (Imagination Graphics) and Troy Cavanagh (ImageBox)

Stephen Lamont, Daniel Lamont and Tammie-Lee Pickles from Lamont Print + Signs

Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania), Kennith Miller (Cactus Imaging) and John Bryson (Durst Oceania)

PRINT DIARY

Got an event? Send an email to hosman@intermedia.com.au with all the details and we will put your event on the page

* event dates correct at time of publishing

ASGA NSW Sign & Print Golf Day 30 April West Ryde, NSW, Australia signs.org.au

FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 6-9 May Berlin, Germany fespa.com

China Print 2025 15-19 May Beijing, China printchina.com

PacPrint 2025 20-23 May Sydney, Australia pacprint.com.au

Print4All 2025 27-30 May Milan, Italy print4all.it

Labelexpo Europe 2025 16-19 September Barcelona, Spain labelexpo-europe.com

Pack Print International 17-20 September Bangkok, Thailand pack-print.de

Printing United 2025 22-24 October Florida, US printingunited.com

The Print Show & The Sign Show 23-25 September Birmingham, UK thesignshow.co.uk

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