I had an email from a print rep the other day, saying he was coming to town and hoped to meet with me to show off some new samples.
He was shocked when I replied and told him I was no longer buying printing, but was now a copywriter for the web.
We emailed back and forth about some of the changes in the printing industry. He mentioned that the large, highly regarded company where he works had sold off a couple of its large presses and reduced capacity. I told him about my tour last year of an all-digital plant that didn’t have a prepress department, but did have an HP Indigo web press, one of the first installed on the west coast.
The changes in the print industry away from artisan printing and jobs for print specialists like me were what made me decide to make a transition to my new work as a copywriter.
My print acquaintance wondered whether there would be enough print work to sustain him until his retirement. I told him that I had wondered the same thing for myself and decided that for me, at least, there probably wouldn’t, unless I wanted to move into ugly, commoditized advertising printing (ew!).
The companies I know that are doing well have embraced digital printing and now offer both digital and offset. Mohawk Paper is diversifying beyond paper for offset printing. The company has invested in Pinhole Press, its own digital printing venture, has invested in related software, and is expanding its line of digital press papers.
Disaster avoidance tip
I must say, I’m not optimistic about the future of printing as I knew and loved it. I told my print acquaintance what I’ve told friends who are still in the industry: If the future isn’t looking rosy from where you sit, don’t wait to make steps toward your next career, or to influence the evolution of the one you’re in. Do it now, while you still have some income and flexibility, and before you find yourself right up against that dead-end wall you had hoped you wouldn’t have to face.
What about you? What’s your experience been? What do you think the future of printing will look like? Please leave a comment.
6 comments
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September 9, 2011 at 11:01 am
paul soltysiak (saul TEE zee ack)
We do both digital and offset, and our digital press can execute some nice special effects, too… (think “digital thermography”…) – I love seeing how people use it to make fast, short-run pieces beautiful (in combination with nice stock)… as “digital glut” becomes an even larger issue, we find that some clients want to “print something” – to “stand out” – which I find rather funny and ironic… (being an old-school print rep).
I love print – when used in the mix, it’s still a great medium.
We have about 75 people – do about $8mm per year – and have been in steady growth mode for the last few years. We also run 3 shifts – because speed is critical in today’s marketing world!
September 9, 2011 at 1:08 pm
naniprints
It’s great to hear of your company’s ongoing success, Paul, congratulations!
You mention an interesting idea, “digital glut.” Yes, I would guess this will become problematic in some markets. There’s also the question of the wide variation in suitable applications, depending on the type and limitations of the digital equipment one has. When I printed event materials for a major Seattle hospital last year, I used an offset press for invitations, a Canon digital press for postcards on untreated stock and an iGen that could print on slightly bigger stock for posters. One press definitely does not fit all. ~Nani
September 30, 2011 at 7:34 am
Dale
I think digital printing is the future, but I’m surprised by the rapid decline in printing company sales.
September 30, 2011 at 12:12 pm
naniprints
Thanks for weighing in, Dale. Whether the decline in sales is rapid or not depends on the printer’s customer base. I know some companies that have managed to hold steady, while others have been in decline for 2-3 years and are not seeing the volume pick back up. Still others were holding steady and are now declining precipitously, as you note. It’s still hard to know how much of this is the ongoing not-really-a-recession we still seem to be in. ~Nani
February 19, 2013 at 12:06 am
ryan
Hi Nani,
I used to comment on this blog back when you were getting started in 2009-ish. I was still in the printing industy as well and just found it again in my WordPress.com subscription settings. I had just discovered twitter, thought your posts were superb, and as part of our web site redesign, I recommended to my boss that we contract with you for blog copy writi
I transitioned to IT and am also sad about the future of print. But at this point I think we’ve all come to terms with it. It will definitely live on in artisan form with letterpress. Which was always my favorite type, anyway.
February 19, 2013 at 7:06 am
naniprints
Hi Ryan, thanks for your kind note! Just when I think of taking the blog down, I get a contact like yours that tells me folks still find the content interesting.
So many of us who loved print with a passion have had to make a transition to another line of work, others have had their lives disrupted when their companies shut down or see sold off. Some have found ways to change their businesses in the face of changing technologies, but it has been challenging.
All the same, I miss the tangible nature of print and the feeling of completion and satisfaction of holding a well-crafted piece in my hands. Pixels don’t hold that same satisfaction!
I agree, letterpress is wonderful. I’m glad to see this artisan form thriving!
Be well, and thank you again for thinking of me. -Nani