Print Perspectives

Navigating the Future: Print Industry Trends for 2025

February 24, 2025

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As we step into 2025, the print industry continues to evolve with new technologies and trends that are set to shape the future. At Kodak, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these changes, ensuring that our products and services meet the needs of our customers in this dynamic landscape. In this blog, we explore some of the most significant trends poised to shape the print industry's future.

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Automation

The print industry is witnessing a significant shift towards digital transformation and automation. With the ongoing labor challenges and the need for increased efficiency, more companies are investing in automation technologies. This includes everything from automated print workflows to AI-powered print management systems. By leveraging these technologies, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve productivity. At Kodak, our PRINERGY Workflow software is designed to help printers automate their processes and achieve greater efficiency.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Printing

Sustainability continues to be a major focus in the print industry. Customers are increasingly demanding eco-friendly printing solutions that minimize environmental impact. At Kodak, we are leading the way with our sustainable print technologies, such as the KODAK SONORA XTRA Process Free Plate , which eliminates the need for chemical processing and reduces water and energy consumption. Additionally, our Green Leaf Program helps customers promote their sustainability choices by providing them with marketing tools and resources to highlight their eco-friendly practices. As the industry moves towards more sustainable practices, we expect to see continued innovation in this area.

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The Rise of Digital Printing

Digital printing is gaining momentum as it offers distinct advantages over traditional offset printing, particularly for short print runs and personalized content. The flexibility and speed of digital printing make it an ideal solution for on-demand printing, allowing businesses to respond quickly to market changes and customer needs. In 2025, we anticipate a continued migration of work from analog to digital presses, highlighting the industry's shift towards more efficient and versatile printing solutions. Kodak's PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press is an example of how we are pushing the boundaries of digital print technology to deliver high-quality, high-speed printing solutions, facilitating the transition from offset to digital with its best-in-class speed and high monthly volume.

AI and Data-Driven Insights

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to be a game-changer in the print industry. From predictive maintenance to personalized marketing, AI is being integrated into various aspects of print operations. By harnessing the power of AI, companies can gain valuable insights from their data, optimize their processes, and deliver more targeted and effective print solutions. The Kodak PRINERGY Platform offers products like Decision Analytics, which provides historical production trends to help identify growth opportunities. This and other intelligence products in the platform assist printers in planning for the future with dependable data and insights.

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Optimizing Post-Press Operations

As the print industry evolves, seamless integration with post-press processes like slitting, scoring, and folding are becoming increasingly important. Integrating these services with digital print and automation technologies can help companies improve operations and efficiency to address the challenge of rapid job changeovers. Kodak's solutions, such as the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press , seamlessly integrate with finishing equipment, ensuring consistent quality and reducing manual intervention. Kodak also offers a comprehensive range of custom finishing solutions engineered for the diverse needs of offset, digital, and hybrid print applications. This combination of digital print and automated finishing opens new possibilities for personalized and on-demand printing, catering to the evolving needs of customers.

Conclusion

The print industry is undergoing a period of significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing customer demands. At Kodak, we are excited about the future and are dedicated to leading the way with innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customers. By staying ahead of these trends, we can continue to deliver exceptional value and support the growth of the print industry in 2025 and beyond.