The printing industry has undergone constant change and transformation, much like any other industry.
With digital disruption on the upswing and the advent of digital technologies like IoT, AI, and more, new trends are gradually changing the face of global enterprises, affecting every industry.
Additionally, the COVID-19 epidemic has sparked an unprecedented wave of digital disruption, requiring all industries—including the printing sector—to adapt these trends into their methods of operation.
According to studies, the size of the global printing industry is anticipated to increase from $311.53 billion in 2021 to $322.43 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 3.5 percent. At a CAGR of 2.1 percent, the printing market is predicted to reach $350.2 billion in 2026.
The Africa Printers Market, nevertheless, is anticipated to surpass US$ 235.3 Mn by the end of 2031.
These impressive figures imply that the printing sector, both globally and in Africa, is becoming more open to embracing new trends and technology.
The Rise of Digital Printing
Given that they print more quickly than traditional printers, digital inkjet printer adoption has increased on the African continent.
“The beauty of digital printing is that it doesn’t need manual setup, which makes it a very quick and efficient procedure.
Compared to offset printing, this is especially advantageous for low-volume projects, which is why there is such a high demand for these printers on the market.
Given the fast-paced environment in which we live and the ample opportunity to offer customisation without any meaningful turnaround time, digital printing is a popular choice, according to Eiji Ota, Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa.
According to the most recent Smithers report, the market for inkjet printing is currently worth $80.4 billion and is expected to reach $118.2 billion in 2025. Inkjet digital printers from Canon were recently on display at Gulf Print and Pack 2022 GPP.
The Revolution in Color Printing
Africa has experienced a sharp increase in the demand for color printing over the past several years, which has helped fuel the expansion of the market for laser and inkjet printers across the continent.
The market for laser and inkjet printers has expanded thanks to the widespread switch from black and white to color printing, which has driven the growth of the printing industry in Africa.
The demand for commercial printing services in Africa, where there are an estimated 2,000 companies, the majority of which are small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), is expected to increase further, contributing to the continent’s rapid expansion in the printing industry.
The recently released Canon imagePRESS V1000 places a strong emphasis on automation. For print facilities looking to produce a variety of applications, from direct mail and business cards to booklets, posters, and other creative marketing collateral, tasks like color repeatability and registration alignment are made easier.
How Important Security Is
Due to the fact that many industries are still adjusting to the pandemic’s consequences, cyber security has become one of the top concerns for organizations.
Given that they work with several stakeholders on print projects, print service providers will prioritize print security in the years to come.
Hybrid working styles are here to stay and have created new security concerns because hackers are increasingly using cutting-edge methods of cyber-attacks, increasing the vulnerability of organizational data.
Organizations may continue to suffer harm if regulatory fines and eventual business losses are a threat.
“The shift to hybrid and remote working styles has brought to light a very serious problem for enterprises that was largely disregarded in the past: cyber security.
Any organization’s health depends on the effective and secure handling of data and information. Your printers, like any other networked device, could compromise your information security if they are not integrated and managed properly.
According to Eiji Ota, Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa, “Canon’s third generation imageRUNNER ADVANCE machines provide security information event management (SIEM) integration, making it simpler for businesses to include printers in their current security monitoring systems.”
Greening up
Most industries, if not all of them, have been caught up in the sustainability wave, and with good cause. Businesses are putting more of an emphasis on minimizing their environmental impact and improving their sustainability index rankings.
Increasing demand is anticipated for items that may provide great functionality and minimal environmental effect, according to current trends.
Canon’s Managed Print Services seamlessly support businesses in decreasing their environmental impacts by up to 60% by combining market-leading technologies and services.
Recycling printing supplies like ink cartridges will be crucial in the future for minimizing the effects on the environment and neighborhood populations.
Connectivity and the Cloud
As digital disruption continues to grow, we are observing a rise in cloud computing, where consumers can directly access such services from the “cloud” as opposed to desktop or laptop computers being used to host apps and products.
As a result, according to this survey, cloud printing is turning into one of the hottest trends in the market, with 67 percent of firms aiming to boost their usage of cloud print management and another 5 percent preparing to switch totally to cloud printing.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered company goals and working methods all around the world. People now want to work in the cloud because it offers advantages like flexibility, the possibility to boost productivity and efficiency, and the ability to reduce costs.
Offering cloud-managed print services is now required rather than an option.
Future trends in the printing sector in Africa will be paved by printing services that are practical, economical, and environmentally friendly while producing work of excellent quality, according to Eiji Ota, Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa.
