The PRINT 09 show in Chicago a couple weeks ago is proof that many printers need to become more than just appliers of ink onto rolls of paper. The latest Fuji inkjet press or Xerox digital printing machine is of course important, yet we read in this article titled, “The Digital Future for the Printing Industry” that print-shops need to change or die. What is that change generally about?

“The printing industry is currently and will continue to experience many transitions in the form of `Digital Printing and Communications`. This also impacts on all businesses globally.

The printing industry will continue to evolve into new and exciting `electronic imaging driven by digital technology`. Digital technology, economic restructuring, global competition, market changes, emerging new media and other market forces are combining to `dramatically` change the operating environment of the Printing Industry.”
Source: http://www.graphicstart.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=429

Here is a little video of T.J. Tedesco giving a 40,000 foot view of social media for printers at PRINT 09, which is for sure part of this transformation (Starting to sound like a Mayan 2012 prophecy!):

He goes into details on Twitter and I should note, as we have reported in the past, that there are many graphic designers and people looking to output their color graphics on this 140 character micro-blogging site (How to get started with Twitter for Printers), which just got a $100 million injection yesterday! Later he touches on Facebook and of course blogging in general. I like how he stresses that setting up and effectively using a blog is vital to the entire social media endeavor- very true.

Kodak had a few main brochures at their front desk for Print 09, which was one of the more impressive stands, with an awesome LED sign, running the full length of the large booth. One brochure was a 16 page, US-Letter sized full color pamphlet all about social media and with detailed instructions on how to get going in this important field. (Will look for a link on this; was informative and interesting… ahh, I just asked on Twitter and @TomHoehn provided it here: “Social Media Tips (PDF Booklet)” – the power of social media at work!) Social media is not only about what you are doing this weekend or did last night, but also goes into marketing, communications and general, good old-fashioned networking. (Notice Kodak has a YouTube Channel, KodakTube just like we do, MarkzwareTV and it is important to note that YouTube is a great tool for printers to use as well…)

Printing is changing right before our very eyes and as print-shops, you are perfectly placed to be the hubs of new media output of today and tomorrow. Whether it is print on paper, output to screen or whatever repurposing of digital data will be asked for next. As Colin Thompson of Cavendish in the article mentioned above said, “Since printer’s are/should already well be established in `imagery`, they are well positioned to participate in new channels as they develop. If print companies do not take on board new technology, they will not survive in this rapid changing environment.“ We will leave it there for now, but desktop publishing software itself will make some major transformations over the coming months, which will be further stimulus (no, not the government type) for printers to change priorities, if they have not already…

Tags: Desktop Publishing, Desktop Publishing Software, digital printing, digital technology, electronic imaging, full color pamphlet, future of printing, graphic design, printing industry, social media for printers, Twitter for Printers

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