PRINTING INDUSTRY sales declined 53% throughout the pandemic, further dampening demand as companies shift to digital advertising, the Board of Investments (BoI) said.
“Like the other industries, the printing industry was not spared by the COVID-19 pandemic and is still beset by their customers’ shift to digitization, digital transformation of industries,” BoI Executive Director Ma. Corazon H. Dichosa said in a virtual event Monday.
When there are industry orders, Ms. Dichosa said that the industry needs to improve its supply capabilities to remain competitive.
“Our ultimate goal is to improve supply capability so a lot of the printing jobs need not go to China or any other ASEAN country. Our printing industry should be able to service the needs of the other industries and outsourced printing jobs from other countries,” she said.
“Aside from the industry’s heavy reliance on imported inputs like paper, the industry is also challenged by a pervasive lack of formally-trained technical personnel, particularly for machine operations and maintenance.”
The BoI on Monday signed a partnership with the Philippine Trade Training Center and the Philippine Center for Print Excellence Foundation (PCPEF) to use the government’s digital fabrication shared equipment facility to train the printing industry’s workforce. The partnership focuses on skills development, access to technology, and public-private collaboration.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez in a recorded video message called for investment in the industry’s workers, given their role in print advertising even as digital marketing becomes more popular.
“Another thing we have to consider is that consumable goods and products need to be packed and compliant with labeling requirements,” he said.
“Whether food or non-food products, details of manufacturing, expiry, and batch numbers need to be printed in the packaging. In addition, product reputation is built through superior packaging material and flawless printing technology to complete the finished product.”
The PCPEF in 2015 developed an industry roadmap that aimed to improve supply capability, increase demand for print, and encourage stakeholder links. — Jenina P. Ibañez
PRINTING United Alliance celebrated Earth Day 2021 by recognizing the recipients of its annual Sustainable Business Recognition Awards Program.
Member companies ...
The Printerverse, June 6, 2023 - Print Media Centr announces the launch of Print Across America. Join us on October 25, 2023 to create a unified celebration of print by facilitating, fostering, and supporting open house events at print and sign shops and in-plants from coast to coast.
The Print Across America mission is to share the power of print as a viable and effective sales, marketing, and communication channel at the local level by inviting customers and prospects, university, high school, and technical program students and faculty to open house events. This initiative creates community engagement, provides education about printed products, cultivates new business opportunities, and contributes to workforce development.
Participation in Print Across America is free! The official Print Across America logo, icons, and files for marketing materials, social media and electronic communications, apparel production, signage templates, and more are posted at printacrossamerica.com and are available to download. A store to purchase swag and open house materials is in development.
"Print Across America gives print, sign shops, and in-plants a unique opportunity to open their doors and show guests the cool and amazing things we can create with print, the printing technology that makes it possible, and meet the people who make it all happen," said Deborah Corn, Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr, and the founder of Print Across America.
"Participants can host an event for an hour or host an all-day event that includes design classes, a career fair, presentations about what is new in print... and more. I will share ideas for the open house events and help promote all of them - I may even attend a few!"
Printers who are members of our industry organization partners will be included in the "Find an Open House by You" directory, enabling interested attendees to locate their local open house events easily. Non-members can pay a small fee to be listed on the open house directory.
"The National Print and Sign Owners Association (NPSOA) is encouraging our 400+ members to open their doors and participate in this unique national event," said Nathaniel Grant, Chairman of NPSOA and President of GAM Graphics and Marketing.
Additional associations committed to promoting and participating in Print Across America include The Print and Graphic Communications Association (PGCA), Printing Industries of New England (PINE), the Graphic Media Alliance (GMA), the Florida Graphics Alliance (FGA), Printing Industries of MidWest (PiM), Printing Graphics Association of MidAtlantic (PGAMA), the Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA), In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), International Sign Association (ISA), and the Graphics Communications Education Association (GCEA) with more joining every day.
In conjunction with Print Across America, Print Media Centr will produce a 10-hour online conference celebrating International Print Day on October 25, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. The free conference will feature industry experts from around the world and is open for everyone to join.
America's Print Show, in partnership with the Graphic Media Alliance, is planning an exclusive event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate Print Across America, International Print Day, and kick off the countdown to APS2024 on May 8th and 9th in Cleveland.
"APS shares the vision of industry unity with Print Across America. We are pleased to support this initiative and participate in the online conference for International Print Day" said Jim Cunningham, President of Americas Print Show. "We will join the online broadcast live from our APS2024 launch event with Graphics Media Alliance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and provide an exciting preview of our upcoming show in May. Anyone who wishes to join us in Cleveland on October 25th can reach out to me, or to Andrew Schall, President of GMA. We look forward to this unique celebration of print and celebrating the printing community that makes it all possible."
To stay informed about Print Across America and the International Print Day Conference, please join the mailing list at printacrossamerica.com.
For International Print Day Conference speaking opportunities and inquiries about conference sponsorship packages, don't hesitate to get in touch with Deborah Corn at deborah@printmediacentr.com.
Print Across America promises to be an exhilarating celebration of print, connecting industry professionals, enthusiasts, and communities nationwide. Join us on October 25, 2023, and be a part of this momentous occasion!
