Big Picture - January/February 2018 - 24

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

IS INDUSTRIAL INKJET
STILL THE RISING STAR?
The answer is yes, especially as more manufacturers are educated on
the benefits and proper adoption, as a recent InPrint Survey reveals.
In 2017, 162 leaders from the inkjet developing community
across the world answered questions relating to the growth,
challenges, and opportunities for industrial inkjet printing.
GROWTH RATE REMAINS STRONG
The first indication that industrial inkjet is still a rising star is that the
growth rate for industrial inkjet in 2017 remains strong and virtually
identical to the 2015 survey, with 26 percent believing growth to be in
the double digits. This outpaces other print markets by some distance.
DOMINANT PLAYER IN CERTAIN SEGMENTS
The second indication, in ceramics and display graphics, is
that inkjet now plays a dominant technological printing role.
According to the survey, inkjet is poised to play the largest role in
packaging production (74 percent), then décor (54 percent), and
to a lesser extent, functional inkjet printing (33 percent).

BIG PICTURE

January/February 2018

THE ROLE OF INKJET
A misunderstanding about the role inkjet can perform in production is a hurdle that needs to be overcome before more growth
can continue in this industry. But, it can be easily overcome.
According to our research, many end users often miscalculate the time, cost, and complexity of integrating inkjet into

production. Inkjet is not necessarily a replacement process, and
in contrast to analog, inkjet production will often appear much
more expensive. However, this is missing the point that inkjet
offers unique performance attributes that complement analog
print production, and the manufacturers that have accepted this
are already enjoying competitive advantages.
In order for these advantages to be realized, end customers
must work closely with OEMs, integrators, ink providers, software companies, and inkjet printhead manufacturers to create
the best possible solution for their businesses. In past surveys,
greater collaboration, knowledge, and patience among all players
in the inkjet development community is a key criterion for reaping
the benefits of inkjet in manufacturing. This takes time.
The exciting and positive fact is that the products, the quality,
the expertise, and the focus have never been better. Inkjet is
maturing and improving in speed and quality. Therefore, much of
the risk has already been reduced due to advances in technology
and understanding.
INDUSTRIAL INKJET ON THE RISE
Industrial inkjet is ready to make a considerable contribution to
an array of industries. But it is not as simple as buying a new
machine, putting it in the line and reaping the rewards. An end
customer must clearly understand what they want to achieve,
and then be willing to collaborate, step outside of their comfort
zone, and work in partnership to find a solution. The expertise
and the technology are ready. But success requires patience, an
open mind, determination, and a willingness to learn.
OVERCOMING HURDLES TO ACCELERATE ADOPTION
To help overcome the hurdle of misunderstanding and to accelerate adoption, invest in educating yourself further on digital inkjet
technology and meeting the right industry players to collaborate on
creating a solution that fits the unique needs of your company.
There are two upcoming opportunities to do so that you won't
want to miss. Register for the upcoming InPrint Industrial Inkjet
Conference May 1-2 in Chicago. Then, following on the hugely
successful first InPrint USA in 2017, the second show promises to
be bigger and better with even more industrial print technology on
display. Mark your calendars for InPrint USA April 9-11, 2019, in
Louisville, Kentucky.
inprintusaconference.com

http://www.inprintusaconference.com

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