Driven by automation, AI and regulatory constraints, printing continues to recompose itself. Olaf Lorenz, Senior General Manager of the Digital Transformation Division at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, summarizes the major developments ahead. His analysis highlights six trends that are of direct relevance to production workshops and principals.
1 âeuros Digital production on a new scale
Digital printing confirms its rise in the global value of printing. According to Smithers data quoted by Olaf Lorenz, it could reach 22.5% of the global market by 2035, rising from $167.5 billion in 2025 to $251.1 billion ten years later, an increase of 50%.
Already well established in books, direct marketing and labels, this printing technology is also making headway in packaging and commercial printing. Inkjet is driving growth, while toner is evolving more slowly.
2 âeuros Automation makes its mark in the face of job cuts
Lack of skilled labor accelerates investment in automated systems. The World Economic Forum predicts a 20% drop in printing-related jobs by 2030. In workshops, repetitive tasks are progressively being entrusted to automated systems, with a direct impact on productivity and quality consistency.
3 âeuros Reducing scrap and reprints is becoming essential
Defect control becomes a direct lever for profitability. Automatic detection and adjustment devices limit production errors. Among the new systems, Olaf Lorenz cites media sensors capable of identifying substrates and format deviations upstream. The result: fewer operator interventions, less machine downtime and fewer reprints.
4 âeuros Predictive maintenance goes mainstream
For Olaf Lorenz, "unplanned breakdowns may soon be a thing of the past." Maintenance tools are evolving towards predictive models. Algorithms analyze machine data to anticipate failures. This approach is changing fleet management by reducing unplanned downtime and structuring maintenance operations around usage data.
5 âeuros Remote service gains ground
"Even with predictive maintenance, incidents can still occur. At a time when equipment availability is more critical than ever, remote services are becoming a mainstay of modern print operations." according to Olaf Lorenz.
28% of incidents are now handled by Konica Minolta without travelling, with an average remote resolution time of just eight minutes. The challenge is to ensure production continuity, particularly in environments where deadlines are tight.
6 âeuros Regulations redefine packaging
The implementation of the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is changing practices. Printers and converters must integrate recyclability, traceability and waste reduction right from the design stage. Against this backdrop, digital printing of labels and packaging appears better suited to meeting flexibility and compliance requirements, thanks to a significant reduction in waste, the efficiency of short print runs and enhanced traceability.
"Despite global uncertainties, from geopolitical tensions to the volatility of euro demand, digital flexibility is asserting itself as a genuine lever of stability for processors in search of agility and efficiency."
In conclusion, Olaf Lorenz sums up: "Printers are evolving in a market that is both in the throes of transformation and rich in opportunity. From digital printing and personalization to cloud ERP systems and automation, innovation will be key to staying competitive. One certainty is emerging: the transition from analog to digital will continue to expand into higher value-added segments."
