What trend do you think 2012 will remembered for?

I think it will be the year when digital printing in all its forms truly cames of age. There was no better representation of this than at Drupa 2012.  Digital was everywhere – it was where the buzz was and where the innovation was. I think it was a major milestone in the evolution of digital printing, and digital – whether wide format or cut-sheet – really dominated the show. Across the wide format sector, we saw printers really start to embrace the broad range of applications wide format printers can offer.  We also witnessed a strong drive from printers towards purchasing a complete solution sourced from a single, trusted provider as printers sought to have the edge in terms of quality, consistency and continuity with their wide format machines. A complete solution, involving machine, software and inks from a single manufacturer, is the best way printers can ensure their production capabilities are as effective and efficient as possible.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2013 and why?

Every year represents a new opportunity and 2013 will be no different. I think it’s less about one specific opportunity in 2013 and more about printers making sure they are exploiting all that their machines have to offer and taking their business into new markets. The ability to produce multiple applications from a single machine means printers can increase product offerings and margins without increasing capital expenditure to do it, which is critical in such an uncertain economic period.  Wide format machines are now incredibly versatile in the range of applications they can produce. There are really no excuses now, the technology is there, it’s the level of imagination of the print shop owner and the drive to succeed that will determine opportunity.  

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2013 and why?

In an era where digital technology is progressing at the rate of knots, we must remember to wave the flag for print. Brand and marketing managers need to know that print has progressed too and the possibilities with printed media are incredibly exciting. Print is still everywhere and certainly in the wide format sector, there is incredible innovation being demonstrated from both manufacturers and printers in terms of the substrates that can be printed on and where you can now see print. We should all be proud of our industry and what we are able to offer.  

What will you do differently in 2013?

We won’t necessarily do things differently just continue to constantly evaluate where the business is going and look for great new products to offer all printing companies that are looking to expand their services to clients.  We all have to keep innovating and finding new products and services to keep us moving forward and 2013 is no different. The wide format sector is an area where there is constant innovation – new machines, new substrates, new inks and new ways of printing – at Roland we know we need to always be at the front of this to give our customers that competitive advantage.

What does the industry need to do differently in 2013?

Keep exploring new opportunities for print. There are still many new markets opening up all the time to those who are brave and bold enough to go there. For example, some of our machines are now being used in the packaging market for prototyping or in colour accurate proofing – this is a fantastic development which companies are taking an incredible interest in. But, success in new markets comes from confidence. When the industry believes in itself the opportunities come.