A Paper Presented by: John Onuegbulem
*At the Society of Printing Practitioners of Nigeria Seminar, Rocana Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
The emergence of digital and Internet technologies in recent years has introduced new trends that are reshaping the printing industry. These trends have revolutionized the way companies operate—from design to production—creating new standards for efficiency, cost, and quality.
In Nigeria, the printing industry has largely embraced these advancements. Many practitioners have upgraded their workflows and production strategies to meet changing demands. However, those who have not adapted continue to struggle, especially with increasing competition from non-print and online media.
According to the Rochester Institute of Technology, School of Print Media, media competition is intensifying as print advertising—traditionally driven by newspaper, magazine, and periodical revenues—is being challenged by the rapid rise of Internet communication. The Internet continues to “chip away” at traditional media usage.
Recent developments in the printing industry can be linked to several key trends:
1. Workflow Digitalization
- One of the most significant trends is the electronic delivery of digital files, as desktop publishing now controls the entire printing process.
- The demand for electronic delivery of graphics and images has grown, making traditional film media processes increasingly obsolete.
- The industry is adopting automated workflow systems that link customers, printing equipment, and service providers in a more seamless way than ever before.
2. Technology Integration
- Printing trends are moving toward full workflow automation, driven by computer-to-plate imaging technologies that allow desktop publishing applications to output directly to printing plates.
- Many printing firms now use hybrid printing, combining various reproduction processes to handle complex printing jobs requiring specialised coatings or finishing.
- There is a rising trend in cross-media conversion, enabling the transformation of a single file into multiple formats for both print and electronic distribution.
- Advances in digital technologies—such as Direct Imaging (DI) offset presses and modern inkjet systems—have made high-quality colour printing more cost-effective.
3. Changing Client Demands
- Trends indicate shorter production runs and tighter schedules as printers seek to compete with fast-turnaround digital printing.
- Production is shifting closer to the point of distribution, as the industry moves away from a press-centric model to a printer-centric one, providing more flexibility and responsiveness.
