Bernhard Schreier, chairman of the board for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG , delivered this message to an audience of more than 1,200 Wednesday at the Javits Center in New York during the keynote address for the On Demand Expo. In the address, Schreier provided an outlook into the future of digital printing and explained the steps industry professionals must take to remain successful in the decade to come. On demand printing, the process of completing shorter run projects with variable data quickly for customers, is gaining momentum in the graphic arts industry. In order to remain competitive for the long term, industry professionals must adapt to these changes or risk being left behind. New media such as the Internet and wireless technologies provide opportunities rather than obstacles to the print industry.
Industry analysts agree.
Gartner Group predicts the demand for printed pages to increase by 10-20 percent per year. Moving forward, a higher level of cooperation must exist between suppliers and printing businesses, and between printing businesses and the customers they serve. Customers to the printing industry are more knowledgeable and demanding than ever. Schreier noted that making such adjustments will increase the value of each printed piece, which will ultimately lead to increased profits and an ever-increasing demand for digital printing. Heidelberg's commitment to lead the digital printing industry is long-term.