July 2023

Intergraf Newsflash - Print Matters for the Future, conference unites industry in Riga

The Print Matters for the Future conference, jointly organized by Intergraf and NOPA on June 9, 2023, in Riga, Latvia, brought together approximately 120 industry professionals from 22 countries and two continents. The speaker lineup included a diverse group of industry representatives, printers, graphic designers, media specialists, association professionals and researchers in the field. Representatives from national printing associations, printers, suppliers, and high-level speakers from Europe and North America gathered to exchange insights, strategies, and to collaborate on pressing industry issues. The conference emphasized sustainability, emerging trends, and technologies while showcasing the industry's resilience. Speakers highlighted that inkjet technology is expected to grow in the printing industry, but offset printing will remain resilient, particularly for large-volume printing. Some experts highlighted that the digital sector aims to achieve decarbonization through renewable energy utilization, supported by public subsidies. The printing industry should prioritize decarbonization initiatives to align with other industries. The US colleagues added that sustainability is a greater concern for printers in Europe compared to the United States, however, the interest towards environmental schemes started growing across the pond as well. The event emphasized that external factors such as environmental regulations, labour laws, anti-print campaigns, and emerging digital competitors shape the printing industry, necessitating strategic adaptation. Experts on emerging technologies and media specified that the graphic industry is undergoing a revolutionary transformation with the introduction of AI, automating processes, and enhancing functionality, though concerns arise about the future of traditional jobs. They maintained that print service providers need to embrace reinvention and transform their business models to remain relevant in the evolving industry landscape. The next Print Matters for the Future will take place on June 14, 2024, in Bucharest, Romania. More info about the event is available here.