Colour products—versatile production platforms help PSPs pivot
Benchtop flatbed ultraviolet (UV) printers like Roland DG’s VersaUV LEF2-300D, with a height clearance of 199.9 mm (7.87 in.), allow direct printing on a wide range of objects and address the ongoing demand for customized gifts.
When COVID-19 hit, colour products manufacturers experienced much the same drastic change as other sectors in the digital printing market.
“There was a big shift all of a sudden, and it was region specific—each region had a different view of what was happening,” said Roland DGA’s product manager for digital print, Daniel Valade.
One thing was consistent across the various areas, however. Everyone was producing tons of directional and safety signage and floor graphics.
“Suddenly everyone started looking down to check— am I going in the right direction? Am I maintaining my distance?” said Valade. “In addition to the safety factors, it’s a tremendous advertising opportunity.”
The trend toward quality print production is also prominent in the colour products sector.
“My local 7-Eleven is a great example,” said Valade. “Their signage used to be black and white and printed on copy paper. Now they have colourful corporate signage that guides customers through the store.”
To more easily hit those corporate colours, manufacturers are expanding their ink ranges.
Personalization and customization trends also continued through 2020 as brands moved their businesses online and smaller, home-based businesses entered the marketplace. Small-format, affordable equipment provide a robust yet easy-to-use platform, allowing users to quickly build a T-shirt, poster, sticker, and decal graphics printing business.
Manufacturers are also looking for ways to stay connected to their clients. For example, virtual conferences and in-person, limited attendance appointments are designed to provide valuable ideas and insights for maximizing business growth, productivity, and profitability.
Into 2021, Valade expects the push for superior output to continue, with manufacturers developing options like increased colour gamut. He also expects corporate buyers who might have held off on purchasing printers during this uncertain time to capitalize on the range of technology that will be available.
“Next year will bring new printing technologies, and I predict the industry will continue to emphasize quality above speed,” he said.
