This article first appeared in the March 2025 issue of Australian Printer, authored by LIA’s Mel Ireland
As each year rolls around, they seem to reach the end quicker than the previous. 2024 was no exception. The year saw some significant redirection from businesses into other forays. The number of print businesses operating in Australia remained steady year-on-year, which is a pleasant result compared to previous years.
However, we sadly lost some key figureheads and inspiring print stalwarts. Additionally, we are still trying to find common ground in rallying together to effectively promote the printing and graphics art sector in its entirety as one that provides a valuable contribution to the economic growth of the country.
In 2024, there appeared to be a ‘business- as-usual’ approach. Some new equipment and software purchases, and additions to sustainable substrate options were consistent. We also saw some great work experience initiatives and targeted approaches to apprentice attraction and retention.
We will continue to see workforce attraction as one of our main challenges. This provides a terrific opportunity for businesses to work on their culture – to make it diverse and inclusive, and to support a workforce with opportunities to continually learn.
If we want our next generation to embrace and join the sector, we need to be able to provide them with a clear career pathway and a workplace that actively embraces and celebrates their contribution.
The LIA’s continued priorities are to encourage, support, and celebrate the next generation of apprentices and print professionals.
We have some amazing talent currently in the early stages of their career; but we need more. Until the industry can rally together effectively to promote the printing and graphics art sector in its entirety, it will continue to be overlooked as a viable option for career choice.
Workforce opportunities have also presented themselves following the completion of the $6.8 million facility in Victoria that will print solar panels.
This is a great example of how innovative our industry can be. I recall in 2017, the roll-out was widely talked about at PacPrint. It has been seven years in the making. All good things come to those who wait.
This year, the industry will have to step up regarding its emissions reporting. Small to medium businesses should consider their approach to recording data to support the drive to net zero.
The first mandatory sustainability reporting will be for the year ending 30 June 2026, for Group 1 businesses. Whilst businesses may not reach the threshold targets for this group, they will likely be in the supply chain of such groups. Businesses need to get prepared.
By identifying and recording their energy baselines, we will be seeing the larger corporations, of whom many printing companies are suppliers, exerting downward pressure to reduce energy emissions over the next 12 months.
Companies will find themselves squeezed out of contracts if they don’t support their clients in achieving the net zero targets required.
What I would like to see this year is instead of businesses looking solely at say, sales growth as a measure of success, it would be great to have a focus on cost reduction instead.
While many companies understand the concept of ‘lean’, very few, in my experience, have made it a part of their business model. There is so much saving to be made across business process that can very easily be quantified with a dollar value.
As for trends, packaging, signage, and labels will continue to be a high growth area into the future. With the social awareness of plastic reduction and use of recyclable substrates, there is a clear opportunity for this sector to continue to grow.
As far as new technology goes, I anticipate to see software that tackles sustainability reporting, cybersecurity platforms that will assist businesses in data protection, and AI applications to assist with process efficiencies at the upcoming print tradeshows.
For me, innovation is about the ability for people to find solutions, not just the addition of a new piece of equipment that has a unique feature.
What tradeshows provide is the added opportunity for the industry to communicate and discuss technology, and how it may apply to their own business that they haven’t considered before.
My final message for the industry is this – support and connect with each other. Also support your industry bodies and networks, and work towards a common goal of creating a desired and sustainable sector.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
