This article appeared in the March issue of Australian Printer, authored by 1800 Projects’ Ben Browning.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, 2024 was not without its challenges. The rapid pace of technological advancement meant that staying ahead required constant adaptation and learning. Additionally, the competitive landscape, with larger companies often pricing out smaller businesses, remained a significant hurdle. Despite these challenges, our team’s dedication and resilience allowed us to navigate these obstacles successfully.
1800 Projects experienced another remarkable year of growth, particularly within our print division. Our continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and equipment provided us with a significant edge in the industry, enabling us to deliver high-end results more efficiently than ever before.
Among the many project highlights, such as Nine’s Paris Olympic merchandise and national signage rollouts for Australian designer Camilla, one major standout project that we worked on last year was producing and installing more than 400 metres of print for the new Stan office located in North Sydney. This project allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to quality and precision, reflecting the high standards we maintain across all our work.
In order to keep up with increasing demand and maintain our high-quality standards, we made substantial investments in new machinery. Last year, we added several key pieces of equipment to our collection, including the Canon Colorado M5W for high-speed and high- quality print jobs, a Summa flatbed cutter for precise cutting, and a Mimaki DTF printer to enhance the uniform branding solutions we offer.
These additions have not only increased our production capacity but also enabled us to offer a wider range of services to our clients, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the print industry.
Our commitment to innovation extends beyond just hardware. We also focused on enhancing our internal processes and workflows to improve efficiency and deliver better results for our clients. By continuously evaluating and refining our operations, we ensure that we are always providing the best possible service.
In 2025, our primary focus will remain on maintaining the highest quality in all the work we do. We believe that quality is the cornerstone of our success and will continue to be our top priority.
In addition to this, we are committed to fostering a fun, professional, and productive work environment. Our team is our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to their ongoing development and well-being.
Sustainability is also a key focus for us this year. We are exploring new ways to become a more sustainable and eco-friendly business. This includes looking into green printing substrates and other environmentally friendly practices that can help reduce our carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future for the industry.
We are also committed to reusing materials wherever possible, as this not only benefits the environment but also makes good business sense.
As we move into 2025, I believe AI will play an increasingly significant role in the print industry. The integration of AI technology has the potential to streamline processes from sales to production, making operations more efficient and cost effective.
As more industry professionals adopt AI, it will drive increased creativity and innovation within the print sector. AI can enhance everything from design to production, allowing for more personalised and efficient services.
It is important for businesses to embrace this technology and leverage its potential to stay competitive.
At 1800 Projects, we are excited about the possibilities AI brings and are ready to embrace these technological advancements to further enhance our services.
At the 2025 tradeshows, I expect to see a range of innovative technologies and solutions including AI generative software, improved IT solutions for managing print shops, affordable green printing substrates, and high-speed, high quality printers. These innovations will help businesses operate more efficiently and sustainably, providing new opportunities for growth and development.
Other areas of growth for businesses will vary depending on their specific focus and capabilities. However, another promising area is specialty printing, such as five- layer printing and white ink and textured SAV printing.
These advanced printing techniques offer unique value propositions and can set businesses apart in a competitive market. By investing in specialty printing capabilities, businesses can expand their service offerings and attract new clients.
One of the significant challenges facing the industry, though, is the competitive pricing strategies of large companies, which can marginalise smaller businesses. Additionally, the prevalence of online businesses with extremely low margins has devalued signage and printed media, making it harder for traditional print shops to compete. But these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and differentiation. By focusing on quality, specialty services, and customer relationships, smaller businesses can carve out a niche and thrive.
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