Digital printing and print collateral services constantly evolve, and we predict even more changes within the next year. After the whirlwind of 2020 and 2021, what can we expect from 2022 in the digital printing industry? Here are a few of our predictions, as well as what print collateral we think will continue to be worth the investment:
QR codes will still be here
While some states are encouraging businesses to return to pre-pandemic operations, others aren’t quite there. Consumers are also still hesitant to engage with traditional high-touchpoint areas like traditional menus or paper check-in documents. We predict that menus driven by QR codes will still be more efficient, sustainable and expected than disposable one-time-use menus. If you’ve had QR code stickers for a while at your restaurant, consider refreshing the design and printing another round for your seasonal menus. You can even print QR codes specific to certain areas of your restaurant, like the bar. We’ve helped some restaurants even create multipurpose QR codes. They’ve put the codes on coasters that patrons can use to order their beverages.
New print collateral that merges digital efforts with in-person marketing
Nearly every industry was affected by widespread supply chain issues. Economists aren’t sure if those will end in 2022, as supply chain issues continue to be compounded by labor shortages. This means print collateral will have to work more strategically than before, and often that means using print collateral to 1) serve its purpose and also 2) drive people into a brand’s digital space.
Window clings are a must-have for print collateral
For seasonal advertising, window clings are a great way to display your messaging year after year. They can expand awareness to passersby, add to your environmental branding, and optimize your retail window space. To make the most of your clings, make sure to keep them clean and store them away from debris, dust or dirt.
Sustainable printing runs
Sustainability has been a growing priority for industries for the better part of a decade, and printing is no exception. Sustainable printing can include anything from being more strategic with short run printing to partnering with environmentally responsible printers like Xerographic. Digital printing reduces most of the physical and chemical waste of offset printing, making it a great option for companies who (like their customers) want to embrace sustainable, environmentally friendly business practices. Digital printing continues to expand and grow, and while digital printing can handle considerably larger orders, it still manages to be (on average) more environmentally friendly than offset.
Conventions returning but with focus
In 2021, we saw some of our favorite Orlando area conventions return with a few adjustments. We hope to see more of those in-person events in 2022, as well as increased crowd sizes. However, we noticed that in-person events in 2021 were more direct with how they leveraged printed collateral. Banners and other large format signage with QR codes drove people to digital event offerings. Stickers were popular grab and go items from booth tables rather than larger print collateral like brochures or booklets. Floor graphics can both capture attention and also offer directional help to create a traffic flow, making them perfect for convention hosts as well as vendors. We’ll likely see an emphasis on more strategically used printed materials in 2022 as conventions continue to navigate the pandemic.
Want to boost the ROI on your brand’s printed collateral? We’re here to help! By trusting the expert team at Xerographic, we can ensure that your project brings fresh life to your marketing, sales or conference needs. As one of Central Florida’s leading digital print shops, we’re able to help businesses stand out from the competition. Give us a call at 407-490-0690 or drop us an email at info@xerocopy.com.
