What do you feel were the main trends and key industry developments in 2024?
In 2024, automation and embellishment were some of the key trends shaping the printing industry. Automation has become essential for printers looking to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and increase efficiency, especially as customers continue to demand faster turnarounds without compromising quality. At the same time, embellishment gained traction as a way to add value and differentiate printed materials, particularly in packaging and marketing. However, there is an ongoing battle with economics and value. Solutions such as Fujifilm’s Revoria Press PC1120 offer an immediate solution to this.

What do you expect to be the main trends, key industry developments, and biggest opportunities for printers in 2025?
In 2025, we expect automation and AI to play an even larger role as printers adopt smarter technologies to meet evolving customer expectations. Automating systems and processes using AI will further reduce manual intervention, enhance consistency, and enable printers to handle diverse, high-demand projects efficiently. Similarly, embellishment will remain a key trend, as brands increasingly seek premium finishes to capture consumer attention, particularly in the competitive packaging space.

How can suppliers better help printers navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in 2025?
Suppliers have a vital role in helping printers capitalise on trends. By offering advanced, accessible, and cost-effective solutions, they can empower printers to deliver premium-quality products efficiently.

Additionally, suppliers must provide clear guidance and education to help printers communicate the value of new technologies to customers, addressing a common reluctance to invest in additional features. Collaborating as trusted long-term partners, rather than simply selling products, ensures printers feel supported in adapting to these trends.

What are Fujifilm’s own hopes and aims for 2025? Can you tell us about anything exciting in the pipeline?
We are excited to continue providing innovative and sustainable solutions across the analogue and digital space. The fact that we can uniquely cover a wide spectrum of products really sets us apart within the market and we have some strong growth targets for next year. We see ourselves as the number one player within the inkjet and POD space and and are expanding our digital solutions into the packaging market for folding carton and flexible packaging.

I would like to encourage printers to come and speak with us at Fujifilm. We’re a trusted brand and can advise across all types of technology, from analogue to digital, and with sustainability at the core. We’ve seen the technology develop over the years and we want customers to do well in their business, so we’re not going to push them into a solution that isn’t the right fit for them.

What did you think of Drupa? Do you plan to attend the show in 2028?
Drupa 2024 was fantastic. It highlighted the transformative impact that can be achieved by the trends mentioned earlier and by embracing digital technology. For many in the sector, it was the first time in years that such enormous changes were showcased. These advancements have firmly placed the industry on the path toward delivering simpler, faster, and more valuable solutions to customers. I felt that we (Fujifilm) really put ourselves on the digital map by showing visitors the vast breadth of what we do. We are looking forward to participating in Drupa 2028, where we expect to see and showcase even more innovations.