The UK print industry is constantly evolving – often in the most brutal, Darwinian way. Overcapacity continues to be rife and as such only the most adaptable will survive. Cashflow is the prime source of failure among printers, and yet too many printers do not have a total view of their costs. Those that don’t will be the first to fail.

Print is creative; inspiring; even beautiful. It has suffered over the past decade at the hands of the internet, but it has endured and evolved, and while UK print has shrunk by around a third since 2006, the fundamental strengths of the medium remain unique and recognition of that seems to be growing among marketers.
This summer will see the launch of a 700,000-run, free, monthly woman’s magazine and mobile app in the UK. A joint venture, part backed by Royal Mail, it will combine the latest in data mapping, analytics, mobile data capture and print-to-click technology. It will be a model for the future of consumer magazine publishing.
Print has given me many things: my first job in journalism; a greater understanding and appreciation for the medium and a life-long fascination with the people and technologies that make up this sector. Most of all it has given me a great ride and some great friends. I wish all of them the best for the challenges ahead.