So it’s hardly surprising that many commercial printers are looking at ways they can enter what they see as a new and potentially lucrative market.

However, what seems simple in theory doesn’t necessarily prove as straightforward in practice.

The reality is that while commercial printers often already have the right base technology, boast a keen understanding of colour management and are well versed in handling tricky substrates, the challenge is developing the right customer base and understanding the challenges faced by those customers.

No mean feat in a world dominated by major brands and retailers who have teams of buyers, all with different specialisms, who are used to working with similarly scaled packaging suppliers that are experts in their fields, whether it be in the worlds of FMCG or pharma.

But the good news is that when it comes to niche players who are looking for suppliers that can grow with them, then the opportunities are there for the taking.

While they might not share the volumes of the big boys, what they do share is a desire to stand out from the crowd and also develop a collaborative approach with their packaging supplier.

Best of all, you might already be producing non-packaging work for them, and if you’re really lucky, the person that buys their marcomms print might just look after their packaging print too.