As the world becomes more digitized daily, you might assume that print and print services are becoming obsolete. However, that’s not entirely true. According to a report by BlueWeave Consulting, the managed print services market is now valued at approximately $50.78 billion dollars. It's forecast to reach $78.4 billion by 2029.
Print and print services are essential to many businesses today. Digitalization might have replaced some aspects of the workplace that used to be print-related. Yet, print is still relevant in many ways to small businesses.
How Is Printing Still Relevant?
As document-sharing technology advances, many question the necessity of print today. The COVID pandemic forced many businesses to work remotely, reinforcing this narrative. Many had to transition their daily tasks to be more web-based, so documents also had to be digital.
Since the pandemic, businesses have grown accustomed to these digital work methods. They have largely stuck to them, abandoning print in favor of the new work styles they adopted through the pandemic. Still, this doesn’t end the continued relevance of print today. Here are a few ways printing has remained an integral aspect of business operations today.
Print Advertisements
Organizations still use print to advertise their products and services, as well as company events. Some of these advertising materials might include:
- Banners
- Posters
- Pamphlets
- Magazines
Many hang these printed ads in office spaces, hallways, bulletins, lawns, and more. People still love to be able to hold tangible ads and be able to view designs and color quality in person.
Direct Mailing
Direct mailing is a popular marketing channel for brands to spread awareness. Many customers or clients still like to receive physical bills, invoices, and statements. Envelopes are part of the mailing process, too. Print services print envelopes stamped with client names or company logos. Although these days, many opt for paperless options, direct mailing is still a huge industry.
Schools and College Materials
Many schools have transitioned learning materials to online methods. However, there are many instances where paper materials are still necessary. Younger age groups are able to practice writing by hand which requires the use of paper worksheets. This also includes learning to write and draw numbers and shapes. For older age groups, teachers need to have their students take assessments on paper copies to prevent cheating.
Cloud-Based Print Management
Many types of print management solutions are designed to make your daily print operations easier to manage. Print management solutions like uniFLOW and Papercut are a few examples. These can help with print cost recovery, accounting, customization, HIPAA compliance, automated print configurations, and more.
For more information on how print management solutions could benefit your workspace, check out our blog “Comparing PaperCut and uniFLOW–What’s Best for You?” .
Manage The Size of Your Print Fleet
Downsizing your fleet to match your demand could also be a great way of getting the most of your business’ print.
With the integration of remote work and the Cloud, many businesses are looking to downsize and re-deploy valuable print assets.
Downsizing your technology to accommodate only your minimum print requirements can save you money, too. Downsizing can prevent you from overspending on consumables such as:
- toners cartridges
- maintenance kits
- upgrades
- power consumption
Reducing your fleet could also save space otherwise needed to store the equipment. This is why it's important to evaluate your print fleet so you can meet these requirements with enough room to grow without creating a surplus.
Integrating a Print and Digital Hybrid
There's no denying that digital document management is here to stay in today's workforce and everyday life. Yet, there’s no need to pick between print or digital solutions. Create a print and digital hybrid daily use plan to benefit employees and clients. By offering both options, there’s more flexibility for your company. Leaving your options open creates more room for solutions.
Upgrade Your Business Printing In A Way That Fits You
Look for services that put your needs first instead of prioritizing upselling or sales quotas. A managed print provider should listen, consult, and provide sensible solutions. To read more about what to look for in a managed service provider, check out our blog 7 Best Questions to ask your Managed Print Provider Before Partnering.
