These two trends reflect 1) that the packaging market is considered more recession-proof than commercial printing and 2) a desire to expand their digital product portfolios to meet the growing industry shift toward short-run, on-demand print production.
Nevertheless, although conventional offset still dominates the printing industry from a total printed page production standpoint, lithographic and digital printing technologies will coexist for years to come. Anyone who was able to actually trek all 19 halls within the massive drupa fairgrounds could readily see that. PI

Mark Michelson now serves as Editor Emeritus of Printing Impressions. Named Editor-in-Chief in 1985, he is an award-winning journalist and member of several industry honor societies. Reader feedback is always encouraged. Email mmichelson@napco.com