2015 Hot Print Markets Analysis: Target Verticals That Fit Your 'Sweet Spot'

This year is a turning point for print with a slight increase in nominal revenues to US$196B (+Packaged Foods ($1.233T, +5 percent; with $17.4B to print, +2 percent) will slim down over-extended “brand-widths.” Fewer offerings and less shelf space will disappoint late arrivals to this slowing down, No. 1 buyer of both print packaging and advertising materials. The only segments fattening up are fresh packaged (+8 percent) and pet foods (+7 percent). Roll flexo will be appetizing for variable-shrink, portion-control, aseptic, water-soluble and even edible packaging, while static stacked litho labels and cartons go stale. Increasingly, foreign producers are locating here bringing exotic new-category brands. These will “offset” attritions among the traditional food firms. Digitally-produced containers with local personalization, anti-tampering features and in-line formation will be practical and cost-effective for premium products in upscale markets. Nestlé Co. US (+14 percent) is best positioned in this sector.