Dave Savastano, Editor01.26.15
Every January, Ink World publishes our annual U.S. Ink Directory, a comprehensive listing of more than 190 U.S. ink manufacturers, their major products and key contacts. Our U.S. Ink Directory, which begins on page 18, also offers a look at how the industry itself is doing; for example, some companies have developed inks for new markets, while other companies have disappeared due to consolidation or changes in the printing industry.
Here is one example of changing business approaches. In recent years, the printing industry has shifted toward digital technologies at the expense of commercial sheetfed printing. As a result, more ink manufacturers offer their own inkjet products. It is a necessity, as the inability to meet the needs of the customers leads the customer to look for new suppliers.
The packaging ink sector is an area where growth has been steady in recent years. Brand owners are looking at a variety of issues, ranging from migration of ink in food packaging to new ways to draw consumers to online materials, and ink companies are facing new mandates. Beginning on page 16, European editor Sean Milmo reports on these changes, and how ink manufacturers are working to meet the needs of their customers.
Flexible and printed electronics is another potential area of growth for the ink industry. As I note in “Printed Electronics 2014: The Year in Review” and “Most Intriguing Printed Electronics Products of 2014,” which begin on page 40, there are products that are either nearing production or have reached the market, and conductive ink manufacturers are playing a key role in their market.
The ink industry has evolved along with its customers. In the past 100 years, printing inks have changed from predominantly letterpress to offset, and now the switch is on to digital technologies. Meanwhile, UV ink went from being a tiny startup nearly 50 years ago to a sizable market today, a path that conductive inks will likely follow.
Times change, and companies have to either change with their customers or face shrinking sales. This certainly holds true for the ink industry, and we are seeing some companies reaching into new markets to better position themselves for the future.
Here is one example of changing business approaches. In recent years, the printing industry has shifted toward digital technologies at the expense of commercial sheetfed printing. As a result, more ink manufacturers offer their own inkjet products. It is a necessity, as the inability to meet the needs of the customers leads the customer to look for new suppliers.
The packaging ink sector is an area where growth has been steady in recent years. Brand owners are looking at a variety of issues, ranging from migration of ink in food packaging to new ways to draw consumers to online materials, and ink companies are facing new mandates. Beginning on page 16, European editor Sean Milmo reports on these changes, and how ink manufacturers are working to meet the needs of their customers.
Flexible and printed electronics is another potential area of growth for the ink industry. As I note in “Printed Electronics 2014: The Year in Review” and “Most Intriguing Printed Electronics Products of 2014,” which begin on page 40, there are products that are either nearing production or have reached the market, and conductive ink manufacturers are playing a key role in their market.
The ink industry has evolved along with its customers. In the past 100 years, printing inks have changed from predominantly letterpress to offset, and now the switch is on to digital technologies. Meanwhile, UV ink went from being a tiny startup nearly 50 years ago to a sizable market today, a path that conductive inks will likely follow.
Times change, and companies have to either change with their customers or face shrinking sales. This certainly holds true for the ink industry, and we are seeing some companies reaching into new markets to better position themselves for the future.