45 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 360 - May | June 2026 LITHOGRAPHIC AND DIGITAL PRINT | ROB FLETCHER leverage digital to unlock new applications and revenue streams, rather than simply replacing existing analogue work.” On the other hand, Lloyd says conventional processes such as litho and flexo remain the most economical choice for longer runs, particularly for static content. She sets out how the lower cost of inks, combined with high production speeds, means that for large volumes, analogue still delivers the best cost per unit – with this especially true in packaging, where long-run jobs with consistent artwork are common. “It’s important to recognise that digital hasn’t replaced these processes; nor should it,” she says, adding: “Instead, it has reshaped where they are most effective. The real opportunity lies in understanding the crossover points and deploying each technology where it makes the most commercial sense. Printers who try to force digital into long-run work, or litho into highly versioned work, often struggle to remain competitive. “The most effective and future-proof production model today is hybrid. This means using conventional processes for the fixed, high-volume elements of a job, and digital, particularly inkjet, for variable content, shorter runs, or late-stage customisation. This approach allows printers to optimise cost, reduce waste, and significantly improve turnaround times. It also opens the door to new business models such as producing closer to demand rather than holding large amounts of inventory.” Lloyd will go into further detail on the subject during her session on the Knowledge Zone at The Print Show 2026. Her presentation – ‘Inkjet & Hybrid Printing for Print & Packaging’ – will take place at 11am on September 30th, the middle day of this year’s event at the NEC. While some print companies may continue to favour one technology over the other, one thing is abundantly clear: there are benefits to each type of machine, as well as advantages to using both within the same production workflow. Print companies must look at the type of work they produce and weigh up how a combined approach could help them improve their service offering in the long-term. Because workflows, colour management, substrates, and finishing are increasingly unified, it’s becoming seamless to combine both processes within the same workflow or even the same campaign ▼ Both technologies offer their own, individual benefits, though printers can benefit from running both machine types
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