8 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk September | October 2026 - Issue 362 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink printmonthly INDUSTRY | NEWS Made Smarter grants transform print companies across England Made Smarter, a government-backed initiative for England designed to help SMEs adopt advanced digital technologies, has recently provided funding and opportunities for a variety of print-associated companies across the North West, South East, and Yorkshire. Through the initiative, SMEs in the print, graphics, and signage sectors have been able to invest in digital technologies designed to boost productivity, create new jobs, and strengthen competitiveness with support from Made Smarter. Companies that have recently received Made Smarter grants includes Cumbria-based Firpress Printers, which secured a £20,000 Made Smarter grant towards a £40,000 investment in cloud-based management information system, PrintIQ. The PrintIQ technology brings quoting, production, scheduling, inventory and customer communications into a single platform. Firpress has credited the software with improved efficiency, increased production capacity, and the creation of three new jobs at the company. In Greater Manchester, PP Graphics invested £46,000 in a customer portal and systems integration project supported by a £20,000 Made Smarter grant. The new software will help to automate artwork approval, streamline customer communications, and improve scheduling, while reportedly creating a new job and upskilling nine existing employees. Identity Printing, also based in Greater Manchester, invested £45,000 in a new Resolute DTF UV Faux embroidery system supported by another £20,000 Made Smarter grant. The investment will enable the garment print specialist to expand its product range, improve production efficiency, and create three new jobs while upskilling two existing members of staff. Business development director at Identity Printing, Leo Stanley, says: “Working with Made Smarter has been a really positive experience. The support has helped us invest in new technology that will make a real difference to the way we operate as a business. It allows us to expand our product range improve efficiency, and offer our customers something more innovative within garment decoration.” Those wishing to apply for Made Smarter grants must be a small- or medium-sized manufacturing enterprise in England with fewer than 250 employees. Applicants can register online via the Made Smarter platform or their regional delivery body to receive a business assessment and digital roadmap. After assessment, applicants can pitch a project plan to access up to 50% match-funded grants for capital investment and specialist advice, with a maximum amount of £20,000. By Jonathan Pert Firpress Printers used a Made Smarter grant to invest in cloud-based management system, PrintIQ BPIF Print Outlook reveals worst output balance since Covid The latest BPIF Printing Outlook survey has revealed a downturn in the UK print market for Q2 of 2026, in large part due to political uncertainties and the conflict in the Middle East. The data from the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) depicts an industry suffering from a concentrated period of cost increases that have necessitated price rises, but not to the degree required to protect cash flow, margins, or profits. Over two-fifths (42%) of printers surveyed experienced a decrease in their output levels in the second quarter of 2026. Less than two-fifths (37%) were able to hold output steady, while the remaining 21% achieved an increase in their output levels. The difference between positive and negative responses was therefore -21, a long way below the result of -2 in Q1 2026, and just below the Q2 forecast of -18. This outcome is the most negative output balance reported for six years, when output was restrained by the Covid-19 shutdown. However, the Outlook survey predicts that the impact on all costs is not expected to be severely prolonged, with a recovery expected for Q3. According to the survey, output growth is expected to increase for 33% of companies, with a balance of +7 forecasted. The Outlook revealed that industry confidence was strongly negative in Q2 but has not sunk to the depths feared when the Q2 forecast was made in April. Confidence in the general state of trade improved for just over one-tenth (11%) of respondents in Q2, while for 60% it remained the same. The remaining 29% reported that the general state of trade had deteriorated in Q2. Sales levels was selected by 55% of respondents as one of their top five business concerns, up from 33% in April. Worries over the level of profits that are being generated has moved up the ranking to become the second ranked concern in July, selected by 39% of respondents, up from 32% in April. Competitor pricing levels remains the third ranked business concern, this time with a 34% share of respondents selecting it. Despite remaining third in ranking, fewer selected it as a concern than in April, January, and last October when it had a 53% share. Global unrest follows behind with a reduced 32% share in July, down from 58% inApril. Kyle Jardine, BPIF economist, says: “Companies have referenced confidence being hit by uncertainty, leading to delays in purchasing decisions and investments. Most costs have increased by similar amounts in a short period of time – but not all have been passed on as price increases.” Charles Jarrold, BPIF chief executive, adds: “Some persistent and common gripes remain; lack of investment support, an increasing regulatory burden, more obstacles in trading with the EU, recruiting difficulties, damaging effects of minimum wage increases, and inconsistencies in business rates – to list a few. “We do of course voice such concerns in our regular representations to government; we’ll find out more about the direction the new prime minister will take in the next few weeks and months.” By Jonathan Pert BPIF economist Kyle Jardine [pictured] highlights that the industry is expecting to recover in the second half of 2026
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