Throughout 2025, sustainability has continued in its role as one of the most dominant trends shaping the print industry. Customers and regulators alike have pressed for verifiable action on the environment throughout the entire print production chain – from raw materials to inks, machinery, waste reduction, and energy use. As a result, print service providers have faced growing pressure to shift towards more sustainable solutions without sacrificing productivity and competitive pricing. Economic uncertainty has also proven a defining trend over the last year, with fluctuating input costs and constrained access to working capital hampering investment in new equipment and innovation. The shortage of skilled labour is partly a result of this issue and is worsened by an ageing workforce and difficulties adapting new talent. Combined with the growing expectations around sustainability, this dual imperative has driven a surge in automation and realtime workflow optimisation, which enable print service providers (PSPs) to effectively do more with less. Looking to 2026, it is already evident that the ongoing rise of digital and on-demand printing will sustain its momentum, driven by advancements in automation and workflow management that enable faster turnaround times and enhanced efficiency. Experts predict that sustainability will deepen its influence, with stricter regulations, and increasing consumer demand for eco-conscious solutions prompting the industry to adopt more sustainable materials and more energy-efficient machinery. This shift will be supported by the proliferation of bio-based inks and more efficient curing production processes with lower energy consumption, all of which will be integral to meeting both regulatory compliance and brand reputation goals. 2026 is also expected to see several defining shifts in the print sector, among which will be the continued expansion of print-on-demand services. This method enables providers to simplify production, reducing costs and waste by only producing specific quantities exactly when needed. Digital printing will further cement its role, especially for short run work and personalised print products, thanks to advances in inkjet technology and software solutions. The demand for customisation at scale will grow, with many print providers embracing advanced automation tools that facilitate rapid, highly customised output, tailored to individual customer preferences. Automation and workflow integration will also gain prominence as they help printers handle the complexity of growing SKU numbers. As such, Agfa foresees expansion in areas including advanced automation, robotics, and smart dashboards, which will be key to making complex jobs easier for a shrinking talent pool, support data-driven optimisation, and enable tighter integration between hardware and software. Companies seeking to navigate these changes would do well to start examining how they can invest in flexibility and efficiency. Targeted software and hardware upgrades will be key to removing friction points, with versatile, multi-purpose presses offering significant benefits to smaller print service providers. Larger operations may instead consider how scalable automation such as robotics and autoloaders can help them increase their overall capacity to keep pace with demand. Nova Abbott, Kavalan Over the past year, interest in environmentally responsible materials has accelerated and this has been reflected in our own broadening of distribution partnerships across Europe with more regions striving to improve sustainability and offer environmentally friendly large-format print products. Printers, consumers, and governments alike are all now prioritising reduced environmental impact and measurable sustainability. The momentum towards sustainability is undoubtedly set to continue into 2026 despite current global economic pressures. While cost concerns may cause some businesses to revert to cheaper, less sustainable, and toxic large-format print materials, we are certain that regulatory changes and consumer-driven demand will ensure that sustainability remains central to long-term industry progress, just as it has throughout 2025. Growing regulatory action, such as the Estonian city of Tallinn’s planned ban on PVC advertising materials in public spaces from January 1st, 2026, is a clear example of the shift from sustainability from being an ethical choice to an operational requirement for print and signage businesses. At Kavalan, we believe this is just the start and we expect even greater emphasis on transparency, measurement, and collaboration across supply chains as we move into 2026. Tools such as our Eco Calculator, which measures the environmental impact of Kavalan’s PVC-free materials, will become even more key to achieving this transparency and awareness. Companies should focus on accurate measurement of their environmental impact through transparent reporting and close collaboration with suppliers. Those that proactively adapt their practices and supply chains to meet emerging sustainability standards and regulations will be better equipped to remain resilient and competitive whilst reducing their impact on the environment at the same time. Companies should focus on accurate measurement of their environmental impact through transparent reporting and close collaboration with suppliers ◄ Nova Abbott, head of marketing for Kavalan 2026 PREDICTIONS | DAVID OSGAR 36 Issue 262 - December 2025 | January 2026 email: editor@signlink.co.uk
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