The global market for digital printing is forecasted to reach $862 billion dollars by 2024. That’s more than the GDP of the Netherlands.
You might be wondering what this means for your small business. From the rapid pace of technological innovation to evolving customer expectations, small businesses are constantly juggling a myriad of challenges.
We’ve come a long way from the age of old-school printing presses. Technology today offers both a cost-effective and speedy way to produce high-quality printed assets without sacrificing output. 

Here are five reasons why any small business should embrace digital printing:

The Power of Digital Printing for Small Businesses

1. Speed and Adaptability::

Going back to old school methods for a minute. It used to be stressful to get in a last minute change to a print order with traditional methods. You literally had to physically change the plates.

With digital printing, those days are long gone. No need for time-consuming tasks like plate creation and press setup. Just upload your digital file and voila! Your prints will be ready in no time.

Why does this matter? Let’s say you’re looking to relabel your most popular product for a holiday special. You’ve got the design ready and would love to have it in time for the event. 

The beauty of digital printing lies in its rapid turnaround. The need for time-consuming tasks like plate creation and press setup is completely bypassed, offering instant printing from a digital file. 

This agility makes it easier to adapt to changes and meet even the tightest of deadlines.

2. Affordability:

A healthy profit margin for a small business ranges between 7 and 10%. That’s not a lot of wiggle room and it means every penny counts. Maybe you’d love to have custom labels and packaging as part of your product line but simply can’t articulate the argument of value acquired.

That’s where digital printing comes in. 

With no requirement for large inventories of pre-printed materials or expensive printing plates, digital printing is cost-effective, especially for small to medium-sized print runs, ideal for small businesses with limited storage space. 

You can order just the right amount without worrying about hefty costs or excess inventory.

3. Customization:
Want to make your customers feel special? Offer a personalized experience.

Modern printing technology allows each label or packaging item to be individually customized without slowing down the process. Ever had to help with writing out wedding invitations? Yeah those days are gone.

To bring the conversation back around to business, you could for example personalize a series of wine labels with each customer’s name for a wine tasting event without breaking a sweat or the bank. 

Likewise, if you want to target specific market segments or create a limited-edition product line, digital printing has you covered.

4. Consistent Quality:

First impressions matter. Every impression does but that first one is always the most important. When you don’t have brand recognition or awareness, consumers are going to judge your product by its cover (read: label, packaging). 

Digital printing ensures sharp, vibrant images that never falter. 

Think about a craft beer brewer wanting their unique artwork to shine on every single label. One brewer we know of was founded by a former tattoo artist and features new art with each brew.

With digital printing, they can achieve just that.

As a small business owner, you want to ensure that your product labels and packaging reflect the quality of your products. Digital printing’s ability to reproduce sharp, vibrant images with consistent quality can help enhance your brand image and make your products stand out on the shelves.

Have you ever thought about the environmental impact of traditional printing methods? The need for plates and chemicals not only contributes to waste but also poses potential harm to our environment. Today’s consumers care immensely about that.

In stark contrast, digital printing completely eliminates these harmful elements, providing an eco-friendly alternative. 

It’s a small change, but one that can make a significant difference.

Take, for example, if you run an organic skincare line. Every aspect of your brand screams sustainability – from the natural ingredients you use to the recyclable packaging. But what about your labels? Are they as eco-friendly as the rest of your product? With digital printing, they can be. 

Digital printing ensures accurate printing quantities, preventing overproduction and unnecessary waste.

Closing thoughts

Embracing digital printing can give your business a leg up on your competition. 

It offers speed, affordability, customization, quality, and sustainability. But, more than that, it provides you with the flexibility and adaptability without blowing your budget.

Digital printing isn’t just a cool trend for the future—it’s here and now and can make an impact on your business today. 

For small businesses looking to elevate their product labels and packaging, digital printing is not just an option, but a strategic necessity. 

It’s time to leverage digital printing and unlock the success your business deserves.