Printing Outlook is the BPIF's quarterly printing industry trends survey, compiled primarily from an online survey of BPIF members. It covers topics such as: your top business concerns, orders, output, price levels, capacity, costs, margins, investment, pay reviews, productivity, late payment and payment terms, public sector procurement, Web-to-print and paper & board prices and supply.
We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Canon, we'd like to thank Canon for their support - this will ensure all survey respondents receive a printed copy of Printing Outlook.
As well as reporting on the BPIF's latest quarterly survey of trends in the printing industry, Printing Outlook now incorporates:
- UK headline economic data
- CBI forecasts and assessment
- Paper and board consumption statistics from the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) and sector insight from EMGE (paper industry consultants)
- Printing Ink sales volumes and values from the British Coatings Federation (BCF)
- Energy sector commentary from Schneider Electric
- The latest print and printed packaging Red Flag Statistics and Financial Health statistics compiled especially for the BPIF by Red Flag Alert and Begbies Traynor
- Insolvency statistics for the printing sector
- Advertising sector data and analysis from the Advertising Association / Warc Expenditure Report and the IPA Bellwether Report
Printing Outlook is widely reported in the trade press, and feeds into the Bank of England and their provision of data to the Monetary Policy Committee. It is required reading for many suppliers to and investors in the industry, and is used by the BPIF to help represent the interests of our industry to other trade associations, the CBI, Government and the European and worldwide printing industries.
BPIF members can download the full report below; Printing Outlook press releases are available here.
UK PRINTING SUBDUED IN Q4 AS OUTPUT AND ORDERS UNDERPERFORM - CONFIDENCE IS DEPRESSED BUT END TO COST CRISIS AHEAD
Growth in output and orders was marginally positive in Q4 as the reality for performance in the UK printing and printed packaging industry turned out close to the forecasts provided in the previous quarter. The expectation for Q1 is for slight performance improvement to be realised. Despite heightened economic and political uncertainties, extreme energy cost shocks, and high inflation - many firms have been able to find some stability in their own performance. However, a significant minority of companies have not been able to prevent a contraction in their business.
The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 33% of printers managed to increase their output levels in the final quarter of 2022, and 29% experienced a decline in their output levels. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was +4, well below Q3, but just above the Q4 forecast.
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BPIF Printing Outlook Q1 2023
UK printing subdued in Q4 as output and orders underperform - confidence is depressed but end to cost crisis ahead.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q4 2022
Print output and orders held firm in Q3 - expectations for Q4 have deteriorated as confidence falters.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2022
Boost to output for UK printing in Q2 - confidence for Q3 dips amidst concern over the impact of rising energy costs.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q2 2022
UK printing industry output continues to recover - but output price increases not enough to offset energy, materials and wage cost increases and restore margins.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q1 2022
Cost crisis and supply shortages to UK printing industry constrain growth in Q4 - recovery expected to continue in Q1 but confidence is fragile.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q4 2021
UK printing industry moves closer to pre-Covid levels as recovery gathers strength in Q3 - growth to continue in Q4 amidst mounting supply constraints and cost pressures.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2021
Strong recovery in UK printing industry in Q2 but activity still short of pre-Covid levels - Q3 improvements expected despite intense cost pressures, pings and holidays.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q2 2021
Printing industry stabilised in Q1 - output, orders and confidence to recover in Q2 but cost pressures intensify squeeze on margins.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q1 2021
Confidence eroded as Q4 output and orders curtailed - a further downturn is now underway in Q1 but vaccine roll-out provides hope.
The BPIF is the printing industries champion. By becoming a member you join a diverse and influential community. We help you solve business problems, connect you to new customers and suppliers and make your voice heard in government.
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