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Printing Outlook

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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.

Canon partnership

 

 

As well as reporting on the BPIF's latest quarterly survey of trends in the printing industry, Printing Outlook now incorporates:

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.

BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2023

PRINT INDUSTRY OUTPUT, ORDERS AND CONFIDENCE ALL FLATLINED IN Q2 - ONLY MARGINAL IMPROVEMENT FORECAST FOR Q3 DESPITE CONTINUED COST STABILISATION

Challenges for the UK's printing and printed packaging industry have continued into the second quarter of 2023 as orders and output did not rebound following poor performances in the previous two quarters. The previous forecast was that Q2 would experience an upturn in industry performance, this expectation has been thwarted following a fragile economic performance, prolonged concerns over inflation levels, for both consumers and businesses, and the continued upward trajectory for interest rates. Printers are focussing on controlling costs, increasing productivity, and managing sales more effectively. Cost pressures are easing but lower prices may be required to encourage output and orders to grow in Q3; and where pricing goes is a critical concern for many.

The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that less than one-third (30%) of printers managed to increase their output levels in the second quarter of 2023, whilst over two-fifths (43%) were able to hold output steady. That left 27% that experienced a decline in their output levels. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was therefore +3, well below the over-optimistic +34 that was forecast, but a little improved from the -3 experienced in Q1. This lacklustre outcome at least reverses Q1's negative report, but it has clearly been a tougher quarter than was expected three months ago.

BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2023

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BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2023 BPIF Printing Outlook Q3 2023
Print industry output, orders and confidence all flatlined in Q2 - only marginal improvement forecast for Q3 despite continued cost stabilisation.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q2 2023 BPIF Printing Outlook Q2 2023
UK printing industry contracted in Q1 as output and order levels fell - bounceback in confidence and performance expected during Q2 as cost pressures top out.
BPIF Printing Outlook Q1 2023 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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