“Christmas is when the best gifts are at the table, not under the tree.” In this spirit, we wish you a reflective Christmas, happy holidays with your loved ones and a happy new year. Yes, 2021 was much like a roller coaster ride: with many “downs” but also numerous “ups”; economic slumps but also filled order books; insolvencies but also success stories.
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Complaining is not my thing – and surrendering to one’s fate without resistance is even less so. What is my thing is the printing industry and the question of how it will continue to develop. I’d like to explain to you how we at zipcon see the future of the printing industry. But I must warn you in advance: this article contains not only bitter realizations, but also numerous facts and forecasts that genuinely hurt.
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Labelprint24 and Packaging Warehouse have recently become part of the All4Labels Global Packaging Group but will continue to operate as subsidiaries under their own brand. Beyond Print spoke to Stefan Harder, Managing Director of Labelprint24, about the background to the takeover and what plans the companies now have – with the clout of the group behind them.
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With dropshipping, customers order from the online retailer as usual, but are supplied directly by the manufacturer or wholesaler. In other words, the online retailer offers products without having them in stock or manufacturing them in-house. Customers want security. In the entire process, in quality, in payment and in delivery.
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At first, paper “only” became more expensive, now in some places it is even in short supply. As if the pandemic and the reintroduction of the obligation to file for insolvency hadn’t already hurt the printing industry and its companies enough. Now there’s the paper shortage. The quarterly Zipcon Online print Price Index (ZOPI) shows whether and to what extent the battle for paper has affected the pricing of online print shops.
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As previously announced, the Online Print Symposium 2022 will take place on 28 and 29 April 2022. This means that the industry flagship event will be the kick-off event for the online printing industry next year. A new venue has also been found, which can be used perfectly both under pandemic conditions and during regular periods.
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In the past we have observed the path of Cimpress and have had intensive discussions with Robert Keane about the industry and his company. At the Online Print Symposium, Robert Keane gave a much-noticed lecture. He has experienced and moved a lot and acts like a metronome in the online print world.
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I had hoped right up until the end that there would be something in store for the German summer – but somehow it has really let us down this year. Nevertheless, we have earned a little break. We will make the best of it (even when it rains) and recharge our batteries, even if Corona continues to interfere with our (international) travel plans. Personally, I’m drawn to Germany’s north – I’m ready for the island.
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Elanders Print & Packaging has taken over the mass customization specialist, Schätzl Druck und Medien. As of July 6, 2021, the company from Donauwörth will join the Elanders Group. Elanders, one of the largest suppliers in industrial digital printing in Europe, is thus acquiring one of the German flagship companies when it comes to mass customization and print. Bernd Zipper had the opportunity to talk to Sven Burkhard, CEO of Elanders Print & Packaging, and Ulrich Schätzl, CEO of Schätzl Druck und Medien, regarding the background.
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The Zipcon Onlineprint Price Index (ZOPI) provides guidance on pricing in the printing industry. In March, we last compared developments on the market. The current analysis of the first half of 2021 shows what has happened since then. In the last ZOPI we could see that Flyeralarm had reduced their prices for flyers by 11 percent around the turn of the year, against the general trend on the market.
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