The second Think Bigger Report it out, and has been sent to creatives across the UK as part of this magazine’s pledge to help spread the word about the potential for digital print produced using large-format inkjet. (You can download a copy at: www.thinkbigger.co)
It’s an uphill struggle because the possibilities are so vast - and because many creatives don’t want to hear from what they still consider ‘production companies’ or ‘suppliers’ rather than what PSPs increasingly want to be seen as: collaborators.
Many PSPs are playing their individual parts in trying to change that, as the various articles carried by this magazine alone show. And some are doing so very successfully – just look at the amount of companies in expansion mode.
But, at the last Image Reports’ Round Table, PSP chiefs pointed out that diversification into ‘difficult to research/break into’ markets is dropping down the strategic development list as attention shifts to upselling offerings to existing customer bases where there are easier pickings that still return good profit margins. It’s great that there’s growth and money to be made from established markets, but if PSPs are concentrating on those, who’s pushing the envelope in terms of possibilities on behalf of the wide-format sector as a whole? Our trade associations don’t tend to ‘market’ this sector well, because they don’ have the membership that demands them it of them. Fespa is doing its bit with the launch of events like Printeriors, but we need more cohesive action when it comes to getting sector possibilities in front of creative. Ideas? We’re willing to pay our part…
Meanwhile, enjoy the read. This issue includes a preview of new show Retail Design Expo. Drop me a line if you intend going.