Adapt or die.

While this saying might be a tad extreme, it holds true for businesses across multiple industries. When it comes to printing, it is especially accurate. According to an article in the January edition of Quick Printing Magazine, the printing and publishing industries need to evolve in order to remain successful. While digital technologies have pushed some organizations – like newspapers – to eliminate print editions, using tactics like direct mail marketing are still highly profitable.

With this in mind, companies would be wise to invest in professional laminating machines. That way, documents and images can be durable enough to withstand multiple handlings. Binding equipment can push booklets and pamphlets to a new level, offering quality pieces to consumers.

For example, a recently released Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) study, print (marks on paper) accounts for 86.6 percent of total print industry revenue, while non-print revenue accounts for 13.5 percent.

The article detailed National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) chief economist Andy Paparozzi’s speech at the NAQP Owners Conference, prior to Graph Expo 2012. According to Paparozzi, waiting for the economy to turn up or the competition to shake out is not an option because the economy alone will not solve anyone’s problems.

“Many companies are excelling because they recognize that there’s still plenty of opportunity in our industry – just not in the same old places or by doing the same old things,” he said.

When printing companies are able to successfully integrate new technologies in with the older ones, their organization can be sure to remain profitable by reaching a variety of customers. By ensuring that physical product is professional and catered to individual consumer needs, businesses can keep pace with the competition.