There will be the usual moves to sustainable products and services that have been a market feature for a few years. However, in addition to this, the increasing volume of smaller sign companies, changes to the tax system, and employment regulations will disproportionately affect our industry. Increased costs associated with employing younger people could also leave us at a disadvantage in the long term when bringing new talent into the trade. The industry will continue to work on sustainability and reducing the impact that the products we sell have on the environment. While this is improving year over year, it is still difficult for smaller companies to embrace the challenge of tackling waste. I also think training will become an increasingly important topic. With the increased costs of employing people, it will become even more important than ever to increase your team's knowledge and skills rather than recruiting new talent. New employment law changes will add to the burden of small businesses both financially and operationally. New ink technologies are on the horizon, and more efficient versions of some established printer brands are around the corner. AI will have a greater impact on our businesses' admin side, whether that’s taking on some of the more mundane order processing jobs or preflight processes. Design software already incorporates AI to create artwork and that will only continue to increase and improve as time goes on. As environmental concerns grow, sustainable printing practices will play a more significant role. Eco-friendly inks, recyclable substrates, carbon-neutral manufacturing facilities, and energy-efficient machinery will likely be in demand. Manufacturers will also focus on reducing waste and promoting greener supply chains. Recruitment will be a significant focus, reflecting the industry's challenge in sourcing high-quality, experienced candidates. Hiring young people in the signage industry introduces fresh perspectives and valuable skills necessary for remaining competitive. Offering them the right training and mentoring builds a skilled team that mixes fresh ideas with experience. As we enter Q4 of 2024, the demand for experienced candidates is rising and is expected to increase further in 2025. The focus on training, upskilling, and reskilling current employees is set to become a major trend in the upcoming year. The biggest change for wide-format printers and sign-makers in 2025 will be the push towards increased automation and self-sufficiency. We are going to see more of a shift towards total in-house capabilities, therefore, traditional sign-makers need to bring new skills in-house rather than outsourcing services to remain competitive and self-sufficient. Alongside this we are going to see more automation and streamlining of workflows, key to staying efficient and reducing costs, while maintaining high standards in a competitive market. It’s clear that the quality bar continues to rise. Businesses must prioritise high quality output whilst keeping costs under control. It’s all about automation, quality, self-sufficiency, upskilling, and the adoption of new applications. I think one of the most significant themes and topics for wide-format printers and sign-makers will be the integration of AI and improved workflows. AI will be pivotal in automating tasks such as order fulfilment and customer relationship management (CRM). As businesses seek to become more efficient, AI will rise to the top of the agenda, offering solutions to streamline processes and boost productivity. While there are real immediate business challenges related to maintaining steady A Brand-New Year and a BrandNew Set of Opportunities 28 Issue 256 - December 2024 / January 2025 www.signlink.co.uk As everyone gets ready to see what the new year will bring SignLink asks members of the signage and graphics industries what trends, challenges, and opportunities businesses should consider in 2025 2025 PREDICTIONS David Allen, president of the BSGA and managing director of Allen Signs Izabella Ivanovici, specialist recruitment consultant at INV Recruitment Chris Martin, sales manager (equipment) at CMYUK
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