In line with International Print Day on 21 October, Canon shares its perspective on the evolving role of print in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. Tushar Vashnavi, Business Unit Director, B2B at Canon Central & North Africa, explores the key technology trends transforming the industry, from digital production printing and workflow automation to AI, large-format applications and advances in inkjet technology.
He also highlights the enduring value of print, the opportunities for growth across African markets, and how innovation, personalisation and automation can empower print service providers to adapt to changing customer demands, improve efficiency and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
1. What do you see as the most important technology trends reshaping the industry today?
The print industry is moving towards more agile, automated and flexible production models. However, for print businesses, the question is no longer simply how much they can produce, but how efficiently they can operate, how quickly they can respond to customers and how effectively they can turn new applications into profitable opportunities. Digital production printing, workflow automation and advances in inkjet technology are helping businesses address these priorities while managing costs and protecting margins.
Digital production printing enables businesses to handle shorter runs and more varied customer requirements without relying exclusively on the large volumes traditionally associated with conventional printing. Automation is equally important, helping printers streamline job preparation, improve colour consistency, reduce manual intervention and minimise production waste.
Increasingly, efficiency is not just about the performance of the printing press, but how effectively the entire production workflow is connected and managed. This is where workflow solutions play an important role, supporting processes from job preparation and submission to production management, helping print service providers reduce complexity and improve operational efficiency.
From Canon’s perspective, technology investment must ultimately translate into measurable business value. Whether it is improving productivity, reducing unnecessary manual processes or enabling new applications, the priority is to help print businesses become more efficient, competitive and responsive to changing customer expectations.
2. Large-format printing is evolving beyond traditional signage into more specialised and customised applications. What changes are you seeing in customer demand, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for print businesses?
Large-format printing is increasingly being used to create more immersive, customised and visually distinctive environments. While traditional signage remains important, businesses are exploring applications that help them differentiate their brands, enhance customer experiences and make better use of physical spaces.
Retail is one example, with demand for point-of-sale displays, promotional graphics and customised in-store branding. Other opportunities include wall coverings, exhibition graphics, interior decoration and specialised displays for hospitality and commercial environments. These applications allow print service providers to move beyond supplying individual printed items and offer more comprehensive visual communication solutions.
Another important development is the growing demand for customised output and faster production. Businesses may need different graphics for individual stores, specific campaigns or changing promotional requirements. Digital large-format printing allows providers to respond to these needs with greater flexibility, without necessarily requiring long production runs.
We see significant potential for large-format printing as businesses explore new ways to engage customers and differentiate their brands. For print service providers, the opportunity goes beyond increasing production volumes. It is about moving into higher-value applications, offering greater customisation and developing new revenue streams. Across African markets, businesses that combine the right technology with application expertise and a clear understanding of customer needs will be better positioned to capture these opportunities and build sustainable growth.
3. Where does print still have an advantage over digital communication, and how does the industry need to adapt to remain relevant?
As we navigate an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, print is far from fading; it is evolving. Print is not competing with digital communication but rather complementing it, bringing a physical dimension that continues to create value for businesses, brands and consumers.
While digital platforms excel at speed and scale, print offers something distinctive: a tangible, focused experience that can strengthen engagement and make communication more memorable. From packaging and retail environments to educational materials and personalised communication, print continues to play an important role in how information is shared and brands connect with audiences.
To remain relevant, our industry must continue to evolve alongside changing customer expectations. Digital printing, automation and more efficient production processes are creating opportunities for businesses to deliver customised applications, respond faster to demand and use resources more responsibly. AI also presents opportunities to make workflows more intelligent and support better business decisions.
This is why the Print Works theme of International Print Day is particularly relevant. Print continues to work for businesses, brands and communities, not because it has remained unchanged, but because it continues to adapt. Its future lies in combining the strengths of physical communication with digital innovation, creativity and efficient production.
For Canon, this means helping print businesses embrace that evolution and translate innovation into practical opportunities for growth.
4. AI and automation are beginning to influence everything from workflow and production planning to quality control and business decisions. How do you expect these technologies to change the way print businesses operate, particularly in African markets?
At Canon, we see artificial intelligence and automation as technologies that can complement human expertise and help print businesses operate more intelligently. Their value lies not simply in introducing new technology, but in addressing practical business challenges.
Across African markets, where businesses must balance productivity, operating costs and evolving customer expectations, workflow automation offers immediate opportunities. Automating repetitive tasks in job preparation, production planning and workflow management can help reduce manual intervention, improve consistency and make better use of available resources.
AI has the potential to build on these capabilities. Applications such as predictive insights, intelligent quality monitoring and data-supported production decisions could help businesses identify inefficiencies, improve maintenance planning and respond more effectively to changing demand. However, the benefits will depend on the technology deployed, the quality of available data and how effectively these capabilities are integrated into existing operations.
Beyond production, greater visibility into operational performance can help print businesses make more informed decisions about capacity, resource allocation and future investment.
From Canon’s perspective, the priority is to make innovation practical and relevant to each customer’s business. For some, that may begin with improving existing workflows; for others, it may involve more advanced automation as their operations evolve.
Ultimately, the real measure of AI and automation will be the business value they create: greater productivity, consistent quality, improved efficiency and the ability to deliver more value to customers.
5. Africa’s print industry operates across very different levels of technological maturity. Where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth over the next few years, and what needs to change for the industry to realise that potential?
Africa’s print industry is approaching a significant growth opportunity, driven by rapid urbanisation, expanding consumer markets, and increasing demand for locally manufactured products.
With Africa’s urban population projected to reach 1.4 billion by 2050, opportunities will extend far beyond traditional commercial printing. Packaging and labels, point-of-sale materials, signage, and branded retail environments will become increasingly important as businesses compete to reach new consumers.
However, Africa is not one market, and its print industry operates at different levels of technological maturity. The priorities of a commercial print business in one country may be very different from those of a packaging or large-format business in another. Recognising these differences is essential to making the right technology investments and identifying opportunities for growth.
We see the importance of understanding local customer requirements, application opportunities and the operating realities of individual markets. The objective is not simply to introduce more advanced technology, but to help businesses adopt solutions that make commercial sense, improve productivity and support their growth ambitions.
Technology alone will not unlock the industry’s full potential. Skills development, application knowledge, reliable technical support and strong industry partnerships are equally important. Print businesses need the confidence that their investments can deliver consistent performance and evolve alongside their requirements.
Our focus is on helping customers identify the right solutions, strengthen their capabilities and explore applications that create additional business value.
Ultimately, Africa’s opportunity is not simply about meeting growing demand. It is about building a more competitive and capable print industry, where businesses can turn market opportunities into sustainable commercial growth.
6. Looking ahead, what do you think the African print industry will look like five years from now, and which developments will have the biggest impact on how print businesses compete and grow?
Over the next five years, I believe Africa’s print industry will become increasingly competitive, with growing opportunities across commercial printing, packaging, labels and large-format applications as businesses respond to evolving customer expectations.
Digital printing, automation and more intelligent workflows will continue to influence how print businesses operate. However, I believe the biggest shift will be in how businesses define and deliver value.
Having the right equipment will remain important, but competitive advantage will increasingly depend on how effectively businesses use technology, manage their operations and understand their customers. Those that can respond quickly, deliver consistent quality and diversify into relevant applications will be better positioned for growth.
Skills, reliable service and strong partnerships will remain essential, particularly as businesses look to make investments that are commercially viable and scalable.
Five years from now, I do not believe the most successful print businesses will necessarily be those with the largest production capacity. They will be those that are most responsive to their customers, most efficient in their operations and most willing to explore new opportunities.
For Canon, the priority will remain helping customers turn technological innovation into tangible business value. That is ultimately what will shape a stronger and more competitive print industry.
