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Changing consumer preferences and rapidly evolving digital printing technologies are driving a profound evolution in technical printing solutions in 2024. Here, we'll explore the main trends driving the transformation and examine the impact on industries like AEC. Then we’ll determine how businesses can embrace advanced digital printing technology to unlock opportunities for innovation and enhanced efficiencies. Understanding the top printing trends of 2024 can help businesses navigate challenges and thrive in an era of change.

An Introduction to Technical Printing

Technical printing describes printing protects that deviate from industry standards in terms of materials, methods, or requirements. These projects often demand tight tolerances and are used in highly regulated industries like healthcare, AEC, and manufacturing.

Why You Need to Stay Updated With Technical Printing Industry Trends

How Has Technical Printing Evolved Over Time?

Over the last century and a half, technical printing has evolved from complex multi-step processes completed with large machines to the use of compact printers that print on various surfaces and even 3D printers to develop physical objects like tools. Developed about 150 years ago, offset printing uses aluminium plates to transfer an image to a rubber blanket and then roll the image onto the printing surface. Screen printing (invented in China during the Song Dynasty) uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a flat printing surface.

In the early 1950s, inkjet printing revolutionised printing by recreating digital images by propelling ink droplets onto substrates. Today, inkjet and laser printers are the most common technical printing methods. However, 3D printing technologies are making their mark and are considered by some to be the future of printing efficiency.

The Main Technical Printing Trends of 2024

As technology and consumer demands are advancing at unprecedented speeds, many of the printing trends of 2024 promise to bring about change in the technical printing sector. These are the changes we expect to have the most impact.

Advanced Digital Printing Technologies

1: Inkjet Printing

2: Print Management Software

3: Specialised Ink and Media

Integration of AI Technologies and Automation

Streamlines Workflows

Saves Cost

Enhances Efficiency and Productivity

Emergence of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing

More Interconnected Printing Systems

More Print Data Analytics to Leverage

More IoT Integrations for Agile and Responsive Printing

Impact of Emerging Trends on AEC and Other Industries

These emerging printing trends of 2024 offer the following promising production and quality improvements for industries that depend on complex printing methods.

Faster Prototyping and Design Iterations

Increased Technical Printing Customisation

Accessible Eco-Friendly Construction Materials

More Green Buildings

Higher Safety Monitoring

Better Workflow and Operational Management

The Opportunities and Challenges with Technical Printing in 2024

Evolving technology in the printing sector brings opportunities for businesses to innovate and improve. However, new technology also presents new challenges to overcome.

The Opportunities

Innovation and Differentiation

Enhanced Efficiency and Cost Savings

Business Expansion and Diversification

Improved Collaboration and Communication

The Challenges

Technological Adoption and Integration

Data Security and Privacy Concerns

Industry Competition and Differentiation

Reach Out to HP About Your Large Format Printing Needs

HP is consistently at the forefront of innovative printing to serve consumers and businesses across all industries. Reach out to HP to discuss your large format printing needs to stay competitive in the rapidly changing business environment.

Download our eBook now and discover how innovation is streamlining workflows, producing prints of unmatched quality and increasing IT efficiency like never before.