Areas in Decline

• Newspapers & Magazines: Print circulation has dropped significantly as readers shift to digital news and online subscriptions.

• Directories & Catalogs: Phone books, classified ads, and many big mail-order catalogs have almost disappeared.

• Transactional Printing: Bills, statements, and notices are going digital-first.

📈 Areas Still Strong (and in some cases growing)

• Packaging & Labels: Every physical product needs packaging — this sector is actually growing, fueled by e-commerce and branding needs.

• High-End Marketing Materials: Companies still invest in brochures, direct mail, and premium prints when they want to stand out (print is more trusted and “tangible” than digital).

• Books: Surprisingly, print book sales have been steady or growing slightly in many markets, even with e-books around.

• Wide-Format & Specialty Printing: Signage, banners, vehicle wraps, and point-of-sale graphics are thriving.

• Personalization: Digital presses enable short runs and variable data printing, keeping print relevant for targeted campaigns.

🚀 Shifts in the Industry

• Offset presses still dominate for large runs, but digital presses are catching up due to flexibility.

• Sustainability and recycled substrates are increasingly important.

• Printers are repositioning themselves as “print + marketing services providers” rather than just output shops.

So — print is not dying; it’s evolving from commodity mass-production (like newspapers) toward niche, high-value, and packaging-driven markets.