The printing industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with production inkjet technology emerging as the cornerstone of this modern printing revolution. Once associated with large-scale commercial printers, inkjet has become a versatile and efficient solution for print service providers (PSPs) of all sizes, demonstrating the industry's adaptability and importance.

From personalized direct mail campaigns to on-demand book publishing, inkjet's versatility and efficiency have revolutionized business communications. As we approach 2025, critical factors like automation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) along with media flexibility promise to further enhance inkjet's capabilities, offering exciting opportunities for growth and innovation. This article explores what's possible for print and mail providers as we examine the changes in inkjet technology and look forward to another new year.

Expanding Applications

Being able to say yes to more jobs is a goal that many PSPs have in common. One of the most exciting changes in production inkjet is the arrival of inks that work seamlessly on regular offset papers. In the past, inkjet printing was limited to specific paper types and often required treatment before going into production. This was not an ideal scenario and eliminated inkjet technology as an option. Today and in the future, though, new generations of ink are making it possible for print providers to use more affordable, readily available paper without sacrificing quality.

This shift helps lower costs, opening the door to a wider variety of print jobs and enabling print providers to offer their clients more flexible and budget-friendly options. Whether it's transactional documents or direct mail, using standard paper brings more possibilities to inkjet printing, giving it a real advantage over traditional and toner-based methods.

What’s more, the quality of inkjet printing has significantly improved over the last few years, and 2025 will continue this trajectory. Print providers can now achieve near-offset quality on inkjet presses with higher ink density and better resolution. This leap in image quality means that applications previously reserved for offset or digital toner printing (e.g., high-end marketing materials, brochures, and even photo-quality prints) are now feasible with inkjet. In fact, some of the largest providers of personalized photo products now rely heavily on digital inkjet presses for their offerings.

This opens new revenue streams for print providers by enabling them to serve markets where visual impact and fine detail are paramount. With these improvements, inkjet is no longer seen as a compromise but a competitive alternative. This makes it much easier to sell to more clients.

The Rising Star in the Inkjet Market

Cut-sheet inkjet presses are one of the fastest-growing areas in inkjet technology. These models are well-suited for various short-to-medium print runs and align perfectly with the growing demand for shorter print runs. According to Keypoint Intelligence's latest forecast data, print volumes will achieve double-digit growth in both inkjet press categories between 2023 and 2028.

Figure 1: Large Production Cut-Sheet Volume Forecast

The significance of cut-sheet inkjet presses becomes even more apparent for organizations that handle a diverse range of print jobs. These presses enable dynamic, personalized content produced at scale and eliminate the downtime that is traditionally required for paper changes, boosting overall productivity.

The rising demand for personalized print stems from today’s consumers wanting to be seen and understood. It remains one of the highest-value services PSPs can offer and will continue to drive production inkjet volumes in the future. From customized campaigns to unique marketing collateral, the ability to tailor each page to the recipient or produce versions meant for a specific audience boosts customer engagement and ultimately improves the customer experience.

As we look ahead to 2025, even more advanced applications of data-driven personalization are expected. With production inkjet presses at the forefront, PSPs can produce highly targeted print campaigns that rival digital marketing efforts, making them indispensable partners in their clients' marketing strategies. Personalized print stands out in a world that is overwhelmed by digital noise, delivering impactful messaging in a tangible, memorable format.

From Ink to Intelligence

We can't look toward a new year and not mention the impact that AI is having on our industry. If we take a step back, inkjet's impact on workflow efficiency and labor costs is evident. Unlike traditional printing methods, production inkjet presses need much less setup time, enabling PSPs to get the presses running faster while seamlessly switching between jobs. In addition, with no need for plates and fewer consumables, the cost per page for shorter print runs is lower. As a result, PSPs can handle smaller jobs quickly and more profitably. On top of that, many inkjet presses come with high levels of automation. Everything from color calibration to substrate handling is monitored by the intelligence built into the device. This reduces the need for constant monitoring, minimizes errors, and helps make the whole process smoother and faster, leading to quicker delivery of jobs.

Still, when it comes to executing the tasks that are required to get print jobs on the press, many print operations are only in the early stages of automation. The low adoption rate is often a result of traditional automation that follows predefined rules and conditions. This makes it difficult for PSPs that regularly produce a large variety of job types to see the benefits. For this reason, the strong interest in AI in the print industry should come as no surprise. AI has the potential to provide more flexibility for automation to work effectively in environments with a wide variety of applications.

A recent study from Keypoint Intelligence brings light to this subject, examining the adoption rates of AI in the workplace. When respondents were asked what motivated them to adopt AI practices, enhancing operational efficiency was a top motivator across all company sizes.

Figure 2: Motivators to AI Adoption

Inkjet technology has emerged as a game-changer in the printing industry, perfectly aligning with the evolving demands of modern communication. The inkjet market is thriving, with today’s manufacturers continuously innovating and expanding their offerings. From sheet-fed to roll-fed and B2 to B3 formats, the potential of inkjet technology is vast. However, its true value isn't achieved when these presses sit idle, waiting for print jobs to load up properly.

As we move forward, technology providers and PSPs that are willing to change how work gets done will unlock the full value of inkjet technology through intelligent operation. AI offers a powerful solution, transforming inkjet operations into highly efficient and responsive systems. By leveraging machine learning and real-time data analysis, technology providers can give PSPs the tools they need to optimize their processes, predict equipment failures, and proactively schedule maintenance. This helps avoid unexpected breakdowns that compromise uptime and throughput. With its ability to continuously learn, AI ensures that inkjet presses are running at peak performance. This translates directly into improved efficiency and profitability.

The Bottom Line

As we approach 2025, the role of production inkjet in transforming the print landscape will only grow stronger. The advancements in cut-sheet inkjet technology, combined with the ever-expanding possibilities of data-driven personalization, present an opportunity for print providers to redefine their value to clients. The question isn't whether inkjet will continue to evolve—it's how savvy PSPs will adapt to harness its full potential. Those that are willing to embrace these innovations and position themselves as leaders will meet the growing demand for tailored content while also playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of printed communications. The challenge ahead is not simply adopting the latest technologies—it’s leveraging them strategically to stay ahead of market needs and deliver exceptional value.

Karen Kimerer of Keypoint Intelligence has experienced the many challenges of expanding current market opportunities and securing new business. She has developed a systematic approach to these opportunities, addressing the unique requirements of becoming a leader in our changing industry. She is well-versed in 1:1 marketing, web-to-print, direct mail, book publishing, supply chain management, data segmentation, channel integration, and photo products.