As we move toward the future, 2025 paves the way for a new era for production inkjet, revolutionizing the landscape of printed communications. Three key trends are poised to reshape the future: the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the increasing emphasis on hyper-personalization, and the urgent need for eco-friendly sustainable operations. While none of these topics are new to the industry, the advancements we are witnessing represent more than just incremental progress.
These changes mark a significant shift in possibilities, presenting endless opportunities for growth, creativity, and a competitive edge. If we look closer at these evolving trends, we can see how production inkjet is not just keeping up with change — it is driving it forward. The combination of cutting-edge technology and the enduring power of print is creating a perfect storm of potential. Welcome to 2025, where each printed piece tells a story of technological advancement!
Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Production Inkjet Workflows
AI has moved beyond being just a buzzword; it is now a significant force that is enhancing efficiency and driving advancements in production environments. Results from Keypoint Intelligence’s 2024 North American Production Software Outlook study demonstrate that all survey respondents use AI in some form in their print shops. The most common areas of use include graphic design and fixing customer images. Second to that, AI is used to create marketing and customer communication content.
Earlier this year, Keypoint Intelligence published its 2024 State of AI Readiness survey results. This research aimed to assess current AI readiness and maturity levels and understand the extent to which organizations have adopted or are considering AI technology. The results shed light on the key drivers for AI adoption. Improving operational efficiency, enhancing the customer experience, and enabling rapid data analysis are the top three motivators for AI adoption. The data emphasizes a dual focus on optimizing internal processes and offering an exceptional customer experience.
Figure 1: Motivators for AI Adoption
Specific to production inkjet technology, AI continues to transform the printing process through intelligent, data-driven machine learning that optimizes the print engine. A noteworthy example of this is the proactive detection of maintenance issues, which helps prevent production slowdowns. Further AI adoption is rapidly advancing tasks upstream in color management, automating complex tasks such as image enhancement, color profiling, and layout optimization. Streamlining these tasks improves the entire production process and is essential for PSPs that are aiming to deliver consistent, high-quality output over long runs.
Over the past five years, inkjet print quality and speed improvements have fundamentally transformed this valuable technology, offering capabilities that were previously unseen in the printing industry. Still, handling time-consuming tasks like data entry, file preparation, and proofreading are reported to be the top workflow challenges in production print. AI will continue to offer significant advancements and elevate the inkjet production print value proposition. Print service providers (PSPs) that leverage the benefits of inkjet technology coupled with the strength of AI can gain significant momentum and an uncontested competitive advantage.
Hyper-Personalization: The Power of Tailored Communications
After years of digital press manufacturers and software providers championing variable data with limited adoption, the market has finally caught up with the vision. Today's consumers, bombarded by countless digital and physical messages, are more responsive to personalized content than ever before. Production inkjet technology, long poised for this moment, is now perfectly positioned to deliver hyper-personalized print that captures attention in a crowded marketplace.
To be fair, the early days of personalization were hindered by limited processing power and expensive toner-based print devices, making it a problematic solution to scale. Recent advancements in data management, software, and inkjet technology have transformed this landscape, enabling marketers to deliver personalized content that resonates with audiences while staying within budget. This level of personalization drives higher response rates and a better return on investment, making it a critical strategy in modern marketing efforts. With its ability to handle dynamic data and produce unique, relevant pieces at scale, production inkjet technology is a game-changer for transactional statements, direct mail, and marketing collateral.
In another study, Keypoint Intelligence focused on consumer preferences and behaviors regarding direct mail. The responses to this survey reinforce why brands need to incorporate personalization in their marketing efforts. While the majority of organizations employ a versioning approach to customer communications, a huge opportunity exists to take that approach up a notch if they want to grab the attention of more customers. As the data shows, about two-thirds of consumers report that they definitely or usually look at direct mail if it's personalized to them and their interests.
Figure 2: The Effects of Personalized Direct Mail
As capabilities grow, personalized communications are no longer a luxury—they are a standard. Today’s production inkjet solutions are positioned to transform how businesses connect with their audiences, making every piece of printed material more impactful.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Operations: Inkjet's Role in a Greener Future
The third notable topic of focus is sustainability, and it’s a mandate as opposed to a trend. As businesses and consumers demand environmentally responsible practices, production inkjet technology is at the forefront of creating eco-friendly operations. Here are some key points:
1.Reduced Waste: Unlike traditional printing methods, inkjet technology minimizes waste by enabling on-demand production. There’s no need to overprint to achieve economies of scale; every piece produced has a purpose.
2.Water-Based Inks and Recyclable Substrates: Many production inkjet systems use water-based inks that are less harmful to the environment. When paired with recyclable and sustainably sourced substrates, these inks align with green initiatives without compromising quality.
3.Energy Efficiency: Modern inkjet systems are designed with energy efficiency in mind. By consuming less energy, they help reduce operational costs and lower the carbon footprint of print production.
4.Certifications and Compliance: Inkjet technology providers are increasingly focused on achieving environmental management certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and ISO 14001. These certifications demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, giving PSPs a competitive edge in eco-conscious markets.
For operations professionals, adopting sustainable practices with production inkjet technology isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about positioning their organizations as leaders in responsible innovation.
The Convergence of AI, Personalization, and Sustainability
What makes production inkjet technology so exciting is its ability to seamlessly integrate three key trends: artificial intelligence (AI), hyper-personalization, and sustainability. Imagine a workflow where AI optimizes every aspect of production, enabling the delivery of highly personalized content while minimizing waste and environmental impact. This convergence is not theoretical; it’s already happening and is expected to accelerate significantly in 2025 and beyond.
While the potential of production inkjet is immense, it’s not without challenges. Investments in new technologies, staff training, and workflow integration require careful planning. At the same time, however, the opportunities far outweigh the obstacles. By embracing advancements like AI, hyper-personalization, and sustainability, PSPs can differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace, enhance customer loyalty by delivering innovative solutions, and drive profitability through increased efficiency and reduced waste.
The Bottom Line
For PSPs, sales professionals, and buyers alike, production inkjet technology is no longer a future consideration — it is now a reality. Rather than just evolving, this technology is truly transforming the industry's landscape, enabling businesses to deliver exceptional value through AI-driven efficiency, hyper-personalization, and sustainability. In 2025 and beyond, those who are bold enough to embrace these innovations and rethink the possibilities of print will be positioned for greater success.
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.
This article originally appeared in the January/February, 2025 issue of Mailing Systems Technology.
