Cutting-Edge Opportunities for Print Resellers in a Digital Age

In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, print remains an essential, tactile experience that drives brand engagement, credibility, and connection. Trends in short-run packaging, luxury finishes, traditional craftsmanship, sustainability, and premium corporate gifting are ushering in print opportunities for you that drive real value for your customers.

Staying ahead of the curve means embracing new trends and innovations while leveraging traditional techniques that stand the test of time. Here’s what’s shaping the future of print and how you can capitalize on what’s hot.

Short-Run Packaging: On-Demand Branding

As e-commerce continues to thrive, short-run packaging has become the go-to for small businesses and boutique brands. Companies need flexible, low-quantity custom packaging solutions that:

• Allow for seasonal or limited-edition releases.
• Provide an affordable way to test new branding or product lines.
• Offer personalization that resonates with niche audiences.

Offering your customers highly customized, short-run packaging with unmatched efficiency and flexibility significantly differentiates you from your competitors. From folded cartons to shipping envelopes and beyond, this capability allows you to support projects with smaller quantities while maintaining competitive turnaround times and exceptional quality. Just a few examples of the products you can sell include:

• Custom packaging tape
• Folded cartons
• Hang tags
• Prime labels
• Shipping envelopes

Coming soon to Navitor.com:

• Gusseted mailers
• Padded shipping envelopes
• Paper bags
• Reusable pouches

Key Benefits of Short-Run Packaging Solutions

• Endless Customization: Full customization on a wide range of packaging options is perfect for businesses that need tailored packaging that aligns with their brand.
• Responsible Packaging Solutions: Short-run packaging can use materials like paper and paperboard – materials that are recyclable and widely available – offering practical choices to help meet growing customer preferences for more environmentally conscious packaging.
• Faster Time-to-Market: Short-run printing capabilities mean faster production times and quicker delivery, ideal for seasonal packaging, special promotions, or limited-edition products.
• Variable Data Printing: Including variable data printing enables the personalization of each package with unique details. This feature is ideal for creating customized experiences and enhancing customer engagement.

From custom-printed labels and flexible pouches to water-activated packaging tape, short-run packaging meets the demand for cost-effective, scalable branding solutions.

Pro Tip: Consider the customers and prospects in your pipeline that would benefit from a wide range of short-run packaging solutions tailored to meet a variety of their needs.

Premium Customization: Luxury that Sells

In a marketplace flooded with generic digital advertising, brands are turning to print for a premium, high-touch experience. Luxury finishes and custom enhancements upgrade printed products and create lasting impressions. Trending add-ons include:

• Foil stamping, metallic inks, and spot UV for a high-end, tactile feel.
• Textured stocks and soft-touch coatings that transform ordinary materials into unforgettable experiences.
• Premium upgrades like Extra Thick, Color Core, and Pearlized options to reinforce a brand’s prestige.
• Unique alternatives for customized packaging such as pillow packs, or foil stamped presentation folders

Pro Tip: When promoting these premium features, highlight how they enhance perceived value and create unique, memorable interactions with customers.

The Resurgence of Traditional Craftsmanship

While technology is evolving, classic print techniques are making a strong comeback, valued for their artistry and prestige. Processes such as engraving, embossing, and debossing exude sophistication, making them perfect for:

• High-end invitations and event collateral.
• Luxury stationery and letterhead.
• Premium corporate gifting and recognition programs.

Pro Tip: Resellers who offer these timeless techniques can tap into the market for businesses looking to differentiate their brand with authenticity and craftsmanship.

Rethinking Business Cards: Beyond the Basics

The role of business cards is expanding beyond traditional networking. Forward-thinking brands are using them creatively as:

• Product inserts to provide key messaging, QR codes, or discount offers.
• Product tags that showcase sustainability credentials or brand storytelling.
• Interactive experiences with scannable augmented reality (AR) elements.

Pro Tip: By repositioning business cards as multifunctional branding tools, resellers can drive new demand and encourage customers to see them as essential marketing assets.

Sustainability: The Must-Have Selling Point

Consumers and businesses alike are prioritizing sustainability, and print is no exception. Eco-friendlier materials and more sustainable alternatives are gaining momentum, with options like:

• Recyclable products that help brands meet their sustainability goals without compromising quality.
• Reusable polypropylene solutions, such as Epoly’s PolyWeave®, offer durability and a second life for promotional materials.
• Biodegradable and FSC®-certified paper stocks, which support environmentally responsible sourcing.

Pro Tip: As a reseller, offering more sustainable print options positions you as a forward-thinking partner, helping your customers align with today’s eco-conscious expectations.

Corporate Gifting: Elevating Brand Loyalty

In an era of digital fatigue, premium corporate gifts hold significant power in fostering relationships and reinforcing brand loyalty. Trending products include:

• Personalized executive gifts, such as engraved journals or custom wood stamps.
• Premium drinkware and apparel brands – premium brands of giftables that have a higher perceived value.
• Branded luxury packaging for high-end promotional items.
• Eco-conscious gifts that align with corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Pro Tip: Positioning corporate gifting as an opportunity to build brand affinity and long-term engagement can open up new revenue streams for you.

Final Thoughts: Capitalizing on the Future of Print

The digital age hasn’t diminished the impact of print – it’s redefined it. By embracing trends in sustainability, luxury finishes, short-run packaging, traditional craftsmanship, and premium corporate gifting, you can stay ahead of industry shifts and offer innovative solutions that can really make a difference for your customers.

Now is the time to rethink what print can do and how you can help your customers create meaningful, memorable connections through the power of print.

Where Resellers Can Win Big

When it comes to selling print, the landscape is always shifting. Some industries are slowing down, while others are charging full speed ahead – and where there’s growth, there’s opportunity. Today, several key vertical markets are booming, creating fresh demand for print products that help businesses stand out, connect with customers, and keep operations running smoothly.

While digital marketing grabs the headlines, print remains a powerhouse for brand presence, customer trust, and real-world engagement. The best part? These growing industries need the kind of high-impact print you sell – labels, packaging, signage, branded materials, and more.

So, which markets should you focus on to boost your sales this year? Keep reading to discover five industries on the rise – and how to position your print solutions to win big.

1. Manufacturing: A Powerhouse for Print

Manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence, driven by reshoring efforts, increased automation, and supply chain diversification. As companies scale production, their need for branding, compliance, and operational print materials is growing. Manufacturers rely on print more than you might think – from branded labels and packaging to safety signage and marketing collateral. In addition to labeling and packaging for finished goods, the logistics part of the business is an opportunity for printed products.

Opportunities:

• Packaging & Labels: Branded product labels, compliance labels, and eco-friendlier packaging solutions.
• Signage: OSHA-compliant safety signs, directional signage, and promotional banners.
• Marketing & Stationery: Product brochures, business cards, custom forms, and branded folders.

Pro Tip: Offer bulk discounts for high-volume label and packaging orders. Manufacturers value consistency – so emphasize repeat ordering and brand consistency. Our Marketing Field Guide to Manufacturing & Packaging is a great place to start.

2. Events & Experiences: The Print-Heavy Power Player 

Live events are in full swing, with demand surging for in-person trade shows, festivals, and corporate gatherings. Brands are investing heavily in immersive experiences, making high-impact print materials essential for engagement and visibility. From trade shows to music festivals, live experiences rely on print for brand visibility and attendee engagement.

Opportunities:

• Event Signage: Posters, retractable banner stands, foam board, expanded PVC, yard signs, and A-frames.
• Branded Swag: Custom-printed tote bags, water bottles, and apparel.
• Tickets & Programs: VIP passes, event tickets, lanyards, and event guides.

Profit-Driving Idea: Bundle event signage with promotional items to create complete event marketing packages. For more ideas, check out our Tradeshows & Events flyer.

3. Education: A Steady Demand for Print

The education sector continues to expand, fueled by increased enrollment and hybrid learning models. Schools and universities rely on print for branding, communication, and student engagement for both Admissions and Alumni Relations, making it a consistent revenue stream for resellers.

Opportunities:

• Student & Staff Materials: Name and ID badges, letterhead and envelopes, branded folders, and notebooks.
• Wayfinding & Safety Signage: Classroom door signs, campus maps, and emergency signs.
• Recruitment & Fundraising: Brochures, postcards, alumni event mailers, and mailing envelopes.

Pro Tip: Position yourself as a go-to print provider for seasonal needs like back-to-school campaigns, graduations, and fundraising events and mailings. Our K-12 and Higher Education industry flyers help you navigate the education sector with confidence.

4. Healthcare: Essential, Regulated, and Print-Dependent

Healthcare remains a high-growth industry, with expanding medical facilities and regulatory changes driving demand for printed materials. From compliance documentation to patient education, print plays a critical role in keeping operations smooth and professional. Hospitals, clinics, and medical offices require compliant and professional print materials daily. For print solutions that keep healthcare on track, rely on this brandable Healthcare industry flyer.

Opportunities:

• Patient & Office Materials: Prescription pads, appointment reminders, and branded business stationery.
• Informational Print: Rack cards, brochures, and labor law posters.
• Wayfinding Signage: Pedestal signs, A-frame boards, and decals.

Profit-Driving Idea: Schedule recurring monthly or quarterly meetings for healthcare offices that require frequent reorders.

5. E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces: The Boom Continues

E-commerce continues its rapid expansion, with small businesses and major brands alike seeking ways to differentiate themselves. Custom packaging, branded inserts, and print-on-demand solutions are crucial for creating a memorable unboxing experience and building customer loyalty. With e-commerce sales surging, brands need standout print solutions for packaging and customer engagement.

Opportunities:

• Branded Packaging: Flexible pouches, folded cartons, water-activated packaging tape, and shipping labels.
• Print-on-Demand: Stickers, hang tags, and product inserts.
• Marketing & Loyalty Materials: Thank-you cards, coupon inserts, promo and apparel, and mailers.

Pro Tip: Be the one-stop resource for a wide range of solutions that help startups and small business owners, including setting up a corporate store with branded products.

Seizing the Growth Opportunities

These are just a few of the vertical markets that are expanding, and custom print resellers have an opportunity to thrive by targeting industries that rely on tangible, high-quality print. Whether it’s manufacturing’s need for durable labels, healthcare’s compliance-driven print, or e-commerce’s demand for premium packaging, there’s significant profit potential in every sector. By positioning yourself as their go-to print expert and offering tailored solutions, you can ensure your business grows alongside these booming industries.

Ready to take advantage? Start reaching out to key decision-makers in these industries today and show them how print is still a powerful part of their success story.

Disruptors, Trends, and Opportunities for Print Resellers

The print industry is experiencing a transformation unlike anything we’ve seen before. As technology advances, consumer behavior shifts, and market demands evolve, print resellers must either adapt – or risk falling behind.

Today, there are five key disruptors redefining the print landscape: artificial intelligence (AI), Print on Demand (POD), sustainability, phygital print, and the rise of the creator economy. These forces aren’t just challenges – they’re massive opportunities for resellers to grow their business, differentiate their offerings, and increase profitability.

1. Artificial Intelligence: Print’s Smartest Revolution Yet

AI is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s embedded in nearly every aspect of modern marketing and production. It’s optimizing workflows, improving customer experience, and revolutionizing marketing strategies. Brands are rapidly adopting AI-driven strategies to personalize, optimize, and accelerate their marketing efforts.

What It’s Disrupting Print

• Hyper-Personalization is the New Standard – AI enables brands to create customized print campaigns based on behavior, purchase history, and preferences, making mass personalization scalable.
• Predictive Marketing Powers Print – AI-driven insights allow brands to anticipate customer needs and send highly targeted print materials that drive action.
• Content Creation at Lightning Speed – AI-powered tools generate high-converting headlines, ad copy, and designs in seconds, accelerating the print marketing process.
• AI-Optimized Mailing Lists – Machine learning refines mailing lists, ensuring print materials reach the right audience at the right time.

What Resellers Must Do Now

• Offer Enhanced Personalization – Print is no longer one-size-fits-all. Resellers who market themselves as a provider of ultra-personalized print campaigns will win over the brands looking for smarter print solutions. An easy start? Postcards.
• Use AI to Work Smarter – Leverage AI-powered marketing tools for your own business – automating email outreach, refining prospecting lists, and optimizing messaging.
• Sell Smarter with AI Data – Use AI-enhanced prospecting tools to identify potential customers more accurately, focusing on industries that benefit most from data-driven print.
• Integrate AI-Enhanced Print with Digital – Help clients bridge print and online engagement through QR codes, PURLs, and AR-powered packaging.
• Become the AI Print Expert – Don’t wait for clients to ask about AI – proactively show them how intelligent print strategies can drive better ROI.

2. Print on Demand (POD): Meeting the Demand for Customization and Flexibility

POD is on the rise as brands and consumers shift toward smaller, on-demand print runs rather than bulk orders. This shift is reshaping how businesses produce and distribute printed materials.

Why It’s Disrupting Print

• The Growing Need for Relevance – Consumers expect personalized, one-off communications rather than mass-produced print.
• Zero Obsolescence – Brands want to minimize waste and eliminate the risk of overstocking printed materials.
• Speed + Customization – E-commerce platforms make it easier than ever to integrate on-demand print solutions.

What Resellers Must Do Now

• Expand POD Offerings – Labels, packaging, signage, and promo materials can all be POD-friendly.
• Integrate Seamlessly with E-Commerce – Tap into tech-driven platforms to offer solutions for your customers to order print on demand with ease. Get started here.
• Offer Smart Pricing Models – Dynamic pricing encourages volume purchases without requiring large upfront commitments.

3. Sustainability: A Competitive Advantage in a Greener Future

Sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s an expectation. Customers and businesses are demanding eco-friendly print solutions, and resellers who adapt will gain a loyal customer base.

Why It’s Disrupting Print

• Greener Goals – Companies are under pressure to meet sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint.
• Conscientious Buyers – Consumers prefer brands that prioritize environmentally responsible materials and processes.
• The New Norm – Advancements in eco-friendly materials and sustainable printing methods make greener print more accessible and cost-effective.

What Resellers Must Do Now

• Offer More Sustainable Print Options – Recycled paper, responsibly sourced stocks, and FSC®-certified products are key selling points.
• Educate Clients on Greener Printing – Position your business as an expert in more sustainable print solutions. Go beyond recycled paper here.
• Promote Eco-Friendlier Inks & Reusables – Highlight water-based, soy-based inks and reusable materials like polypropylene.

4. Phygital Print: The Blurring of Physical and Digital Experiences

Print is no longer a standalone medium – it’s a gateway to digital engagement. Augmented reality (AR), QR codes, and NFC technology are making print interactive, transforming everything from direct mail to packaging.

Why It’s Disrupting Print

• It’s No Longer One Without the Other – Consumers expect seamless interaction between physical and digital marketing.
• The Tools are Here – AR, QR codes, and NFC technology bridge the gap between print and digital engagement.
• The Marketing Workhorse is Evolving – Print is advancing into an interactive, data-driven medium that enhances customer journeys.

What Resellers Must Do Now

• Sell Print as a Digital Bridge – Show clients how print can drive online actions with interactive elements.
• Incorporate AR and QR Technology – Help brands create engaging, trackable print experiences.
• Educate Clients on Phygital Strategies – Position yourself as a leader in connected print solutions.

5. The Rise of the Creator Economy: Print’s Newest Growth Market

Independent creators, influencers, and small brands are fueling demand for custom-printed products, from merch to packaging to promotional materials. With the creator economy set to reach $500 billion by 2027, this shift presents a massive opportunity for print resellers.

Why It’s Disrupting Print

• Social media and e-commerce platforms make it easier for individuals to launch personal brands.
• Creators seek high-quality, custom-branded print products to differentiate themselves.
• Direct-to-consumer brands are driving demand for small-batch, high-margin printed goods like custom labels, stickers, and packaging.

What Resellers Must Do Now

• Partner with Creators & Influencers – Offer white-label print solutions they can sell under their brand.
• Cater to Small-Batch Print Runs – High-quality, flexible printing is key to serving this market.
• Offer End-to-End Branding Solutions – Provide packaging, labels, and promo products that help creators build their brand identity.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Print is Here – Will You Lead or Follow?

The print industry isn’t just evolving – it’s being redefined. Resellers who embrace AI-driven personalization, expand into POD, champion sustainability, integrate digital experiences, and tap into the creator economy will be the ones shaping the future.

The question isn’t whether print will survive – it’s whether your business will lead the charge. Adapt now, and you won’t just stay relevant – you’ll thrive.

Ready to distinguish yourself from your competition with forward-thinking ideas? Watch the Trends Guide Webinar!  

Looking forward and anticipating what your customers will need and want next is vital. Awareness of trends keeps you competitive, in the moment and identified as the expert. See what’s exciting and in the now so you can uncover new business opportunities and demands. 

The Q1 Trends Guide covers four hot topics for distributors!  

You’ll find must-know trends and details within each topic and links to helpful resources. Here’s a quick review of what you’ll learn: 

Print Trends  

The Navitor Team discusses who is buying what this time of year. You’ll hear about popular products you should be offering to clients as well as design trends to look for and incorporate into promotional materials, packaging, business flyers, and more! 

Artificial Intelligence 

The quintessential trend set to shape marketing in 2024 and beyond! The Navitor Team breaks down how AI is impacting sales for resellers and recommends their favorite AI sales tools you can start using today (if you aren’t already). 

Healthcare 

The Healthcare industry is experiencing a tremendous amount of change. Our print experts are sharing must-have print solutions for communicating these changes. You’ll also learn about the top 5 healthcare trends driving this change.   

Labels and Packaging 

Brand strategy is top priority for businesses, and labels and packaging are must-have print solutions for creating an optimal customer experience. Our team will discuss top prospects for label sales, and they’ll reveal popular labels and packaging trends so far this year.  

Watch the Webinar

Navitor Tools Featured in the Webinar: 

• Content Calendar 
• Trends Guide 
• Healthcare Industry Flyer 
• Rx Pads Product Flyer 
• Label & Sticker Product Flyer 
• Request FREE Sample Packs 
• Request a new swatchbook!