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.