We take a look at the BPIF’s latest survey into the performance of the print industry.
The findings of the latest Printing Outlook survey released by the BPIF will make disappointing reading for those hoping the sector would sustain the optimism of late-2025. Having closed the year on a high, with its strongest output and order performance in four years, the industry has seen a dip in the first quarter of 2026, with output and orders taking a significant hit and cost inflation damaging the outlook for Q2.
Most of the blame for that hit is being placed on the Middle East conflict, with concerns over rising global unrest surging to the top of the list of printers’ top business concerns. This entirely unpredictable series of events has a number of knock-on effects that will be seen in cost pressures as well as deep concerns that the uncertainty will delay and dampen orders and activity.
“Global unrest, rising costs of substrates, other consumables and energy costs are the significant concerns companies are currently facing,” said Charles Jarrold, Chief Executive of the BPIF. “Uncertainty has increased at a time when the industry was gearing up for a steady and stable period of improvement in 2026.”
Confidence Dip
Diving into the figures, almost two-fifths (38%) of printers experienced a decrease in their output levels in the first quarter of 2026, while global unrest was selected by 58% of respondents as one of their top five business concerns, up from just 12% in January.
Second on the list of concerns was the cost of substrates, which also moved up the ranking. Rising pulp and transport costs have quickly fed though to price increases, with more expected to come in Q2. After competitor pricing levels, cited by 38% of respondents, energy costs have a 36% share, up from 15% in January.
Meanwhile, confidence in the general state of trade in Q1 has improved for just a third (33%) of respondents. For 38% it remained the same, while the remaining 29% reported that it had deteriorated. According to the BPIF, confidence was at its lowest since the onset of Covid in 2020.
“This quarter’s report does appear to be particularly negative,” said Jarrold, “but much of that negativity is rooted in the forecasts and expectations for Q2, which are still subject to change as we move through the quarter and international events play out.”
Bright Spots
It’s not all doom and gloom however, and there are some findings that show the resilience of the print industry. Industry confidence defied the negative forecast to remain positive in Q1, while average price levels remained largely stable, again staying ahead of a more negative forecast.
“It should be noted that not all the industry is suffering to the same degree, the industry is varied and many companies are still very well placed to grow their businesses in 2026,” said Kyle Jardine, BPIF Economist. “And, if a path out of the conflict in the Middle East can be found, then undoubtedly confidence will markedly improve once more.”
ANZ
Brazil
America Latina
France
Germany
Italy
Portugal
Nordics
North America
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United Kingdom
