The conversation across the globe is primarily about the novel coronavirus which has us all running about trying to figure out what next.
Prior to WHO proclaimed the coronavirus a pandemic, it was supposed to be just another virus that could be contained within a few months. After March, nothing has been the same since. Lockdowns were pronounced, economies went on holiday and business took a heavy beating. COVID19 took charge.
Work from home became the new norm. The demand for commercial printing took a nosedive. The postponement and later cancelation of events was a major determinant of this downward trend as the printing industry saw lower demand for promotional materials.
With the world embracing remote work, it was imperative that paperless operations would take over. Owing to the social disconnect, even advertisers cut their physical media budgets and channeled most of their efforts towards digital. This is because people were spending more time online. This can be seen from the increase in usage and download of apps like TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
How are we recovering?
The attitude is to never say die. Diversity is key in the industry’s recovery and emergence from the coronavirus at the end of it all.
If and when the virus will have a vaccine or gotten rid of entirely is not definite, but as many governments lessen lockdown measures and allow for some kind of living, things like social distancing are going to be slowly but surely forgotten.
Be that as may, commercial printers are moving away from advertising and promotional materials and focussing on where the demand is.
With the uncertainty that hovers above the virus, providing labels and packaging for the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food and beverage sectors has manifested as the immediate solace to the industry.
The virus presents another opportunity in COVID-19 related signage that every industry is looking out for, to share with their customers – in a joint effort to spread awareness and control the spread in the long run.
