FESPA launches its 2026 Print Census as it releases key findings from its 2025 survey

FESPA has announced the launch of its next Print Census, which will spotlight printers’ voices on key topics shaping the industry today. The Print Census is a global research initiative designed to gather and share essential market intelligence for the print and sign communities. It takes place twice each year and is run in collaboration with FESPA’s Thought Leadership Partner, Keypoint Intelligence.

First launched in 2015, the Print Census supports FESPA’s commitment to providing its members and the wider speciality print community with actionable, data-driven insights that facilitate innovation, productivity, growth and resilience.

The new 2026 Print Census will focus on: E-Commerce and Web-to-Print; Workforce and Skills Gaps; and Growth Applications, Pricing Pressures and Profitability.

Print and sign businesses from across the globe can take part by visiting: https://keypointintelligence.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IGSrtm8yMGoyrA

In addition, FESPA has announced the results of the 2025 Print Census, conducted in the latter half of 2025. The topics explored in the 2025 Print Census, the first in the new format and the first survey since 2018, were: Automation, AI, and Sustainability.

2025 Print Census key findings:

• Business size: 75% of print businesses have fewer than 50 employees, limiting investment capacity and slowing adoption of new technologies
• Automation: Essential, but underused. Nearly half of PSPs report no automation in place, despite growing pressure from labour shortages and demand for faster, digital workflows
• AI: Around 40% of PSPs are not using AI at all, with most current use limited to basic applications like design and colour management
• Sustainability: While 92% of businesses say sustainability is important, only 40% have made it a core strategic priority
• Cost and weak demand: Higher material costs and limited customer demand continue to slow sustainable adoption, particularly for smaller firms
• Clear disconnect between innovation and adoption: While suppliers are advancing automation, AI and sustainable solutions, many PSPs lack the resources, knowledge or infrastructure to implement them

2025 Print Census Executive Summary

Drawing on insights from 774 businesses across 89 countries, the 2025 Print Census study explored how companies are approaching three key areas: automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability. The findings reveal that those in the industry understand its need to advance, but businesses are progressing at different speeds due to variations in size and resources.

A defining feature of the sector is its structure. Small and micro businesses dominate, with 75% of respondents reporting fewer than 50 employees and nearly half reporting 10 or fewer employees. For many businesses, their size impacts the pace at which they can change. Many of these businesses operate with limited capacity, so immediate operational pressures are prioritised over long-term transformation.

This reality is reflected across businesses’ automation, AI, and sustainability practices, where, according to Print Census responses, awareness is high, but implementation is uneven.

Automation take-up

Print businesses use automation to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability. It offers a clear route to addressing labour shortages, rising costs and increasing demand for faster turnarounds. However, adoption of automation processes remains limited, particularly among smaller print service providers (PSPs) – with nearly half reporting no use of automation tools. For many PSPs, automation is still viewed as a longer-term investment rather than an immediate priority.

When used by PSPs, automation typically covers workflow tools, web-to-print platforms, and prepress processes. When used in these areas, automation delivers tangible benefits without major disruption to production. However, when it comes to implementing more advanced, costly automation solutions, a gap emerges between those able to scale digitally and those still reliant on manual processes.

AI in action

While interest in artificial intelligence is growing, practical adoption is not yet widespread. Around 40% of PSPs report not yet using AI in any capacity. When used, it’s limited to specific functions such as design support, colour management, or basic scheduling. Although these applications provide quick wins, they are rarely integrated into wider production workflows.

The barriers print businesses face when adopting AI are largely practical: many lack in-house expertise, clear starting points, or the time to explore new tools. For smaller teams in particular, uncertainty around how to apply AI and measure its value continues to slow progress.

Spotlight on sustainability

Sustainability presents a more complex picture. Most PSPs (92%) say that it matters to their business; however, only 40% describe it as a core strategic priority. This shows there is a gap between intent and action.

Cost is the most significant barrier. Smaller firms face higher material costs and limited purchasing power, making it more difficult to justify green options. At the same time, customer demand for sustainability is still relatively low, which reduces the commercial incentive to invest. As a result, for many, sustainability is an aspiration, rather than a fully embedded operational focus.

Despite this, external pressures – such as regulatory requirements, supply chain expectations and procurement standards are advancing and increasing, which means that sustainability is likely to become less optional over time. Businesses will need to move from awareness about sustainability to measurable action.

Gaps in the market

The FESPA Print Census report shows that across all three areas – Automation, AI and Sustainability – there is a pattern: gaps between what is available and what is being implemented. Suppliers and manufacturers continue to develop more advanced solutions, but many PSPs lack the resources, knowledge or infrastructure to adopt them effectively.

Yet, these gaps represent opportunities, as there is evidently growing demand for solutions that are accessible, modular and tailored to smaller businesses. Lower-cost entry points, better education and clearer demonstration of value could help to accelerate adoption across the sector.

Printers also report that consumer behaviour is shifting. Digital-first ordering and increased demand for transparency are changing how print businesses operate. Businesses that can respond to their customers with more connected, data-driven workflows will be better positioned to compete.

All members of FESPA Direct or an Association can access the full 2025 FESPA Print Census report on Automation, AI and Sustainability on the FESPA website.