Episode 307 - AI, Convergence, and the Next Era of Print – with Nathan Safran, VP Research, PRINTING United Alliance

In this episode, Marcus Timson is joined by Nathan Safran, Vice President of Research at PRINTING United Alliance, for an in-depth exploration of the biggest forces reshaping the global print industry.

Safran shares findings from the Alliance’s latest research—covering AI adoption, automation, convergence, economic signals, and where PSPs are creating new value.

Key Themes Discussed:

• AI moves mainstream:
  85% of PSPs now view AI as critical to competitiveness, with 83% saying it opens new business opportunities—not just productivity gains.

• Real-world AI applications:
  From generative design and marketing personalisation to advanced forecasting, quality inspection, and in-house software development, PSPs are adopting AI at a pace not seen before.

• The importance of data:
  AI success depends on clean, structured, reliable data. PSPs must put their “data house in order” to unlock higher-value use cases.

• Automation + AI:
  A powerful combination that is reshaping prepress, production, onboarding, and back-office functions across sales, finance, and operations.

• Convergence as a structural trend:
  Commercial into wide format, wide format into labels or packaging, and a broader shift toward multi-segment capability as buyers choose vendors who can do more.

• Growth opportunities for 2026:
  Strategic diversification, AI-led transformation, and offering adjacent digital services such as design, data management, and campaign execution.

Safran emphasises that print companies are increasingly transforming into technology-enabled service providers, and that PSPs who embrace both data and AI will have significant competitive advantage.

A fascinating, forward-looking conversation packed with insight for anyone in print, manufacturing, or related markets.

FuturePrint Events:

FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany