Siya Phambili's new online stationery ordering system triggered some thoughts about the wonderful impact of technology in our lives and in business.
In the print industry, not too long ago, printing was a manually intensive job and required numerous steps in the process. Today, most printing is digitalised, which results in shorter turnaround times, consistency of print quality and more cost-effective small volume printing.
In the age of the Internet, tablets, smartphones and environmental health, more information is transmitted digitally than through print. So the question is - is printing still relevant?
1). A survey done by BML Bowker in December 2011 found that 88% of undergraduates prefer to use printed books and course handouts, and 80% access online journals. This study shows that even techno-savy people are using both media for now.
2). Print puts a company's information directly into the reader's hands, thus providing a 'touch and feel' experience.
3). People trust printed material. Official documents on letterheads, for example, are perceived as more credible and authentic when they are printed.
4). Printed material can be kept and browsed through at leisure with no need for other gadgets and electricity.
5). Research has shown that marketing campaigns that combine various media are more successful than ones that focus on only one medium.
Print, therefore, still has its merits. For now, it is not a matter of 'either or' but of both. If we run too fast ahead of the market, we will lose out. If we are too slow, we will be left behind.
Our market is evolving and we will keep abreast of the changes and move with technology. We recommend that you use more than one medium to disseminate your information.
We are available for you whether you want your documents in soft copy or hard copy.
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