New Path for Printing & Reproduction Sector Adjustment: Technology, Digital and Green Become Key Themes

As the largest segment in press and publication, the printing and reproduction industry is named in the Guiding Opinions on Further Promoting the Development of the Press and Publication Industry (the Guiding Opinions) as one of the priority tasks for industry development. The document gives the sector a clearer direction and more defined methods. Luo Baihui, head of the International Mold and Hardware & Plastic Industry Suppliers Association, shared his interpretation of how to advance structural adjustment in the printing industry.

Printing upgrades depend on scientific and technological progress, so structural adjustment must be supported by technology. Luo believes the domestic industry should closely follow the latest international printing technologies and processes and seek breakthroughs in digital printing, computer-to-plate, high-speed multi-color sheetfed offset, web offset, gravure and flexo printing, as well as in the application of new printing standards. Major projects in digital printing and printing digitalization should be launched promptly, with priority given to inkjet digital printing, digital assets, computer-to-plate, digital proofing and digital workflows, using major innovation to drive upgrading across the whole sector.

Facing digitalization, Luo says the government encourages new digital printing formats and supports faster breakthroughs in self-developed equipment based on introduction, digestion, absorption and re-innovation. Overseas suppliers of large printing equipment and auxiliary materials should also be guided to invest in domestic plants, where localized and automated production can reduce costs and selling prices.

On printing quality supervision, Luo proposes continued development and revision of printing quality standards, gradual alignment with international standards and a more complete quality standard system. Printers should be supervised to produce strictly according to quality standards; inspection and testing methods for printed products should be improved; procedures should be studied and established for incoming material, production and outgoing shipment checks at printing companies; testing agency functions should be strengthened; and quality levels should be raised step by step, especially at small and medium-sized printers. Printing quality should remain the focus for strengthening regulatory oversight of the industry.

On green printing and phasing out outdated capacity, he lists three tasks. First, introduce green printing standards, using standard-setting and implementation to improve quality, adjust structure and achieve intensive development across the industry. Second, cultivate new environmental printing products: build processes that meet environmental requirements, save energy and recover resources well; use environmentally friendly auxiliary materials; prohibit raw materials with toxic or harmful side effects; reduce pollution; and protect public health, particularly that of young people. Third, retire low-end, outdated printing capacity by improving exit mechanisms, clarifying technical equipment retirement standards, quantifying phase-out targets and increasing the pace. The aim is to eliminate, within the year, a group of production capacities that have outdated technology and equipment, low efficiency and high resource and energy consumption.

Printing base construction is currently advancing, and the government is conducting research for the release of Guiding Opinions on Establishing Printing Demonstration Bases. On the foundation of building the printing industrial belts in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Rim, printing parks under construction nationwide will be evaluated, consolidated and regulated. Five drivers—policy, location, resources, market and technology—will push printing resources toward concentration, guide printers into intensive operations and enhance overall competitiveness.

Beyond base construction, the government supports the growth of backbone enterprises with proprietary branded products and strong market competitiveness. Leading printing companies with advanced production levels, outstanding economic scale and profitability, and the ability to compete internationally—together with technology-innovative enterprises, specialized supporting companies and advantageous players in related industrial chains—may be guided to become printing demonstration bases. This is intended to cultivate diverse printing clusters that match market demand and are characterized as specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative.