Special Report


WIDTHWISE 2026: KEY FINDINGS


THE RESULTS FROM THE 2026 WIDTHWISE SURVEY ARE IN, AND IT MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING WITH SO MANY BUSINESSES MAKING THEIR OPINIONS KNOWN IN THIS EVER-VOLATILE


INDUSTRY. LOOKING AT THE RECENT


WIDTHWISE ANSWERS, ASSISTANT EDITOR ANA LAMBERT,


REPORTS ON SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS.


The parallels between last year and this year’s survey have been clear, with a few intriguing developments from respondents. Similarly to last year, the majority of companies (64%) are small businesses with only around 1-5 employees, which saw a growth of 8% from last year. Larger enterprises of 51-100 people bring up the rear with 6%, which has had a growth of 1% from last year’s survey. Moreover, there is more to be optimistic about as 21% of PSPs said that their turnover was over £1 million. With a 4% increase in the £2m to £5m (6%) turnover category and a 2% increase in the £5m+ category (9%).


BUSINESS OVERVIEW A positive sign for the industry that the survey highlighted was that 60% of PSPs saw an increase in their turnover, 5% more than was reported in last year’s survey, signifying that while the industry may not be as strong as it has been, it is adapting to survive.


In a feature for the Widthwise survey, Nicole Spencer, managing director of RMC Digital Print, said that there are things to be optimistic about within the industry and that she is ‘tired’ of hearing the opposite. She said: “People have been calling print dead for


years (usually those that have never worked in the industry), and it’s still here; it’s just not the print it


was ten years ago. “We’ve invested in various things since I first


started that weren’t really a thing when I did. The industry is always evolving and is an exciting place to be.


“So yes, optimistic. Print hasn’t survived by


staying the same. It’s stopped being one thing and turned into a dozen different capabilities. It’s evolving, not dying.” Conversations around diversifying and creating


new avenues of revenue have been circulating within the industry recently as new ways to keep business alive. Our respondents were quite close in votes when talking about diversifying practices in the next few years; 51% of PSPs reported they would, while 49% said they would not, highlighting that while in conversation the idea of diversifying doesn’t seem relevant nor needed to almost half of PSPs. Moreover, PSPs were asked what their biggest priority for the next year is, and customer growth (43%) was the clear denominator with PSPs, with turnover growth (23%) and cost reduction (21%) following closely behind.


Whether customer growth relies on diversification is yet to be seen, but it is highly unlikely that those who reported they were focusing on cost reduction would be looking to diversify their offerings, as the cost in technology and materials would be contrary to their goals.


Mimaki was one of the manufacturers voted ‘most innovative manufacturer’ by the respondents of the Widthwise Survey, below shows the Mimaki JFX200 2513 EX


22 | August/September 2026


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