Widthwise 2025


Margins, markets, and momentum: The UK wide-format print report


As a leading independent authority which analyses and reports on the digital imaging industry, we asked Keypoint Intelligence for its thoughts on the findings of the 2025 Widthwise Survey. Johnny Shell, principal analyst at Keypoint Intelligence, reports.


in England. Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland were minimally represented, accounting for just 8%. Tis geographic distribution, while not


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fully representative of the entire UK market, aligns with known economic concentrations and indicates where the bulk of activity is perceived by participating firms.


 Survey results indicate that the UK wide-format sector is largely composed of micro to small businesses. Over half of respondents (56%) operate with fewer than five employees, and 72% report having fewer than 10. Correspondingly, 59% of respondents indicated an annual turnover below £500,000, with just 17% exceeding £2 million in annual revenue. Despite their modest scale, 55% of


respondents reported an increase in turnover since 2024. However, the extent of growth was mostly moderate: 42% of those reporting growth indicated an increase of less than 20%, and only 5% saw growth beyond that threshold, which suggests a cautiously optimistic financial climate among those surveyed.


mong the 110 respondents to the Widthwise Survey, the overwhelming majority (92%) reported being headquartered


 When asked about large-format print margins, 34% of respondents reported improvements, while 47% saw no change, and 19% experienced declines. Tese figures reflect a sector where pricing pressures are present but manageable, potentially buoyed by improved efficiencies or specialised service offerings.


  Among surveyed businesses, the largest revenue contributors included retail (19%), events (15%), and construction (10%). A notably high 28% selected ‘other’, which indicates a wide spectrum of niche markets not explicitly captured in predefined categories. In terms of service offerings, traditional


applications continue to dominate. Banners, flags, and signage were cited by 85% of respondents, followed by window graphics (75%), exhibition displays (70%), and posters (68%). Meanwhile, 34% of firms provide textile printing for banners or flags, suggesting some movement into soſt signage and decor-related applications. Half of the respondents indicated plans


to diversify their portfolio. Categories of interest include cardboard engineering (8%), wallpaper or murals (7%), textile applications (10% combined), and packaging (5%). Tis suggests that companies are actively exploring value-added segments that may offer better margins or less price sensitivity.


28 | Widthwise 2025 | www.imagereportsmag.co.uk


Investment behavior  Te data shows that 62% of respondents plan to invest in hardware or soſtware within the next year. Most of these investments fall below the £75,000 range, indicating cautious but deliberate modernisation. Key areas of hardware investment include UV-curable flatbeds (16%), contour cutters (12%), and solvent printers (11%). On the soſtware front, investment


appears limited: Design soſtware (5%) and web-to-print systems (4%) lead the way. Notably, no respondents selected workflow or variable data print soſtware. Tis limited investment in digital infrastructure may reflect either satisfaction with current setups or a potential oversight that could impact long-term efficiency. Strategically, most respondents


prioritised customer growth (41%) and turnover growth (38%). Cost reduction (10%) and sustainability (5%) were much lower priorities. Additionally, only 15% believed sustainability was a top priority for their clients, with price (65%) and quality (61%) taking precedence. These responses highlight an ongoing emphasis on commercial competitiveness over environmental or operational initiatives.


Market sentiment Te prevailing sentiment among respondents was generally positive.


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