Results from a national survey carried out by the Graphic and Print Media Alliance has revealed that print businesses are intricately embedded in the UK’s industrial supply chains, serving sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, consumer goods, automotive, aerospace and defence.
The research showed that marketing materials (64%) remain the most supplied application, closely followed by packaging and labelling (56%), technical documentation, safety signage, and increasingly – functional print solutions like printed electronics and anti-counterfeit technologies.
Despite this deep integration, the industry still battles with visibility. Just 42% of respondents said their clients fully recognised them as critical partners in their supply chains. A further 39% felt they were valued, but not fully understood. This is compounded by the wider perception: over 40% of those surveyed believe that policymakers and manufacturing leaders lack a full understanding of print’s contribution to industrial success.
However, the findings also point to growing opportunities, as 60% of respondents reported increased strategic engagement from high-value sectors, particularly in pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and packaging innovation. Cost efficiency, compliance, digital transformation, and short-run customisation were all cited as key drivers of value.
The GPMA has now used these insights to provide a compelling evidence base to the Department for Business and Trade, intended to help inform future policy, investment priorities, and industrial strategy.
