Busa: ‘Printing is here to stay’

CEBU, Philippines — “Printing business is here to stay,” said an industry leader.

Donato Busa, who owns 36-year old printing company DMC Busa Printers, said while the digital era has shaken the industry significantly, printing on the other hand has evolved and caught up with the technology.

“Certainly, printing is not a dying industry,” said Busa, who is also an honorary member of the Global Network of Printing Press Colleague, an organization based in Germany.

However, due to digital evolution, the printing industry in Cebu has shrunk in numbers, from over a thousand members in early 1990’s to roughly a hundred now.

Busa, who used to head the now inactive Cebu Association of Printers, said out of 100 registered members now, only 10 printing companies are active in business.

Despite the drop, Busa said the industry is “here to stay” because it will co-exist with technology.

In fact, in the developed countries right now, people are shifting to books again.

“In the last eight years the printing industry suffered remarkably, but we are seeking a rebound,” Busa expressed optimism.

But unlike in the old days, the industry is also changing in terms of services and offerings, printers are now using high-tech machines to serve the large-format printing needs. lasers, and direct or instant printing, among others.

Those printing companies that invested heavily to co-exist with digital age are here to stay, Busa added.

In 2014, output of the printing industry in the Philippines, including publishing accounted for .30 percent of the total manufacturing output, or an average of .33 percent over the last ten years.

Busa said the printing industry is not taking a different operational style, such as personnel downsizing, and other cost-cutting measures, but it is going still relevant in the modern market.

In fact, Busa said a recent survey stated that printing is rising again. (FREEMAN)