14 February 2023

UK printing subdued in Q4 as output and orders underperform

Confidence is depressed but end to cost crisis ahead.

Growth in output and orders was marginally positive in Q4 as the reality for performance in the UK printing and printed packaging industry turned out close to the forecasts provided in the previous quarter. The expectation for Q1 is for slight performance improvement to be realised. Despite heightened economic and political uncertainties, extreme energy cost shocks, and high inflation - many firms have been able to find some stability in their own performance. However, a significant minority of companies have not been able to prevent a contraction in their business.

The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 33% of printers managed to increase their output levels in the final quarter of 2022, and 29% experienced a decline in their output levels. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was +4, well below Q3, but just above the Q4 forecast.