A new report from the Book Manufacturers’ Institute on the state of the book industry predicts that printing is on the cusp of potential major changes.
“Despite the uncertain economy and geopolitical tension, 2026 is poised to be a year in which book manufacturers and their customers can collaborate to shift the tides on how the industry has operated for decades,” the report begins.
The report notes that because American book manufacturers are no longer preoccupied with meeting European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements (print products were removed from the regulations late last year), they are better positioned to integrate digital printing, AI tools, and better communication with publishers to create a more efficient manufacturing environment.
One potential shift in the publisher-printer relationship could stem from publishers’ growing acceptance of digital printing, as they become more willing to deviate from offset printing in order to lower costs.
“Historically, purchasing has trended toward sourcing books at the lowest unit cost, which would then be printed with conventional technology and stored in inventory as needed,” the report states. “As book demand has dropped amidst digitization, publishers are now increasingly less inclined to purchase in such high volumes with inventory and disposal costs potentially negating the low unit cost savings.”
Though the unit cost of each individual book will likely be higher with digital printing than with offset printing, using digital printing lets publishers order in quantities that they feel confident will be sold, thereby reducing leftover inventory costs, the report emphasizes.
Another reason why publishers are growing more likely to consider digital printing options is to offset what the report calls “an unreliable supply chain.”
Having dealt with disruptions to the supply chain caused by the pandemic and recent questions around tariffs, “the ongoing geopolitical tensions around the world are opening up unknowns for future price volatility and supply chain bottlenecks” for both printers and publishers, the report states. Being able to order digital print runs in lower quantities from domestic manufacturers is one way to offset those supply chain challenges, the report suggests.
As for the role AI is beginning to play in manufacturing, the report cites a report published last year by Alliance Insights called “AI Adoption in the Printing Industry: From Curiosity to Competitive Advantage.” In it, printers spanning all industry segments were surveyed about their experiences with the technology, with the vast majority believing that the use of AI will help them grow their businesses. According to the survey, 85% of participants agreed that AI is critical to staying competitive and 83% said that AI has unlocked new business opportunities.
The top three advantages book manufacturers found in using AI were increased production efficiency (39%), improved quality and consistency (33%), and freeing staff from repetitive tasks (30%).
“Despite the ongoing uncertainty that has defined recent years, 2026 presents a genuine opportunity for book manufacturers to reset and adapt,” said Matt Baehr, executive director of BMI, about the report’s findings. “From the welcome removal of printed products from EUDR’s scope to the growing adoption of digital printing and AI-driven production, the industry has real tools to move forward.”
