The print and printed packaging industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: building products; coatings; extractive and mineral process; furniture, furnishing and interiors; glass and related industries; ceramics; plus paper. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK printing serves all areas of business and leisure by producing a vast range of products. It covers the:
- Printing of newspapers
- Printing not elsewhere classified
- Bookbinding
- Pre‐press activities
- Ancillary activities related to printing
In business, print is used to help communicate information, demonstrate commercial advantage, create impact and make headlines. The industry also produces materials for education, entertainment and other sectors. Print companies tend to become specialists within their field, as different types of end product each require slightly different machinery. Demand for printed products has continued to grow.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 206,000 people employed in the industry, across 27,000 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full‐time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift‐based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 19% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 23% a Level 2, 25% a Level 3, 8% a Level 4 and 11% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £12.6 billion.
- There are 9,089 sole traders in the industry.
Jobs in the industry range from: machine assistant, bookbinder, packaging technologist, web publication designer, desktop publishing editor, pre‐press operator, graphic designer, reprographic assistant.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 18,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,240 workplaces.
East of England – There are an estimated 31,500 employees in the regional workforce, in around 3,250 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 4,620 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 7,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 650 workplaces.
North West – There are an estimated 24,100 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,550 workplaces.
South East – There are an estimated 25,900 employees in the regional workforce, in around 4,740 workplaces. There is a large concentration of companies in the South East.
South West – There are an estimated 16,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,360 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,220 workplaces.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 20,400 employees in the regional workforce, in around 2,080 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 4,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 800 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 14,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 1,200 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 2,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 300 workplaces.
