How efficient is the UK’s print media supply chain? How can it be improved?
Defining the print media supply chain in specific terms is problematic: there are many, many real and potential supply chains, some geared towards producing and distributing direct mail, for example, others for newspapers, still more for magazines, and all this without mentioning the huge variety of other printed items, some of which are marketing collateral, packaging, labels, in-store displays, billboard posters. What can be said is that the parties to the print media supply chain form a vast, conglomeration of technology and service providers, that are often only loosely associated, if at all, and combine in mostly ad hoc terms as and when a printed item needs to be produced. Every company has its own supply chain but in its simplest terms, a supply chain might involve a paper manufacturer, creative/production professionals, prepress, print, post-press and then mailing/distribution. There is a host of further hands that might touch a job on its way to the final consumer of course. M
