Printer Industry Trends That Could Impact Your Business in 2026

12/23/2025

The pace of change in the workplace isn’t slowing down—and office technology is no exception. Staying ahead of printer industry trends can help your business boost productivity, streamline workflows and cut waste.

At Gordon Flesch Company (GFC), we’ve been helping organizations adapt to evolving technology since 1956. Decades of experience have taught us how to anticipate what’s next and deliver solutions that keep businesses running efficiently.

Here are five printer industry trends we believe could have a big impact on your business in the coming year.

  1. The Impact of Hybrid Work on Printer Technology
  2. Strengthening Cybersecurity for Business Printers
  3. Growth of Digital Printing and Print-on-Demand
  4. Sustainability Takes Center Stage in Office Printing
  5. Enlisting the Help of a Managed Print Services Provider

1. The Impact of Hybrid Work on Printer Technology

Hybrid work isn’t just changing where we work—it’s changing how we print. As employees split time between home and the office, businesses need flexible solutions that keep documents flowing securely and efficiently.

Cloud integration is now a must-have. Printers that connect seamlessly to cloud platforms make remote printing and document sharing simple, no matter where your team is located. Mobile printing is on the rise, with employees expecting to print from smartphones, tablets and laptops. Secure mobile print solutions like uniFLOW and PaperCut are becoming essential for modern workplaces.

Collaboration is another key factor. Printers equipped with advanced scanning and routing features—such as sending documents directly to email or shared folders—help teams stay connected and productive, even when they’re miles apart.

2. Strengthening Cybersecurity for Business Printers

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT concern—it’s a business priority. As cyberthreats grow more sophisticated, printers have become potential entry points for hackers. That’s why manufacturers are building advanced security features for today’s devices.

Expect to see printers with stronger authentication tools, including smart card readers or password authentication, ensuring only authorized users can access print jobs. Improved encryption protocols will protect data in transit and at rest, while secure print release features help prevent confidential documents from sitting unattended.

Regular firmware updates are also critical. These updates patch vulnerabilities and keep devices protected against emerging threats. For businesses, staying proactive with updates and security settings is essential to safeguarding your print environment.


 ARTICLE: How to Conduct a Print Security Assessment 


3. Growth of Digital Printing and Print-on-Demand

Speed and flexibility are driving big changes in the print industry. Digital printing and print-on-demand services are gaining traction because they allow businesses to produce high-quality materials quickly—without the need for large print runs or costly inventory.

With digital printing, companies can customize documents, marketing materials and even packaging in smaller batches, reducing waste and improving turnaround times. Print-on-demand takes this a step further by enabling businesses to print exactly what they need, when they need it. This approach minimizes storage costs and ensures content stays current.

For organizations looking to stay agile, these technologies offer a smart way to respond to changing customer demands while keeping costs under control. Expect digital printing and on-demand solutions to play an even bigger role within the next year as businesses prioritize efficiency and personalization.

4. Sustainability Takes Center Stage in Office Printing

Environmental responsibility isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business. Modern multifunction printers are designed with energy-saving modes and the ability to consolidate multiple functions—printing, copying, scanning and faxing—into one compact device. This reduces energy consumption and frees up valuable office space.

Many organizations are also rethinking their print strategies to cut paper waste and improve efficiency. Expect this trend to accelerate as businesses look for ways to align technology with sustainability goals.


INFOGRAPHIC: Go Green with Managed Print


5. Enlisting the Help of a Managed Print Services Provider

The Managed Print Services marketing is growing. And a fresh look at your current print fleet—paired with usage data and clear goals—can uncover opportunities to upgrade to more secure and cost-effective solutions. That’s why partnering with an experienced office technology provider makes it easy to design a print environment that supports both productivity and efficiency.

GFC’s imageCARE+ Managed Print Services are designed for:

  • More uptime, fewer headaches – proactive monitoring, preventative maintenance and just‑in‑time toner delivery keep printers running smoothly.
  • Predictable costs, real savings – fixed monthly payments simplify budgeting while reducing energy usage, paper waste, supply costs and downtime.
  • Stronger security – timely firmware and software updates, along with options for password protection or secure “follow me” print release to guard against threats.
  • Freed-up IT teams – with GFC handling print device management, your technical staff can focus on core systems and strategic projects.

GFC’s imageCARE+ is a full-spectrum solution—strategically managing the entire print ecosystem. That means right-sized devices, robust tracking, preventative maintenance and ongoing optimization—so your printing supports growth, sustainability and security goals.

How to Optimize Your Print Fleet

Don’t let the wrong technology hold your business back. Contact Gordon Flesch Company for a no obligation expert review of your office equipment and take a look at what Managed Print Services could do for you. 

We are ready to partner with you to identify any technology gaps or opportunities for improvement. Take advantage of our fresh, outside perspective and request a free office technology needs assessment, today!

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