printing industry - company and industry Performance of Hong Kong’s Exports of Printed Matter ^ 2010 2011 Jan-Jul 2012 HK$Mn. Growth % HK$Mn. Growth % HK$Mn. Growth % Domestic Exports 1,803 -2 1,656 -8 892 -8 Re- exports 16,729 +14 17,110 +2 8,942 -7 Of Chinese Mainland Origin 15,946 +13 16,347 +3 8,553 -6 Total Exports 18,532 +12 18,765 +1 9,833 -7 by Markets 2010 2011 Jan-Jul 2012 Share% Growth% Share% Growth% Share% Growth% US 28.8 +9 26.9 -5 27.6 -6 EU (27) 27.6 +8 27.8 +2 25.7 -12 United Kingdom 11.9 +3 11.8 * 11.1 -14 Germany 3.9 +9 4.0 +5 3.7 -13 Chinese Mainland 11.5 +14 10.8 -5 12.7 +7 ASEAN 8.0 +21 8.8 +12 9.6 -1 Australia 5.1 +13 5.1 +2 4.8 -11 Japan 3.6 +18 4.3 +21 4.1 +5 2010 2011 Jan-Jul 2012 by Categories Share % Growth % Share % Growth % Share % Growth % Miscellaneous Books Brochures etc. 52.6 +14 54.3 +5 54.1 -5 Paper & Paperboard Label of All kinds 20.4 +18 20.1 -1 22.9 +4 Children’s Picture, Drawing or Colouring Books 9.0 -6 7.6 -15 7.3 -11 Printed or Illustrated Postcards, Printed Cards 5.4 -11 5.1 -3 4.4 -15 Transfers 2.5 +24 2.6 +6 2.9 +2 Trade advertising materials, commercial 2.0 +26 2.2 +10 2.4 -18 catalogues, etc. ^ Since offshore trade has not been captured by ordinary trade figures, these numbers do not necessarily reflect the export business managed by Hong Kong companies. * Insignificant Source: HKTDC Research
General Trade Measures Affecting Exports of Printed Matters The US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) requires manufacturers and importers to show their products intending for children under 12 do no contain harmful levels of lead and phthalates. The regulation has also affected products such as children books. However, in August 2011, the US Congress passed an amendment to the CPSIA that exempts ordinary children’s book from third-party testing. The EU’s new toy safety Directive (Directive 2009/48/ EC) came into effect on 20 July 2011. Any books falling under the definition of a toy will have to be compliant with the new Directive if sold on the European market. Product Trends Children books are becoming
more sophisticated as children do not only read books, but they may also listen and talk to them, use them to build models or solve puzzles, or even play with soft toys that are housed inside the book. The rising trend of distance learning, where teachers and students are geographically separated, will rely on electronic devices as well as printed matter for information exchanges. Demand for printed matter related to educational purpose is expected to increase. Traditional printed products are required to have innovative designs to meet the needs of various market segments. For example, everyday items such as calendar can take different forms from desktop models to large 3D wall calendars. Higher printing quality is required, thus 5-colour/7-colour presses are being introduced.
“New printing machines are invented to this regard. Another trend is environmentalism, with the use of environmentally friendly supplies.”
As emphasis on packaging increased, users of packaging require better quality materials e.g. highly embellished folding boxes, tamper proof and safety features, pressure sensitive self adhesive labels with no label look, media and heat resistence and deep freeze products etc. As publishers pledged to be more environmentally friendly, printshops are pushed to use more environmentally friendly supplies e.g. recycled paper and synthetic paper (which may affect printing quality and needs adjustment on printers’ part), UV ink and ink based on beans (which would reduce the use of chemical solvents in cleansing). The chemical-free plate system is introduced, which does not require the use of chemicals. Although the use of FSC or PEFC-certified paper remains relatively small, it is increasing fast. HONG KONG BUSINESS ANNUAL 2013 49