What Smart Packaging Printers Are Doing Now While Competitors Stall

In this episode of Parlor Talks, Andy Paparozzi, Chief Economist at Printing United Alliance, unpacks findings from the first-ever “State of the Package and Label Printing Industry” report. With insights from 77 printers across the segment, Andy delivers a sharp analysis of the real economic pressures impacting packaging today — from volatile client behavior and unpredictable tariffs to inflated costs and profit squeezes.

But the conversation doesn’t stop at the problems. Andy dives deep into how top-performing companies are navigating uncertainty — whether it’s raising prices through smarter client communication, investing in AI and business intelligence tools, or applying rigorous due diligence to profitable diversification. If you're a packaging leader asking “what now?” as you plan for 2026, this episode is your roadmap for moving forward while others stand still.

Download a copy of the report.

0:00 – Intro and Guest Welcome

1:00 – Origins of the Packaging Industry Survey

2:00 – What Printers Are Saying: Volatility and Client Hesitancy

4:30 – Why Volatility is Harder to Manage Than a Slowdown

6:30 – The High Cost of Inaction

10:30 – Tariff Impacts and the Profit Squeeze

13:30 – Three Ways Printers Are Responding to Tariff Costs

16:00 – Building Trust Through Consultative Client Relationships

18:00 – Strategic Diversification in Packaging

21:00 – AI, Business Intelligence, and the Shift to Smart Decisions

28:00 – Avoiding Data Paralysis with AI