PRINTING United Launches AI Readiness Benchmark for Printers

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PRINTING United Alliance introduces a practical benchmark to guide printers from AI exploration to responsible, real-world implementation.

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America; today announced the official launch of its online AI Readiness Benchmark, which provides a high-level view of how prepared an organisation is to apply AI in real print and packaging workflows.

The online AI Readiness Benchmark follows a successful soft launch of PRINTING AI at PRINTING United Expo 2025, held in Orlando, where tens of thousands of industry leaders engaged with AI-focused education, expert-led sessions, and hands-on demonstrations within the show’s dedicated PRINTING AI Pavilion and related education.

A practical path from AI exploration to readiness

As interest in artificial intelligence accelerates across the printing industry, many organisations are eager to explore its potential but lack the clarity, confidence, and internal guardrails needed to move forward responsibly. The AI Readiness Benchmark was developed to address that gap.

At a high level, the benchmark helps companies:

  • Evaluate their current AI maturity and preparedness
  • Understand where AI may impact operations, workflows, and financial performance
  • Identify potential risks, governance considerations, and next steps
  • Establish a baseline before investing in tools, platforms, or new AI initiatives

The benchmark highlights where AI may create practical value today, where it introduces risk, and where additional readiness is required before moving forward. Designed as an initial point of reference, it helps establish a baseline, prioritise focus areas, and determine where deeper operational review or expert guidance is needed.

Reinforcing leadership as a trusted AI industry partner

The launch of the AI Readiness Benchmark reinforces the Alliance’s role as the printing industry’s trusted, vendor-neutral authority on emerging technology.

Through PRINTING AI, the Alliance supports companies across the full AI journey, from early insights and awareness, to education, and through to validation, governance, and long-term production-level integration – with a strong emphasis on operational reality, financial impact, and risk management.

This approach extends beyond a single tool and includes a growing ecosystem of resources, such as:

  • The PRINTING AI Newsletter, delivering ongoing insights, trends, and practical guidance
  • The latest in AI-specific iLEARNING+ educational courses and industry research reports 
  • Webinars, including recent programs focused on real-world AI use cases and leadership perspectives, including an upcoming webinar titled, “AI Changes the Rules: Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Sales Requirement for Print Providers” on February 12.
  • In-person education and experiential learning at Alliance events, summits, and PRINTING United Expo tradeshow
  • Enablement services designed to help organisations responsibly move from assessment to sovereign production-level execution

Carrying Expo momentum into real-world AI adoption

The PRINTING AI Pavilion and sessions at PRINTING United Expo 2025 served as a proving ground for the Alliance’s AI strategy, bringing together printers, suppliers, technologists, and thought leaders to explore how AI is already reshaping the industry. The formal launch of the online AI Readiness Benchmark builds on that momentum, giving companies a practical, accessible starting point to continue the conversation long after the show floor.

“As AI adoption continues to evolve, the Alliance remains committed to helping the industry lead by providing the insight, education, and structure companies need to integrate AI responsibly and profitably,” says Amy Servi-Bonner, Vice President, Consulting – Applied AI & Printing Technology, PRINTING United Alliance. “The AI Readiness Benchmark is now available online and serves as a foundational step for organisations seeking to understand their readiness and chart a clear, confident path forward. We look forward to working with our members to further their AI journey in the way that makes most sense within their unique business operations.”

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