Abstract
The Philippine printing industry started in the early 1600s during the Spanish regime with the publication of a book by a Filipino printer, Tomas Pinpin. Over the last four centuries from its inception, the industry has grown into a booming, competitive media and graphic arts business comprising three different sectors such as the publishing industry, commercial printers, and industrial packaging⁄label printers. Its technical capabilities are continually being upgraded and modernized to stay competitive with the country's regional neighbors and to keep abreast of new technologies and innovations in the global printing enterprise. These advancements include digital media production, laser technology, "green" printing, and the use of information technology. For further development characterized by cooperation and knowledge-sharing, a free exchange of people, materials, technologies and talents becomes the industry's thrust. The government has enacted laws to attract capital investments in this field. New models being turned out by big names in the industry are being continuously improved to revolutionize printing services. These various technologies are expected to dramatically create new road maps for printers in the country and the region.
