Printing United Alliance has announced the global release of its Unified Printing Taxonomy. The free-to-download classification framework is designed to standardise terminology across the printing and graphic arts industry.
Developed in partnership with I.T. Strategies and Zwang & Co., and supported by an international advisory board, the taxonomy aims to address inconsistent naming conventions and improve the representation of print in government and market data. Since its initial introduction in 2021, it has been refined through collaboration with manufacturers, suppliers, converters and trade associations worldwide.
“After years of collective effort, we’re proud to offer the Unified Printing Taxonomy as a global resource,” said Dave Leskusky, president of Printing United Alliance. “By adopting a common language for our products and services, suppliers everywhere can improve their data accuracy, enhance market insights, and drive more informed business decisions.”
Contributors to the advisory board include representatives from Epson America, Fespa, HP, Fujifilm Dimatix, Intergraf, Koenig & Bauer, and Ricoh Americas, among others. The taxonomy is designed to remain adaptable to new technologies, service models and market sectors.
David Zwang, chairman of Zwang & Co. and a board member, said, “Standardising how we classify and report our offerings is essential for the future growth of print. This framework lays the foundation for clear communication and more effective collaboration across our industry.”
The taxonomy is already being implemented across Printing United Alliance platforms, including its membership directory and expo environments. It is also being integrated into its media brands to support more intuitive content and product discovery. Wider adoption is expected to enable machine-learning applications, improved search functionality and new collaboration opportunities across the print sector.
