There is a bright future for printed books, a recent survey finds. According to the results, printed books will continue to be important, relevant, interesting and still very much appreciated compared to e-books and audiobooks.
As one of the leading book paper and cover providers, Stora Enso conducted a study with 80 in-depth interviews in 13 countries across Europe, Asia and North America together with research company Opticom International.
The aim was to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities regarding book publishing and consumption. Participants included publishers, retailers, printers, merchants and new players such as audio and e-book publishers as well as companies that transfer physical books into digital format.
"One of the main findings was that there is a positive future for printed books", says Essi Lauri, VP, Head of Segment Newsprint & Book, in Stora Enso Paper division.
Printed and digital together are the future
While audio and e-books are important in professional and educational segments, only eight percent believe that e-books will grow in volume.
"Interest in e-books seems to have plateaued somewhat, and audiobooks are not necessarily seen as an alternative to physical books, rather a complement. You can listen to an audiobook while driving a car or jogging, where reading a physical book would be impossible", says Essi Lauri.
E-books sales have been strong in the UK and US (approx. 20% of the market), but have stagnated in recent years and have not affected print sales as much as expected. In France and Germany e-books represent less than ten percent of the market. In emerging markets, the interest for e-books appears weaker, regardless of the rapid growth in tablet and smartphone users.
Audiobooks, on the other hand, continue to increase in sales, mostly via crime novels, true stories, biographies, romantic and erotic genres. However, the majority of the respondents see audiobooks as a compliment, not an alternative − consumers have a choice. In addition, there is no indication that Millennials would prefer digital more than older generations.
'The more things go digital, the more value there is in the printed product'
Another finding is that people want to have a counterweight to screen time. As one respondent put it, 'The more things go digital, the more value there is in the printed product.'
"Holding a physical book gives you a different feeling than holding an e-book. It's an experience. And here, the paper and book cover, the tactile features and quality material, are important", Essi Lauri continues.
Certain types of books it seems are meant to remain in paper format. Examples of these are hard cover books, including children's books, photography books, books given as gifts and hobby related books such as Do It Yourself, gardening and cook books.
Stora Enso is a global leader and specialist in paper and board production. The company has one of the widest uncoated mechanical and woodfree book paper portfolios on the market, in addition to a wide range of paperboard for covers that are designed for demanding finishing treatments such as embossing, foiling and varnishing. All Stora Enso book papers and boards are fully recyclable and based on renewable materials.
For further information, please contact:
Liisa Nyyssönen, SVP Communications, Paper Division, tel. +358 40 544 3491
FAQs
The fear that printed books would be consigned to history by digital media have proved unfounded. With a global industry valued at $151 billion¹, demand for hard copies is stronger than ever, with consumers in need of a 'digital detox' turning to print for a more intimate reading experience.
Do you agree that there is a future for physical books? ›
There is a bright future for printed books, a recent survey finds. According to the results, printed books will continue to be important, relevant, interesting and still very much appreciated compared to e-books and audiobooks.
Are printed books better than e readers? ›
Physical books help readers absorb and recall content more effectively. Turning pages as we read creates an “index” in the brain, mapping what we read visually to a particular page. Research shows that, despite the prevalence of technology, most people still prefer print books to e-readers.
Why are printed books important? ›
Enhanced Reading Comprehension
Something about holding a book in your hand engages your mind in a way that digital devices haven't been able to replicate. Studies have shown that print books can help readers absorb more information and remember more details compared to reading digital text.
What will be the future of books? ›
It's probably quite likely many of us can contemplate both the advantages and disadvantages the rise of digital publications has brought us. For the younger generations e-books may open up many new worlds to them previously deemed impenetrable by the weight – in both senses of the word – of a physical book.
Are printed books making a comeback? ›
The number of books sold declined by 24.04% from a record high in 2008 to a record low in 2012. But since then, the print book industry has been making a comeback. Going from 591 million physical books sold in 2012 to 788.7 million in 2022, print book sales grew 33.45% over this period.
Do you think e-books would replace paper books in the future? ›
Print books will not become obsolete, but when you have a much more efficient option, why not use them instead? Switching from physical books to electronic books is beneficial not just for the students, but also for you as a publisher. eBooks have proven that they are more engaging and interactive than printed books.
Do you learn better with physical books? ›
Books trump screens when it comes to reading comprehension, as Yahoo News reported. A new meta-analysis of the link between leisure reading and comprehension confirms previous findings that printed material beats digital content, finding that print is six times better at boosting comprehension skills.
Do people prefer eBooks or printed books? ›
The study, commissioned by paper producer Stora Enso, showed 65% of respondents prefer physical books, versus 21% who prefer e-books and 14% audiobooks.
Why printed books are better than digital books? ›
Paper books cause less eye strain than electronic books
Electronic books can also cause screen fatigue which may lead to blurred vision, redness, dryness, and irritation. One survey of 429 university students revealed that nearly half had complained of strained eyes after reading digitally.
Its a simple fact that Electronic books can cause screen fatigue, which may lead to blurred vision, redness, dryness and irritation. With print books, you don't have to worry about any of that. Do you forget to blink while reading e-books? Blinking is essential for your eye health.
What are the disadvantages of reading printed books? ›
There are several disadvantages to printed books:
- They can take up a lot of physical space, making them difficult to store and transport.
- They can be heavy and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
- They can be expensive to purchase, especially if you're buying multiple books.
Traditional print books are still relevant in the digital age for a multitude of reasons. From the tangibility of holding a physical book to the distraction-free reading experience, from the resilience of print books to their aesthetic value, there are many benefits to choosing a physical book over an e-book.
How has book printing changed society? ›
With the newfound ability to inexpensively mass-produce books on every imaginable topic, revolutionary ideas and priceless ancient knowledge were placed in the hands of every literate European, whose numbers doubled every century.
Why books are better than technology? ›
Students generally have better comprehension with print text than digital. “If you're sitting down in a concentrated way with a print book, you tend to get more out of it,” she said.
Will paper books be eliminated soon? ›
The short answer is: not necessarily. There are some good arguments to make for the future of printed books. Slow growth. Though eBooks are becoming more popular, the rate of growth isn't as fast as you might think – right now, only 30 percent of Americans read eBooks regularly.
Are print book sales declining? ›
US print book sales fell by only 2.6% in 2023 from 2022 at outlets that report to Circana BookScan, following a strong final pre-Christmas week. Publishers Weekly reported that 767 million units were sold in the US last year versus 788 million in 2022.
Do printed books still have value? ›
Books have provenance.
Books are physical objects that can recall memories of the past. Digital books can't become personal artifacts. Paper has a lasting value and that many people can appreciate.
