Despite many exciting innovations, the printing industry faces growing complexity challenges. Digital transformation, new technologies, increasing customization demands and other print industry trends put pressure on businesses. Today’s pressrooms must work quickly, reduce waste and fight rising printing costs. Despite these increasingly complex demands, printing businesses have many exciting opportunities to consider, and the future of print — although different — remains bright.
Understanding and effectively managing complexity is crucial for printing businesses to adapt and thrive in a changing market. Many choose strategic approaches to control the complexities associated with high-quality output and competitive turnaround times.
Digital transformation continues to change how many industries operate. Competition is fierce. Printing industry professionals face increasing levels of complexity in many areas. The high material costs associated with older printing technologies, lengthy turnaround times and increasingly elaborate consumer demands force printing professionals to rethink their approach.
Today, the printing industry faces the following complexities:
Printing operations must develop and implement a sound print management strategy to manage the industry’s complexities. With technological advancements, rising costs and evolving consumer requirements, printing operations must consider the following to thrive in this rapidly changing environment. Some key strategies to remain relevant in the face of these changes include:
Despite the initial adoption curve for digital printing, 3D printing and other innovative techniques, they offer the levels of quality and efficiency that customers expect. Staying current with these technologies and integrating them into your operations can help you better manage industry complexities.
Investing in advanced digital printing presses and automation is critical for many printing operations. These presses can handle variable data printing, allowing businesses to create the personalized products consumers require. They also offer faster turnaround times for short runs. Automation provides considerable benefits, streamlining the printing process, reducing manual errors and increasing production efficiency. Standard automation tools include connected printers and print management software.
Printing companies need skilled employees accustomed to the intricate innovations of modern printing technology. Investing in ongoing learning and development programs equips your teams with the necessary skills to meet changing consumer demands. In-house training is an investment in the future, as people want to work for a company that will help them upskill and invest in their progress.
All printing staff should be able to operate new presses and understand complex color management. Ongoing training ensures they can operate specialty printing features like clear varnish printing and specialized inks. You can encourage your staff to complete training with a robust ongoing learning program and clear progression path based on their position and skills. With this training, printing operations can avoid relying on inefficient processes to achieve the same results.
Demands for high-quality work in a fraction of the time are challenging for printing operations. Add new technologies to these challenges, and the risks of falling behind multiply. Streamlining operations reduces complexity and makes processes more efficient and manageable. Depending on the printing operation, streamlining can involve automating repetitive tasks, adopting project management tools or implementing lean manufacturing principles.
Automation is critical to reduce complexity in printing processes. Automating repetitive tasks reduces the chances of human error and frees up staff to focus on core competencies. Many printing operations automate file processes and color management to improve output efficiency and consistency.
Rapid technological advancements need printing operations to stay agile. Adopting a culture of ongoing process improvement is essential for print businesses to remain competitive. Regularly assessing workflows and looking for opportunities to streamline can mean the difference between a success and an expensive lesson.
Customers expect more than fast turnaround times. The modern customer has increasingly diverse and sophisticated needs. Print businesses must understand these needs and tailor their services to meet or exceed them. Quality, service and price are only part of the equation. Today, printing operations must differentiate themselves with a high-value purchasing experience that makes a lasting impact.
In a highly competitive market, offering personalized printing solutions or developing innovative products can help printing operations stand out. You can enhance your customer service by:
Sustainability is a critical concern in many industries, including printing. Nearly 80% of consumers say a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. They make purchase choices and business decisions based on companies that align with these values. Printing businesses must find ways to reduce their environmental impact to meet complex consumer requirements, including:
Any printing business relies on expert suppliers to help manage complexity and leverage the latest technology for maximum profitability. These suppliers can provide valuable insights on navigating the latest industry trends while integrating new technologies and meeting customer demands.
Upgrading to the latest printing technology is a long-term investment in your business success. The Revoria Press PC1120 is your ticket to a successful future. It prints up to 120 pages per minute and offers specialty printing capabilities like metallic, white ink and clear varnish printing, helping your pressroom meet the growing demand for differentiated products. Its configurable layout gives you the ultimate flexibility to streamline your operations and easily meet complex client expectations, providing unparalleled quality and performance.
Request a demo of this exciting product and enter the future with FujiFilm today!