CHALLENGE 1: KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN DIGITAL LABEL PRINTING

The world of digital printing is changing and it is changing fast. The speed with which hardware and software are evolving makes it very challenging to stay up to date as a printer. Even if you have bought the latest and greatest in printing technology, it’s only a matter of time before something new comes along. That is why at Xeikon we spend a lot of time to make sure all our new technology is as fully compatible as possible with previous installments. We want printers to get as much out of their presses as possible by allowing them to add new innovations to existing machines.

Obviously your digital printing press should be your most valuable asset. But what are some other good long-term investments? Evidently, that depends on they type of jobs you want to do. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to invest a good deal in post press finishing processes, such as die-cutting and varnishing. Also don’t forget that you will need your print jobs reach customers in time. So make sure to think about a good shipping strategy as well.

CHALLENGE 2: FINDING NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

It’s not just the technology that is changing, the world is changing too. What your customers want today is not necessarily what they will want tomorrow. You may be printing a lot of standard-sized labels now but what about the future?

By investing in new types of digital printing presses you can expand your current business and create new business opportunities for yourself. The more flexible you become, the more business you will generate. For that precise reason, the Xeikon 3030 can be field-upgraded to one of the higher speed and/or higher width press models of the Xeikon 3000 Series. This way, even if your business model changes, you can still make use of the same digital press.

CHALLENGE 3: AUTOMATING THE PRINTING PROCESS

Getting computers take over repetitive jobs is a great strategy to rule out human error in the printing process. And because computers can work non-stop, they are also very effective in speeding up the production process, allowing for packed printing job schedules.

Automation is a game changer and the key to optimizing your entire production process. Print Management Software, Management Information Systems, Automated Artwork Verification, Variable Data Creation , … – they all share one goal: to take repetitive jobs out of the hands of your operators so they can focus on more valuable work.

Thus the question arises: what does automation mean for your staff? In order to get your workforce on board, it’s important that they know what the technology can do – and what it can not. They have to learn to trust the software, while at the same time remain critical enough so as to guarantee top quality at all time. By stimulating your employees to come up with ways to simplify and speed up production, they become part of the optimization process themselves, which is a great motivational force.

Here we have shed light upon just three of the challenges many digital printers are facing. If you want more tips and advice to optimize the digital printing process, please