One word production print teams hear over and over from employees and customers is automation.
The question is, “How can you help me do more with less?”
Whether they’re shop owners and operators or in-house print houses, everyone is striving to get work done efficiently and cost-effectively. Labor shortages and other headwinds have hindered many industries, and the Print Industry is not immune.
The goal for any print team is to deliver first-class products and services that support what is most important: business health and growth.
- Enhance Productivity: Beyond Speed Alone
Increased productivity through automation goes beyond simply printing faster. It optimizes the entire workflow from file submission to finished product. Consider these possibilities:
- Pre-flighting and Job Onboarding Automation: Automated pre-flight checks can instantly identify file errors (missing fonts, resolution issues, etc.) and either correct them or flag them for operator review. Automated job onboarding can route files to the correct print queue based on predefined parameters (paper stock, finish, quantity). This reduces manual touchpoints and speeds up turnaround times significantly.
- Dynamic Scheduling and Queue Management: Intelligent software can analyze incoming jobs, prioritize them based on due dates and resources, and dynamically adjust print queues for maximum efficiency. This minimizes downtime between jobs and ensures that rush orders are handled seamlessly without disrupting the rest of the workflow.
- Automated Finishing Integration: Connecting printing equipment with automated finishing devices (cutters, folders, binders) creates a seamless flow. Barcode scanning and automated instructions ensure that printed materials are directed to the correct finishing equipment and processed according to specifications, minimizing manual handling and the risk of errors.
- Data-Driven Optimization: Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like turnaround times, error rates, and machine utilization provides valuable insights. Automation software can then use this data to identify bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and predict potential issues before they occur.
- Minimize Errors: Quality and Consistency as Cornerstones
Reducing errors is paramount, not just for cost savings, but for maintaining customer trust and delivering consistent quality. Consider these elaborations:
- Automated Quality Control: Integrating quality checks throughout the production process ensures that errors are caught early. This can include automated color calibration, image registration verification, and even automated inspection systems that detect imperfections in print quality.
- Version Control and Job Tracking: Automation systems can maintain a history of all job versions, approvals, and changes. This simplifies reprints and ensures that the correct version is always used. Real-time job tracking provides transparency and reduces the need for manual status updates.
- Standardized Workflows and SOPs: Automation helps enforce standardized operating procedures (SOPs) across the print shop. This ensures consistent output quality regardless of which operator is running the job and reduces the reliance on individual expertise.
- Integration with MIS (Management Information Systems): Connecting your print production workflow with your MIS allows for seamless data flow and reduces manual data entry. This minimizes the risk of human error in job data, pricing, and tracking.
- Maximize Profits: Efficiency, Value, and New Revenue Streams
Profitability is the ultimate goal. Automation contributes to this by increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and creating opportunities for new revenue streams:
- Cost Reduction through Resource Optimization: Automation minimizes waste by reducing errors, optimizing material usage, and streamlining labor. This translates directly into lower production costs and improved profit margins.
- Increased Throughput and Capacity: By automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows, print teams can handle more jobs with the same resources. This increases overall capacity and allows for revenue growth without necessarily adding more staff or equipment.
- Value-Added Services and Faster Turnarounds: Automation enables print providers to offer value-added services like personalized print products, variable data printing, and faster turnaround times. These offerings differentiate them from competitors and command higher prices.
- Web-to-Print Integration: Integrating web-to-print solutions with your automated workflow opens up new revenue streams by allowing customers to submit jobs online, select options, and receive instant quotes. This streamlines the ordering process and expands market reach.
The best way to implement automation is by using this three-tier approach. Consult with experts in production print to tap into their wealth of knowledge, best practices, and creative solutions to the question, “What is a better way to run that job?”
Prosource has mastered implementing world-class products from digital front ends to digital presses to advanced finishing options. We ensure that our customers have all of the tools necessary to reduce time and costs. Contact our tenured and knowledgeable production print service team to see how we can get you up and running and serving your clients more efficiently.