The printing industry has changed, with many established printer providers, as well as new companies, adopting digital printing solutions to meet the demands of the print market.
The purchase of a digital device is not always done willingly, sometimes it is done through necessity and sometimes the technology is embraced as companies look to the future.

Speedy hardware

For those printer providers working in a traditional manner - quoting on jobs, collecting or receiving jobs on CD or USB, phoning to let the client know the job has been received, printed or rejected - new digital hardware can feel burdensome and labour intensive. However, the implementation of certain software solutions that work in-line with the hardware will speed up the process, enhance client service and interaction, give more control over what is being printed, contain costs, automate the provision of quotations and enable additional products or services to be offered to clients.

For those struggling with the transition, there are even advanced print reproduction solutions, which include various features to make a digital machine perform like an off-set press and match various litho characteristics.

Many print providers are hesitant to invest in these software solutions, with cost, complexity and support being the most frequently cited reasons. However, the cost of the solution should be offset against the increase in productivity over a defined period; the complexity will obviously be dependent on the type of solution and user comprehension as well as uptake and today most software solutions come with a comprehensive maintenance agreement that takes care of the support, as well as updates and new features.

There are many different software solutions in the market and it is important to consider whether to go the manufacturer dependant or independent route, allowing the freedom to change brands, or not, as the solution must suit the requirements both now and down the line.

Many device manufacturers, including Konica Minolta, will offer independent production solutions to meet client requirements and assist them in working smarter, more profitably and easier. The offerings available are able to meet the needs of centralised reprographic departments (CRDs), through to copy shops and commercial printers and range from an effective but easy to use imposition plug in on a print controller to a management information system (MIS) workflow for a CRD with multiple machines.

Colour reproduction

Colour consistency is a hot topic for all print providers, making colour management systems for different printing processes essential. The resultant colour of printed material can be completely different when printing across various locations, or on different printing presses or systems.

Even when printing on two identical digital presses, the same job can show differences. An effective colour management system should bring accurate and consistent colour reproduction for all print jobs, from print run to print run, independent of system, in conventional and digital production printing environments.

It should also be able to manage and match to various printing standards, such as GRACoL, ISO coated V2, FOGRA39 and so on. This iterative colour matching will give accurate and reproducible results with colour stabilisation and minimised digital press drift over time.

Some colour management systems will also offer integrated soft proofing for cost effective client communications, as well as intelligent workflow tools and complete process automation resulting in less operator involvement.