noelward
Well-known member
Technology is good. But!
Planet readers speak out
By Noel Ward, Editor@Large
It is always fun to find out how print pros think and get work done so I asked Print Planet readers a bunch of questions. Offset and digital print providers from Europe and the US responded, answering only questions they deemed important. This was fine and told me a bit about what they think about. The comments came from C-level people or senior managers; some relatively new to a company but experienced in printing, along with those with a few decades at just one firm in the rearview. I don’t use percentages here because the answers are not meant to be representative of a larger audience. I just recount what people said and add some thoughts that may be related.
You can give me your input too. Later on, I roll out the questions readers responded to. Chime in and I’ll try to include your answers in another article. Like the current crop of respondents, you need only provide basic thoughts. Some whining is OK—and expected! As in this piece, no one is identified in any way.
Similar issues
As I expected, some issues cross the Atlantic. As different as European and American markets are the main job is still putting words and images on a page. Location doesn’t matter. For instance, at a recent conference I spent time with a printer from Dublin, Ireland. I asked why he came to the U.S. when there are similar conferences in the UK and Europe. Turns out he goes to those too, noting that while some rules differ between nations the vendors, processes and workflows are much the same. The Dubliner said he is always looking for better ways of doing things. Smart guy! No one has all the answers and sharing best practices makes sense wherever one does business. Another print provider pointed out that all shops compete with one another these days. It can be useful to learn about different practices.
Shrinking run lengths
Predictably, the shift in volume from long to very short runs (as few as 50 to 100) was common to all respondents. “I see few runs over 2-3,000” said one respondent. Like other shops, he was also seeing fewer jobs overall, customers who expected short turnarounds, and noted how getting supplies can sometimes be a challenge.
Companies like Canon have long focused on short runs while offset press makers like Koenig & Bauer offer machines with the flexibility to handle shorter runs. There is no doubt that shorter runs are the future. Moreover, while short-run/fast-turn jobs seem ideal for digital presses such needs may also be a reason why some vendors are rolling out light production digital printers. Market trends aside, unless a shop has the total monthly volume to justify the speed (and cost) of a high-end digital or offset device, a light-production box may make more sense. It’s too soon to tell, but vendors usually don’t invest in developing new products if there isn’t a market.
Some say print quality is better on the pricier box. This is generally true! But image quality may take a back seat for end-customers primarily interested in turnaround and price. Most light production boxes produce acceptable work and some have optional finishing capabilities. If not, pages can be finished using offline or near-line binding.
Color management
While some color mavens will have ego and heart issues when reading this, not every document with color images requires fully managed color. But it is is still important. Thanks to a variety of tools from companies such as Baldwin, Techkon or X-Rite, along with modern offset and digital presses from companies such as Canon, Koenig & Bauer or Ricoh, color is becoming easier to manage and produce accurately. On one hand, print engines and RIPs are getting pretty good at color so customers not wed to critical or brand colors know ‘pleasing color’ is sufficient for many documents. On the other hand, state-of-the-art color management tools are making getting color “right” far easier. This is critical because respondents all said they want to know more about color management, how to render accurate color when they need it, and explain why and when it isn’t necessary. You already know this. The input I received shows print providers in the U.S. and Europe are aligned on this topic. It’s another point that crosses the Atlantic.
Calmness
One respondent was relatively new to his role as production manager but had arrived with extensive experience in print operations. Accustomed to the ‘managed chaos’ of a print shop, what struck him was what he termed “calmness.” He meant the company had adopted an approach of doing things more methodically, repeatably, with less waste, and did not offer same -day turnarounds. As a result, the company had become more responsive to customers, more creative, and better able to focus on larger opportunities.
The same respondent also linked operational calmness to bolstering employee skills and building a better workforce. Similarly, other companies considered retaining employees and growing them into roles of greater value as part of a strategic approach. I’ve seen this in action in several shops where I often found that some people had spent 25-plus years at one company. Such a tenure markedly broadens the range of skills and internal knowledge available as in, “Go talk to Phil in production. He’s done that and will be able to help you out.”
Communications matter
Of course, business owners and managers also talk with their counterparts in other firms. Some of this happens in structured trade associations but idea-sharing also happens locally. A certain amount of grousing is inevitable but other business-oriented conversations take place over lunch or a beer after work. Respondents all said they appreciated hearing how other shops in their market handled things like internet security, workflows, different types of jobs, supply concerns, and employee issues. Hardly unexpected but encouraging to hear across an international audience.
Are you skeptical?
Printers are often skeptical by experience. Go figure! Most were reluctant to believe vendors’ claims about new products, fueled perhaps by the experience that new hardware and software is not an assurance of a smooth ride. As one respondent pointed out, “Technology is good, but we need to know what, when and how to use it.” Apparently, some ‘how-to’ info may not always reaching those who need it most.
One print industry veteran cited a vendor’s insistence that a new machine would do everything required—but failed to provide sufficient training— leaving the printers’ team unable to take full advantage of their new device. It was telling to hear that vendors may not always understand some practical realities of running a printing business. Yep. Copy that. I’ve talked with enough print providers, production people, sales reps, and printer’s customers to know this can be true. Blank looks and butt-covering comments from salespeople and service techs speak volumes.
Most print providers just want proof that a particular type of job will run on the machine they are considering. From what I’m hearing and seeing, vendors that invite prospective customers to a demo center with a real job in hand are often better prepared to handle skepticism than vendors that suggest emailing the job in and awaiting the result via FedEx. Respondents also said in-person visits to other printers and testimonials—especially from people they know—can be quite valuable. A print provider I know well told me about a recent trip he and his production manager took to two shops that did the same kind of work he did and used the type of press and software he was considering. Only after this ‘sniff test’ did he pull the trigger. Not an uncommon approach and well worth the airfare.
There was more but I’m out of space, so here are the questions I’d like your answers to:
I can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
Planet readers speak out
By Noel Ward, Editor@Large
It is always fun to find out how print pros think and get work done so I asked Print Planet readers a bunch of questions. Offset and digital print providers from Europe and the US responded, answering only questions they deemed important. This was fine and told me a bit about what they think about. The comments came from C-level people or senior managers; some relatively new to a company but experienced in printing, along with those with a few decades at just one firm in the rearview. I don’t use percentages here because the answers are not meant to be representative of a larger audience. I just recount what people said and add some thoughts that may be related.
You can give me your input too. Later on, I roll out the questions readers responded to. Chime in and I’ll try to include your answers in another article. Like the current crop of respondents, you need only provide basic thoughts. Some whining is OK—and expected! As in this piece, no one is identified in any way.
Similar issues
As I expected, some issues cross the Atlantic. As different as European and American markets are the main job is still putting words and images on a page. Location doesn’t matter. For instance, at a recent conference I spent time with a printer from Dublin, Ireland. I asked why he came to the U.S. when there are similar conferences in the UK and Europe. Turns out he goes to those too, noting that while some rules differ between nations the vendors, processes and workflows are much the same. The Dubliner said he is always looking for better ways of doing things. Smart guy! No one has all the answers and sharing best practices makes sense wherever one does business. Another print provider pointed out that all shops compete with one another these days. It can be useful to learn about different practices.
Shrinking run lengths
Predictably, the shift in volume from long to very short runs (as few as 50 to 100) was common to all respondents. “I see few runs over 2-3,000” said one respondent. Like other shops, he was also seeing fewer jobs overall, customers who expected short turnarounds, and noted how getting supplies can sometimes be a challenge.
Companies like Canon have long focused on short runs while offset press makers like Koenig & Bauer offer machines with the flexibility to handle shorter runs. There is no doubt that shorter runs are the future. Moreover, while short-run/fast-turn jobs seem ideal for digital presses such needs may also be a reason why some vendors are rolling out light production digital printers. Market trends aside, unless a shop has the total monthly volume to justify the speed (and cost) of a high-end digital or offset device, a light-production box may make more sense. It’s too soon to tell, but vendors usually don’t invest in developing new products if there isn’t a market.
Some say print quality is better on the pricier box. This is generally true! But image quality may take a back seat for end-customers primarily interested in turnaround and price. Most light production boxes produce acceptable work and some have optional finishing capabilities. If not, pages can be finished using offline or near-line binding.
Color management
While some color mavens will have ego and heart issues when reading this, not every document with color images requires fully managed color. But it is is still important. Thanks to a variety of tools from companies such as Baldwin, Techkon or X-Rite, along with modern offset and digital presses from companies such as Canon, Koenig & Bauer or Ricoh, color is becoming easier to manage and produce accurately. On one hand, print engines and RIPs are getting pretty good at color so customers not wed to critical or brand colors know ‘pleasing color’ is sufficient for many documents. On the other hand, state-of-the-art color management tools are making getting color “right” far easier. This is critical because respondents all said they want to know more about color management, how to render accurate color when they need it, and explain why and when it isn’t necessary. You already know this. The input I received shows print providers in the U.S. and Europe are aligned on this topic. It’s another point that crosses the Atlantic.
Calmness
One respondent was relatively new to his role as production manager but had arrived with extensive experience in print operations. Accustomed to the ‘managed chaos’ of a print shop, what struck him was what he termed “calmness.” He meant the company had adopted an approach of doing things more methodically, repeatably, with less waste, and did not offer same -day turnarounds. As a result, the company had become more responsive to customers, more creative, and better able to focus on larger opportunities.
The same respondent also linked operational calmness to bolstering employee skills and building a better workforce. Similarly, other companies considered retaining employees and growing them into roles of greater value as part of a strategic approach. I’ve seen this in action in several shops where I often found that some people had spent 25-plus years at one company. Such a tenure markedly broadens the range of skills and internal knowledge available as in, “Go talk to Phil in production. He’s done that and will be able to help you out.”
Communications matter
Of course, business owners and managers also talk with their counterparts in other firms. Some of this happens in structured trade associations but idea-sharing also happens locally. A certain amount of grousing is inevitable but other business-oriented conversations take place over lunch or a beer after work. Respondents all said they appreciated hearing how other shops in their market handled things like internet security, workflows, different types of jobs, supply concerns, and employee issues. Hardly unexpected but encouraging to hear across an international audience.
Are you skeptical?
Printers are often skeptical by experience. Go figure! Most were reluctant to believe vendors’ claims about new products, fueled perhaps by the experience that new hardware and software is not an assurance of a smooth ride. As one respondent pointed out, “Technology is good, but we need to know what, when and how to use it.” Apparently, some ‘how-to’ info may not always reaching those who need it most.
One print industry veteran cited a vendor’s insistence that a new machine would do everything required—but failed to provide sufficient training— leaving the printers’ team unable to take full advantage of their new device. It was telling to hear that vendors may not always understand some practical realities of running a printing business. Yep. Copy that. I’ve talked with enough print providers, production people, sales reps, and printer’s customers to know this can be true. Blank looks and butt-covering comments from salespeople and service techs speak volumes.
Most print providers just want proof that a particular type of job will run on the machine they are considering. From what I’m hearing and seeing, vendors that invite prospective customers to a demo center with a real job in hand are often better prepared to handle skepticism than vendors that suggest emailing the job in and awaiting the result via FedEx. Respondents also said in-person visits to other printers and testimonials—especially from people they know—can be quite valuable. A print provider I know well told me about a recent trip he and his production manager took to two shops that did the same kind of work he did and used the type of press and software he was considering. Only after this ‘sniff test’ did he pull the trigger. Not an uncommon approach and well worth the airfare.
There was more but I’m out of space, so here are the questions I’d like your answers to:
- How has your business changed since you started it or took it over from your predecessor?
- What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your company or took it over?
- Is color management a top-of-mind issue for customers (such as for logos) or do you have to explain it? If you have to explain it, what do you say?
- How well do equipment and software vendors understand the day-to-day realities of your business?
- How skeptical are you about the claims of vendors?
What can win you over? - What works for you in finding and developing good employees?
- To what extent do you share challenges and/or ideas with other printers?
I can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
