What's Really Inside Your Ink Can?

[D Ink Man]

What you may not see inside your ink can are the most important factors to its serviceability. Consider this please:

1) Product Fit- Does your ink perform well on each and every piece of press equipment in your facility? Are the product offerings by your ink supplier diversified enough to satisfy the runnability and printabilty properties for all presses? If the ink supplier has overly consolidated their product lines and/or not willing to make modifications to provide the necessary needed performance, there is no value, no matter what the cost. Many ink companies today have developed product lines, with a 'take it or leave it approach'. This is contrary to the methods applied when thriving was normal, where 'we will do whatever it takes to make our customer happy'.

2) Consistency, Batch to Batch - If you have an ink product that performed well on your press and you run into problems, true consistency of the ink must be questioned. Remember, the ink suppliers have drastically reduced their inside and outside technical staffs, because of the backward evolution in their business practices. This is a HUGE MISTAKE the ink companies have made in the overall philosophy of remaining effective and profitable. The ink industry needs an awakening to realize such fundamental values that drove their successes and benefited their customers to a maximum level.

3) Service – This is a significant element in providing an ink buyer with true value for money paid on ink. It must again be the responsibility of the ink supplier to provide TECHNICAL SERVICE to their customers. Technical presence experienced and trained professionals that provide immediate response to a printer's needs. It does not matter if it is an ink problem or not. The inkman should be the first on site to alleviate problems and issues. Now with that said, the ink purchasers, the printers should be willing to pay more for the price per pound of their product. It works much better for the vendor/customer relationship when business is conducted in this manner. A partnership is then developed which provides beneficial synergies for both businesses.

So in summary, look beyond to what seems to be inside that can of ink. Look at the hidden value that needs to be there. Using the three factors above as referred to your vision and perception will become much more acute. Do not settle for less from your ink supplier. Your very existence may depend on what truly is on the inside of that can.

 

[D Ink Man]

One week. Someone has really got to know.

 

[Bob Peterson]

What you may not see inside your ink can are the most important factors to its serviceability. Consider this please:

1) Product Fit- Does your ink perform well on each and every piece of press equipment in your facility? Are the product offerings by your ink supplier diversified enough to satisfy the runnability and printabilty properties for all presses? If the ink supplier has overly consolidated their product lines and/or not willing to make modifications to provide the necessary needed performance, there is no value, no matter what the cost. Many ink companies today have developed product lines, with a 'take it or leave it approach'. This is contrary to the methods applied when thriving was normal, where 'we will do whatever it takes to make our customer happy'.

2) Consistency, Batch to Batch - If you have an ink product that performed well on your press and you run into problems, true consistency of the ink must be questioned. Remember, the ink suppliers have drastically reduced their inside and outside technical staffs, because of the backward evolution in their business practices. This is a HUGE MISTAKE the ink companies have made in the overall philosophy of remaining effective and profitable. The ink industry needs an awakening to realize such fundamental values that drove their successes and benefited their customers to a maximum level.

3) Service – This is a significant element in providing an ink buyer with true value for money paid on ink. It must again be the responsibility of the ink supplier to provide TECHNICAL SERVICE to their customers. Technical presence experienced and trained professionals that provide immediate response to a printer's needs. It does not matter if it is an ink problem or not. The inkman should be the first on site to alleviate problems and issues. Now with that said, the ink purchasers, the printers should be willing to pay more for the price per pound of their product. It works much better for the vendor/customer relationship when business is conducted in this manner. A partnership is then developed which provides beneficial synergies for both businesses.

So in summary, look beyond to what seems to be inside that can of ink. Look at the hidden value that needs to be there. Using the three factors above as referred to your vision and perception will become much more acute. Do not settle for less from your ink supplier. Your very existence may depend on what truly is on the inside of that can.

D

I couldn't have said it better myself. However, I would rather the other ink companies continue to reduce their technical staff and sell on price alone. This way industry suppliers, like the ones we work for, that provide service above and beyond, will be the one that the printers turn to after they have learned that there is a unit cost and a cost to use.

Great post!

Bob

 

[Sustainable]

D

I couldn't have said it better myself. However, I would rather the other ink companies continue to reduce their technical staff and sell on price alone. This way industry suppliers, like the ones we work for, that provide service above and beyond, will be the one that the printers turn to after they have learned that there is a unit cost and a cost to use.

Great post!

Bob

It would be wonderful if the cost to use would sink in. UNIT COST is the name of the game. Even if you must use twice as much the unit cost is still cheaper. Until the purchasers wisens up to cost to use this will never change. Blue Collar comedy has the phrase "you can't fix stupid".

 

[D Ink Man]

Thank you Bob, you gave me those pins and needles kinda feeling!

 

[Bob Peterson]

It would be wonderful if the cost to use would sink in. UNIT COST is the name of the game. Even if you must use twice as much the unit cost is still cheaper. Until the purchasers wisens up to cost to use this will never change. Blue Collar comedy has the phrase "you can't fix stupid".

From my experience, most times using twice as much is not the issue. Where the cost to use comes into play is when the low-cost ink is creating waste during make ready, frequent wash ups, slow drying and/or poor rub in the bindery. Now the cost to use can totally eliminate any savings that they thought the low cost ink would yield.

To each is own. You summed it up in your last paragraph: "You can't fix stupid!".