Almost more impressive than the kit is the range of products that can be printed using digital technology; products that traditional print processes have problems reproducing. And with digital manufacturers now fully committed to the market, a range of all-encompassing solutions have been launched, which not only generate their own markets, but poach offset’s.

When digital technology first came into print, it was the presses that created a stir in the industry. And at this year’s Digital Print World there will be plenty of powerful, new and revamped models on display. Yet the emphasis previously placed on these machines has shifted somewhat; what manufacturers are now showcasing are complete end-to-end solutions designed to streamline the entire production process from ordering to delivery. It seems that the true power behind digital engines are their workflows.

Variable data, colour management and web-to-print software have helped to create a range of unique digital applications ranging from direct mail to book production. Modern workflows pride themselves on providing security and support. As digital firms begin to prosper they are faced with the same commercial pressures as litho printers and require equal levels of support. MIS and JDF systems mean that digital workflows can cope with an extensive variety of tasks and jobs. Everything from font styles to ink ducts are automatically controlled and managed through very detailed software.

The digital sector lends itself perfectly to this approach because all data can be pushed straight onto the press with little or no human intervention. “The customer is now effectively the one who presses the print button as digital workflow systems allow them to communicate directly with the print equipment,” says Scott Marienthal, sales manager at Tharstern.

MISs are becoming a hugely valuable tool for expanding digital printers in order to manage and control their growing number of short-run, short-turnaround jobs.

Effective implementation
“The MIS is the natural birthplace of the workflow and the hub of all workflow activities,” says Marienthal. This is particularly in relation to job costing, production control and ultimately management information. Such a system is needed to hold the workflow together and monitor overall performance. In terms of the complete solution, it is also essential that production equipment is capable of receiving and transmitting job related data.

When these two complementary aspects are in place, and are being fully implemented, virtually all potential gaps in the workflow are bridged and human intervention is no longer required. An integrated workflow eliminates manual methods that could prove to be expensive, time-consuming and inconsistent during the typical high-speed digital process. A range of high-quality and highly efficient workflows are already on the market. Yet as printers’ expectations keep on growing, future integration is likely to develop even more.

Web-to-print has also had a huge impact on turnaround and management processes. Systems provide much more than just online pricing. They are equipped with design, personalisation, ordering, proofing and payment capabilities, all of which help to lock clients into a business. “Systems are providing the accuracy and reliability that firms need when handling files to ensure they are created, submitted and produced to the highest possible quality,” says Nikki Richardson, professional solutions and marketing manager at Canon.

However, Tharstern’s Marienthal argues that the true capability of many workflows is not actually being realised. “Only a tiny proportion of workflow capabilities are being used by customers,” says Marienthal. “An integrated workflow should provide a clear and concise view of how the business is performing in terms of finance, sales, production and customer service.”

Finishing options
Finishing manufacturers are, like workflow developers, reorienting their products for a digital market. Digital print presents a number of finishing challenges related to surface scuffing and cracking. But machines are now being designed with the appropriate functions to prevent this. Toners have been improved, anti-static systems launched and smoother paper paths formed. “Machines can handle practically any problem a digital sheet throws at them,” says Bryan Godwyn, joint managing director at Graphic Arts Equipment.

Modern digital finishing kit is reliable and easy to use. “Single solutions, capital outlay, compact design and ease of operation should all be taken into consideration when purchasing digital finishing kit,” says Jo Watkiss, communications manager at Watkiss Automation. Inline machines that combine a number of finishing functions have been developed to ensure that digital sheets are finished as quickly as their prints are produced. In addition, finishing machines are often designed with small footprints. This is because manufacturers are aware that printers may not have a dedicated digital finishing area or the space to house large machines.

Manufacturers are also aware that the same operator may handle both the digital press and finishing kit and will often have very different skills to those of a traditional offset printer. In response, a high number of easy-to-use, touchscreen-controlled machines have been launched, including kit that handles both litho and digital print. The growth of variable-data print has also led to a greater number of barcode-operated systems to ensure accuracy. And the next step in the finishing sector is likely to feature improved JDF technology that will further simplify production through automation, cost control and job management.

Selling solutions
However, even as the digital sector continues to grow rapidly, some printers are still coming to terms with the concept. “Digital is about selling a solution rather than a commodity. People are no longer just selling print but selling ideas,” explains Ben Milford, head of professional marketing at Canon. This opinion is supported by Ian Swarbrick, managing director at XL Recruitment and Training, who agrees that some digital sales teams still wrongly embrace that traditional litho approach of selling on price and delivery rather than on applications and service.

Using digital, printers can provide clients with a range of new services that offer a better return on investment. However, it is important that printers understand their clients’ own unique selling points as well as their business development plans.

“When a company invests in a digital press they must understand how it will fit into a complete solution in order to support business development. It is the tools that surround the investment in digital technology that will help printers to produce unique and successful applications,” says Swarbrick.

It is important that printers know how an application can work for their client in terms of their overall business plan. To do this, firms must understand their own technology and its capabilities. Small workforces, short deadlines and tight budgets cause some firms to forget the vast business benefits that are created by digital print and its applications. Yet, with kit manufacturers now producing simpler and speedier machines, and a range of all-encompassing solutions, digital printers can finally be confident in their sales and marketing goals.

---

NEW AT DPW
What to see on the stands

Pre-media
Optimus’ QS MIS Price List Estimating software (stand 340); Satori Software’s Bulk Mailer 5 and MailRoom ToolKit (stand 450); Positive Focus present uDirect, PersonalEffect, ulmage and uStore personalisation software (stand 426); Konica Minolta’s Printgroove suite including Printgroove POD Serve web submission application and Printgroove POD Queue, a print/device management utility with last-minute job ticket editing functionality (stand 120) Ricoh range of print controllers including the entry-level controller the Fiery EB-135 with job queue monitoring for Adobe PostScript files, complex graphics and variable data output functions and EFI’s MicroPress 7  production workflow server (stand 210/220); Screen’s Trueflow worklow featuring plate and laser imaging upgrades (stand 115) Canon’s UniFlow Output Manger, DigitalStoreFront and iW Pre-Press manager (stand 130)

Presses
Canon’s imagePress C7000 VP and c1, the CLC 5151, the IPF 9000 large format press  and IR 150 short run book production black and white machine (stand 130); Screen’s Truepress 344 digital offset press (stand 115); Digital People’s HP3500 Indigo Digtal press (stand 360); Konica Minolta’s new entry-level addition to the bizhub PRO range, the PRO C6500e colour press and the bizhub PRO 1050e (stand 120) Ricoh’s Priport DX4640PD duplex digital duplicator and the Aficio MP W2400 and MP W3600 wide format machines (stand 210/220); Xetetec will be exhibiting Xerox’s DocuColor 8000AP working at 80ppm,the DocuColor 260 and 252 printers and the 8265 wide format machine (stand 140)

Post-press
Ashgate Automation’s Fastbind Casematic hard cover maker with the Fastbind Elite perfect binder (stand 540); Autobond’s Mini Digital 36 TP (stand 638); D&K’s Jupiter and Pegasus B2 laminators (stand 145); Encore Machinery’s MB 38 B3 folder, Fold Net 52 folder and Pit Stop digital creaser (stand 145); Friedheim International’s PrintLam 52 Digital, Smart and Mini Tauler laminators (stand 330); Graphic Arts Equipment’s Horizon range including the AFC-566Fjdf folding machine and APC-61lljdf guillotine (stand 150); KAS’ Mailmaster Compact C4 Enveloper (stand 538); Morgana’s Documaster and AutoCreaser 33 (stand 230); Terry Cooper Services’ C.P Bourg BB3002 perfect binder (stand 350); Watkiss Automation’s PowerSquare book making machine the Watkiss DigiVAC collating and finishing system (stand 351)

---

DPW 2007
Where Earls Court 2
When
• Tuesday 16 October 10am – 5.30pm
• Wednesday 17 October 10am – 5.30pm
• Thursday 18 October 10am – 4pm
More information
For more information and to register online, visit www.digitalprint world.co.uk