Kodak has announced a research study that surveyed commercial printers in the US, Germany and Japan and revealed insightful findings. The company commissioned NAPCO Research to conduct a study that explores how printers around the world are adapting to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities of the ‘and era’ of print, in which the combined use of offset and digital technology is transforming the way print shops do business.
The report covers topics such as what printers consider the biggest benefits of an ‘and’ approach, how printers are integrating offset and digital technology and how printers are training their staffs to manage mixed workflows. NAPCO Research has compiled these and many other key findings of the study in a report that provides a detailed breakdown of the survey results from the three countries and corresponding conclusions.
The global printing industry has entered a new phase, best described as the ‘And Era’, where the combined use of digital and offset presses is transforming printing companies’ competitive edge.
The ‘And Era’ approach is enabling commercial printers to harness the unique strengths of both technologies to improve operational profitability and offer customers the utmost flexibility, quality, and efficiency. By integrating digital printing’s flexibility, quick turnarounds, and personalisation capabilities with offset printing’s high-quality, consistent output and cost-effectiveness for large runs, print providers can offer a versatile and efficient solution to their clients.
This hybrid model allows for the production of high-volume, high-quality prints while also enabling customisation and on-demand printing, ultimately enhancing productivity, reducing waste, and opening up new opportunities for targeted marketing and customer engagement.
Print providers that embrace this ‘And Era’ approach are in a strong position to meet customers’ diverse and evolving printing needs with greater efficiency and creativity. Printing companies that are integrating these two printing methods can meet diverse demands, enhance productivity, and offer innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of their clients. This constructive collaboration sparked a significant evolution in the printing industry, moving it towards a more dynamic and versatile future.
Key Survey Takeaways
- Digital printing is growing but far from overtaking offset.
- Cost efficiency is the main benefit of an ‘And Era’ approach.
- Digital printing is still mainly for short runs.
- Managing workflow complexity is the top challenge when integrating offset and digital.
- Digital requires extensive staff training.
- Finishing equipment is on many printers’ shopping lists.
- Investments are aimed at lowering costs and gaining a competitive edge.
‘The new NAPCO Research study provides valuable insights about how printers around the world plan to adapt to meet the challenges of the ‘and era,’ said Jim Continenza, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kodak. ‘We are committed to helping our customers stay competitive and profitable as the industry evolves by providing them with the right solution for their needs – whether it’s offset or digital or both.’
The full study report can be downloaded here.
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