Digital Printing - Past, Present and Future

Digital Printing - Past, Present and Future Xeikon North America Michael Ring

April 21-22, 2010 ď‚Ť San Antonio, TX

printing: 550+ years of evolution

1796: First lithographic press is developed

1875: First offset lithographic printing press is invented

1946: First phototypesetting machine, using a photographic process, is introduced

1440: Johannes Gutenberg invents the first mechanical press

1864: First 6 cylinder lithographic rotary press invented 1890: First flexographic press, using a flexible plate, is patented

1993: First digital press developed

1976: Inkjet, a process reproducing a digital image, is developed

1993 to today: a total revolution More eco-friendly: Technologies, including dry toner, helped reduce emissions and waste; Advancements in deinking and recyclable paper

Advancements in raster image processing

1993

Automated workflow

2010

Integration of In-Line Finishing systems

Web-to-print solutions emerge as fast developing crossmedia application

Faster and more efficient workflows offering sustainable competitive advantages

today: the revolution occurred, and it’s here to stay

today: continuous evolution in key areas Major innovations in toner technology Reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds

1993

Reduced waste and improved efficiency Fully de-inkable to enable recycling of printed matter

so what?

What does that have to do with/for me ?

How does that help me in my job ?

1993

My client ?

questions for your business What are the priorities for your business in 2010 ?

Revenue: • New customers ?

• More of your existing customers ?

1993

Cost: •

I want to improve my company’s efficiency and overall productivity.

Green: • We need to be more environmentally- and energy-conscious.

how: printing as a market is in flux As commoditization takes hold, most segments within the commercial printing market are expected to shrink between 2008 and 2014 worldwide.

• • • • • • • •

Books: - 9.1% Catalogs: -25.4% Magazines: -1.7% Newspapers: - 12.3% Brochures: -4.4% Inserts: -8% Business Forms: -27.4% Direct Mail is expected to grow 0.8%

5.00% 0.00% -5.00% -10.00% -15.00% -20.00% -25.00% -30.00% Source: Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization projections: 2008-2014

digital print achieves “offset quality” “Offset-quality” image capabilities Exceptional sharpness essential for today’s demanding customer High-performance process algorithms provide uniform and accurate colors

So it must be an acceptable, cost effective substitute for offset printing, right?

transactional and transpromotional •Traditional mass market documents can now be produced in full-color and personalized. •In some cases, traditional billing statements are being combined with attractive advertising messages => TransPromo •Some digital presses can also add security features to transactional statements by adding invisible toners and/or micro text

consumer preferences for marketing % preferring

Direct Mail 69%

E-mail 28% Telemarketing 3%

Source: Infotrends report

but exclusively, this presents a new issue

we need to re-think our ways of communication

“Technology is always evolving, and companies…not just search companies… can't be afraid to take advantage of change.

~Eric Schmidt, CEO Google

explore new ways to engage “Nimble companies are using the Web in ways that they could never do before. New media has created a new marketing environment where the old rules of marketing no longer apply. When you have a passionate fan base for your brand, the Internet is especially vital for going viral...Traditional media takes weeks to build brand awareness and months to build preference. The Internet can make your brand famous, literally overnight.� ~ Cindy Gordon, VP, Universal Orlando Resort

digital isn’t just a flat 8.5 x 11 document

THINK AGAIN •Today, the range of substrates and applications that digital presses can print on are growing by leaps and bounds: Labels Packaging (incl. folding cartons) Decorations/ Transfers (on textiles, plastics, and numerous other media) POP/Retail Signage Transactional/TransPromo documents Multifaceted and multi-touchpoint Complementary to your business

promotional packaging •Companies are switching from traditional technology to digital for promotional materials (paper folders, file folders, totes and boxes, slipcases, mailers, paper binders and turned edge binders); •Digital’s advantage is that companies can print shorter run jobs, respond to clients’ needs more specifically and better manage inventory challenges.

consumer goods packaging •Marketers are using digital printing to enhance their brands; •Short time to market and targeted audience approach leads to success, but requires shorter runs; •Most packaging used to be done in large quantities, but digital printing allows for more custom designs at lower costs => short-run digital packaging is here to stay!!

commercial signage images •Customization of POP/retail store shelf signage, and even backlit signs; •Today’s roll-fed digital presses have the format flexibility to handle larger format sizes required for these applications; •For backlit applications, it is imperative to have perfect front-to-back registration. Those digital presses that can print on both sides simultaneously are much better equipped to do so.

promotional products •Traditionally, promotional transfer applications were produced using screen printing.

Now, many companies use digital presses to print full-color images on a transfer film and then the image is transferred to the final product by applying heat or pressure. •Some companies use digital presses to create transfers for optical media (CDs and DVDs), easily changing the text, graphics or images without slowing the process.

heat transfer textiles •

Printers are moving from screen printing to digital direct-togarment;

•

Quick modification of print designs eliminates setup time and reduces waste;

•

This market is moving towards shorter to medium runs, where digital has the advantage of fullcolor printing with much higher productivity, lower costs and personalization;

•

Digital printing has evolved from staid and simple to the most creative applications, like Tshirts.

digital labels: straight from design to print •For short to medium run lengths; •Format and data variability; •Lower fixed costs; •Reduced press setup times; •Optimized productivity; •High quality.

self-adhesive labels •The advantage of printing digital labels is the flexibility of making personalized or custom labels •Digital technology allows profitable production of short to medium run labels with quick turnaround times; •Some digital presses have NO hazardous emissions and are more environmentally sustainable for food labels.

pulling this all together Outdoor signage creates the awareness that pulls consumers into the store Versioned signage based on local taste inside the store

Questions? Comments?

Digital Printing - Past, Present and Future Xeikon North America Michael Ring

April 21-22, 2010 ď‚Ť San Antonio, TX