36 minute read
LABELS & PACKAGING
THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN HUMMING ALONG
The year in review
By David Zwang
There may not have been many live events this year to showcase the latest trends in label and packaging, but hardware manufacturers and software developers have been busy, and the industry has been humming along. All of this under the backdrop of shifting consumer preferences and supply chain challenges. Let’s take a look.
HP Indigo V12
What Pandemic?
Label and packaging procurement reached new heights during the pandemic and had some ‘“forced effect” on purchasing for many reasons.
“The crisis has prompted a surge of new activities, with an astonishing 75% of U.S. consumers trying a new shopping behavior in response to economic pressures, store closings and changing priorities,” according to a McKinsey & Company study. “This general change in behavior has also been reflected in a shattering of brand loyalties, with 36% of consumers trying a new product brand and 25% incorporating a new private-label brand. New brands, switching brands, online shopping and increased purchasing power as a result of a decline in services availability all added to the increase in label and packaging volumes.”
Continued and New Product Development
Label production has been at the forefront of the digital production transformation for over 10 years, and it is going through a new growth spurt with the introduction of more hybrid flexo/ digital solutions that provide a complete print through finishing. While shifts in consumer purchasing have affected
procurement, these solutions are at speeds that further shift the cost crossover point. These include new solutions like the V12 from HP, and others from Xeikon, Mark Andy, Canon, Bobst, the recently released L-6534 SurePress from Epson and many others.
While digital production of folding carton has been growing, it really hasn’t transitioned to the next level of adoption. This is primarily attributed to the lack of an increased selection of larger format cut sheet digital solutions. 2021 was going to be the year that finally changed that. In the inkjet space, in addition to increased penetration of the B1 Landa S10, and the release of the Koenig
& Bauer VariJET 106, the MGI AlphaJET Industrial Print Factory brings a unique approach to high quality folding carton and corrugated print applications and is almost ready for prime time.
Konica Minolta continued to increase their market share with the KM-1e, and Fujifilm has been placing more JetPress 750s now with a productivity upgrade to 5500 sph, Ricoh announced their longawaited Z75 sheetfed inkjet press, while others are preparing for their entry into the market. And there will be more announcements in 2022.
In the electrophotographic (EP) space, after their product line upgrade in 2020, HP Indigo has been placing their 90K roll fed B1+ and sheetfed B2+ 15K and 35K digital presses for folding carton production. We have also seen the evolution of the a3+ and a3++ size EP presses as viable solutions for some label and packaging applications. In this smaller format and footprint category, 2020 saw the introduction of more extended format size support as well as support of heavier media in a3+ presses like the Canon ImagePRESS C10010VP, Ricoh C9210 and the Xerox Iridesse. More recently we saw the introduction of the Kodak ASCEND, an EP digital press with some obvious roots in the
NEXPRESS/NEXFINITY family tree. The new press is targeted at short-run folding carton and retail POP applications, with support for 13 eco-friendly inks including CMYK embellishment options. This also stands out as an EP press that was developed for folding carton applications as evidenced with support for up to 30pt board and a 48” maximum media size.
Corrugated inkjet solutions include the previously introduced and updated HP C500 with a new “top feeder,” the
Read More…
Find article at PrintingNews. com/21157531
VariJet 106
Kodak ASCEND
updated EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus, as well as Xeikon’s IDERA and Domino X630i to mention just a few. We also saw the introduction of the new Kento hybrid press. This single-pass solution brings together in a single line the advantages of inkjet digital printing and high-quality flexographic printing, specially designed for corrugated cardboard. Its productivity is impressive at up to 80 linear meters per minute and up to 10,000 sq meters per hour.
Flexible packaging, the fastest growing segment in packaging, has seen new digital introductions. These include EP solutions from HP Indigo and Xeikon, as well as inkjet solutions including the Uteco/Kodak, Sapphire Evo W, Screen PacJet FL830, Miyakoshi, MJP30AXF, Rigoli MVZ Powered by Memjet. Recently we saw the announcement of the Fujifilm FP790. Expect more solutions in the near future.
As we see more application opportunities for digital packaging solutions, hybrid/bespoke applications provide some of the more interesting implementations and can be found in a solution by V-Shapes, an Italian technology company. On a recent trip to Belgium, I was given a
Kento Hybrid
sanitizer that used this interesting technology. They have developed technology that provides easy-opening single-portion packets that can be used for pharma, cosmetics, chemicals, food, etc.
Another interesting growth area for inkjet printing technology is direct-toobject. Increasingly, consumer goods manufacturers, especially in food and beverage, are looking at integrating the print process into their manufacturing production lines. One interesting product is the Tonejet machine for ondemand printing of “necked cans.”
Look but Can’t Touch
As you can see, many, if not most of the packaging and converting solution providers had lots of new products ready for drupa 2020, and more developments in their pipeline. When that was postponed, other events, including Printing United, were seen as welcome alternatives that never materialized, leaving equipment and solution providers looking for ways to bring them to light.
While there weren’t many “live” events to showcase equipment and solutions, hardware and solution vendors all pivoted to virtual events to raise awareness of their new products. Some of these events were single-vendor driven. Some were one-on-one, and there was an explosion of virtual trade shows where multiple solution providers could show their products alongside educational “conference” components. The initial interest in these events was welcome and even exciting for many. However, as confinement time wore on, people became “Zoomed out.” Fortunately, as the year progressed and vaccination rates increased, we began to see the reemergence of vendor demo centers and of live events, albeit smaller than pre-pandemic.
We can expect much more development in 2022 as a result of Memjet, Dimatix, XAAR and other printhead manufacturers and their OEMs. They are all increasingly integrating printheads into a variety of different inkjet and hybrid machine configurations to support rapid development of packaging print applications. These types of solutions will find their way into a variety of different machines to support stand-
alone print and packaging applications, as well as print as a function of product manufacturing.
More to Come …
I would like to address your interests and concerns in future articles as it relates to the manufacturing of Print, Packaging and Labels, and how, if at all, it drives future workflows including “Industry 4.0.” If you have any interesting examples of hybrid and bespoke manufacturing, I am very anxious to hear about them as well. Please feel free to contact me at david@zwang.com with any questions, suggestions or examples of interesting applications. ●
Fujifilm FP790
INDUSTRY NEWS ─ News Trending On Printingnews.com
Printware unveiled the iJetColor Pro PXG at PackExpo in Las Vegas, NV. The iJetColor Pro PXG is Printware’s second collaboration with HP and is the newest version of the iJetColor Pro series. It incorporates HP’s FI-1000 fixed imager print engine to deliver PageWide thermal inkjet technology that is faster, wider, more durable, and more economical.
The iJetColor Pro PXG is the solution for short-run, four-color, personalized packaging. The HP FI-1000 fixed imager print engine delivers pigment-based ink that is water and light safe producing durable output suited for packaging. With two sizes of automated feeders available, the iJetColor Pro PXG can produce uncoated packaging of any size.
The HP FI-1000 is incorporated into an industrial automated feeding table that allows for quick set-up and production of short-run jobs making this system more profitable than long-run flexographic operations or hightouch silk screening solutions.
Designed for high-volume print and mailing operations, the iJetColor, iJetColorNXT, iJetColorPro, and iJetColor Pro 1175P optimize print speeds with unrivaled productivity.
www.printingnews. com/21156203
swissQprint Launches Flatbed Generation 4
swissQprint is launching a new series of models this Fall. The core of the new flatbed printers is cutting-edge print head technology along with advanced mechanical features that promise a quantum leap for users – especially when it comes to output quality.
New print heads are the centerpiece of the new generation. Maximum resolution of 1350 dpi and ultra-high-precision droplet placement significantly boost the print quality of the Impala and Nyala models. Both printers also benefit from an impressive increase in output for certain production print modes. The Oryx model is almost 40 percent faster than its predecessor, making it a truly outstanding entry-level printer. swissQprint has incorporated various mechanical improvements into generation 4, singling out the Tip Switch Vacuum (patent pending) as a highlight. The table is divided into as many as 256 segments that users can quickly and easily switch on or off at the touch of a finger.
www.printingnews.com/21156948
ShipLeap Introduces Momentum— Technology to Maximize Shipping Options Just in Time for the Holiday Season
Just in time for the holiday shipping surge, ShipLeap has introduced ShipLeap Momentum, a system that allows businesses across the globe to widen their shipping options.
Used by companies like Allegra, AlphaGraphics, PIP, and Sir Speedy, ShipLeap has caught the printing industry’s attention with its Momentum system--technology that clients say has streamlined their shipping process. The innovative Momentum system automates the management of labels, tracking, customer notification, and returns. It also allows the user to export transactional information associated with shipping.
www.printingnews.com/21157107
Latest Fiery XF and New Fiery Prep-it Software Bring Greater Flexibility and Automation to Display Graphics Production
EFI has unveiled its newest digital front end and workflow solutions for display graphics and industrial printing, EFI Fiery XF/Fiery proServer version 7.3 and EFI Fiery Prep-it workflow software. Print shops with mixed-manufacturer printers can achieve greater production efficiencies with less operator training by having one RIP technology. Fiery XF 7.3 software and the EFI Fiery proServer digital front end now have added support for more than 180 new printer drivers, bringing the total number of Fiery-supported printer models to more than 1,200. Customers can also now request a driver for an additional 400+ printers to complete support for their shop’s installed printer base. This release also includes a new printing mode that can reduce the processing time of jobs that include spot colors by up to 50%. Users can choose between presets that select the highest accuracy (e.g., for proofing applications with certain spot color settings) or highest speed as their priority when processing jobs.
www.printingnews.com/21157117
Standard Announces RD-N4055 Die Cutting System
Standard Finishing Systems announced an updated version of their RD-4055 die cutting solution: the Standard Horizon RD-N4055 Die Cutting System. The system combines a high-capacity feeder, a single- or dual-magnetic cylinder die cutter, a new separator, and an optional card stacker for efficient, operator-friendly production.
As part of Standard Horizon’s popular RD series of die cutters, the system can die cut, kiss-cut, emboss/deboss, crease/score, perforate, slit, hole punch, and round corner in a single pass or in multiple combinations for a wide range of applications including business cards, invitations, labels, door hangers, light packaging, and more. With the addition of the SPC-N4055 Separator and optional CSD40RD Card Stacker, the system also eliminates the need for manual separating and counting at the delivery section.
www.printingnews.com/21157340
Kornit Digital Introduces Presto MAX, Reinventing Design and Applications Capabilities for Custom Textiles on Demand
Kornit Digital announced the release of its Kornit Presto MAX system for sustainable on-demand production of apparel and other textile goods.
Kornit launched its MAX technology in April, and is already field-proven via the Kornit Atlas MAX system, which is today supplying demanding global brands with the high retail quality and application variety needed to grow their product offerings and answer evolving consumers’ needs.
Introducing capabilities to transform virtual concepts into custom fabrics for fashion, home décor, and other textile applications, Kornit Presto MAX is the first digital print system to offer white printing on colored fabrics, enhancing decoration capabilities for dark colored fabrics more broadly. The system is ready to incorporate future iterations and evolutions of XDi technology—3D decorative applications to produce threadless embroidery, high-density, vinyl, screen transfer, and other innovative effects.
www.printingnews.com/21157393
Roland DGA Announces Launch of New VersaSTUDIO BN-20A Desktop Printer/Cutter
Roland DGA has announced the launch of its new VersaSTUDIO BN-20A desktop printer/cutter. Based on the company’s VersaSTUDIO BN-20, the BN-20A offers the most popular features at an even lower price. With its combined functionality, reliability and affordability, the BN-20A is the perfect device for anyone looking to start a home-based business, or for existing shops that want to expand by adding printand-cut applications.
With its ability to produce vibrant graphics and automatically cut around any shape, the BN-20A enables any print provider to stand out from the competition without making a large initial investment. It comes standard with intuitive output software that even beginners can use to easily produce high quality prints from design data such as illustrations and photos. The BN-20A takes full advantage of Roland DG’s GREENGUARD Gold certified Eco-Sol MAX 2 inks in a standard CMYK configuration. The BN-20A also incorporates features like the True Rich Color preset for vivid, accurate graphics and outstanding detail.
www.printingnews.com/21157118
EFI Announces VUTEk FabriVU Plus series
EFI’s New VUTEk FabruVU 340i+ Printer.
Growth opportunities in premium soft-signage applications with the launch of the new VUTEk FabriVU Plus series 70-, 133- and 205-inch dispersed dye-sublimation printers, including the 133-inch-wide VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ model with in-line sublimation making its debut at the Ignition events. The FabriVU 340i+ model delivers upgraded performance thanks to eight high-performance printheads, and enhanced high-quality and backlit print modes, with the ability to print on transfer paper or direct to fabric using the same ink set. The FabriVU Plus series’ new CMYK x 2 configuration printhead array – along with new electronics, a new vacuum system, and a new heating element – deliver higher-quality 600 dpi graphics with better saturation and more density.
www.printingnews.com/21157172
WATCH LIST ─ Videos Trending On Printingnews.com
Lemay Sanchez of Plan Prophet Talks About CRM Automation
Lemay Sanchez, Managing Director of Plan Prophet, talks about providing a integrated CRM automation experience.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21155799
EFI’s Nick Benkovich on Changing Market Dynamics
Nick Benkovich, EFI VP Product Management, discusses how market dynamics are changing for PSPs across all segments.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21156211
FSI’s Richard Lowe on Helping Franchisees Weather the Pandemic
Richard Lowe of Franchise Services Inc. (FSI) talks about how FSI helped its franchisees during the pandemic.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21156963
HP Indigo’s Gershon Alon Discusses Post-Pandemic Workflow Changes
Gershon Alon, Head of Solutions at HP Indigo, talks about keeping up with dynamic market shifts.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157077 SPESA Gears Up for In-Person Executive Conference in Boston
Michael McDonald, President of SPESA, shares insight into what attendees can expect at the Executive Conference.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21156105
Jim Raffel and Shelby Sapusek Geek Out with Bill Pope
Resident Print Geeks Jim Raffel and Shelby Sapusek talk to Bill Pope of PRINTING United about the importance of education in the graphic arts.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21156879
Koenig & Bauer Executives Share Product & Strategy Update
Kilian Renschler, President & CEO of Koenig & Bauer US & Canada share updates.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157048
thINK Ahead 2021: Uniting as Leaders of the Inkjet Community
Ed Jansen, VP of Canon Solutions America’s Print Production Solutions Group, talks about the thINK event.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157099
Craft Signs - Can’t Help But Talk About The Speed of the Colorado 1650 Printer
Seth Austin of Craft Signs discusses the speed of production with the Colorado 1650 Printer.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157449
FUJIFILM ’s Greg Balch on FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions
Greg Balch, GM & VP of FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions, talks about FUJIFILM Integrated Inkjet Solutions.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21156922
Selling Inkjet to Clients
Jennifer McSweeney, VP of Sales for the Goodway Group, talks about the company’s adoption of production inkjet and the opportunities it has opened up.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157175
Looking at Present and Future Technologies
David Zwang spoke with Greg Groleau, VP Operations for Venture Solutions, a critical communications subsidiary of Taylor Corporation.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157299 Enter the Booming Interior Décor Market with Colorado Printer Series
With our UVgel technology, you’ll grow your business and take advantage of the high-margin opportunities.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157450
The Importance of Networking and Education in the Inkjet Printing Community
Shelley Hyde, Partner at PrintMailPro talks about the value of networking events like the thINK Forum.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157252
Debbie McKeegan Reports from FESPA Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157300
Muller Martini: Full Speed Ahead on Finishing Automation
Andy Fetherman, Vice President of Sales and Technology at Muller Martini, shares his thoughts about the importance of automation.
Find video here: www.printingnews.com/21157298
A truly integrated CRM
that automates customer experience
In addition to providing a first-rate CRM, PlanProphet runs on auto-pilot to boost sales and improve productivity.
PlanProphet supercharges PrintSmith and Printer’s Plan by delivering an immersive customer relationship manager that automates vital activities such as quote follow-up, billing, and inactive account check-ins. The platform also boasts a fully integrated proof management system and a customizable marketing automation engine.
“Both EFI and PrintReach have done an amazing job with the latest installment of their estimating platforms. We are thrilled to carry on with their momentum by leveraging our technology and position their users for success”, said Lemay Sanchez, CEO of PlanProphet.
Several printshops have turned to PlanProphet, and are glad they did. “It keeps us and our clients in more contact now than ever. I am most surprised at how sales communications get answered. We have never received such high rate of actionable responses”, comments Evan Bloom from Sir Speedy, Westbury NY.
PlanProphet’s integration with print MIS opens endless possibilities for automating behaviors, aimed at closing new deals and nurturing existing relationships. Michael Brown, owner of a Havertown printshop, joked that PlanProphet’s automated quote follow-up “is like having a dog chasing a bone. It truly lets clients know that we want the work”. With limited staff and resources, Michael values having a system that runs on auto-pilot to stay in touch with his customers.
One of the most praised PlanProphet workflows involve re-activating dormant accounts. Shane Parker from PIP Peoria adds that “inactive-account targeting has been a great addition to his center. The results have been even more powerful than we thought. Having a system that runs in the background to rekindle relationships has become a critical part of our marketing efforts.”
Need more online reviews? PlanProphet auto-deploys feedback emails to buyers exactly a week after orders are complete. John Griffies runs a printshop in Atlanta and shared that “in the last 9 weeks we have received 45 new 5-star reviews, which more than doubles the total number of reviews we previously had”.
PlanProphet is currently available only to PrintSmith and Printer’s Plan users. More supported print MIS platforms are expected in the future. To learn more or to book a Demo, visit www.planprophet.com
Read More…
Find article at PrintingNews.com/21157301
Compact and Powerful
The X-16 and the X-33 cannot be beat
The X-16 and the X-33 cannot be beat. Large flatbed UV printers require huge amounts of floor space in modern print shops. But now, Xante is proud to introduce our new line of UV printers. Compact and powerful, the X-16 and X-33 are designed to output signage, graphics, and specialty items on virtually any media without those prohibitive demands on the shop’s floor plan. These printers pack all the profitability of a large flatbed into the space of a tabletop device!
High Pigment Loaded White and Vivid CMYK inks with outdoor durablity of up to 2 years! Build depth with layers of fast-drying, UV-cured ink. Create impressive displays that grab attention. This process is fast and renders strong, durable results.
www.xante.com
X-33 Flatbed UV Printer
• Print on virtually any media • Dual LED Lamps for Instant Ink Curing • CMYK + WWWW • Image area up to 36”x24” (91.44cm x 60.96cm) • Print on media up to 6 inches (15.24cm) tall • Resolution up to 2880 DPI
X-16 Flatbed UV Printer
• Print on virtually any media • Single LED Lamp for Instant Ink Curing • CMYK + WW • Prints up to 18”x24” (45.72 x 60.96cm) • Print on media up to 7.75 inches (19.69cm) tall • Resolution up to 2880 DPI
Read More…
We Are Only Trade Only
Signs365 is a grand format, trade only wholesale print company. We offer over 30+ full color print products to fit your needs; including banner, rigid signage, and adhesive materials. We are committed to providing excellent image quality, quick turnaround time and dedicated customer service. Our team is working around the clock to ensure you get your prints on time and as expected. We even offer blind drop shipping directly to your customers at no added cost! So relax and let Signs365 do the hard work for you.
24 Hour print production and $10 Overnight Anywhere shipping are standard. When you place your order by midnight, it prints and ships tomorrow, for delivery the next day!
Visit our website to start your order today: www.Signs365.com
Contact Information: Phone: 1-800-265-8830 Text: 74467 (SIGNS) Website: www.Signs365.com Read More…
Find article at PrintingNews.com/21157436
PressWise - Turning Touches Into Automation
Designed by a visionary printer burdened by the traditional manual workflows that still plague many printers today, PressWise provides a single, cloud-based print workflow with the tools you need to streamline, automate and grow your business.
How many times are you touching a job?
From estimating to orders, job tickets to impositioning, quoting to invoicing, PressWise reduces print production touches, increasing margins and providing faster turnarounds. “PressWise offers a modern, web-based job ordering, processing and proofing system that allows our entire staff to stay on the same page at all times.”
“Before PressWise, each order would take about an hour of admin time to create the estimate and job ticket, get the job into production and get it shipped. With an average of 225 orders per week at an average order of $500, the cost of manual processing rapidly ate into margins.”
You get unlimited Web Storefronts, Estimating and Quote generation, Auto-Proof Approval processing, Job Ticket creation, Job Tracking, Automated Impositioning, Inventory, Mail Processing and Shipping, QuickBooks integration, connectivity to thirdparty storefronts and more.
PressWise was designed by a printer for printers - and is supported by an expert staff. We know print! Visit www.presswise.com
Are you tired of calls to the shop for job status?
As a cloud-based application, your shop goes everywhere you and your mobile device goes. Clients can even check job status, track shipments, place orders and make payments.
Are high upfront costs keeping you out of the MIS game?
With a low flat fee to launch the system and then a monthly fee, there are no long-term contracts or massive upfront costs. Unlimited technical support, training and product updates are all included.
Progressive printers are abandoning manual processes and legacy systems for PressWise. Here’s what they have to say:
Read More…
Find article at PrintingNews.com/21098202
Ensuring a Powerful Blend of Quality, Competitive Pricing and Speed
Each folder has a purpose — marketing tool, education, internal documentation, protection, etc. — but all effective ones share a common trait: They help an end user reach its goal. That’s why distributors are wise to equip themselves with knowledge before discussing options with clients, and to rely on a consultative trade partner like Folder Express.
“More than anything, the Folder Express® team is committed to our customers,” said Bill Elmore, General Manager. “We’re continually making improvements to make the customer experience better, and everyone on our team is involved with that effort. Our people are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with our distributor customers, and we’re doing whatever it takes to deliver on our brand promise.”
That promise is pronounced in a simple phrase that serves as the motto of Folder Express: “Quality Folders, Priced Right, Delivered on Time.” To Folder Express®, the goals of consistent quality, affordability and on-time delivery should be achieved simultaneously on every job.
In the folders market, the best answer isn’t always a conventional 9” x 12” two-pocket folder. Depending on the end user’s goals, the application may warrant an oversized folder, a reinforced edge, a key card holder, a sales box and other options.
A popular Folder Express offering is the company’s Sculptured Pockets® line. The company generates unique designs — for example, the shape of a toothbrush for a dentist office, or the shape of a pastry for a bakery — using more than 100 stock dies and a library of industry-specific art. Distributors receive creative folders without the expense of a custom die cut.
“We are seeing more customers choose a folder and inserts to convey their marketing message,” Elmore says. “We are also seeing customers use folders as a customer take away to ensure their brand has been well represented during a transaction.”
No matter the project, the Folder Express team is ready to help distributors win and keep business.
Folder Express, a Columbus, Kansas-based division of Ennis, Inc., has been making folders since 1927. It is the supplier of choice for presentation and multimedia folders among distributors of print, advertising, marketing and promotional products. For details, call 800.322.1064 or visit FolderExpress.com.
Read More…
REANIMATING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Take radical ownership of outcomes.
The ultimate goal of customer experience management (CXM) is to establish greater customer stability and loyalty resulting in predictable, sustainable company growth. In every customer relationship there is a time when promises made must become promises kept. Your entire team should be acutely focused on correctly establishing, measuring and delivering on the customers’ expectations. Full accountability to performance outcomes are the central ingredients in establishing trust with your customers and sustaining long-term partnerships. Genuine CXM may require a transformative journey for you, your leadership team and the entire organization. If you choose to unleash a culture of radical ownership and accountability in your organization, be prepared to go all the way to the radical edge of high-performance. It means new standards of performance. It means the transforming business will outgrow some people and most systems and processes. It means coming to the end of the individual and sparking the inception of the high-performance team.
According to Jocko Willink, in his book “Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALs Lead and Win”: “Leaders should never be satisfied. They must always strive to improve, and they must build that mindset into the team. They must face the facts through a realistic, brutally honest assessment of themselves and their team’s performance. Identifying weaknesses, good leaders seek to strengthen them and come up with a plan to overcome challenges. The best teams anywhere…are constantly looking to improve, add capability and push the standards higher. It starts with the individual and spreads to each of the team members until this becomes the culture, the new standard.”
Your organization will be stretched and challenged as you grow in this direction. The outcome is worth the journey as the higher standards will propel your people, organization and customers into a rare relationship stratosphere that most are unable to attain.
There are three ways leadership can empower their organization to transform into an accountable high-performance team that takes radical ownership of outcomes.
LEADERSHIP can empower an organization
by embodying a culture of accountability.
Every person in the organization, from top to bottom, must live by the same high standards of accountability. Leaders must own their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions in order for the team to follow their example. Organizations that attain this status are rare since many leaders do not feel the need to be accountable partners to their workforce. If you “walk-the-talk,” the transformative journey for the organization will mirror the
personal transformation and growth that leadership will experience.
LEADERSHIP can empower an organiza-
tion by instilling accountability at every level of the company.
Building benchmarks and metrics into the DNA of the organization will attract, keep and stretch good people to new levels of performance. Coach the management team to learn to be tolerant of imperfections in business execution. Perfect execution in any business delivery model is a myth. However, you can be perfectly consistent, transparent and accountable in the way you remedy underperformance. Own the responsibility for misses and the subsequent recovery plan, and your customers will view you as radically different from your competition. Read More… Find article at PrintingNews. com/21157078
LEADERSHIP can disempower their people
by desiring high-performance outcomes while remaining inflexible to enacting changes needed to excel.
LEADERSHIP can empower an organiza-
tion by building deliberate accountability through quarterly business review.
Nothing will codify the loyalty and stability of a customer partnership better than a disciplined QBR process. Develop the framework collaboratively with the customer from contract SLA’s, key performance indicators (KPI’s) and key success factors (KSF’s) that the customer agrees are important to measure. Then lead your team to take radical ownership of the objective results that are measured and reported every quarter to the customer key decision makers. This system will mitigate any surprises in performance or surface issues that can jointly be resolved, and will establish a benchmark of past performance that will prove impactful for retaining the business long into the future.
The process of taking radical ownership can be nuanced, and even well-meaning leadership can make mistakes that initiate the unintended consequence of disempowerment. Willink pins responsibility for success squarely on leadership.
“The recognition that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders, facilitates extreme ownership and enables leaders to build high-performance teams that dominate on any battlefield, literal or figurative,” he said.
If at any stage of transformation, bad leadership inadvertently disempowers the team, you will derail, often times irrevocably, crucial progress.
There are three ways that leadership can inadvertently disempower their team and impede progress.
“But not that one!” is a common thought and expression espoused by inflexible leaders. I have witnessed first-hand the protectionism of “sacred cows” (processes, people, structures, etc.) that sabotaged transformative progress and slowly unraveled the culture as the workforce recognized the corrosion of duplicity. This effect is called disempowerment. It is common for leaders to pull up short in an empathetic gesture to protect people and processes that may be ultimately be detrimental to high performance.
Leadership can disempower their people by micromanaging instead of leading, coaching and mentoring.
This is abundantly common in small- to mediumsize organizations where “founderitis” is a real syndrome. It is difficult for many leaders to embrace change that results in a perceived loss of control. In order to maintain a sense of control, these leaders dive into details and micromanage. This characteristic is profoundly disempowering to professionals on the team and will hinder genuine transformation and employee retention.
Continued on page 59
Preston Herrin is a strategy, growth, and performance consultant. He has served in c-level and senior leadership roles at fast-growth companies like 4over LLC, Café Press, and Drummond. In his 30-year career Preston’s roles span strategy, business development and executive management providing e-commerce, software, logistics and service solutions for all vertical markets such as Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare, Nonprofits and more.
COMPU-MAIL
By David Zwang
Compu-Mail is a direct marketing services and solutions company located in Grand Island, N.Y. just a short distance from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border. It began in 1968 as National Time Sharing, a data processing company before it “was in vogue,” according to Compu-Mail President and CEO Michael Vitch. They purchased their first digital press in the mid 1980s and created Compu-Mail in the mid 1990s to focus on data-driven marketing, initially in election support services, and then extending to financial services and retail, ultimately supporting print and direct mail and marketing. Their expertise in data processing provided them with the tools necessary to specialize in variable data printing; something they started in 1987.
Michael Vitch
Today they provide database marketing for pharmaceutical companies, statements for medical insurance and even membership cards for automobile
The Compu-Mail New York headquarters and team.
clubs. Over the years they added customer relationship management services, including inbound and outbound call centers, to build and utilize the databases for further marketing services.
“The offshoot of much of this has been paper, even though electronic communication is so important in our world today,” Vitch said.
Though Compu-Mail does a lot of email and text message marketing, reaching people digitally is not what it used to be.
“The reality is that most people get too much email today, and they don’t look at it very long,” Vitch said.
Versus direct mail, it has to be extremely relevant and extremely timely, or you just delete it.
In fact, Vitch had a conversation with a marketing director who said, “Direct mail doesn’t work.” However, Vitch had a quick response.
“When you come back from vacation, what’s the first thing you do?” The marketing director hesitantly said, “I look at my mail.”
People still have to go to the mailbox, and they still have to pull mail out. Since people only get a fraction of the number of mail pieces compared to email, Compu-Mail has found the response levels are significantly higher when layering email and mail together.
So they continue to build their business around the variable data printing model: “Relevant information to the right person at the right time.”
To help support that model, they have their own post office onsite to ensure they get the best price, and they handle all the logistics for their customers. This includes intelligent mail to get the most timely information back from their mailings, even down to the location of a piece of mail in the postal stream. Even during the pandemic, they saw their customers still needed to implement targeted marketing programs.
Continued on page 62
HP INDIGO TECH TALK ─ Video Series Sponsored By HP Indigo
Indigo Tech Talk is a series of short videos which bring to light HP Indigo state-of-the art technology advancements, advantages and an insider’s view from Indigo’s top technology experts.
In Partnership with HP Inside the tech driving HP Indigo
High Lifespan Consumables for the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Motti Silberberg’s, Series 6 Cold Function Manager, shows how consumable components like the blanket, PIP and acid drum were designed to accommodate the very high speed of the V12 press.
Find video here:. https://bit.ly/3beUPaJ
User Experience and Design on the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Ronen Yosifon, User Experience Manager in the HP Indigo V12 Lab, points out the design considerations that make the V12 press easy to use and operator friendly.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3m0hE88
The Inline Priming System and Application Versatility on the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Regina Guslitzer, L&P Materials Development R&D Manager, talks about how HP developed materials and processes for primers, varnishes, and lamination.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3lZ0KGW
The Digital Label Factory
Gershon Alon, Head of PrintOS, talks about leveraging advanced technologies on the HP Indigo V12 to streamline the digital label production workflow and maximize overall efficiency. The goal is for the HP Indigo V12 to be able to replace two flexo presses.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3E6tbcm Inks and Automatic Color Switching on the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Eran Schwimmer, R&D Department Manager for HP Indigo, explains how, with 12 color stations on the HP Indigo V12, the range of inks available on-press beyond CMYK is truly extensive—including spot colors, white, silver, fluorescents and more.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/2Z9J6b2
The Power of HP Indigo One-Shot Technology
Itamar Malka, R&D Product Development Lab Manager at HP Indigo, demonstrates how HP’s One-Shot Printing Technology works and explains why it’s ideal for working with heat-sensitive substrates.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3pmQgTJ
The HP Indigo Optimizer: Planning Efficient Print Runs at the Press of a Button
Dror Kella, Technologist, R&D, in the HP Indigo 100K Lab, demonstrates the HP Indigo Optimizer. Available on all sheetfed Indigo presses.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3G9Doq8
The Feeding System for the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press
Ami Yaari, R&D Mechanical Engineer at HP Indigo, talks about and demonstrates the feeding system on the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press. The 100K’s multiple input sources have many advantages.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3G83yto
The Paper Handling System on the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press
Itamar Malka, R&D Product Development Lab Manager, HP Indigo, demonstrates the fast and accurate paper handling on the HP Indigo 100K, designed to support the highest possible productivity, up to 6,000 B2 sheets per hour.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/2ZfGB6I
The New Writing Head for the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Haim Vladomirski, LED Print Head Team Leader at HP Indigo, talks about the V12 writing head, which uses a new LED technology to print the finest details, smoothest skin tones, and highest image quality.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3vxrMbz
HP Indigo’s Thermal Offset Transfer Technology
Alon Gazit, VP of R&D, takes us into the HP Indigo 100K Lab to demonstrate HP’s thermal offset transfer technology, which allows the HP Indigo digital press to maintain an offset look and feel, as well as the advantages of offset printing.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3m0YAXe
Process Control for Ultimate Quality on the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press
Roi Liraz, Indigo V12 Program Manager, demonstrates process control on the HP Indigo V12. Using sensors, smart cameras, algorithms, and other forms of automation, the high-speed press is able to ensure consistent high quality.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3b1gKSl
A Tour of the HP Indigo B2 Development Lab
Itamar Malka, R&D Product Development Lab Manager at HP Indigo, takes us on a short tour of the HP Indigo B2 development lab, where HP tests new features and capabilities on machines.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3G8XS2h
Golan Landsberg on the New HP Indigo LEPX Architecture
Golan Landsberg, R&D Director, Future Products Platform at HP Indigo, provides a technical overview of the new HP Indigo LEPX architecture and “why it’s possible to print faster with Indigo’s LEPX technology” in this tech talk video sponsored by HP.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3pqMskj HP Indigo’s Print Care
Deisy Kapon, WWTS IST Product & Content Dev. Manager at HP Indigo, demonstrates Print Care, a set of on-press capabilities that allow operators to monitor the press and diagnose and troubleshoot any press issues in real time from anywhere.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3n9q7oE
Predictive Press Care—An AI-Driven Solution to Avert Problems
Deisy Kapon, WWTS IST Product & Content Dev. Manager, talks about Predictive Press Care on the HP Indigo presses, an artificial intelligence-based system that collects press data as the press is running, analyzes it, anticipates errors, and alerts.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3B2VKp1
Color Calibration on the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press
Basil Verdene, Color Group Manager for HP Indigo, talks about the advanced color management capabilities of the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press, including its ability to manage color while printing.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3DUqAC6
Enhanced Productivity Mode (EPM) with HP Indigo Explained
Alon Gazit, VP of R&D at HP Indigo, brings us to the HP Indigo 100K lab to talk about the benefits of using just three colors vs. CMYK when using Enhanced Productivity Mode (EPM) on the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press.
Find video here: https://bit.ly/3G845LU
A Tour of the HP Indigo V12 Lab
Maya Poleg and Roi Liraz from the HP Indigo team take us on a behind the scenes tour of the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press R&D lab. The first in a series of short videos which bring to light HP Indigo technology advancements and advantages.
