Digital printing was introduced in the 90s. It refers to professional printing where small-run jobs from desktop publishing and other digital sources are printed using large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers. Major brands have strived to experiment and evolve this technology to new heights. Today, we have all sorts of digital printing solutions that ensure easy and on-demand printing. These solutions have positively impacted the overall printing businesses by offering options for short and medium print runs, variable printing, and high-quality printing on a wide variety of print surfaces However, it is essential to be mindful while investing in this technology, and hence keep a few points in mind before going ahead.
We need to understand that digital printing is all about seeking new ways of working in line with the modern workplace needs. These changes could be about enhanced color management, dpi resolution, press running speeds, or anything else of akin nature. Now that the world has changed drastically with the advent of COVID-19, it is all the more critical for businesses to adopt a digital strategy and equip themselves with digital tools and technologies to drive success.
What does digital printing offer?
Digital printing is the process of printing digital-based images directly onto a variety of media substrate. It is the best way when it comes to handling small order quantities or rush orders In fact, we can also use it to minimize our inventory levels at the office. Evidently, it is the only way that allows you to include variable printing such as barcodes, database information, and small batches with numerous layout change-covers. For purposes like personalization and proofing too, digital stands as a perfect solution.
Top trends in this space
Cloud-enabled digital workflow solutions - COVID-19 has pushed businesses to rethink how they used to deliver value to customers through digital solutions by eliminating paper-based processes. It’s high time for companies to invest in smart MFPs for document capture tasks while also focusing on making their workflows as automated as possible. Give this scenario, the need for cloud-based workflow services is expected to increase further in the times to come.
Cloud print infrastructure transformation – Cloud print services are very effective and ensure scalable and sustainable print infrastructure. Businesses can leverage these solutions to reduce their capital expenditure and operating costs. We have already seen the potential of cloud scalability during the pandemic. It can create opportunities for MPS suppliers to encourage clients to accelerate their shift to a cloud-based print infrastructure. This trend will grow further with the increasing adoption of decentralized printer environments, including both employee-owned and home-based printers.
Touchless technologies – The world has already witnessed how an unexpected virus like COVID-19 can transmit so quickly despite all the precautions. Hence to ensure safety, companies must embrace and integrate touchless technologies such as biometrics or smart-card authentication in printers. We will see more innovations in this space, including voice control in digital printers, making this process more seamless than ever before.
Integrated collaboration – The trend of remote working will stay, with more and more companies adopting it in the coming years. To adjust to this, they must become familiar with collaboration platforms. Businesses need to support collaboration across both office and homeworkers, which will create new opportunities for MPS providers to leverage these solutions. Not only will it help ramp up productivity levels, but it will also enable companies to save overheads in the post-COVID era.
Final word
Digital printing has emerged as one of the finest solutions for businesses to ensure continuity in their printing processes without affecting their productivity levels. With new innovations in this space, the modern workplace is anticipated to function more efficiently with added value and transparency.