Let’s start with the basics. Sebastian, how do you make the very best print?
Firstly, a well-equipped, high-quality maintenance press is the base for all effective printing.
Secondly, the organization of the print shop and the production is also paramount. Keeping distances short, ensuring that material is on time, making sure people have the right information at the right time and so on. With each minute you lose for organizational reasons, you fall a step behind your competitors.
Lastly, I would also mention the importance of internal communication and organizational culture. Ensuring that information flows freely within the company, between all departments and all organizational levels, and making sure that the team spirit is thriving are the deciding factors. These things can give you that last nudge towards beating your competitors.
Rapida 106 is a typical commercial press with a perfecting unit for 4 over 4 production and an additional coating tower.
What do customers need to know when evaluating between print houses? What do premium printers offer that low-price alternatives can’t?
At the end of the day, it all boils down to customer experience. Premium printers are more flexible with customer requests, e.g. for special substrate, special finishing, printing outside standards or post-press options.
Also, the support and customer care in most production phases e.g. in the pre-press stage is better. Having a direct contact to the print shop and knowing the origin of the production are increasingly important factors.
What are the most interesting new developments or innovations in printing technology?
For commercial printers, high-performance perfecting presses in combination with LED UV technology is one of the most interesting developments in the last few years. This makes printing way more efficient and reduces unproductive time.
For packaging printers, inline finishing processes are increasing in popularity. These methods help reduce production costs and offer lots of new, exciting possibilities for different finishes.
