The Digital Opportunity
“If you don’t’ like change you’re going to hate irrelevance” – Eric Shinseki, US Army General GBIG members are embracing the expansion of digital inkjet by adopting various Wide Format technologies and specialty applications into their current workflow. In this series of three articles, we will discuss the features and advantages of various Wide Format inkjet technologies.
The November 8, 2023, GBIG Newsletter wrote about the growth of commercial printing in the US. Analog printing will be stable with minor growth of just under 1% while Digital Inkjet will grow by over 5.7%. The article also highlighted GBIG member examples where digital has improved their Wisconsin based print businesses.
The “Digital Opportunity” will discuss new technologies and applications in rigid, hybrid rigid, roll to roll, cutting systems and specialty print to fabric and transfer film applications.
Why consider these applications? The reasons are many, but we will highlight the most important:
- Barriers to entry and cost of inkjet technology has declined.
- Very quick turns.
- Personalization: variable data printing can improve response rates up to 36% according to CPCneutek.
- Improved color and excellent white opacity.
- Smaller equipment footprints.
- Ease of use and streamlined workflows.
- Cloud printing and managing remote print operation options.
- Less labor requirements. A single operator can operate multiple machines.
- Improved uptime vs. offset and toner-based technology.
- Sustainability improvements to ink, UV curing and recycled media options.
- Improved device security via onboard security firmware.
In our next segment we will review digital inkjet print to rigid / hybrid technologies.
At Big Systems, our Service Mark is “Print Brilliant”. We do our absolute best to help our customers improve their workflow and print results every day. Big Systems is a dealer of Wide Format equipment, supplies, software, installation and repair services and specialty applications. We are located in Menomonee Falls, WI.
Joe Jones – President
