译文—— 印刷走进数字时代
Digital prepress workflow and label printing are answering customers' need for speed.
Back in the Analog Era—say 10 years ago—quality, service and price summed up the top demands of end-user customers from their package-printing and converting suppliers. Today, in the Digital Era, that list is a little shorter.
Quality is a given in everything from raw materials to finished goods. ISO 9000 certification is considered the norm. Even price competition
is easier to come by via the Internet, online auctions and general overcapacity in the industry.
So, it comes down to service, and digital capability is the best way converters are providing the coveted level of service that differentiates them in the marketplace. Whether it's prepress workflow (see sidebar) or the rapid production of printed labels, digital equals speed, and speed is of the essence for customers today.
Digital labels fill the bill
During HP Indigo's Worldwide Digital Label Experience held last summer in Tel Aviv, Israel, converters and other speakers hit on key demands by brand owners and told how digitally-printed labels fill the bill. Among those requirements: Labels and packages need to be more entertaining, calling for more creativity and innovation on the part of converters; more versions and brand variations are needed; as well as a shortened time to market; the capability of remote proofing; and more personalization and product differentiation. All of the above translate into digital label printing that is exemplified by shorter runs, faster changeovers, greatly diminished lead times and much improved supply-chain management.
The mass customization of packaging and labeling is about to skyrocket, according to UK-based researcher Pira Intl. (www.pira.co.uk). Last year, only about 1 percent of the global market consisted of customized (read digital) packaging. That figure is expected to leap to 23 percent by 2012.
And to provide that production, ano
