To say that the printing industry today is a daily challenge would be an understatement. In the past ten years with Graphic Arts Magazine, I’ve seen shops struggle and some, sadly, have had to close their doors. But for the most part I’ve seen the innovation, boundless energy and optimism that have made me appreciate the amazing people I’ve met.
Today, commercial printers have to cope – and keep up to date – with a host of emerging technologies, while maintaining their presence online across various social media platforms. That’s just the way it is in this era of the Internet. But there is one thing that has remained consistent for decades: the ability of printers to listen closely to their customers (and potential clients) and use this feedback to improve and re-invent themselves.
To my mind, there’s no greater example of this than our Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). These leaders in our industry have made it their avowed mission, especially in recent years, to “partner” with printers to help them succeed. Of course, they have a vested interest in doing this, but the lengths to which they have gone are quite admirable. In just about every aspect of printing – from tech support to software, from hardware to consumables, from finishing to workflow to business consulting, OEMs today are helping their printer clients become more profitable.
For example, our June cover (with spot UV coating, foiling and 3D effects) was printed at Oakville, Ontario’s Print Panther on an MGI JETVarnish 3DS. One of the many amazing facts surrounding this first-ever installation in Canada is that the press was manufactured specifically for Konica Minolta Canada by MGI. Think about that for a moment. Do you think Ford or GM would manufacture a vehicle just for you if you called them up? My point is this: the most successful companies in my 50-plus years in this industry have championed one principle above all – they always listen intently to their customers first.
In that same spirit, I’d like to invite everyone reading this to contact me personally with your thoughts, insights and suggestions. What specifically do you want to see more of in our printed editions and on our website? What could we be doing better? What advice do you have to help others in our industry (without giving away any secrets to your competitors)? How can we help you be more efficient and more profitable? Folks, I’m all ears!
Until the next time, always remember that we’re here to help.
