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Media And Entertainment Business Review | Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Design software improves print production efficiency and productivity by streamlining prepress, enhancing printing accuracy, improving color management, and utilizing design-focused cloud collaboration technologies.
Fremont, CA: The print industry starts with design, stored in a design file. Investing in graphic design software can increase efficiencies, reduce waste, and improve color management. Small investments can result in cost savings and improved customer service. Immediate upgrades to graphic design software can significantly improve efficiency in the prepress stages, as respondents who did so were 45% more likely to report high efficiency.
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How do printing companies rank the performance of their designs in terms of output?
A survey of commercial printing companies revealed that while 59% of respondents claim their companies offer excellent performance in preparing graphic design files for print or output and meeting customer expectations with minimal revisions, there is room for improvement in areas such as color management, providing standout design services, and implementing successful waste reduction strategies. While respondents see advantages from graphic design software, the survey suggests that companies should focus on improving their software to make cost-effective improvements and improve their bottom lines.
Recognizing fundamental inefficiencies
The rise in demand for fast turnaround times and digital printing technologies has led to a need for efficient print production. Print service providers are performing well in prepress efficiency, with 88% of respondents stating their companies are either very good (29% or excellent) in preparing graphic design files for print or output. However, there are inefficiencies in color reproduction, with only 39% of respondents rating their company's performance as excellent or very good. Only 31% strongly agree on effective color management strategies.
Print accuracy impacts productivity, with 54% of respondents stating their companies meet customer expectations with minimal revisions. 61% of respondents agree that meeting expectations on the first attempt is key. Only 25% of respondents strongly agree on waste reduction strategies, indicating room for improvement. Staff training and investing in production equipment are common strategies for waste reduction. Software solutions, though less expensive, are ideal for waste reduction, with most respondents citing graphic design software as a helpful tool.
Procedure for evaluating graphic design software
Print service providers should assess graphic design software solutions to identify inefficiencies in their production process, particularly in the accuracy of graphical reproduction. The survey revealed that 200 respondents struggled with color management and eliminating rework. As brand owners and marketers demand stringent color demands and produce applications across multiple technologies, maintaining software tools that assist in color reproduction is crucial.
Efficiency of production
Printers need to improve their ability to meet customer expectations on their first attempt, reducing the need for reruns. 61% of respondents believe their company consistently produces print jobs to their customers' standards. Graphic design software can help ensure output matches customer expectations and foster communication. However, misconceptions about potential workflow disruptions or compatibility issues prevent printers from upgrading their software solutions. Despite capital equipment expenditures, focusing on software can lead to long-lasting printer success.
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