Blog
Is Your Workflow Optimized?
March 28, 2017
This post was submitted by 2017 Continuous Improvement Conference sponsor, Heidelberg. Today, most print shops have an up-to-date estimating system and prepress workflow. However, many are not taking full advantage of its capabilities. How is your workflow utilized? Consider this scenario: A request for quote (RFQ) comes in with some major information missing such as delivery date, color, or even the exact quantity. Your sales representative... Read More
Cost Per Sheet Is Key
March 10, 2017
Why do you buy capital equipment? Hopefully, your answer is to make as much profit as possible from that purchase. Many think profit potential is related to the price of the equipment, but that couldn't be further from the truth! To justify a 25% price premium, you only need about 9% more output for the same cost per sheet --yes, 9%! This is because finance and depreciation only account for 30% of your budgeted hourly rate (BHR). The rest of... Read More
Achieving Excellence
March 7, 2017
The print industry is currently embracing change through the adoption of Industry 4.0, which is all about driving productivity while ensuring and verifying the quality of printed materials. Combining seamless integration with business decision making allows for achieving this kind of smart manufacturing facility. At the heart of this change, we need a business intelligence platform (also known as a fully integrated workflow) that evaluates and... Read More
TAGA Sneak Peek
February 23, 2017
On March 19-22, the TAGA 2017 Annual Technical Conference will take place in Houston, TX. At the event, attendees will learn about the latest industry advances and those of related fields, as well as brainstorm with other experts about solving problems and road blocks in order to move our industry forward. Members come to the Annual Technical Conference from all over the world and from all facets of the graphic arts industry. Papers accepted and... Read More
We're Bullish on Print
February 15, 2017
As we get ready to join our colleagues at the 2017 PIA President's Conference, we'll be bringing the message that our own president and CEO of Koenig & Bauer AG, Claus Bolza-Schunemann, announced after drupa last year: "Print is on the rise again." It's been less than a year since drupa 2016, and our company is still maintaining momentum from the show. After some challenging years, print made a dynamic comeback in Dusseldorf with proven... Read More
Is Your Operational Waste on the Rise?
February 9, 2017
As we begin 2017, the economy is in its eighth year of growth and printing companies are, on average, enjoying the highest level of profitability since before the Great Recession. Growth, however, may have been accommodated with decisions counterproductive to reducing waste and improving performance. Floor space may have been haphazardly filled with inventory or additional equipment. Clutter and disorganization may have become the norm. Safety... Read More
Fujifilm Joins the 2017 PIA President's Conference
February 7, 2017
Fujifilm's Graphic Systems Division is proud of its long-standing support of Printing Industries of America and honored to once again be a sponsor at the President's Conference in 2017. Our loyalty to PIA and its members aligns with Fujifilm's goal to be a leader in the graphic communications industry. Our commitment to our collective industry is second to none, both in terms of personnel and investments. In the North America market alone, we... Read More
February OSHA Log Summary Posting Reminder
February 3, 2017
Attention, printers--it's OSHA 300 Log(s) season! Now is the time to make sure you complete the steps below! Review the 2016 OSHA 300 Log to verify it contains accurate entries for all recordable injuries and illnesses that occurred throughout the year. Make any additions or corrections necessary to ensure accuracy. Verify that each injury and illness recorded on the 300 Log is accurately recorded on a corresponding 301 Incident Report Form (or... Read More
Quality Focus and Improved Company Performance
December 29, 2016
The 2016 Printing Industry Management Survey findings recently published by Printing Industries of America (PIA) provide compelling reasons to attend PIA's 2017 Continuous Improvement Conference. The survey, which focused on studying effective management practices in the printing industry, was conducted jointly by PIA and the College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University. Companies representing about 5% of the total PIA membership... Read More
Why Analyze Measurement Data Prior to Profile Creation?
December 2, 2016
In many situations measurement data is not perfect for ICC profiling and produces low quality profiles. Erroneous measurements can result in problems in production, often wasting time that could have been saved by making corrections beforehand, including editing primaries, adjusting white point of paper, and compensating for visual effects of optical brighteners in proofing. Ultimately, the quality of ICC or DeviceLink profiles is only as good... Read More
