Premedia Companies Talk Business Priorities, Money Allocation, Plating, Screening and More in Flash Poll

Trending Technologies

As always, bettering print output was identified as a top-priority concern. Flash Poll respondents pinpointed several techniques as aptly aiding the cause.

Top Technologies

Driving Print Quality

Eighty percent expressed the belief that screening is currently exerting the strongest impact. Seventy-three percent assigned highly impactful status to flat top dots. Color management systems were seen as performance enhancers by 53 percent of the audience. Plating, process controls and automation were similarly credited with leading to continuous improvement. Nearly half of premedia service providers polled said advancements in plating technologies were significantly influencing print outcomes. Similarly, 34 percent listed process controls as critical to success and increasing automation was advocated as being essential by 24 percent.

Current Challenges

Tighter timelines were cited as the most pressing challenge facing premedia service providers in 2019.

Current Challenges

Meeting Customer Demand

FLEXO’s survey revealed that 73 percent of prepress professionals see speed/turnaround time as the No. 1 challenge to be addressed. Process control proved to be the second major concern, with one-third of respondents listing it as requiring near-immediate attention. Next came automating the workflow at 27 percent, color management at 26 percent, creative design at 15 percent and EG print at 12 percent.

Capital Investments

When it comes to reinvesting in the business, no premedia service provider surveyed held back.

Reinvestment Strategy

Funding Cutting-Edge Equipment

In fact, 60 percent explained that anywhere between 5 percent and 25 percent of profits are poured back into critical investments. Thirty percent place the range at 10 percent to 25 percent; while an identical 30 percent target reinvestment at between 5 percent and 10 percent of profits. When it comes to reinvesting in the business, no premedia service provider surveyed held back. Individual strategies do vary when it comes to capital allotment. Eight percent of the poll audience explained that they reinvest better than 50 percent of profits in the business; 16 percent dedicate 25 percent to 35 percent of revenues to improvement campaigns. Nine percent elect a range of 35 percent to 50 percent and 7 percent opt to devote less than 5 percent of proceeds to such causes.

Soon to Buy

Capital Expenditure Plans

Pressed to list out the type of equipment they are considering purchasing in the next 36 months, the trade shop executives answered willingly, with many planning multiple buys. No. 1 on the wish list, capturing 64 percent of mentions—RIP or screening software. It was followed by LED exposure for plates, which garnered 48 percent of all mentions. Next, at 39 percent, came plate making automation. It was followed by solvent plate making equipment, with 36 percent of votes. Thermal plate making equipment is being considered by 20 percent of the sample. Other potential purchases are also on the horizon. Fifteen percent of FLEXO’s sample audience indicated an interest in LAMS imaging devices, 11 percent are attracted to DLE imaging devices and 2 percent are pondering purchase of water-wash plate making equipment.

Calibration & Characterization

Process control enthusiasts will delight in this aspect of FLEXO’s Flash Poll findings.

Always, Sometimes, Never

The Characterization Conundrum

Better than 60 percent of prepress technicians always characterize plate to press. Another 39 percent sometimes—generally more often than not—do. Just 1 percent never characterize.

Calibration Curves

What’s Preferred

In a similar vein, calibration was found to be widely embraced. Seventy-two percent of those surveyed have adopted calibration techniques. Of popular guidelines, 45 percent of those sampled use both Near Neutral Print Density (NNPD) curves alongside Characterized Reference Print Conditions (CRPC) curves. Another 19 percent stick strictly to CRPC techniques, while 8 percent prefer NNPD. Thirty-five percent don’t utilize either.