South African distributor Kemtek, a Johannesburg-based advertising agency with no previous printing experience, increased its annual turnover by 25% by expanding its lithographic production. This was achieved by installing a Screen Truepress 344 direct imaging press.

The House of Advertising operates as a below the line advertising agency and specializes in the design of magazine advertisements, the creation of brochures and newsletters, and produces short run outdoor signage and poster printing for both trade and corporate customers. They used to use image B2 plates on a Screen platesetter and then sent it out to a third party supplier to be printed and finished. Then, they installed the Truepress 344 with an Epson proofer, folder, guillotine, and stitcher. They were able to cut costs and increased business while also bringing the processes in-house. A usual print run for The House of Advertising is between 1,000 and 10,000 and so they decided to purchase an offset press. But after trying out some traditional lithographic presses, they were put off by the size and design of even the smallest makes and models.

Bsquared design and printing has improved its ability to surpass customer expectations for high-end, fast-turnaround printing with a Hewlett Packard Indigo Press 5000 and an HP Indigo Press 5500. This New York-based print service provider can now expand its business into new markets (including the government sector, magazines and booklets) profitably and confidently with the HP digital presses.

Bsquared picked and installed the HP Indigo Press 5000 over other competitive offering based on its small footprint, ease of use, and offset-quality printing available only with HP. After a few months of installing the Indigo Press, Bsquared experienced a 100% return on its investment through additional business opportunities and the removal of subcontracting to digitally equipped trade printers. Their success with the 5000 model led to the purchase of an HP Indigo Press 5500.

The HP Indigo Press 5000 allows Bsquared to efficiently produce a wide range of products like booklets, magazines, and variable-data market applications thereby allowing for larger clients in different market segments, like the government sector, producing badges and inserts.

Some in the industry have been predicting the end of print management (PM) for the last ten years and that companies would bring their print-buying function back in-house. However, some of the larger print management contracts are entering their third of fourth generation with corporate showing little dissatisfaction with the service that they are receiving.

PMs face competition from printers undercutting the suppliers by offering their own in-house services. Another factor is the fact that many printers count PM companies among their best customers. Printers are often quite cautious and protective of their customer base when dealing with other printers. Another possible threat is the prospect of a corporate buying its current print partner.

The cost-effective approach is for the client to seek out their account management team. The individual approach is a possible solution with increased competition from more PM companies who can offer great efficiencies and cost savings. However, can they sell the message about the value of their services convincingly? The sector has grown considerably over the past five years with PM firms becoming more successful with companies cutting their budgets and outsourcing.

Fine art printing requires great attention to detail, an eye for color, and an understanding of the subject matter. The printer should find the right combination of inks and best substrate to accurately reproduce the artist’s creative vision. No easy task which is why those who do it well are well-paid for their skills and in high demand. As a result, few commercial printers have managed to make a mark in this sector with the industry consisting of thousands of outfits made up of one-man-and-a-press-in-a-workshop.

The niche market is attracting a lot of attention because of the rise in art sales. Printers with a state-of-the-art litho press will not get enough work if they focus exclusively on fine art work because a lot of the jobs are one-offs with short print runs. The exception is jobs involving gallery catalogues, brochures, and books. Printers serious about working in this sector have to be willing to invest a lot of money because they need to invest in the right kind of kit in order to reach the required standards. Money needs to be spent on image capture equipment with people who know the best way to photograph artwork with consistent color quality.

The real breakthrough – technology-wise – came with radical improvement in quality offered by digital technology which has subsequently eliminated litho. It has also eliminated the need for variety of expensive presses. Profits are often made by selling unique skills.