The Simply Smarter Blog

Commercial printers and industrial print houses have evolved into fast-moving, sophisticated operations that are more connected than ever. Production presses, Digital Front Ends (DFEs), workflow solutions and web-to-print portals work together to create an efficient, seamless production environment. But with greater connectivity comes greater security risks. Cybersecurity has become an essential aspect to protecting business continuity for organizations of all sizes.

A cyberattack at a production print business can bring operations to a screeching halt, as well as delay jobs and impact customer confidence. The good news is that today’s production print technology offers modern security features that, combined with diligent IT practices, can help keep your production print operations protected.

Print shops and commercial print providers face increasing competition, shrinking margins in commodity print, and evolving customer expectations. The good news? Growth doesn’t require reinventing your business. It requires expanding it.

Diversification is not about abandoning what works; it’s about building on it. By layering complementary services and higher-value applications, print providers can increase lifetime value and market relevance. This shift transforms the business from a transactional print vendor into a strategic partner that solves broader marketing, production, and communication challenges.
 

If you haven’t heard the news yet, Sharp’s BP-1200S 6-Color Digital Press, already a powerhouse of innovation, has just raised the bar by including the recently launched Color-Logic S.M.A.R.T Centre Artwork Library as a standard feature. This transformative addition is set to redefine the way printers approach design and marketing, offering unparalleled benefits to licensed Color-Logic printers. By equipping printers with more tools and ready-to-use examples, it opens up new possibilities to showcase the full potential of print embellishments to customers.

Despite living in the digital world of AI and social media, print is still alive and well, thanks in no small part to the creative marketers who are using it to stand out. Online content is abundant and ephemeral today, but printed marketing materials can offer a lasting impression and a tangible connection with customers. Today's savvy marketers are looking for unique printing solutions that can showcase their brand identity and deliver their message effectively. Here are a few methods that are trending.

For years, we have been hearing that print is dead. Digital technology has become a dominant part of how we consume information and media. Many industries, such as healthcare and education, have shifted toward digital records and resources, though print remains an important tool in certain contexts. But is print really dead? Not so fast. Many industries have embraced digital, and over time, consumers have experienced digital fatigue, seeking ways to reduce screen time and engage with content offline. Print provides a welcome break from screens. It is often easier to read long text in a printed magazine or book than on a digital device.