Knowledge Base

Designers drive decision making on print versus e-budgets, print processes, paper choices. For direct mail they impact response rates, production efficiency and overall industry health. Let’s get designers excited about direct mail and amplify those inkjet pages in 2020 and beyond.

In 2020, Inkjet Insight will be expanding coverage of inkjet’s role in growth markets like packaging and industrial while we continue to keep you informed about application segments where inkjet is fully entrenched. This week we got some great Direct-to-Object stories from Richard Romano.

The METIS 3D Scanner creates opportunities for designers and printers think outside the box and expand creative applications for all print markets. Being able to reproduce 3D texture reproductions with existing UV printing equipment or providing scanning services for CGI/PBR (computer-generated imagery/physical based rendering) applications allows designers to not only visualize but customize and develop 3D patterns.

In-plant operations evaluating papers need to take a broader perspective of what cost means in an inkjet environment. There is a potential domino effect on cost when low grade papers are used in high-end devices that corporate procurement teams need to understand.

Pat McGrew with happy new year news on possible compatibility of finishing options across printing processes. Consider the finishing options that can add value in your inkjet environment.

Our latest research surveys production inkjet users on  requirements for print quality measurement when qualifying papers for use on inkjet presses and their satisfaction with OEM services related to meeting those requirements. Executive summary available to all. Premium members can download 18 page report.

A look at industry trends and events affecting the inkjet industry in 2019 and what to keep an eye on in 2020.

Inkjet is everywhere. Inkjet technology is moving fast; leveraging new fluids and creative chemistries to print on new and challenging substrates. More substrate compatibility has opened exciting markets within manufacturing

Kyocera is targeting the professional print market as strategic goal for company growth. The Pro 15000c is set to be the first of a range of devices, with future devices planned to move up the range towards higher-volume uses. Prospects can see the Pro 15000C in the Kyocera showroom in the Netherlands for now. The first public outing will be at drupa 2020, where Kyocera will present some upgrades to the device as well.

Our most recent white paper, sponsored by RICOH, examines the many factors that combine to create a quality inkjet solution for a particular market need. The production workflow and quality sensitivity varies significantly from one application segment to another. While some companies may be replacing one technology platform with another, others are challenged to maintain compatibility between inkjet and toner or offset platforms.

Ralf Schlozer provides an overview of the direct mail market in Europe and the impact of regionalization, postal regulations and GDPR on inkjet adoption. He also defines trends affecting the market for 2020.

Ashley Maydak of Domtar Paper talks to Elizabeth Gooding about helping printing organizations help their customers with selecting papers in order to manage expectations and grow pages.

According to research published in the Harvard Business Review, 97% of senior leaders said that “being strategic” was the leadership behavior most important to their organization’s success. However, a lot of executives don’t feel that they have time to be strategic. Inkjet purchases are a case excample where strategic intent is often marred by tactical execution. We can do better!

One of the fastest-growing applications in wide-format and industrial printing is textures, and while a lot has been written about how these kinds of materials are printed, typically using UV flatbed wide-format printers, not much has been said about the front end of the required process when developing inkjet imaged home décor such as flooring and window covering.

Plumb Marketing charts a course for continued growth through investment in multiple types of inkjet technology and diversification of their services and applications.

Offering new ideas to your organization while leveraging the USPS promotions may set the stage for positive change in 2020. Using inkjet platforms to enable print mail operations to enhance the usefulness of mail and take advantage of the various USPS promotions, while delivering value to consumers and postage savings to their organizations. A win, win, win.

Pat McGrew delivers the 3rd in her drupa series looking at some of the key announcement from 2016 and who has delivered – and who has not.

Mike Todryk, Color Technical Specialist for IWCO Direct shares three of the biggest client communication gaps impacting Production Service Provider’s ability to reproduce brand colors correctly. Educate your customers, educate yourself and get colors right the first time.

Ralf Schlözer provides an overview of key technology launches this week at InPrint Munich as well as insight into why this event is different and valuable.

Adding a tactile differentiator like soft-touch to inkjet pages is the simplest way to gain attention and make inkjet print stand out. Learn about options for different applications and the potential benefits beyond haptic response.