Blog Posts for print production

The Print Production Industry – A Marketer’s Perspective

As a marketer, there’s nothing I enjoy better than observing brand and consumer product trends or, in marketing speak, consumer packaged goods (CPG) In the words of one of my favorite marketing gurus, Jim Joseph, “marketing is a spectator sport and we all learn by watching brands in action.” These days, in my role at Konica Minolta, my view into consumer products and brands is filtered through the lens of our clients, commercial printers and converters, who’s industry is being redefined by both consumer demands and digital trends. And while there are many trends influencing the print industry, I would argue that there are three, broad marketing trends driving much of the disruption we are witnessing today. (more…)

We all look for quality in what we buy for our family and homes. We want a consistent level of quality in the goods purchased, quality service for the life of the product, and always at the right price. As a new homeowner, the selection, design and build of our home occupied months of research and what seemed like every day in-depth conversation about the process.  After an exciting year, the results turned out great. But recently, a number of friends and family have asked us to recommend someone to install their new curtains, provide landscape services or even to install overhead garage storage racks.  They ask if we’re happy and if we feel we “got a good deal” on each of our transactions.  Realize, every time we recommend a product or vendor, we’re also staking our own reputation that our preferred provider will do a consistent, quality, cost effective job every time.  (more…)

From the home to the office to the print shop, artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing smart technology into our workplace to make our lives easier. When I want to listen to music, I don’t always want to think about what band, what album or even what song I want to hear. I don’t always have time to make or sort through a playlist for specific selections. Today, I use a personal automation listening app like Pandora to pick my mood/feeling/style/era of music and it fills in the great bands, the great albums and the best songs from that timeline. Simply put, Pandora automates and makes my life easier. (more…)

Print 17 – the commercial print industry’s most innovative and exciting exhibition – is just days away. It’s where Konica Minolta and other vendors get to show off their products and solutions. But more than that, it gives the world a bird’s-eye-view of the industry. This year, if you take a look at just our Print 17 booth alone and the wide array of offerings from us and our strategic partners, it’s clear to see the limitless opportunities that abound for print production. (more…)

In the print production market, including Graphic Communications and Industrial Printing, customers’ needs and expectations have changed over the last 30 years. As printing technology has changed, the method and means of production has changed, but print quality and impact are still the most important considerations. As digital quality levels and speeds keep increasing, new communication channels (email, social, etc.) and print embellishments or decorations (such as with our MGI solutions) have been the moving factors that continue to reset expectations for end customers. (more…)

Print and workflow automation are at the forefront of all discussions surrounding the print shop of the future — particularly regarding the front and back end systems. In the past, the front- and back-end have been two distinct systems, basically what you see and what you don’t see. Now, they are converging together driven by the need for print automation solutions. A better understanding of these trends can help you when working with a customer and presenting print shop automation solutions and services. Today, we explain a brief overview of these industry changes. (more…)

Speed.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that word.

First, there’s the obvious connection. Our partner Wayne Taylor Racing kicked off their 2017 season at the 55th Rolex 24 at Daytona, introducing the brand new No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R. In its first official race appearance, their speed and technology resulted in victory! (more…)

What will your business look like in three years? Chances are it won’t look like it does today.

Just like every other industry, Graphics Communications is in the middle of a sea change for many years. It’s no longer prudent, or productive, to offer just print services. The savvy production printer knows that there are myriad related new services all designed to optimize virtualized workloads across complex IT infrastructures, drive sales, maximize manufacturing efficiencies and decrease operating costs.

In fact, our theme at this year’s GRAPH EXPO 15 asks you exactly that: “What Will Your Business Look Like in Three Years?” With our expertise, there are several business areas that you can expand into:

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