Don’t Look But the Printing Industry from the Past is Going Through a Disruptive Transformation

Even in a world that becomes more and more paperless every day, printing remains a vital component for manufacturing and logistics. As businesses implement efficiencies, so too are they making improvements to the printing technologies that support them. Right now, areas of advancement include hybrid print technologies, handheld inkjet printers, new software tools, and 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing).

Hybrid Print Technologies

Hybrid printing combines the capabilities of conventional flexo and digital printing. Flexo, named for its flexible relief plate, is popular for printing on substrates used for food packaging including flexible plastic film and corrugated board. It is fast, simple, clean, and cost-effective.

Essentially, hybrid printers are flexos that run on digital technology. By combining tried-and-true methods with digital advancements, companies are saving setup time, and carrying out even faster production processes. The end result, a more diverse selection of printed products, and higher profit margins per job.

Handheld Inkjet Printers

When you need a fast way to print letters, labels, and numbers on products, there is no better option than a handheld inkjet printer. They are easy to transport and ready to print in high resolution. They can print on wood, concrete, paper, plastic, metal, or glass.

Advancements in this technology include easy-to-use onboard touch screen displays which allow users to make changes on the fly. They are real cost savers and easy to use.

Software Innovations

New versions of graphic design software are enabling easier workflows, stronger file compatibilities, and more collaboration between designers and end-users. Thanks to greater software flexibility, projects can be completed more cost-effectively from almost any geographic location, although there is a bit of a learning curve before users can master these tools. Businesses favoring software over film media and traditional print are experiencing stronger returns on investment, encouraging the training of staff to master these tools.

3D Printing Turns Printers Into Manufacturers

Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing is a gamechanger for the print industry. Traditional printers who explore the opportunity that 3D provides are entering an entirely new business where they can become custom manufacturers.

Industries as varied as medicine, construction (3D-printed houses), aviation and aerospace (SpaceX and NASA are manufacturing rocket components this way), and engineering, are all using 3D printing. Its advantages: reduced material costs, customization, faster production, and fewer injuries. It’s no wonder why this technology is making inroads not here on Earth and in outer space as well. Yes, there is a 3D printer on the International Space Station being used to make replacement tools and spare parts.

How does 3D printing work? The current technology prints using a layering method. Computer-aided designs (CAD) can be interpreted by the technology to make finished three-dimensional objects incorporating colours and finishes that make the products indistinguishable from more traditional manufacturing such as injection molding.

Whether printing an entire house, or just pieces of one, or printing replacement body parts, the print industry is no longer restricted to technologies that originated with block printing and Gutenberg.

For hobbyists, 3D printing is turning homebodies into creators of ceramics, and jewelry. And as the cost of the technology continues to drop it is making it more attractive to the average consumer.