Digital technologies in print and finishing are in a continuing race against market shifts—and vice versa. Both hybrid and bespoke print solutions will play an increasing role, and we are in for some interesting times.

Analog press and finishing equipment provided us with the “one solution fits all” design, where production is primarily confined to disconnected processing steps, except for some flexo applications. It has served the printing industry well and continues to. However, as the market demands change, there is a need to think about print production differently.

More timely and cost-effective production was introduced with the advent of digital printing and finishing equipment and connected production processes. This digital technology fostered the on-demand market for printed products like marketing materials, labels, some flexible packaging applications, and book-of-one applications.