We live in a time where we are constantly looking for, and in many cases seeing, what we perceive as rapid transition from conventional processes to digital. In actual; fact, though, it has taken a little over 25 years from the introduction of the Xerox DocuTech to the point at which digital print volumes have just started to surpass conventional in transactional and direct mail applications, and that includes a significant downward shift in overall print volumes as a result of how transactional and direct mail are used. 

Experience has shown that there can be significant benefits in transitioning to digital processes, although the requirements for making those transitions are not always easy to meet. Quality, Productivity and Cost (QPC) are the primary drivers for change and are also the obstacles. The adoption rate is really a matter of balancing each of those against the other in order to achieve benefits as soon as possible.

For brand owners, there are significant opportunities in moving to digital label and packaging production processes. One of the primary drivers is reducing production lead time. The 2015 Keypoint Intellligence/InfoTrends study, The Future of Digital Packaging Workflows, provides a view into brand owner thinking on the subject.