In today’s competitive market, print service providers (PSPs) face significant challenges in acquiring qualified personnel and managing labor costs. To navigate these hurdles, many companies are turning to automation as a strategic solution to optimize their existing teams, increase productivity, and maintain profitability.

The historical use of automation tools, such as the pulley, illustrates how streamlining tasks can enhance efficiency and output. Similarly, modern automation technologies enable PSPs to accomplish more with fewer resources, addressing the pressing need to boost revenue without expanding headcounts.

Rising labor costs, highlighted in the PRINTING United Alliance State of the Industry Report, underscores the urgency for PSPs to adopt automation. By minimizing reliance on skilled labor and maximizing revenue-generating activities, automation emerges as a prudent investment to safeguard profitability.

Automation opportunities span various facets of PSP operations, from front-office tasks to production floor processes. Digitally driven systems offer a wealth of data, empowering companies to identify inefficiencies and optimize productivity. Additionally, advancements in workflow software and e-commerce solutions streamline operations while reducing human intervention.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) further augments automation efforts, enabling PSPs to automate activities previously deemed impossible. The integration of AI facilitates data analysis, market insights, and informed decision-making, enhancing overall efficiency and competitiveness.

Beyond addressing labor challenges, the overarching motivation for automation is profitability. While labor cost reduction is crucial, automation also enhances productivity, quality control, and customer satisfaction. Success hinges on a holistic approach that balances labor optimization with broader operational improvements.

Training and development play a vital role in maximizing the benefits of automation, ensuring employees are equipped with the skills to leverage new technologies effectively. Quality control measures, such as camera systems, enhance production certainty and minimize errors in industrial printing.

Automation streamlines workflows, reducing labor intensity and enabling scalability. By reallocating resources from production to product development, companies like O’Neil Printing and Strategic Factory achieve greater efficiency and profitability.

Finally, automation represents a strategic imperative for PSPs seeking to navigate labor challenges and achieve sustainable growth. By embracing automation technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, companies can unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in the print services industry.

Taken from: Printing Impressions, April 25, 2024, By Dan Marx, Director of Wide-Format Impressions