RIP soft ware PSPs for local fulfi llment.
Th is is possible because Flexi RIP
soft ware includes a web window that
connects PSPs to the SIGN.COM network
as well as other value-added tools. PSPs
want more business insights that help
them understand their production
trends and costs, which is why we have
invested heavily into data analytics and
reporting. We recently added a production
dashboard to the Flexi RIP companion
mobile app and will be introducing
other valuable reporting tools.”
Th e company has focused its Flexi
RIP soft ware on improving productivity
throughout the production
workfl ow. From helping get customer
artwork approved quicker to one-click
contour cut paths and faster weeding,
Flexi RIP does much more than just
RIP and print jobs.
“Most PSPs tell us their biggest production
bottlenecks are not at the RIP
step of their workfl ow,” Derhak says. “So
increasing RIP speed or requiring a 64-
bit PC are not the best ways RIP vendors
can improve print business productivity
. . . We added a Smart Nesting Tool in
the latest Flexi RIP soft ware that nests
jobs according to their shapes. Th at can
reduce media waste up to 60 percent on
print-and-cut jobs.”
Th e marketplace is continually
evolving, making it more important
than ever to listen to RIP soft ware users’
needs, Wanlass says. For instance,
shops are increasingly processing
smaller orders requiring quick turnarounds
as opposed to tackling larger
but fewer orders.
“Th e best way to streamline a
greater amount of orders is to automate
as much of the print production
as possible,” she reports. “For example,
a barcode-driven workfl ow, like
Wasatch’s Barcode Pull, pulls a job into
the production workfl ow, automatically
RIPping and printing a job, by simply
scanning a barcode. New RIP technologies
focused on automation can
effi ciently streamline orders, eliminate
production errors and increase productivity.
Implementing this technology
has been shown to save shops time
and money.”
the printing technologies
are capable of doing it.
PSPs are pushing their
equipment to the limits of
what it can do to meet the
market needs. Variable
data is still growing, soft
signage is still growing
and inevitably there is
more digital production
in the industrial print industry,
which is defi nitely
a growth marketplace.
We print on textiles, on
ceramics at EFI.”
As a result of the growth
Achieving superior color and consistent output will always be a
priority, says Ashley Wanlass with Wasatch, “But currently the
hottest trend is automation. Today’s marketplace demands
increased customization and quick order turnaround, which can
be eased through automation through the RIP.”
of variable data, personalization,
customization, and soft signage, print
providers are purchasing more diverse
equipment, and not specializing as much
as they once did. What’s key, Moloney
says, is “having the equipment that does
the broad variety of work the market
needs,” as well as the ability to challenge
their equipment, pushing the boundaries
of the conventional to attempt new
and diff erent kinds of printing.
“We try to increase performance with
every release, and we are keeping up on
printer speed, to allow people to maximize
their investment,” Moloney says.
For his part, Manwaring reports over
the past two years, Onyx Graphics
has invested signifi cantly in making
production much faster. In its last
two major releases, the company has
achieved RIP times 20 times faster
than ever seen before. “What customers
have told us is this translates directly
into profi t,” he says. “By even producing
one additional job a day, that can have
a huge impact on a print shop’s profi t
margin. Beyond pure RIP speed, there
are automation technologies that can
prepare an entire print application
without any manual setup needed. Th is
means that work is easily and accurately
reproducible without mistakes.”
SAi is focusing on adding value-added
features to its RIP soft ware that
greatly assist print businesses’ growth.
Th e company operates SIGN.COM,
which lets the consumer-buying public
customize signs online, Derhak says.
“We route all SIGN.COM orders to Flexi
For Derhak, the key is RIP soft ware
that does more than just RIP jobs. Th e
soft ware should have value-added features
that help PSPs run their businesses.
As an example, Derhak says, SAi’s
RIP soft ware includes a complete webbased
artwork approval tool enabling
PSPs to garner customer approvals
more expeditiously.
PSPs should seek RIP soft ware featuring
specifi c tools to streamline the production
of their top print applications.
If a PSP produces a great number of
banners, a RIP with a banner-fi nishing
tool can dramatically cut preparation
and fi nishing times. “Th e biggest mistake
PSPs make is sticking with the RIP
soft ware that came with their printer,”
Derhak asserts. “Th ese bundled RIPs
can get the job done, but typically do
not include the value-added features
that increase production effi ciency. In
today’s world, that means not meeting
customer deadlines while the shop
down the street can because they use a
top-of-the-line RIP solution.”
Pushing equipment to
the limits
Th ere is a great deal of imagination
and creativity being incorporated
into today’s print production, Moloney
observes. Print service providers
are pushing the envelope of printing
creativity to satisfy today’s evolving
market demands. “We see a trend to
produce more and more creative styles
of prints. Whatever that might be, from
large to small, it’s happening because
20 Wide-Format & Signage June 2017 PrintingNewscom