Partner Focus
How to Choose the Right DFE for your Digital Packaging Investment
By Giselle Robeson, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Fiery B
rand owners are pushing converters to off er digital printing as part of their portfolio. Once considered a cost-eff ective way to produce short- run, seasonal, or limited-edition labels and packaging, digital printing has emerged as a full- production solution for labels, folding cartons, fl exible packaging, corrugated, and more. As converters transition from analog to digital, the choice of a digital press often takes center stage, evaluating press speed, quality, application capabilities, and versatility. A critical component that flies under the radar is the digital front end driving the press. All digital print equipment requires a DFE or RIP software to process files for printing. The DFE does so much more: file preparation, colour management, workflow automation, and integration with inspection systems, and business systems. Digital presses come with RIP software, but packaging and label converters should go further and ask how the RIP maximises the press capabilities to obtain the highest return on investment. Alternatively, they should ask how it integrates with existing
workflows to ensure production efficiency on the production floor. Overlooking the significance of a well-matched DFE can undermine the potential of your digital print investment.
When investing in digital solutions, here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you make this decision. Flexibility. The DFE should be flexible and easy to integrate both for press manufacturers and their end customers. Can the DFE be customised to customer requirements like format (roll/sheet), custom resolutions, drop size and volume, and process ink support (CMYK, white, orange, violet)? Does the DFE have an open architecture to seamlessly fit into any workflow, whether it’s a 100% digital press or a hybrid setting with an inkjet engine mounted on a flexo press? Colour quality. Colour is an essential part of brand equity and brands require tight colour management. Does the DFE have fully integrated colour management software? Does the software include tools to help match industry standards and customise colour to client specifications? Can it ensure consistent
colour reproduction across applications and environments (analog, digital) and integrate with existing colour workflows (such as Esko Color Engine)? Performance. Consider how the DFE will handle large, complex jobs and a high volume of smaller jobs. Can the DFE feed the press at its fastest speed, no matter the file type? The RIP needs to be fast enough to eliminate press wait time. Does it provide streaming VDP support as a standard feature? Workflow Automation. A robust DFE should integrate with your workflow, automate job preparation steps, and minimise manual interventions in order to guarantee the maximum operational efficiency. Does it offer intelligent automation that analyses incoming PDF files and dynamically chooses the optimal print settings to achieve the best balance between quality and processing time? Does it provide API-based integration to other business systems? Does it offer intuitive ways to define preset workflows to automate repetitive job preparation steps? Training. Can your press and DFE suppliers provide training and/or certifications? Your investment will have a higher ROI if you have the right trained staff in place.
Fiery Impress provides a cost-effective solution that combines the streaming speed, image quality, brand colour accuracy, and automation customers need with the flexibility press manufacturers require to drive any high-speed inkjet press and integrate with any workflow. Investing in a digital or hybrid press and its accompanying DFE is a strategic move with far-reaching implications. Converters should carefully consider the role of the DFE and supporting workflow software if they want to hit the ground running with new investments and start profiting immediately. By selecting the right DFE, you’re not just investing in equipment; you’re future-proofing your business for sustained success in the growing digital packaging market.
28
May 2024
www.convertermag.com
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