Trends are constantly changing and improving the printing industry and it is up to the company to be aware of these changes, integrate them into daily workflow and increase efficiency, as expected by the addition of such practices. But when does the addition of new work processes begin to hinder the business? At Old Trail Printing, we have been struggling with this line of thinking and know many other companies out there are too. No doubt about it, printers need to embrace the new digital era, and fast, but to what extent?
The major challenge at our plant has not been obtaining, training, and using digital machines. Nor has it been training employees about the use of digital information to regulate and increase work efficiency and maintain a standard of quality. The most challenging aspect of integrating the new digital side of print with the old offset side of print is actually changing our thinking and feelings about the dreaded “something new” that is digital workflow.
If all of these advances are in fact improvements, wouldn't it be assumed that everyone would want to integrate them into their daily workflow to streamline processes and make their own job easier? One would think. However, it seems that such change is met with apprehension and apathy. As education for trade and skilled jobs wanes, companies who integrate new technology into their workflow are not actively integrating a youthful employee base, causing a technology-based education gap that creates workplace unease. Even I have to admit that when it comes to the latest gadgets and online tools, I am at a loss- my daughter has to show me how to put music on my mp3 player just so I can listen to “classic music” when I work out. I am, however, willing to learn; although I am far from functioning said mp3 player with the ease that she does. Shouldn't employees be as eager to learn the latest technology so they too can independently work without asking for help?
At Old Trail Printing, training and education are available so we can help maximize workforce efficiency, but will we ever be as sure about using digital technology as someone who has grown up with a “known” digital workflow their whole life? Probably not. We can, however, change our attitude towards the future of print and work with technology rather that resist the inevitable. Who knows, we might learn something new!
In no way is this meant to be read in a negative tone- Old Trail has grown internally by leaps and bounds when it comes to integrating the two workflow processes and we couldn't be happier. These comments are reflections on the printing industry as a whole as we turn the corner into the world of digital print. Not one company could claim they are 100% fully integrated without error, or resistance. This conversation is a reality to many companies, not just printers, who rely on a fantastic group of skilled workers, but are facing the “digital wall” head on as their business continues to grow and education for these skill-based positions dies. What will these companies do when the “Baby-Boomer Generation” prepares for retirement? We have some thoughts on this... but that is a different blog.
Written by Tom Horn, Plant Production Manager
“Obstacles are things a person sees when you take your eyes off your goal”
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