Journal

19 December 2024

Print is NOT Dead: How Print is Thriving in the Digital Age

In a world dominated by smartphones, tablets, and laptops, it might seem easy to think that print is becoming obsolete. After all, businesses are going paperless, newspapers are moving online, and e-books are more accessible than ever. However, the reality is that print is far from dead. In fact, it’s thriving in ways that are often overlooked.

The key to print's longevity lies in its ability to adapt and evolve with changing times. From marketing materials to packaging, print continues to play an essential role in both business and daily life. Print is still relevant and continues to make a lasting impact in a number of ways:

1. The Tangibility Factor

One of the most significant advantages print has over digital media is its physicality. There’s something inherently valuable about holding a printed piece in your hands. Whether it’s a glossy brochure, a beautifully designed magazine, or luxury product packaging, the tactile experience creates a sense of authenticity and permanence that digital formats simply can’t match.

For brands, this can translate to greater customer engagement and trust. A well-designed print piece can evoke emotions, create lasting impressions, and serve as a physical reminder that sticks with the audience. In an age of fleeting digital ads, a print brochure or business card can be the difference between being remembered or forgotten.

2. Print as a Premium Experience

Print is increasingly viewed as a premium medium, offering exclusivity and a more personal touch. While digital content is instantly accessible and easily consumed, print gives people a break from screens. Luxury brands, in particular, are leveraging high-quality print for limited-edition catalogues, stunning direct mail campaigns, and upscale packaging that elevates their brand image.

According to a study by Temple University, print ads activate more brain activity related to value and desire than digital ads, leading to a higher likelihood of purchasing. Print’s appeal as a tangible, personal, and premium medium continues to resonate with consumers across demographics.

3. Digital Fatigue is Real

Digital fatigue is becoming a real challenge for consumers and businesses alike. With more people glued to screens for work, entertainment, and social interaction, print offers a refreshing escape from the relentless digital noise. People are craving moments to unplug, and print provides that opportunity.

Whether it’s a magazine on a coffee table or a well-crafted direct mail campaign, print offers an opportunity for readers to slow down, engage deeply, and appreciate the content without distractions. This undivided attention is something that’s harder to capture in the fast-paced digital world.

4. Print + Digital: A Powerful Combination

While print is powerful on its own, the real magic happens when it’s integrated with digital. The rise of technologies like QR codes, augmented reality (AR), and variable data printing allows businesses to bridge the gap between print and digital seamlessly.

For example, a printed brochure with a QR code can lead customers to a brand’s website for more information, special offers, or interactive content. Variable data printing allows businesses to personalise their print materials for individual customers, making each piece more relevant and engaging.

When combined with digital, print can offer a 360-degree marketing experience, creating multiple touchpoints with customers in both physical and digital spaces.

5. Print is Green and Sustainable

The environmental impact of print has been a concern for years, but modern printing techniques and sustainable practices have significantly reduced its footprint. Today’s printing companies are committed to using eco-friendly inks, recycled paper, and energy-efficient technologies.

Furthermore, print materials like paper and cardboard are biodegradable and recyclable, making them a more environmentally friendly option compared to digital devices that require electricity, data centers, and create e-waste.

6. Print in the Modern Business Landscape

Print remains an integral part of business operations, from marketing collateral and point-of-sale materials to labels and packaging. Industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail all rely heavily on print to communicate with customers, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance brand visibility.

Even in an increasingly digital workplace, businesses are still printing reports, proposals, and presentations. And let’s not forget the enduring importance of signage, trade show displays, and product packaging—all of which continue to thrive in print form.

7. Print Meets AI: Smarter, More Personalised Solutions

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with print technology is revolutionising the industry, offering smarter, more personalised solutions than ever before. AI-driven tools enable businesses to analyse customer data and create highly targeted print materials tailored to individual preferences.

For instance, AI can power dynamic design adjustments, optimise content for specific audiences, and even predict trends for more effective print campaigns. Combining AI with variable data printing allows brands to deliver one-of-a-kind, personalised experiences at scale, enhancing customer engagement and ROI.

This synergy between print and AI showcases the future of the industry: innovative, data-driven, and incredibly impactful.

Conclusion

Print is not dead, and it’s certainly not going anywhere. In fact, print’s ability to evolve, personalise, and engage in a world flooded with digital content is exactly why it’s thriving. Print complements digital efforts, offering a multi-sensory experience that can create deeper emotional connections with customers.

As businesses continue to embrace an omnichannel approach, the combination of print and digital strategies will deliver the best results. So, while we navigate the digital era, let’s not forget the power, prestige, and staying power of print. After all, it’s not just alive—it’s essential.

4 December 2024

If you’re dealing with the “PDF Flu,” you're not alone! But don’t worry – we’ve got some simple tips to ensure that every PDF you send to print runs smoothly and looks fantastic. At Ellikon, we’re all about maximizing both efficiency and quality, and that’s one of the reasons our clients love working with us!

We know that PDFs can come from all kinds of sources, and with that diversity comes a set of challenges. The key to smooth, efficient printing is understanding these challenges – and how to overcome them. Let’s break down the most common issues you might encounter, and the best practices to ensure your print projects go off without a hitch.

One of the most frequent problems we see is missing or incorrect fonts. When fonts aren’t embedded in the PDF, they can be replaced with system fonts, which often leads to layout and design inconsistencies. The best way to avoid this is by always embedding your fonts. This guarantees that your design will stay true to the original, no matter the system or software it’s opened with.

Another issue that often arises is with transparency and layers. PDFs with transparency or multiple overlapping layers can lead to unpredictable results when printing. This happens because some print workflows don’t handle layered content correctly, which can cause elements to drop or effects to be altered. To avoid this, always flatten your layers before sending your file for printing. This ensures each layer prints as intended, without any surprises.

Color accuracy is also a common challenge. PDFs created with RGB color spaces can produce unsatisfactory results when printed in CMYK, especially when precise color matching is required. To prevent this, it’s crucial to convert the file to the correct color space (CMYK) during prepress. This simple step ensures that the colors you see on screen match what’s printed on the page.

Another important factor is the use of the correct PDF standards. If your file doesn’t conform to the proper PDF standard – such as PDF/X, which is specifically designed for print – you may encounter issues like missing elements or corrupted page boxes. Following the PDF/X standard is a best practice because it guarantees that fonts are embedded, colors are set correctly, and everything aligns perfectly for professional printing.

File size and complexity can also cause problems, especially with large PDFs that contain high-resolution images or detailed vector graphics. These files can cause software to crash or lead to slow processing times. To keep everything running smoothly, optimize your file before sending it to production. Simplifying complex files and reducing unnecessary size can speed up processing and prevent delays.

Another common issue we see is misaligned pages or crop marks. If the page sizes are incorrect, or if the bleed areas or crop marks are set up improperly, it can lead to trimming mistakes. To avoid this, make sure your file’s dimensions, bleeds, and crop marks are set up correctly from the start. This ensures your document will be trimmed and aligned perfectly when it comes out of the printer.

Lastly, security settings on PDFs can sometimes cause trouble. Some files have restrictions that prevent you from printing or editing them, which can delay the process if you need to make changes before printing. It’s important to check for any security settings before submitting your file for print, so you can address any issues early and avoid production hold-ups.

To streamline your workflow and avoid these common issues, it’s helpful to use preflight and optimization tools. Software like Enfocus PitStop can help you check your PDFs for errors before they go into production, while solutions like ReadyPDF from Solimar, callas pdfToolbox, and PDF Optimizer from PDF Tools can assist with issues like missing fonts or incorrect image resolutions. Optimizing your files not only makes the printing process more efficient but also helps reduce file sizes, saving network bandwidth and speeding up file transfers.

By addressing these common challenges, you can ensure your PDF files are print-ready, leading to smoother workflows and more polished results. At Ellikon, we’re committed to making sure every project is efficient, effective, and – most importantly – beautiful.

28 October 2024

Corporate identity (also known as corporate identity or corporate identity) is essential to the success of all brands, regardless of size or industry.

What is corporate identity?

Corporate identity is how your business presents itself to the outside world. While internal culture and values ​​are an integral part of shaping company identity, the definition of corporate identity applies to a company's visual assets and brand design.

 What exactly is corporate identity and branding?

Essentially, any communication or information you see when you interact with a brand is part of that brand's corporate identity. Although the logo design is under the corporate identity, it goes far beyond this visual symbol and includes elements such as font, illustration, colour, photography and animation.

You'll see examples of corporate identity in everything from social media posts to billboard ads, from staff uniforms to stationery, from product packaging to app profiles.

Corporate identity examples:

~ Business Card

~ Letterhead

~ Envelope

~ Notepad, memo pad

~ Promotional materials design (Pen, USB Flash Memory, etc.)

~ Outdoor and indoor digitally printed display products and posters

What is the main purpose of corporate identity?

When a company's visual elements are applied correctly and consistently, they work together to create an instantly recognisable and memorable corporate brand identity.

Brand consistency gives you more control over your all-important brand image, which, although made up of individual interactions with your company, can be supported or at least influenced by a strong corporate identity.

How to create a corporate identity?

A corporate or company identity can only be created when your internal team aligns with your brand's position, mission, values, message and personality. With this strong foundation, you can work with your design team or corporate identity design company to create a visual language that reflects your brand.

These visual brand markers should be as strategic as they are creative. Your design elements should be agile rather than rigid brand components and keep your business relevant in changing market and consumer environments. We, at Ellikon Fine Printers, provide solutions and services to you with our corporate identity works at every stage from design to production. You can contact us by clicking for more detailed information.

27 September 2024

Sustainability in Printing

When it comes to the sustainability of Print and Paper, it is important to separate the Facts from the Myths.

The European paper industry is a world leader when it comes to sustainably sourced raw materials, renewable energy and recycling rates. Yet the myths around paper are still prevalent amongst consumers.

A 2023 survey revealed that 60% of European consumers believe European forests are shrinking when, in fact, they have been growing by an area equivalent to 1,500 football pitches every day. The total volume of Europe’s forests is approximately 28 billion m3, a figure which is currently growing by about 612 million m3 annually. The survey also revealed that 41% of European consumers believe that paper is a wasteful product and 34% believe it is bad for the environment.

Often the source of these misconceptions is the abundance of misleading information about paper and its impact on the environment. Paper has been the preferred communications medium for 2,000 years. Even in today’s digital world, it continues to be highly effective, and when produced, used and disposed of effectively, is inherently sustainable.

Ellikon seeks to ensure that by fostering a better understanding of our industry’s environmental credentials, print and paper – through its myriad of uses, from commercial applications to the basis of learning and creativity – remains an essential medium for many generations to come.

9 August 2024

The History of the Printing Press

The printing press is a machine that allows the mass production of uniform printed materials, mainly text in the form of books, brochures and newspapers.

The printing press created in China revolutionized society there before it was further developed in Europe in the 15th century by Johannes Gutenberg and his invention of the Gutenberg printing press.

When Was the Printing House Invented?

No one knows when or who invented the first printing press, but the earliest known printed text appeared in China in the first millennium AD. The Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist book from Dunhuang, China around 868 AD during the Tang Dynasty, is said to be the oldest known printed book. The Diamond Sutra was created using a method known as block printing, using hand-carved wooden blocks in reverse. What we do know is that Ellikon Fine Printers was established in 1974 … coming onto 50 years!

Some other texts, such as a calendar, math charts, vocabulary guide, etiquette instruction, funeral and wedding guides, children's educational materials, dictionaries and almanacs, which were printed around 877 AD, have also survived from Dunhuang. During this early printing period, the rolled parchments began to be replaced by book-format text. Woodblock printing was also used in Japan and Korea at the time, and at some point during this period, metal block printing was also developed for typically Buddhist and Taoist texts.

Bi Sheng

Replacing the panels of printing blocks with reusable movable individual letters, the movable type was developed by Bi Sheng from Yingshan Hubei, China, who lived roughly from AD 970 to 1051. The first movable type was carved into clay and formed into solid blocks and then placed on an iron frame that was pressed against an iron plate. The first mention of Bi Sheng's printing house is in Dream Pool Essays (Dream Pool Essays), written by scientist Shen Kuo in 1086, which records that Bi Sheng's fonts were in the hands of his nephews after his death. Shen Kuo explained that Bi Sheng does not use wood because the texture is inconsistent and absorbs moisture very easily, and also the ink has a sticking problem. Baked clay is better cleaned for reuse. During the Southern Song Dynasty, which reigned from 1127 to 1279 AD, books became widespread in society and helped create a class of scientific citizens capable of becoming civil servants. Large printed book collections have also become a status symbol for the wealthy class.

Wang Chen

Ching judge Wang Chen made a comeback in 1297 when he published an article on agriculture and farming practices called Nung Shu. Wang Chen designed a process to make the wood more durable and delicate. He then created a turntable for setters to organise more efficiently, which led to higher speed in printing.

Nung Shu is considered the world's first mass-produced book. It was exported to Europe and incidentally documented many Chinese inventions traditionally attributed to Europeans. Wang Chen's wooden die-type method continued to be used by printers in China.

Johannes Gutenberg

Printing in Europe did not appear until 150 years after Wang Chen's innovation. Mainz was a political exile from Germany when jeweller and inventor Johannes Gutenberg began experimenting with printing in Strasbourg, France, in 1440. He returned to Mainz a few years later, and in 1450 he had a perfected and commercially available press: the Gutenberg press.

Gutenberg Press

An integral part of Gutenberg's design was replacing wood with metal and creating a European version of the movable type by creating printing blocks with each letter. To make the type available in large quantities and in different printing stages, Gutenberg applied the concept of replica casting, which saw the letters created upside down in brass, followed by replicas made from these moulds by pouring molten lead.

The researchers estimated that Gutenberg actually used a sand casting system that used carved sand to create metal moulds. The letters are formatted to fit evenly together to create straight lines and coherent columns of letters in plain media. Gutenberg's process wouldn't have worked so smoothly if he hadn't made his own ink to stick to metal and not wood. Gutenberg was able to perfect a method for flattening printing paper using a wine press traditionally used to press grapes for wine and olives for oil, adapted to the printing press design.

Gutenberg Bible

Gutenberg borrowed a loan from Johannes Fust to fund the Bible project, and in 1452 Fust joined Gutenberg as a partner to create the book. They decided to print calendars, brochures and other documents. In 1452 he released the only book that came out of the Gutenberg shop: the Bible. It is estimated that he printed 180 copies of the 1,300-page Gutenberg Bible, 60 of which were printed on parchment. Each page of the Bible contained 42 lines of Gothic text.

For the Bible, Gutenberg used 300 individually molded letter blocks and 50,000 sheets of paper. Many parts of the books have survived. There are 21 complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible and four complete copies of the parchment version.

Gutenberg's Later Years

In 1455, Fust confiscated Gutenberg. In a subsequent lawsuit, all of Gutenberg's equipment went to Fust and Peter Schoffer, a former calligrapher from Gernsheim, Germany. It is believed that Gutenberg continued to print, and possibly issued an edition of the Latin dictionary, the Catholicon, in 1460. However, Gutenberg ceased all efforts to print after 1460, possibly due to visual impairment. He died in 1468. Peter Schoffer Schoffer took advantage of Gutenberg's press upon purchase and is seen as a technically better printer and typographer than Gutenberg. Two years after Gutenberg's seizure of the press, he released a tricolor title page and an acclaimed version of the Book of Psalms, which contains several genres in the book. A notable detail about this edition is the addition of a colophon for the first time in history. Colophone is the part of the book that gives the details of the publication information. It is known that ten copies of this edition of the Book of Psalms still exist.

Print Spreads to Europe

The spread of printing as a trade has benefited from workers in Germany who helped Gutenberg with his first printing experiments and later became printers who taught the trade to others. After Germany, Italy was the next recipient of Gutenberg's invention when the printing press was brought to the country in 1465. In 1470, Italian printers began to be successful in the printed material business. German printers were invited to set up printing houses at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1470, and the librarian there selected books to be printed, mostly textbooks for students. In 1476, other German printers moved to Paris and started private companies. Spain welcomed German printers in Valencia in 1473 and spread to Barcelona in 1475. In 1495, Portuguese printers invited them to Lisbon. Gutenberg's invention was brought to England in 1476 by the Englishman William Caxton, who lived in Bruges, Belgium for years. Caxton travelled to Cologne in 1471 to set up a printing house in Bruges and learn to print to publish his own translations of various works. After returning to England, he set up a printing house in Westminster Abbey, where he worked as a printer for the monarchy until his death in 1491.

Printing is Changing the World

The worldwide proliferation of printing meant a greater distribution of ideas that threatened Europe's powerful power structures. In 1501, Pope Alexander VI promised to excommunicate anyone who printed manuscripts without the church's approval. Twenty years later, the books of John Calvin and Martin Luther spread and made what Alexander feared came true. Taking this threat further, Copernicus published On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, which was viewed by the church as heresy. In 1605, the first official newspaper, Relation, was published and distributed in Strasbourg. Newspapers appeared all over Europe and formalised the printing press's contribution to the growth of literacy, education, and the wide-ranging accessibility of uniform information for ordinary people.