We came to a crossroads seven years ago. Despite having the latest print technology, we realised we needed to offer more than just offset. We came across a design studio we were working with and decided to merge. We then went out to market in two ways – with the creative approach with some clients and offset approach with others. About 20 months ago, we introduced digital printing. We followed two months later with point-of-sale. Final Dimensions was looking to move to another level, so a merger was opportunistic. About nine months ago, we expanded the design area with another business called Scimitar Advertising.
Mauro Mattarucco, Managing director, PrintBound
We started out in pre-press and colour retouching: we’ve been in packaging for 15 years but in a more traditional sense. We started making the change to brand owners five to six years ago. We had to shift focus because that’s where the control of the client is and that’s where the value-add is. You need to look up the chain and see how far up you can go. We started with making alterations to files we had worked on and then started moving to template development, although we’re not here to remove designers from the workflow, because we don’t have that skill.
Debra Rice. Managing director, Eastern Studios
We had to reinvent ourselves to survive. We had traditional skills in finishing and found printers weren’t presenting short runs in the most efficient way. We thought we could do it better, and design jobs with modern software and equipment to provide clients with a one-stop shop. You can get a bigger margin by value-adding to your own print than by value-adding to somebody else’s because you’re dealing with the final client. Provided they’ve got the money, anyone can buy a digital machine and press buttons and get a finished product, but not everybody can turn that into something people want to hold in their hand.
Ian Walker. Production manager, Whites Law Bindery
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