I’ve lived through three decades of seismic shifts in the printing industry, and I can feel another tsunami building. The question isn’t whether AI in printing will transform our business—it’s whether you’ll be ready when the wave hits.
Déjà Vu All Over Again
In the late eighties, I remember the magic of seeing a Gerber mask cutter for the first time. Automated cutting, precise traps, perfect rubylith masks—it seemed impossible. Soon after, IBM’s Rachwal projection systems changed everything again, letting one operator shoot, impose, and burn plates at lightning speed.
Each breakthrough split the industry into two camps: early adopters who thrived and resisters who eventually disappeared.
The same happened with electronic prepress in the nineties. Service bureaus thrived while traditional shops fought the change. Adoption took nearly a decade, but the benefits were undeniable.
Then came online job submission in the early 2000s. Bandwidth challenges slowed adoption at first, but today it’s standard practice.
Why AI in Printing Is Different
These past revolutions were 10X changes—and AI represents at least the same magnitude, if not more.
The difference? You don’t have to wait for infrastructure to catch up. Artificial intelligence tools are available now, ready to reshape how your shop operates.
Your AI Action Plan for Print Shops
Here are practical ways to start implementing AI in your print shop today:
1. Customer Experience
- Use AI-powered chatbots trained on your website content for instant support.
- Automate positive review responses while focusing on problem-solving.
2. Operations
- Build AI pricing plugins (per-square-foot calculations, digital print quotes).
- Automate prepress workflows by integrating AI with production tools.
3. Business Intelligence
- Let AI in printing analyze your financials and generate KPI recommendations.
- Create custom tracking spreadsheets in minutes.
4. Marketing
- Generate AI-powered ad copy and blog posts.
- Use automated keyword suggestions for SEO and PPC campaigns.
- Streamline inventory management with AI-driven systems.
The Critical Success Factor
Here’s my strongest recommendation: assign an AI evangelist on your team. This role should dedicate at least 8 hours per week to testing and applying AI in printing tools in your shop.
This isn’t busy work—it’s a survival strategy. While you’re evaluating, your competitors are implementing. While you’re planning, they’re gaining efficiency and winning contracts.
The Choice Is Yours
I’ve seen this story play out before. Early adopters of Gerber cutters, electronic prepress, and online ordering didn’t just survive—they dominated. The companies that resisted became cautionary tales.
AI in printing isn’t coming. It’s here. The wave has already started.
You can ride it to higher efficiency and profitability, or you can stand back and watch your competitors surge ahead.
After three decades in this business, I know which choice leads to success.
What AI applications are you exploring in your print shop? I’d love to hear about them—connect with me on LinkedIn and share your story, or contact me at RobertVernon.com.
