The materials used in photobooks, particularly premium books, are expensive and mistakes can be costly,” admits David Williams, area sales manager, NA, Imaging Solutions AG. “Profitability in the creation of photobooks requires an efficient and consistent manufacturing process. Investments in printing, finishing, software, and media are justifiable if they ensure profitability. A streamlined and efficient workflow is critical for a smooth production process. While the opportunity for photobook creation is large, print providers still need to overcome certain challenges. The turnaround time and relatively low cost means that providers can offer test runs as well as no-charge samples to prove a photobook’s value,” advises Brigitte Peleman-Vantieghem, CEO, Photomore, a Peleman Industries Group. “Digital printing and binding make it possible for printers and other service providers to offer personalized photobooks for virtually any B2C or B2B related event, milestone, or information requirement. “By becoming purely a manufacturer, the printer focuses solely on producing high-quality books for the consumer that are being marketed and sold by a brand, retailer, or other third-party with a presence in the consumer market,” she shares. Moralee says B2B2C is another avenue being pursued. These organizations operate with a separate brand identity while running successful business to business (B2B) and B2C businesses under the same roof. Traditional printing companies are branching out into the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, she admits. Online photo retailers tend to focus more on the consumer by offering fast turnarounds and competitive pricing,” explains Moralee. “The market is pretty well defined by these two distinct groups with traditional professional labs servicing the professionals, offering a high-quality range of products, usually at a premium price point. However, the actual product is manufactured by a third party.ĭianne Moralee, sales director, Taopix Limited, divides photobook creators into two categories-those designed by professional photographers on behalf of their clients and those designed and purchased by consumers and amateur photographers. Storefronts are also marketed on the internet and carry the brands of their storefront. High-volume non-branded are also web-based, but manufacture and fulfill large volumes of photobooks that are then branded with private labels.
High-volume branded manufacturers are internet-based retailers conducting their own photobook manufacturing that features lifestyle brands and logos. Jim Kaeli, solutions manager, book technology and hardcover, Muller Martini, says traditionally, there are three tiers of manufacturers engaging in the photobook space-high-volume branded manufacturers, high-volume non-branded manufacturers, and storefronts. According to Jeff Truan, global business development, Nobelus, if a shop is digitally driven with good workflow, finishing capabilities, and additional capacity, it is considered an ideal fit. Print operations properly equipped in both machinery and mindset are able to successfully and profitably offer photobooks to customers. Most of the increase we see comes from the short-run digital print market,” says Jeffrey Kohn, president, Pro-Bind. “The ability to create and bind on demand, short-run hardcover books has steadily increased over the past five to ten years. With the vast amount of usage options, photobook production is on the rise. “They’re perfect for any short-run documentation that needs a high-end look and feel to make a unique statement,” shares Joe Bondonna, product manager, Spiral. Photobooks are used to showcase weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. The demand for prints in all sizes and textures-as well as photo albums in hard cover, soft cover, or custom casing-has grown proportionally,” explains Will Frank, marketing specialist, Standard Finishing Systems. “Web-based storefronts have rapidly replaced traditional photo processing centers, film drop centers, and direct mail ordering. The opportunity for book production is propelled by the advent of social media and smartphones, consumers constantly look for ways to turn digital media into hard copies without a separate visit to a brick-and-mortar store. To remedy this, implementing an automated finishing device into a digital workflow is essential.Ībove: The feed hopper in the fastBook Professional from Imaging Solutions. Costly mistakes not only hurt the bottom line, but a company’s reputation.
Without these tools, room for error increases. The production process of a photobook is intricate and made even more so if automated finishing tools aren’t used. A purely digital and in demand application, it must be high quality and long lasting. Photobooks present both opportunities and challenges to digital print providers.
0 kommentar(er)
