At the 2011 CONNECT conference at the Wynn, Las Vegas, ganging module of our imposition software, Imp, attracted significant attention reflecting keen interest in ganged layout creation.
Post 2005 commercial printers diversified into packaging as book printing declined with the rise of e-books.Price competition intensified and margins shrank. Efficiency and cost optimization became essential, driving demand for Imp’s optimization algorithms.
Challenges in packaging segment were different. Few processes took lot of time to manage and accomplish the tasks. During discussions with packaging printers in USA between Jan-Sept 2013 the need for two functionalities were clearly evident: Automated die management with search and reuse, and planning multiple artwork versions on a single die layout. Both capabilities were developed and delivered by InSoft by the end of 2013.
Around 2015, large-format printing emerged as a diversification trend probably due to attractive margins. As the segment matured and competition increased, ganging and optimization became necessary to protect profitability.
During this period, many sheet optimizers entered the market, including imitators. The onset of COVID then acted as a complete reset for the industry.
Print businesses transformed from single print product specialists to multiple print product providers covering commercial print, signage, books. Further a new trend for short runs became essential, ranging from one book to small batches of labels, cups & lids, stationery and more. Exclusive long run jobs like labels by flexo, packaging, books were also forced to adapt digital to cater to short run SKUs to retain customers and grab market share in short run segment.
Post-COVID, ganging became a necessity across all print segments. New approaches emerged, including free-shape ganging, single-die multiple artwork, folding-carton ganging, and lane-based. In a way Product-specific ganging evolved.
Imp software continues to lead in ganging innovation. Key capabilities include a Die Library with single-die–multiple-artwork planning for packaging, signature ganging for books, and multi-component ganging for rigid boxes, IML, cups, and lids. A robust ganging engine can process thousands of jobs in a single run. InSoft’s ganging innovations are:
- “No-Mix Ganging” enabling ganging of jobs forbidden to mix on same layout.
- “Block Ganging” to optimize sheet and simplify cutting complexity.
- “Lane Ganging” for short run labels.
- “Forms Ganging” to simplify gathering, cutting and binding.
The buzz word is Automation. Sure, automation helps in minimizing human intervention. InSoft combines “Automation with intelligent Optimization” that translates in better utilization of substrate, brings down wastage, simplifies complexity in finishing, sorting and packing, integrates with smart bindery finally taking your Bottom line to the Top.