Written by DENISE GUSTAVSON, Guest Blogger, at NAPCO Media (April 2024)
Issues such as productivity, efficiency, and speed are all more critical than ever before. And for many shops, the answer may very well be to move to digital B2.
The B2 size won’t be unfamiliar to most commercial printers used to running offset equipment. The B2-format press is widely used across print shops of all sizes, but until recent years, digital presses were limited to the smaller A3 for 2-up applications, limiting the usefulness of the platform or requiring shops to rework how jobs were imposed to fit them onto the smaller sheet size. This delay in time and money in many cases outweighed the benefits of a digital press, such as personalisation or shorter runs.
With the rise of digital B2 presses, now the vast majority of work a commercial printer is producing on offset equipment can be easily shifted, so those benefits are suddenly much more attractive. One of the roadblocks that was still holding many back from adopting though was the lack of corresponding finishing options. That has now changed, with finishing solutions for the B2 format from Duplo allowing print providers to optimise multiple-up layouts on larger sheet sizes while finishing them on demand. These solutions include the DC-20K B2 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser, the PFI Blade B2 Digital Cutting Table, the DDC-8000 B2 Raised Spot UV Coater, and the DSM-1000 B2 Die Cutter.
That said, there are a few major points to consider as to why digital B2 equipment is gaining in popularity so quickly. Just a few of the applications that can be easily shifted from offset to digital with these new options includes:
- Oversized direct mail pieces
- Posters and calendars
- Pocket folders
- On demand packaging
- Custom shaped cards, postcards, and more
- Signage and floor graphics
- Prototyping and sample production
When digital B2 finishing is added to the mix, the possibilities only grow from there.
Is It Right For You?
All that said, is investing in B2 equipment right for your shop? Here are a few things to consider.
Adding digital B2 presses and finishing equipment can be a fantastic investment for a shop looking to evolve and grow in new directions. Especially now, the added flexibility and lower costs can make all the difference.
