The rise of production digital printing over the past decade and a half has transformed the printing industry, fundamentally altering how businesses approach efficiency, quality and personalization. Starting in the early 2010s, inkjet web presses revolutionized direct mail and transactional printing by replacing black-and-white toner-based continuous feed presses. The initial appeal lay in good enough colour quality, combined with personalization capabilities and the cost efficiencies of a ‘white factory’ production model.
By the mid-2010s, the quality of the technology improved substantially, opening new opportunities in book printing, where longer runs and higher volumes justified the transition to inkjet web presses. Meanwhile, the adoption of digital sheetfed presses, in the smaller B3 size (14 x 19 in.) started flourishing in commercial printing. These presses carved out a niche in specialty printing, enabling short-run, quick-turnaround jobs with personalization and expanded colour options.
However, the emergence of larger B2 digital sheetfed presses has sparked the potential for a more significant disruption. These presses directly overlap with offset printing for shorter runs, faster turnarounds, and variable data applications, creating a critical decision point for printers: Is it time to invest in a B2 digital press? And if so, which one is right for your business?
Brief history of B2 digital printing presses
The first steps toward B2 digital presses began in 2011–12 with Fujifilm’s JPress 720 (inkjet) and HP’s Indigo 10000 (liquid toner). While neither was a true B2 press (smaller image area), they signalled the beginning of a shift toward larger digital formats. By Drupa 2016, the Konica Minolta KM1, Komori IS29 and Fujifilm JPress 750S were game-changers in the B2 space, offering offset-level quality and operational flexibility. More recently we have seen the introduction of Ricoh’s Pro Z75 and Canon’s VarioPress iV7 digital B2 presses. HP continuously expanded their presses’ flexibility and productivity, with the HP Indigo 18K and 100K, their most recent.
Unlike their smaller B3 counterparts, which complement offset, B2 digital presses directly compete with certain offset applications, especially as demand grows for shorter run printing and personalization. This convergence raises the stakes: Is investing in a B2 digital press a smart strategic move for your business?
Five strategic considerations for choosing a B2 digital press
When advising clients on major investments, I emphasize aligning decisions with their overarching business strategy and vision. Here’s how to approach your due diligence process using five critical business competencies.
1. Operational excellence
Your new press should enhance efficiency across your entire workflow. Evaluate how it integrates with existing equipment and software. Consider uptime, ink coverage, drying times, maximum image size (B2 vs. B2+) and post-press compatibility for processes like coating, folding, creasing or laminating. If you operate a 40-in. offset press, analyze which applications could move to the B2 press to maximize both machines’ utilization, balancing capacity and cost efficiencies between the two systems. In your analysis, consider offset make-ready costs, including time, plates and substrates.
2. Talent optimization
One often overlooked, yet critical factor when investing in a new press, is your team’s ability to effectively operate and maintain the equipment. Talent optimization ensures you have the right people with the right skills to maximize the press’s potential.
Start by assessing the user-friendliness of the press. Is it intuitive for operators to use, or will it require significant training? Consider the level of maintenance required—some presses are designed to be highly automated, reducing manual intervention, while others may demand more hands-on expertise.
Pay particular attention to prepress capabilities, as much of the decision-making for digital presses happens upstream in the prepress workflow. File preparation, colour management, and workflow optimization are increasingly the responsibilities of prepress teams rather than the pressroom.
3. Market positioning and client differentiation
When evaluating a B2 digital sheetfed press, consider how it will enhance your differentiation. Can it help you offer faster turnaround times, unique substrates (e.g. synthetics, metallics textured stock), or higher-quality output that others can’t match? Will it allow you to enter untapped markets or provide value-added services, such as personalization at scale or short-run packaging? A clear understanding of your competitive edge ensures that your investment supports your market positioning, helping you attract and retain high-value clients.
4. Business agility and workflow integration
Incorporating a new press into your business isn’t just about printing—it’s about ensuring that your entire workflow is streamlined and efficient and aligns with your goals for overall business agility.
This means examining how easily the press integrates into your current workflow systems, such as MIS, ERP, or CRM platforms. Automation capabilities, combined with AI can further enhance agility by reducing manual intervention, minimizing errors, and optimizing turnaround times. Consider whether the press supports seamless connectivity, allows for remote monitoring, predictive analytics or offers smart automation features that simplify complex operations.
5. Financial viability and ROI analysis
Finally, no investment decision can ignore the numbers. Financial viability involves a deep dive into both the direct and indirect costs associated with acquiring and operating a press.
Direct costs include the purchase price, installation, and maintenance. Indirect costs often involve energy consumption, consumables, downtime, real estate etc. At the same time, focus on revenue-generating opportunities the press unlocks. How many additional jobs can you take on? Will the press enable premium pricing due to better quality or unique capabilities?
Conduct a detailed ROI analysis, considering the payback period, total cost of ownership, and long-term profitability. Also, consider if tax incentives or government grants are available for technological investments.
Making your next move count
The B2 digital sheetfed press market has evolved into a competitive arena, with manufacturers vying to differentiate their offerings through technological innovation, service models, and integration capabilities. Yet, the ultimate decision to invest in a press isn’t just about the specifications or price tag—it’s about the strategic fit with your business goals.
Beyond the five critical business competencies discussed, it’s essential to maintain a future-oriented mindset. The printing industry is in a constant state of evolution, as sustainability, automation, and AI integration reshape businesses operations. Choosing a press that aligns with these long-term trends can position your company as a forward-thinking leader in the industry.
Linking strategy and leadership
At its core, deciding on a B2 digital sheetfed press isn’t just an operational choice; it’s a strategic one. It reflects your company’s direction, priorities, and readiness to adapt to a rapidly changing market. As a strategist and industry advisor, I have guided businesses through similar pivotal decisions. I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful strategy development and disciplined execution can drive extraordinary results.
If you’re considering your next step in digital printing, I’d encourage you to think not just about what your business needs today, but where you want to take it tomorrow. A well-chosen investment in technology, guided by a solid strategy, can position your company to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Whether you’re navigating a technology investment or shaping your company’s future, the principles of strategic leadership can be a powerful compass.
Alec Couckuyt is a business strategist, economist, published author, and speaker with extensive international management experience. He can be reached at alec@agcconsulting.ca.
This article originally appeared in the Jan./Feb. 2025 issue of PrintAction.
