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Esko partners with The Grey Elephant

Adyasha Sinha — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:01:37 +0000

Esko has partnered with The Grey Elephant, a leading provider of innovative print software, to enable customers to achieve workflow automation efficiency.

The new integration of The Grey Elephant’s Brain4Tools software and Esko Automation Engine enables packaging converters to automatically compare art files for commonalities and sequence print jobs based on their complexity, saving potentially thousands of hours of manual work and valuable operator time.

'The need to frequently stop the press to change plates for short print runs has a significant impact on a business’s material and labor costs, and therefore profits,' explained Robert Kohl, CEO of The Grey Elephant. 'Today’s converters have thousands of artwork files, but searching through them all for potential common separations is as time-consuming as it is arduous. Similarly, the increase in skilled and experienced prepress employees retiring from the industry means the expertise and knowledge, crucial in identifying commonalities and optimizing press runs, is leaving many businesses.'

The integration of The Grey Elephant’s Brain4Tools with Esko Automation Engine addresses these challenges, enabling converters to maximize productivity and drive efficiency in plate manufacturing and job changes over time at the press. 'Once a print file is uploaded to Automation Engine, Brain4Tools automatically looks for commonalities, examines what a business has on file already, and optimizes production to eliminate unnecessary changeovers and reduce press refitting times,' Kohl said. 'In the simplest terms, fewer plate changes during job changes at the press means less downtime, resulting in a more efficient production workflow – and greater profitability.'

The Grey Elephant’s advanced software can identify files dating back years and recognize those that require minimal changes to maximize press time. 'The system might identify a file with a 99 percent match, that just requires a logo to be moved a few millimeters or a slight text change, rather than having to recreate the entire file from scratch,' said Kohl. 'The potential operator time saving is huge, as the need to check every OneUp and Step and Repeat job file is eliminated.'

Esko's chief marketing officer, Jan De Roeck, stated that the latest strategic collaboration simplifies the integration process by providing customers with a clear understanding of the requirements for both Esko Automation Engine and The Grey Elephant’s Brain4Tools.

'We are delighted to be cementing our relationship with The Grey Elephant, working together to address the ever-evolving needs of converters with a technology that delivers tangible benefits both for operators in the production facility, and for business owners on the bottom line,' he said.

A new Standard Integration paper has been developed to facilitate the effective implementation of the integration by customers.

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3 days 16 hours ago

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Esko partners with The Grey Elephant

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The new partnership enables packaging converters to compare art files for commonalities and sequence print jobs automatically.

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The new partnership enables packaging converters to compare art files for commonalities and sequence print jobs automatically.

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Siegwerk joins topac for tobacco packaging

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:01:38 +0000

Siegwerk has joined topac, an alliance for the tobacco packaging industry, to provide market and technology updates, supporting printers, converters, and brand owners with best practices and trends.

Topac is committed to enhancing collaboration across the value chain, fostering innovation, and providing a platform for knowledge exchange among industry stakeholders. Dr Daniel Drochner, global head of technology at Siegwerk's Tobacco Business Unit, expressed his enthusiasm for joining this initiative. He stated: 'It is an honor for the global Siegwerk tobacco community to be part of this alliance along with strong partners like Janoschka, Daetwyler SwissTec, Koehler Paper, Pujadas, Bobst, Marbach, and Focke. Together, we can drive advancements in tobacco packaging and ensure a sustainable future for our industry.'

The inaugural topac summit took place in Surabaya, Indonesia, on May 14-15, 2025, bringing together key players from across the tobacco packaging value chain. The summit served as a platform for discussing the latest innovations, sharing best practices, and exploring future developments in the industry. Participants engaged in insightful discussions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in navigating the evolving landscape of tobacco packaging.

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4 days 21 hours ago

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Siegwerk joins topac for tobacco packaging

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The company aims to provide market and technology updates, supporting printers, converters, and brand owners with best practices and trends.

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The company aims to provide market and technology updates, supporting printers, converters, and brand owners with best practices and trends.

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Siegwerk continues its commitment toward SOS Children's Village

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:38:03 +0000

Siegwerk has partnered with SOS Children's Village to develop a joint strategy that opens up new opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people, transitioning their lives into independent and successful ones.

The collaboration between Siegwerk and SOS Children's Villages worldwide began in Mexico City in 2010 when the SOS Children's Village on-site had to be completely rebuilt due to severe structural defects. Siegwerk financed the construction of a new building for eight children and their SOS mother. This project marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership.

Since then, Siegwerk has annually supported projects run by the children's rights organization in South America and Asia with a contribution of 1.15 million USD. Additionally, employees from nearby Siegwerk sites contribute their expertise and time to selected projects, supporting young people in their personal and professional development by mentoring, training and teaching them relevant social and technical skills. These projects also align with Siegwerk's values and core themes, such as digitalization and sustainability.

Following this mentoring approach, Siegwerk has partnered with the global employability initiative YouthCan!, run by SOS Children's Villages worldwide, since 2018. This project empowers young people to transition to independent careers. Local Siegwerk employees are personally involved in supporting young adults through skills training and by acting as role models, trainers, and mentors. Joint workshops and events are regularly organized to promote the professional and personal development of youth participants. Siegwerk volunteers share their knowledge and experience while also providing young people with access to the working environment. Some young people have since become Siegwerk employees themselves. Between 2020 and 2024, Siegwerk and the local SOS Children's Villages associations have implemented more than 150 projects and activities as part of YouthCan!

'Social commitment is firmly anchored in Siegwerk's corporate culture. We want to give back to the communities in which we operate,' said Dr Nicolas Wiedmann, CEO at Siegwerk. 'We are very proud that our employees have contributed their expertise and time for 15 years to help children and young people pave their way to a better, self-determined life. SOS Children's Villages worldwide is a strong partner that makes this possible and does exceptional work.'

Siegwerk currently supports ongoing projects in Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, the Philippines, and Thailand. In addition to promoting vocational qualifications, the goal is to also provide young people with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for a sustainable and resource-efficient society and economy.

This collaboration benefits both parties, as employees gain valuable experience and improve their skills. This is confirmed by the annual survey conducted by SOS Children's Villages worldwide among Siegwerk volunteers and YouthCan! participants (YouthCan! Volunteer and Youth Surveys, 2020–2023).

89 percent of volunteers feel that their work has helped them improve relevant skills, such as presentation, teamwork, leadership, and communication.
93 percent are also more satisfied with their job and feel prouder to work for Siegwerk.
Of the young adults, 90 percent say that participating in YouthCan! has given them a positive outlook on the future and a plan for their next steps in life.
Looking back, 91 percent of young people confirm that the skills they gained are essential for their job.

'Our 15-year partnership with Siegwerk demonstrates how sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies can bring about positive social change,' said Barbara Gruner, a member of the executive board of SOS Children's Villages worldwide. 'Through the active engagement of its employees and global cooperation as part of the YouthCan! Initiative, Siegwerk is setting standards for corporate engagement. This effective, long-lasting partnership serves as inspiration and a model for future-oriented corporate social responsibility.'

Posted date

5 days 19 hours ago

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Siegwerk continues its commitment toward SOS Children's Village

Short summary

Siegwerk supports projects run by the children's rights organization in South America and Asia with an annual contribution of 1.15 million USD.

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Siegwerk supports projects run by the children's rights organization in South America and Asia with an annual contribution of 1.15 million USD.

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Konica Minolta Australia earns 2025 Great Place To Work certification

Adyasha Sinha — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:44:46 +0000

Konica Minolta Australia has received Great Place To Work certification for 2025. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Konica Minolta Australia. This year, 72 percent of employees said it’s a great place to work, which is 12 percent higher than the average Australian company, according to the Great Place To Work 2024 Australia National Employee Engagement Study.

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.

Gabrielle Stevens, chief people and culture officer at Konica Minolta Australia, said: 'Being certified by Great Place To Work is more than an endorsement; it’s a meaningful recognition of the inclusive, empowering and values-led culture that Konica Minolta Australia works hard to cultivate. This certification validates that Konica Minolta Australia is a workplace where everyone feels supported, respected and able to thrive. It reflects Konica Minolta Australia’s long-standing commitment to listening to its employees and creating a culture built on equity, inclusion and opportunity.'

Konica Minolta Australia’s employee experience and culture programs are designed with a clear focus on consultation, authenticity and continual improvement. Its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee is employee-led, with members selected through expressions of interest to support broad representation across teams, backgrounds and lived experiences. This group drives grassroots input into key initiatives and plays a central role in shaping the company’s strategic focus across disability inclusion, gender equity, LGBTQIA+ representation and cultural awareness. Its work is complemented by a long-running annual engagement survey, which tracks how employees experience the workplace and identifies where change is most needed. High scores year after year, including consistent results in the DEI category, reinforce the effectiveness of this approach and guide areas for further investment.

Stevens said: 'What makes Konica Minolta Australia a Great Place To Work is the way it centers people in everything. Konica Minolta Australia is committed to fostering a culture where everyone can belong and succeed, from progressive workplace policies to inclusive hiring practices and robust internal pathways for career growth. Konica Minolta Australia’s DEI committee unites passionate representatives from across the business to shape initiatives that reflect the company's values, while long-term partnerships with organizations such as atWork Australia help remove barriers and open doors. Konica Minolta Australia is proud to be a workplace where diversity is embraced and where everyone has the chance to make a meaningful contribution.'

Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place To Work, said: 'Great Place To Work certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Konica Minolta Australia stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.'

Konica Minolta Australia takes a deliberate and structured approach to implementation, with a calendar of meaningful events and initiatives that are grounded in community relevance and employee priorities. These include awareness and training activities for the International Day of People with Disability, Harmony Week celebrations, and International Women’s Day events that feature voices from charity partners, such as the Breast Cancer Network Australia. Each initiative is designed to reflect the realities of employees’ lives and the diversity within the workforce, creating opportunities for education, connection, and advocacy. The strength of the employee experience stems from both policies and the genuine commitment to inclusion that is embedded throughout the organization’s rhythm and routines.

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a certified workplace. Additionally, employees at these workplaces are 93 percent more likely to look forward to coming to work and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.

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1 week 3 days ago

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Konica Minolta Australia earns 2025 Great Place To Work certification

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This year, 72 percent of employees affirmed it as a great place to work, well above the national average.

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This year, 72 percent of employees affirmed it as a great place to work, well above the national average.

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UPM Raflatac rebrands itself

Adyasha Sinha — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:31:12 +0000

UPM Raflatac has renamed itself as UPM Adhesive Materials. The new name will be in use starting with the Interim Report Q2 2025.

The name change aligns with the business area's strategic direction to accelerate growth beyond label materials into graphics and specialty tapes. UPM Raflatac will remain a leading, global product brand in the label materials offering area.

UPM Adhesive Materials leverages its expertise in adhesives, material performance, and industry-leading services to deliver value to customers. The business area holds a leading market position in label materials and has expanded significantly in the graphics industry through the acquisitions of AMC, Grafityp and Metamark.

'The new business area name reflects our expanded portfolio and growth aspirations and highlights the value we deliver to our customers through the adhesive material performance,' says Tim Kirchen, executive vice president of UPM Adhesive Materials.

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1 week 3 days ago

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UPM Raflatac rebrands itself

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The division will now be called UPM Adhesive Materials.

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The division will now be called UPM Adhesive Materials.

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Finat ELF 2025 explores critical topics

Adyasha Sinha — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:53:20 +0000

Finat has wrapped up its annual European Label Forum (ELF), reflecting the enduring spirit of collaboration and innovation that characterizes the Finat community. Held in Amsterdam from May 21–23, the event brought together a record number of 240 delegates from 26 countries and explored critical topics shaping the future of the label industry.

From environmental sustainability and the implications of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to the transformative role of artificial intelligence, innovation in flexible packaging, and strategies for future leadership, the high-caliber program featured thought leaders, market analysts, and technology experts.

A vibrant tabletop exhibition showcased 32 leading industry suppliers, including gold sponsors Avery Dennison, Beontag, Labelexpo/Labels & Labeling, Mark Andy and UPM Raflatac.

One of the highlights of the forum was the announcement of the winners of the 45th Finat Label Competition, which received 184 entries from 47 companies across 21 countries, once again underscoring the global relevance and reach of the Finat community.

'This year’s ELF truly embodied what Finat stands for: connecting people, sharing knowledge, and shaping the future of the label industry,' said Jules Lejeune, Finat managing director. 'We were delighted to return to Amsterdam 10 years after rebranding the ELF, and to see such an engaged, international crowd ready to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.'

Keynotes from geopolitical expert Ron Keller and mountaineer Bonita Norris inspired attendees with insights on global dynamics and personal resilience. In parallel, experts such as Corey Reardon (AWA), Thomas Reiner (Berndt & Partner), and Paul Jenkins (The PackHub) provided in-depth analyses of market trends, sustainability drivers, and technological transformation.

Notably, the forum also introduced the industry to new developments, such as Finat’s e-learning platform. It featured an animated scenario-planning tool powered by AI, sparking fresh dialogue about the future role of labels in a rapidly changing world.

'Three words sum up this year’s ELF: collaboration, action and persistence,' said Finat president Philippe Voet in his closing remarks. 'In a time of rapid change and consolidation, this event reminded us that progress happens when we come together, stay informed, and keep moving forward – one step at a time.'

The Finat European Label Forum 2026 will take place in Seville, Spain, from May 27–29.

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1 week 4 days ago

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Finat ELF 2025 explores critical topics

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Held in Amsterdam from May 21–23, the event brought together a record number of 240 delegates from 26 countries.

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Held in Amsterdam from May 21–23, the event brought together a record number of 240 delegates from 26 countries.

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Cosmo First commissions new BOPP line

Akanksha Meena — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:33:56 +0000

Cosmo First has commissioned a new BOPP (Biaxially Oriented PolyPropylene) film line with capex of more than INR 400 crores (around 46m USD) at the company's existing manufacturing plant located at Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.

The new line boasts an annual rated capacity of 81,200 MT with advanced technology. With the commissioning of the new line, the company’s annual BOPP capacity will increase by approx. 40 percent to 2,77,000 MT.

Speciality sales at Cosmo First have been growing at a CAGR of 10 percent for the last 6 years. The new BOPP Line will support Cosmo in further expanding its product portfolio across specialty films and packaging. The company plans to further strengthen its specialty films product portfolio with several new products in the pipeline, expected to be launched in the upcoming quarters.

Speaking on the development Pankaj Poddar, group CEO, Cosmo First, said: ‘We expect the line to get filled fast due to current favorable gap in demand and supply in the domestic industry. Further, the new BOPP film line shall be eligible for state govt incentives beside being the most cost-efficient line in India. The Company’s focus will be on taking full leverage of the new investments including BOPP line and grow specialty film sales.’

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2 weeks 6 days ago

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Cosmo First commissions new BOPP line

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The investment increases the company’s total BOPP capacity by approximately 40 percent to 2,77,000 MT per annum.

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The investment increases the company’s total BOPP capacity by approximately 40 percent to 2,77,000 MT per annum.

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UPM invests over 10 million EUR in Finland

Akanksha Meena — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:01:49 +0000

UPM Specialty Papers has confirmed that it will invest over 10 million EUR (approximately 11m USD) in the modernization of UPM Tervasaari mill in Valkeakoski, Finland.

The investment will allow UPM Specialty Papers to boost capacity and improve production stability in its highly specialized products, such as glassines and flexible packaging papers.

‘UPM Specialty Papers has over 40 years of experience producing highly demanding specialty papers. This investment underscores our commitment to serving customers in the label, tape and industrial value chains as well as packaging,’ highlighted Tomi Lonka, senior vice president, global specialty papers, UPM Specialty Papers.

The modernization project includes the paper machine drying section rebuild and related steam system upgrade. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2026. In recent years UPM has also invested approximately 20 million EUR (approximately 22m USD) in boosting the energy efficiency of UPM Tervasaari mill. For example, in 2023, a new electric boiler was installed.

UPM Specialty Papers offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality glassine papers and packaging papers. The glassines include a wide range of shades and basis weights. These papers are typically used in labels, double-sided tapes and other industrial end-uses.

For flexible packaging it offers a wide portfolio of fiber-based, recyclable papers, including barrier, barrier base, and C1S (coated one side) packaging papers.

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3 weeks 4 days ago

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UPM invests over 10 million EUR in Finland

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The investment at its Tervasaari mill will boost production of glassines and flexible packaging papers.

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The investment at its Tervasaari mill will boost production of glassines and flexible packaging papers.

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Konica Minolta plans for Innovation Open Day

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 27 May 2025 11:08:48 +0000

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) has planned Channel Partner Training and Open Days to support its channel partners in delivering advanced print production capabilities to their customers. The event is scheduled for June 4 and 5 at its Client Engagement Centre (CEC) in Houghton Regis, near Luton.

The event will showcase Konica Minolta’s latest innovations in digital print technology, including the newly enhanced AccurioPress C14010 series and C7100 production presses, giving partners hands-on experience and expert insights into how these technologies can drive new opportunities.

In addition to the new digital production presses, Konica Minolta will also provide a deep dive into its next-generation IQ real-time intelligent quality care technology. Attendees will learn about new enhanced features, including built-in spectrometers for smarter, faster setup and improved output quality, as well as significant product enhancements. The sessions will focus on key enhancements and real-world benefits, and partners will also have the opportunity to hear about new controllers and workflow processes during a presentation entitled 'Driving the Potential'.

Rod Heaton, PP and IP channel manager - Indirect at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK), commented: 'The Partner Training and Open Day is the perfect opportunity for our partners to get hands-on with our new AccurioPress range and to learn how they can benefit from delivering enhanced digital print production capabilities to their customers.'

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3 weeks 5 days ago

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Konica Minolta plans for Innovation Open Day

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The event is scheduled for June 4-5 at its Client Engagement Centre (CEC) in Houghton Regis, near Luton.

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The event is scheduled for June 4-5 at its Client Engagement Centre (CEC) in Houghton Regis, near Luton.

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Enfocus and DesignNBuy team up for error-free printing

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 23 May 2025 08:27:43 +0000

Enfocus, the provider of flexible automation software for the printing industry, has integrated the Rest API of its PitStop Library Container into DesignNBuy’s flagship web-to-print platform, DesignO 2.3. This partnership brings automated PDF file checks and fixes into the heart of online print ordering, setting a new benchmark for speed, quality and customer satisfaction.

With DesignO 2.3 and PitStop Library Container working behind the scenes, online printers can avoid missed errors, costly reprints and endless back-and-forth with customers over file issues.

Whether customers upload artwork or design directly on the storefront, PitStop Library Container steps at the moment the order is placed, automatically pre-flighting files and correcting common problems like missing fonts, low-resolution images, RGB color spaces, incorrect bleeds and trim marks. The result is clean, press-ready files delivered straight to production, with no extra steps for the customer or the production team.

For online print businesses, the stakes are high. Even minor file errors can trigger production delays, reprints and frustrated customers. With this integration, those worries become a thing of the past. PitStop Library Container can inform users early in production about any errors within their PDF files. It can automatically fix many issues, which means fewer manual interventions are required, freeing up prepress teams to focus on higher-value tasks while keeping workflows running smoothly.

The integration with PitStop Library Container is a key change. It delivers immediate, tangible improvements where it matters most. Since the PitStop Library Container Rest API is already integrated into DesignO, time and money are saved.

DesignO 2.3 brings many other improvements, from 2,500+ packaging models and AI image enhancement to smart uploads, cloud storage, and barcode-based job tracking.

'At Enfocus, we’re all about making life easier for printers,' said Piet De Pauw, head of marketing at Enfocus. 'By teaming up with DesignNBuy, we’re extending the power of automation and quality control to a whole new audience. It’s about giving printers confidence that every PDF file that comes through the door is production-ready - no surprises, no headaches.

'The best results come from great partnerships. Think Batman and Robin, cheese and wine, Lennon and McCartney. Now, you can add DesignO 2.3 and PitStop Library Container to that list. And at a time when printers are under more pressure than ever - with tight deadlines, rising costs and sky-high customer expectations - tech collaborations like this help them stay ahead of the game.'

The Enfocus PitStop Library Container, built on Docker technology and accessible via Rest API, is already helping businesses worldwide automate PDF pre-flighting at scale. Thanks to this integration, DesignO users can tap into the same world-class technology with zero disruption to their existing workflows.