Five ways to make your LFP workflow more effective

Your LFP workflow is a complex beast and prone to inefficiencies that you probably didn’t even realise you suffered from. You may be working with clashing operating systems. Your RIP might need centralizing. You could be suffering from colour management inconsistencies… But how can you identify and fix these problems? In this post, we’ll take a look at the hidden inefficiencies that might be hampering your workflow and what you can do to resolve them.

Take a closer look at your setup

The chances are you’ve acquired different devices and different software programmes over a number of years – which means your setup has probably been cobbled together. Sure, it works, but it could work better if you took some time to look at your default set up and rationalise some of the inconsistencies.

Here are a few of the most common problems that could be affecting your workflow:

Not using a single RIP across multiple devices

If you’ve been relying on more than one RIP package because different devices came with their own software, you’ll almost certainly be subject to inconsistent quality across your output. Furthermore, using different RIPs for different devices can result in bottlenecks in the workflow as operators have to switch RIPs to send jobs to a different printer.

The solution is to replace multiple RIPs with one central system that can drive – and synchronise – all your devices. For example, PrintFactory is capable of driving more than 1,000 different printers. By using one RIP suite, you’ll save time and produce consistent results.

Not using a RIP package best suited to your needs

If you’re not using a RIP suite that has been set up to suit the way you run your workflow, you could be suffering multiple inefficiencies that will impact on your whole operation. Simply going with the RIP package suggested when you bought your printer isn’t necessarily the most effective way for you to work.

Choosing your RIP software to suit your needs will result in a more productive workflow and could save you substantial sums of money in efficiency gains.

The Mac or PC dilemma

Does your workflow technology run effectively on both of these OSs? Although the gap is closing between Mac and Windows, if the OS you’re using is affecting your choice of RIP software and devices, your workflow is probably not going to be as effective as it could be.

These days, purchasing a new device which specifically supports your operating system shouldn’t be necessary – your RIP software should run with your preferred operating system, whatever it is. PrintFactory will enable you to enjoy identical functionality and smooth operation across both operating systems – freeing you to create the print solution you want regardless of the OS each device supports.

Don’t put up with inconsistent colour management

It shouldn’t be that difficult to produce identical results across your entire fleet of printers, but this isn’t always the case – especially if you’re using different RIP suites for different devices. If your printer settings are inconsistent, achieving synchronised colour output becomes a time-consuming struggle and you’ll find it nearly impossible to meet your clients’ brand requirements.

Implementing a single RIP solution across your whole fleet will make efficiency gains, while ensuring colour consistency across all your prints.

Is your workflow disjointed?

Cloud-based automation will enhance your productivity and profitability, but only if you embrace the concept across your entire workflow. Cherry picking the processes that you manage via the cloud will result in partial automation and a disjointed workflow.

To streamline your whole LFP workflow, you need MIS and ERP modules that integrate seamlessly with your RIP, as a disjointed workflow will create greater inefficiencies than the benefits your automation will deliver. Instead, you need a single, sophisticated system that offers powerful linking tools to integrate all your modules for a smooth process from MIS to print.