Marc Raad, President, Significans Automation
In a 2023 survey, market research leader Keypoint Intelligence predicted that we would see print automation advancements that “can change the world.” (https://whattheythink.com/articles/115044-artificial-intelligence-promise-print-automation/). Well, that prediction has already become reality! So, what exactly can customized workflow automation software, driven by AI, do in a packaging print environment? Much like traditional commercial printing, the answer today is…..just about everything a business owner could imagine, and more!
AI algorithms enable automated, AI-generated designs. From identifying the best form of product protection to reducing substrate use, AI can analyze a wide range of data to create packaging ideally suited to a brand’s or consumer’s specific needs. AI can optimize the entire production process, enhancing not just design but quality control and production efficiency. It improves speed to market, sustainability, and predictive equipment maintenance.
AI tools such as Adobe Firefly can assist in rapid, low-cost prototyping, generating multiple designs from basic text prompts. AI automates color management, font consistency, and checks barcodes. AI-powered vision inspection systems can reveal packaging defects. AI automatically optimizes layouts, not just reducing substrate waste, but helping to select more eco-friendly inks and substrates. AI can customize packaging by geographic regions, demographics, or consumer data.
AI can assist with shipping and other logistics, track inventory, and automatically place re-orders. It can read press proofs, accept web-to-print orders, spot issues with client artwork at the prepress stage, and so on. AI can monitor networks for suspicious activities, revealing security breaches long before they become harmful cyber-attacks.
Packaging printers are now using AI to brainstorm branding and marketing ideas, test the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, suggest the best visuals for PowerPoint presentations, and assemble more compelling creative proposals. AI can create images and videos, write feature articles, emails, blogs, essays, social-media posts, and more.
Users can deploy AI software as an ‘assistant’ to help them in their day-to-day tasks, or use AI as a ‘thought partner,’ asking it for help instead of asking Google. AI can even attend meetings and take notes! AI can write code, making your on-site IT staff much more efficient. AI can improve shop-floor efficiency through robotics – particularly essential in the packaging print, publishing, and wide-format sectors. AI can better deal with massive, overwhelming amounts of data, streamlining processes that would have previously taken months or weeks, and reducing them to just hours or minutes.
As you can see, the automation revolution driven by AI technology has ALREADY begun. It’s been transforming the printing and packaging print industry for years now, gaining momentum each and every year.
The new reality in 2026 and beyond is now crystal clear. From order intake to final delivery, complete, end-to-end customized workflow automation driven by Artificial Intelligence isn’t just the best path forward – it’s the ONLY path forward to future-proof any printing or packaging print business.
