Finishing — Caught in a Bind?

Keeping operations localized is another trend, reveals Doug Herr, national sales manager at the Bobst Group. More finishing operations are being brought back into commercial printers and less work is being farmed out to specialty finishing houses, according to Herr.

"Finishing work is being brought back into the commercial printing houses because of turnaround time, the reduction in transportation expenses and the ability to maintain the quality requirements that the commercial printer's customers desire," Herr says. "It makes sense in today's society, given that time is such a major factor. Turnaround times are compressing. Printers are not just installing old and used equipment, but newer equipment that has higher run speeds and quicker make-ready times."