Top 5 Myths About Prepress Workflow Automation Debunked

When people hear the term "prepress workflow automation," they are often confused or apprehensive. The word 'automation' sounds technical, expensive, and like something only big companies with huge budgets can manage. But the truth is that it's not as complicated as it sounds. Automation, along with prepress services, can save your team a lot of time and hassle by completing jobs faster, with fewer errors, and significantly less stress.

Still, many companies hesitate to make the switch, as numerous myths circulate that make automation seem riskier than it is.

In this blog, we will discuss the top 5 myths about prepress workflow automation and provide facts to clear up your confusion and change your perspective on automation altogether.

Myth 1: Automation Is Too Expensive, and Suitable Only for Big Companies

Many people believe that automation is only suitable for large print businesses with substantial budgets. But that's not the case. Smaller companies often benefit even more from automation because they have less time and fewer hands to spare.

People often overlook the hidden costs associated with manual workflows. The main overlooked factor is the time spent on routine tasks, such as checking files, chasing approvals, generating PDFs, archiving jobs, or constantly tracking project status. The more time your team spends on these repetitive tasks, the less time they have to focus on quality control and problem-solving. This results in losing business opportunities due to slow turnaround. Also, you end up spending extra to fix mistakes and paying penalties for compliance issues.

However, by automating these routine processes, you can save time, reduce errors, minimize rework, avoid delays, and meet deadlines more reliably. All of that adds up to real savings.

Today, modern tools have made automation more accessible, easier, and cheaper to adopt because of a few key advances

• Cloud-based solutions help dramatically reduce setup costs.
• No-code and low-code platforms make it simple to set up without needing a technical expert.
• Subscription-based pricing enables companies to pay as they grow, making it a budget-friendly option.

Moreover, modern prepress automation tools are also designed to scale with your business. Whether you're a small print shop handling a few jobs or a high-volume packaging provider, these tools can be tailored to fit your specific workflow.

Yes, there can be an upfront investment, but the return on that investment often comes quicker than expected. If you are still hesitant to invest, start by automating one or two simple tasks, such as file pre-flighting or job ticketing. Once you see the time and cost savings, you can expand step by step.

Myth 2: It's Too Complicated to Set Up

Many people assume that setting up workflow automation is a lengthy, technical process that only IT experts can handle. That might have been true in the past, as older systems were clunky, complex to use, and took a long time to install.

But today, modern automation platforms are much easier to work with. They're built for regular users, not just tech teams. Most come with drag-and-drop tools, simple interfaces, and ready-to-use templates that don't need coding or deep technical knowledge.

Additionally, expert prepress solutions can guide you through the setup, ensuring that everything integrates smoothly with your existing systems. That way, you're not just adding more work, but you're reducing the manual load on your team.

Myth 3: It Will Replace Human Jobs

One of the biggest fears about automation is that it will replace people. The first question that strikes our mind is, "If we automate everything, won't we need fewer staff?" However, that's a misunderstanding of what automation is genuinely intended to do.

Most automation tools are designed to handle repetitive and routine tasks that do not require human creativity or decision-making. When you let the software handle those routine tasks, your team isn't stuck doing the same things repeatedly. Instead, they can focus on what they're good at, such as checking for quality, solving problems, or developing creative design ideas. Additionally, automation helps reduce errors and streamline the entire production process.

Thus, the truth is that automation doesn't eliminate jobs; it enhances them. It often creates new opportunities, such as roles in managing or optimizing the automation systems themselves.

Myth 4: Automation Is One-Size-Fits-All

Some people worry that once a process is automated, it becomes rigid and cannot be changed. However, this was not true with older systems that were difficult to change and didn't adapt well to new needs.

However, modern automation tools are built differently. They're designed to be flexible and easy to update. You don't have to change your process to fit the software. Moreover, you can make any necessary changes without affecting the live workflow or starting from scratch.

Moreover, with the help of a trusted prepress service provider, you can create a custom solution tailored to your exact needs, whether you're printing labels, folding cartons, or flexible packaging.

Myth 5: We Don't Have Time for Automation – We're Focused on Other Prepress Investments

Many print businesses feel they're too busy to consider automation at this time. They're already juggling tight deadlines, training staff, or planning upgrades like a new press, proofer, or imager. So automation gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

However, automation gives you more time. It takes care of routine and repetitive tasks, allowing your team to focus on completing the project on time and with higher quality.

And if you're worried about disruption, then don't be. You don't have to shut down your existing systems for automation. You can start by automating just one part of your workflow. So, your team gets used to the changes gradually, without any significant interruption to your workflow.

Also, automation doesn't have to replace your other investments. It can work alongside them. Whether you're upgrading hardware, changing your prepress software, or expanding your team, automation supports these efforts by handling the manual work in the background.

Take Your Pre-Press Operation to the Next Level by Embracing Automation Through Pre-Press Services.

Automation isn't the future of prepress; it's already transforming the way prepress teams work, and it's more accessible than ever. What's holding many businesses back is the outdated assumptions and a few common myths regarding the cost and complexity of automation.

Many of the fears surrounding automation stem from outdated systems or a lack of awareness about the significant changes that have occurred. But today's automation tools are built to work with your team, not replace them. Automation in packaging prepress is an affordable, flexible, and highly effective solution to maximise productivity. It is designed to support human expertise, not replace it.

Take an innovative approach and utilize automation as a powerful tool to boost efficiency, reduce costs, enhance accuracy, and ultimately lead to higher job satisfaction among your staff.

If your company is ready to move forward, a reliable prepress service provider can help guide the way—with the tools, flexibility, and scalability you need to make automation work for your unique setup.