How Automation is Revolutionizing Printing & Production – Get On Board

The Printing and Production Industry is at a Crossroads

Actually, it’s past the crossroads. The printing & production landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Dominated by manual workflows for over a hundred years since the invention of the printing press, today’s print shops are using automation tools to improve speed, reduce errors, and remain competitive. And why wouldn’t they? You literally have to in order to survive in this economy. 

Here at File Splice we are at the center of the shift for automation in file management, specifically imposition and file merging.

What Is Print Automation?

Print automation refers to the use of software and systems that reduce or eliminate manual interventions in prepress, production, and post-production workflows. This includes:

• Prepress file preparation (e.g., imposition, bleed, trim)
  
• Job batching and scheduling
  
• Automated approval systems
  
• Print queue optimization
  
• Dynamic layout creation (packable setting within File Splice)

The goal? Minimize human error and maximize efficiency.

The Five Major Ways Automation Is Changing the Game

1. Faster File Handling & Imposition

Manual file setup often includes resizing, arranging pages, and exporting individual job sheets. With File Splice, users can automate:

• Merging, collating, and splitting documents instantly
• Use pre-set imposition templates (e.g., a static layout for a product line, daily workflow, or customer)
• Automate routine tasks that previously took several minutes or more (e.g., resizing files in bulk, adjusting quantities with ease)
  

2. Reduced Human Error

Small mistakes—like missing a bleed or misaligned margins—can lead to reprints and lost revenue & time. Automation enforces:

• Consistent settings
• Error-preventing rules
• Template-based workflows that remove guesswork
  

3. Smarter Resource Allocation

File Splice will work along side with your with job ticketing and estimating software, allowing for:

• Dynamic scheduling based on machine availability
• Auto-routing of print jobs regardless of physical location
• On-the-fly adjustments without restarting production
  

4. Cloud-Based Collaboration

Cloud hosted apps like File Splice enable remote teams to:

• Upload files from any location
• Review or modify layouts collaboratively
• Access the same tool set without licensing limitations or hardware installs
• Remove the need for software maintenance or security updates
• Reduced physical space (no physical hardware on site)
  

5. Scalability Without Overhead

File Splice lets small print shops take on bigger workloads without hiring more staff. It provides:

• Cost-effective scaling, (no contracts or setup charges)
• Consistent output across high-volume jobs
• Reduced training time for new team members along with free setup and support
  

Case in Point: File Splice in Action

Imagine this scenario:

A small printing company receives 50 rack card designs, all in different formats. Previously, they’d manually impose each file for print—taking 30 minutes to and hour.

With FileSplice, they simply:

• Drag and drop all files into the custom templates they have previously created
• Choose a few merge settings options.
• Click “Build”—done in seconds. The files are merged and ready for print
  

This is automation in real time and you can have it set up before lunch.

The Future of Print Is (Even More) Automated

Looking ahead, we can expect tighter integrations between print automation tools and AI. From predictive job ordering to automated quality control, the future is about intelligent automation that learns and adapts. File Splice is at the forefront of this and we will continue to evolve, adapt and develop our tools to be the most helpful print automation software on the market. And we’ll do it affordably without contracts, hidden fees or setup charges.

So whether you run a boutique design shop or a large-scale commercial printer, automation isn’t just a luxury—it’s the new baseline. We are here to help you stay lean, efficient, and ready for the demands of any printing or production job you have. Ready to automate your file management and imposition? Try FileSplice now→ and remember we always offer free setup and support!