Competing in a Crowded Print Market Without Major Equipment Investments

Many small commercial printers face mounting challenges as they navigate a crowded market filled with large national competitors. To stay competitive and win more business, smaller print shops need to deliver faster turnarounds, consistent color quality, competitive pricing, and exceptional service—all while managing tight budgets.

Upgrading major equipment may not always be an option, but maximizing the potential of existing technology can make a critical difference. That’s where Fiery Digital Front Ends (DFEs) come in. Designed to get the maximum power out of all your printers in the shop, Fiery DFEs are the world’s best – and are surprisingly easy to use.

By better understanding and utilizing Fiery DFEs, print shops can streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, improve RIP speeds, and deliver the quality, speed, and versatility that today’s print customers demand.

Here are 3 ways Fiery DFEs are recognised for their performance and reliability across a wide range of print environments.

1. Automating Job Submission and Preparation to Save Time and Reduce Errors

One major hurdle for printers is the time spent on manual job preparation. Every minute spent preflighting, imposing, and checking files is time that could be used to get more jobs out the door.

Fiery DFEs automate these tasks through solutions like Fiery JobFlow.

For example, JobFlow can:

  • Automatically check incoming files for errors such as missing fonts or low-resolution images (preflighting). This ensures jobs meet print specs before they hit the press.
  • Apply predefined imposition templates (like business cards or booklets) without operator intervention, saving hours on file setup.
  • Route jobs to the appropriate printer or queue based on job properties, such as media type or color settings.

With automation capabilities in Fiery JobFlow, you can increase throughput and shorten turnaround times—giving you a critical edge in high-demand environments.

Find out how easy it is to automate job submissions with Fiery JobFlow

2. Simplify Color Management for Consistent, High-Quality Output

Color management can help set you apart in a competitive marketplace. Fiery DFEs simplify color management with built-in tools that deliver exceptional color accuracy—even without deep expertise.

With Fiery Color Profiler Suite, you can :

  • Create custom ICC profiles for different media types to ensure consistent, high-quality color output across the board.
  • Automatically match spot colors with precision, so brand colors remain accurate.
  • Perform G7 calibration to meet industry color standards, making it easier to win color-critical jobs.

This allows midsize printers to offer the same level of color accuracy as larger competitors, helping to attract clients in sectors like retail, packaging, and brand marketing, where color precision is key.

Fiery Learning offers a series of free color management training ranging from short how-to videos to On-demand webinars.

3. Personalize files with Variable Data Printing (VDP)

Personalized print is a fast-growing market, and Fiery DFEs make it easy to capitalize on this trend. Fiery FreeForm Create is a free, stand-alone variable data creation application for external and embedded Fiery servers. With native support for industry-standard VDP formats (including PPML, PDF/VT, and VPS), Fiery allows you to offer high-margin, personalized services such as:

  • Customised direct mail campaigns with unique offers and recipient information.
  • Personalized event materials like name badges, invitations, and menus.
  • Variable packaging prototypes tailored to specific product lines.

By adding VDP to your service offerings, you can attract new clients and create additional revenue streams, helping to future-proof your business.

Discover how Fiery FreeForm Create supports personalisation.

Stay Competitive with Fiery DFEs

In today’s competitive print landscape, Mid-sized shops need every advantage. Fiery DFEs boost productivity, simplify color management, and automate workflows. They help printers improve turnaround times, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality color output.

With the right tools, midsize printers can transform agility and personalized service into a competitive edge, keeping pace with larger print shops and driving profitability.

About Author

Veronica Carlson

Veronica Carlson is the Marketing Director at Fiery, leading global marketing strategies for one of the print industry’s most innovative digital front end and workflow solution providers. With prior roles at Xerox and EFI, and an MBA from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, she brings decades of industry expertise and a track record of driving brand growth and customer engagement.