Digitalization Without Strategy? An Expensive Dead End for Printing Companies!

Digitalization has long reached the printing industry. Whether it’s automating production processes, implementing web-to-print portals, intelligent warehouse logistics, or AI-driven data analytics, many companies are already making significant investments. While state-of-the-art machines and software solutions are being introduced, however, many businesses are missing the key element: a clear digital strategy.

And this is where the dead end begins. Because those who invest in digitalization without knowing the destination risk not only misguided investments but also significant competitive disadvantages.

Digitalization is Not a Project, but a Business Mindset

Many companies still view digitalization as a technical task or even a mandatory exercise. However, it is much more than that: a strategic lever for customer retention, efficiency, innovation, and ultimately, survival in the market. But this lever only works if applied correctly. Companies that only introduce individual tools (such as “we now need a web portal”) without pursuing a comprehensive strategy quickly lose their way: New systems are not utilized, processes remain analog, employees are not engaged, and the result is frustration rather than progress.

How Can You Identify a Lack of Digital Strategy?

Outdated business models despite new technology
Investments without clear ROI evidence
Projects that fizzle out in daily operations or fail due to lack of acceptance
Use of technology without process adaptation
Lack of employee training and involvement

In short: Digitalization is happening, but transformation is not.

A well-thought-out digital strategy is not a wish list for IT but a holistic roadmap that aligns technology, processes, people, and business objectives. A digital corporate strategy must start with the business model:

What do our customers truly want in the future?
Question processes: Where are our real bottlenecks?
Involve employees. What skills do we need?
Set priorities: Which steps provide the greatest value?
Make results measurable: What benefits are created—whether in terms of revenue, quality, or time?

Without this clarity, investments will be wasted, or worse, they will slow down the business through added complexity.

A medium-sized packaging printer installed a new workflow system to automate order management. Modern, powerful, and expensive. However, without process analysis and change management, the software remained largely unused. Employees circumvented the system because it didn’t align with their work reality. Result: more effort, not less. Digitalization? A failure.

Another company took a different approach: First, all processes were evaluated, employees were surveyed, and a clear goal was defined. Technology and training were then aligned with this vision. The ROI was not only measurable but motivating for all involved.

Digitalization is a Top Management Issue and Strategic Work

The printing industry is under significant pressure to change: declining print runs, rising costs, and increasing competition. Those who digitalize now without a strategic direction are wasting valuable resources. Only those who understand digitalization as part of the corporate strategy and implement it in a structured way will remain competitive in the long term.

Digitalization without strategy is like printing without paper: You can burn a lot of money but create no results.

Let us help you develop your strategy, so that digitalization becomes a path to success rather than a dead end. At Apenberg & Partner, we support you with impartial analysis, a clear roadmap, and practical implementation.