AUTOMATION IS BEYOND THE RIP Why PSPs must focus on the rest of the workflow. BY RYA N MC A BE E A shift is underway for sign and display graphics producers that will force a change in strategy and operations. As more capable printing equipment is placed, the industry's production capacity increases. In the world of economics, the increase in supply will negatively impact the price consumers are willing to pay. Pricing pressures are likely to erode profit margins and force sign shops to drive costs out of the operation. Outside of materials, labor is often the highest variable cost that can be augmented and offset by increasing levels of automation. FIGURE 1: BIG PICTURE June/July 2020 Average Cost, Sales Price, and Profitability for Banners and Signs 16