In this new episode of Commit to Print, we sit down with Ashley Roberts, Content Director for Printing Impressions, to explore how automation, especially in finishing, is reshaping production for print providers.

As labor shortages continue and customer turnaround expectations rise, automation is moving from a helpful upgrade to a strategic necessity. Ashley breaks down what she’s seeing across the show floor and inside print shops nationwide.

Where Automation Is Making the Biggest Impact

Ashley highlights a noticeable shift this year: exhibitors are showcasing more finishing partners, more integrated systems, and more robotics designed to reduce manual labor and accelerate throughput.

For many shops, finishing remains the most labor-intensive part of production. That’s why automated finishing solutions, robotic handling, automated trimming, collaborative systems, are becoming some of the most in-demand tools on the floor.

She also shares a key insight: printers often invest in new “heavy metal” equipment without fully considering the finishing bottlenecks that follow. Her advice? Think finishing first. It’s the part of the workflow most ripe for automation—and the most critical for achieving real operational gains.

Why Automation Matters More Than Ever

Automation isn’t just about speed or waste reduction anymore. It’s about filling essential roles, keeping production consistent, and enabling shops to take on more work without increasing headcount.

With robotics now readily available and finishing partners providing turnkey automation workflows, printers have more opportunities than ever to streamline production and stay ahead of customer demands.