In a recent episode of The Software Matrix, Print Island host and Digital Ink CEO, Chris Minn, sat down with Significans Automation President Marc Raad to discuss one of the most talked-about topics in the printing industry today: artificial intelligence.
As one of the founding participants of the inaugural PRINTING United Alliance AI Pavilion, Marc shared practical insights drawn from years of helping print and packaging businesses implement automation, integration, and digital transformation strategies.
While AI continues to dominate industry conversations, one theme emerged throughout the discussion: successful AI adoption starts with understanding your business, your data, and your workflows before introducing new technology.
The Journey from Automation to AI
According to Marc, the industry’s relationship with automation has evolved significantly over the past decade.
Back in 2015 and 2016, many print businesses were only beginning to explore what automation could look like within their operations. Questions focused on workflow design, process mapping, and identifying opportunities to remove manual touchpoints.
Today, that conversation has matured.
“More people than ever are putting their hand up and saying they need levels of automation they haven’t seen before in their business.”
Marc describes 2025 as the year automation reached mainstream adoption within print, while 2026 is becoming the year businesses begin to seriously evaluate how AI fits into those automation strategies.
Why the AI Pavilion Matters
For Significans Automation, participating in the AI Pavilion was about more than exhibiting at a trade show.
With more than 30,000 attendees from over 100 countries attending PRINTING United Expo each year, the pavilion created a dedicated space for education, discussion, and practical exploration of AI technologies.
Rather than focusing solely on software demonstrations, the Significans team spent much of their time helping visitors understand:
- The different types of AI available today
- Where AI can create value within print operations
- How automation provides the foundation for successful AI adoption
- The importance of governance, boundaries, and responsible implementation
- The difference between generative, aggregate, and agentic AI
The response from attendees reinforced a common challenge facing the industry.
The Question Everyone Is Asking
Throughout the show, one question consistently surfaced: “Where do I start?”
Marc explained that many businesses are eager to embrace AI but struggle to identify a practical starting point.
The answer begins with understanding existing operations.
Significans typically works with customers by mapping their current state, documenting workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and evaluating where business data resides. From there, future-state workflows can be designed and broken down into manageable phases.
Rather than attempting wholesale transformation, businesses are encouraged to pursue achievable quick wins that generate measurable returns while building confidence in the process.
AI Is Not the Solution – Your Business Problem Is
One of the strongest messages from the discussion was that AI should never be viewed as the goal.
The objective is solving business challenges.
Too often, organizations become distracted by AI terminology and emerging tools without first identifying the operational problems they need to address.
For print businesses, opportunities often exist in:
- Customer onboarding
- Job submission workflows
- Data collection and validation
- Prepress automation
- Scheduling and production planning
- Shop floor analytics
- Quality control processes
- Customer communications
When these areas are connected through automation and integration, AI becomes significantly more valuable because it has access to accurate, structured information.
The Biggest AI Misconception
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the conversation was Marc’s perspective on one of the industry’s biggest misunderstandings.
Many businesses assume AI can be implemented instantly.
In reality, successful AI adoption requires preparation, structure, and ongoing refinement.
At its core, AI relies on machine learning, and machine learning requires data, context, and time.
While organizations may initially automate 80 percent of a process, reaching higher levels of accuracy and reliability requires continuous improvement, standardization, and trust-building.
As Marc explained, businesses cannot simply “snap their fingers” and expect AI to become fully integrated into their operations overnight.
What’s Working Today?
While AI adoption is still evolving, Marc highlighted several areas where businesses are already seeing measurable results.
One of the biggest successes is the elimination of disconnected “islands of automation.”
Many print companies have invested in individual automation tools over the years. The next stage of maturity involves connecting those systems together so information can flow seamlessly across departments.
This aligns closely with Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 principles, where communication, data, and automation are integrated throughout the organization.
The result is faster decision-making, fewer manual touchpoints, improved visibility, and stronger operational performance.
Looking Ahead
The AI conversation has matured considerably since the inaugural AI Pavilion.
The industry is moving beyond broad speculation and beginning to focus on practical implementation strategies, governance, and measurable outcomes.
For businesses evaluating AI today, the key message is clear:
- Start with your data.
- Understand your workflows.
- Map your current state.
- Identify achievable wins.
- Build trust in the technology.
AI is not replacing the fundamentals of operational excellence. It is amplifying them.
As PRINTING United Expo returns this September, the AI Pavilion will once again provide an opportunity for print and packaging professionals to explore how automation and artificial intelligence can support long-term business growth.
And if the conversation between Christopher Minn and Marc Raad is any indication, the industry’s most successful AI journeys will be built on strategy, integration, and practical execution rather than hype.
See you at PRINTING United Expo 2026
You can visit us at this year’s PRINTING United Alliance Ai Pavilion Booth: N6531 and Enfocus Booth: C107 in Las Vegas.
For registration, guests can either manually enter code: 784533, or use our unique registration link.
