Inkjet Is Like a Teenager...-Mary Schilling

By Mary Schilling

In my last blog we asked the question “Whose responsibility is it to ensure the paper is compatible with inkjet?” I received responses from paper mills, customers and OEMs via e-mail, but not through the blog. In asking why they came through the e-mail channel, there seemed to be a common response: “Corporate communication rules limit our freedom to respond honestly via blogging and Internet portals.”

The inkjet industry’s lack of communication reminds me of my 16-year-old teenager. He is a bright, creative, innovative and responsible young man, whom I can depend upon to be consistent and hard working. But, when it comes to communication, as any 16-year-old is, he tends to only tell his father and I what he thinks we should hear or on a need-to-know basis. I guess, to him, this keeps harmony.

What it really does...it slows progress, causes confusion and creates missed opportunities.

My husband and I are helping our son to understand the value of communication. But, for the inkjet industry, it takes all of us...ink companies, print head manufacturers, OEMs, paper mills, finishing suppliers and end users.

Blogging, in my mind, opens up the communication in which all can learn and prosper from collaborative knowledge sharing. It is an amazing tool that can advance an industry. Let’s use this forum to advance the inkjet industry by opening up good dialog, from which we all can learn and benefit.

What suggestions do you have to communicate better as an industry?

(p.s. I would love for everyone to respond to the blog so we can communicate collectively, but, if you respond via e-mail, the source is always confidential.)

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Mary Schilling Author's page Mary Schilling works with all the elements of the digital process-from conventional and inkjet technologies to fluids and substrates-and provides technical support to print providers on optimizing print quality while lowering total print cost. Understanding the dynamics of the digital marketplace, and the incredible growth and advancements in inkjet technology, Mary provides customers with print quality, color gamut, fluid consumption, machine and print quality analysis, utilizing G7 methodology. She also works with inkjet fluid and machine developers to align paper development of new, innovative inkjet substrates. As the owner of Schilling Inkjet Consulting, she consults with fluid and inkjet machinery suppliers and end users on how to improve color and print quality for paper, plastics, metal, fabric and glass with UV, solvent and aqueous inkjet fluids. Mary received Innovator of the Year awards from the Flexographic Technical Association and from Xplor International for her efforts in closing the gap between document printing and digital packaging. She is G7 certified and a member of the IDEAlliance Print Properties Committee.