Adapt or Fall Behind: The Case for LED UV Inkjet in Commercial Print

5 Key Reasons Some are Hesitant about the Shift

Having spent 40 years in the commercial print industry, I’ve witnessed the rise of nearly every digital technology, from all the leading manufacturers. Despite technical advancements, none consistently matched the image quality, reliability, and production consistency of offset.

I believe the hesitation often stems from what I refer to as a “Hammer on the Head” mindset, a tendency for businesses to stick with familiar methods, even if those methods are painful or inefficient, simply because that’s the way it’s always been done. Change only happens when someone stops the hammer from hitting their head. And I know from experience, as I was part of that group for many years.

Why Transition Now?

With rising labor costs, a shortage of skilled offset press operators, increasing demand for short-run and fast-turnaround times, LED UV inkjet is no longer just a story; it’s a business-critical transition to stay in business. Helping printers see this isn’t about replacing tradition; it’s about protecting their future.

With the introduction of Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet 30000, successor to its AccurioJet KM-1e, digital LED UV inkjet has proven it can finally meet – and in some cases exceed – the quality and consistency commercial printers strive for and demand. However, many traditional offset printers remain hesitant to embrace this shift. Based on my experience, here are some of the key reasons why:

The Reluctance to Change

1. Attachment to Legacy Processes – Traditional offset has been the backbone of commercial print for decades. Many printers are heavily invested financially and operationally in legacy equipment and workflows. A common mindset is, “My presses are paid for, why would I invest in new technology?” In my perspective, relying on outdated equipment often leads to higher operational costs, limited production flexibility and missed opportunities for growth in evolving market segments. The real risk isn’t in investing in new technology; it’s in continuing to do business the same way while the market moves forward.
2. Employee Loyalty – Owners often worry about disrupting teams who have spent years mastering offset processes. The fear of losing key talent or rendering their skills obsolete is a common concern.
3. Perception of Digital Quality – Early digital technologies often fell short in color reproduction, consistency and durability. Those first impressions have been stuck in their minds for years, even though today’s inkjet technology is a different story.
4. Cost of Transition – Beyond equipment investment, retraining staff, adapting workflows and changing processes create fear, especially for businesses operating on tight margins.
5. Market Longevity – Some still view digital inkjet as a niche or passing trend rather than a proven solution that’s here to stay.

What’s In It for the Customer?

LED UV inkjet delivers offset-quality results with unmatched speed, substrate versatility and eco-friendly efficiency – enabling profitable short runs, instant finishing and personalized print at scale. Here are the top reasons you (and your customers!) will love what inkjet brings to the table:

1. Faster turnarounds and short-run profitability – No plates. Minimal setup. Faster changeovers. That means short runs become profitable and on-demand jobs are no longer a production headache.
2. Print on any substrate – From standard offset stocks to synthetics, packaging boards and textured media (all without primers or coatings) LED UV inkjet provides versatility that offset can no longer match.
3. Offset quality with inkjet consistency – LED UV curing ensures stable color, consistent output and the ability to hit color standards like G7/GRACoL every shift, every run and on every sheet.
4. Instant drying / immediate finishing – No waiting on ink to dry, no spray powders. You can finish, ship and invoice
5. High-quality variable data and personalization – New revenue streams with full variable data capability that’s impossible with offset.
6. Lower costs to produce short-to-mid runs – No plates. Less waste. Competitive running costs. Offset production makes sense at high volumes, but LED UV inkjet fills the gap and profits for everything else.
7. Eco-friendly production – No water, no solvents, less waste. LED UV reduces energy and environmental impact compared to traditional UV or offset processes.

Transitioning to the Konica Minolta AccurioJet 30000 provides a proven and profitable way to expand offerings, reduce production costs and maximize uptime. It’s not about abandoning offset; it’s about creating smarter and competitive operations that are built for where the market is going, not where it’s been.

“It’s not about changing what you do. It’s about changing how you win.”

Modern inkjet technology has undergone a remarkable evolution, delivering exceptional performance and versatility that make it an ideal solution for virtually any printing application. Konica Minolta’s new, next-generation AccurioJet 30000 can revolutionize your print business and maximize your profitability potential. Built on Konica Minolta’s proven UV inkjet platform, this powerhouse press delivers faster throughput, smarter automation and superior image quality – all while slashing labor and operational costs. Boost efficiency, expand your capabilities and lead the future of digital print.

Go further with Konica Minolta. Learn more here.