New metrics highlight Canva’s growing role in commercial print
Commercial printer Smartpress released a new report analysing more than 1.1 million print files submitted by their customers to reveal what production data can tell businesses about the software behind physical print, because every printed piece starts with a digital file. The proprietary analysis identifies connections between authoring tools, file readiness, production requirements and print spend.
The Smartpress’ analysis examines files that enter commercial print production. The findings confirm the software used to create files can provide meaningful signals about production readiness and the resources required to bring those files to press.
Smartpress Decision Science Analyst Kirsten Rain, explains:
“Our data shows files created with professional design tools are more likely to arrive with the characteristics needed for print production. Files created with general-purpose or consumer tools likely require intervention. Operationally, that translates into differences in prepress time, rework and customer support. Financially, customers using professional tools spend more on print and have lower associated production costs.”
Key Findings include:
- Professional tools dominate: Adobe InDesign and Illustrator account for 66% of analysed files.
- Canva has a significant print presence: 18% of files originated with Canva.
- Software correlates with readiness: Professional design tools generally produce files closer to press-ready.
- Software associates with print spend: Professional-tool users show higher average annual Smartpress spend.
“A blended ROI hides what’s really going on. Our data shows meaningful differences in print spend associated with design software,” said Rain. “Organizations can use these findings to think strategically about the design-to-print workflow rather than treating file creation and print purchasing as separate activities.”
Download the report for more insight .
