Wide‑format printing keeps changing — faster machines, cleaner processes, and new ways to solve media challenges. In this interview, Eric Berger, owner and CEO of Color Reflections, walks through how the industry has shifted and what that means for customers and operators alike. We cover the technical advances that matter, the decisions that set Color Reflections apart, and the leadership habits that help the business stay reliable and ready for what’s next. Expect clear takeaways on UV direct‑to‑print, photographic output like Durst Lambda, sustainable practices, and practical approaches to running a print shop in an evolving market.
How Has Wide-Format Printing Technology Evolved According to Eric Berger?
Wide‑format printing has moved from analogue workflows toward highly capable digital systems. That transition brought higher resolution, faster throughput, and more substrate flexibility. Eric notes that the technology is now mature enough to solve many customer needs directly — shorter runs, variable content, and tighter color control — while giving shops the operational efficiency to respond quickly to requests. In short, digital integration turned several manual steps into streamlined processes that deliver consistent results.
Independent research mirrors this rapid shift, showing how digital wide‑format tools broaden applications and improve precision.
Advances in Wide‑Format Digital Inkjet Printing
ABSTRACT — Digital textile and wide‑format inkjet printing have progressed quickly, opening new uses across display, conservation, and production work. Precision, color control, and substrate versatility are central to these gains. This paper examines methods and considerations for wide‑format digital inkjet printing, highlighting its growing role in applications like textile conservation.
Wide format digital inkjet printing for Textile Conservation, 2006
What Are the Key Innovations in UV Direct-to-Print and Durst Lambda Technologies?
UV direct‑to‑print changed the game by curing inks instantly and bonding reliably to many substrates, which produces brighter colors and reduces post‑print handling. Durst Lambda and similar photographic output systems add another layer — high‑fidelity photographic prints with fine tonal range and color accuracy. Together, these technologies expand what clients can ask for, from durable signage to photo‑grade displays, while supporting faster turnarounds and less material waste.
How Does Early Adoption Impact Printing Technology Advancement?
Being an early adopter brings both advantage and responsibility. Early adopters can offer new services and capture market share, but they must manage risk: unexpected bugs, integration work, and ongoing upgrades. Eric describes how Color Reflections balances this by working closely with vendors, participating in beta tests, and maintaining a practical rollout plan. That combination — curiosity plus disciplined testing — keeps the shop at the edge without sacrificing delivery reliability.
What Differentiates Color Reflections in the Competitive Printing Industry?
Color Reflections differentiates itself through hands‑on leadership, experienced problem solving, and a visible commitment to sustainability. Operating with owner involvement means decisions are made quickly and with accountability. Clients get consistent communication, and the team takes ownership of projects from concept to finished product. Those traits have helped the company build steady relationships and a reputation for getting tricky jobs done well.
Why Is Experience and Problem-Solving Preferred Over Price Competition?
Price matters, but most clients value solutions that save time, reduce risk, or protect brand quality. Experience lets a provider anticipate issues, offer alternatives, and deliver predictable results — often saving money over the long run. Color Reflections emphasizes this problem‑solving approach: instead of racing to the bottom on price, the company focuses on creating clear value for clients through expertise and reliable execution.
How Does Color Reflections Build Trust Through Leadership and Culture?
Trust grows from transparent leadership and a respectful workplace. Eric’s approach stresses open communication, shared responsibility, and giving staff the tools and authority to make decisions. That creates a team that feels invested in outcomes and comfortable owning solutions. The result is smoother projects, fewer surprises for clients, and a consistent standard of work.
What Leadership Insights Does Eric Berger Share About Managing a Print Company?
Eric’s leadership advice centers on staying adaptable and thinking ahead. He recommends regular investment in skills and equipment, maintaining strong vendor relationships, and keeping a close ear to customer needs. Leading a print business today means balancing daily operations with strategic bets — nurturing the team and the pipeline of technologies that will matter next.
How Does Owner-Operated Leadership Influence Company Success?
An owner‑operated model keeps strategy and execution closely aligned. When leadership is directly involved in projects, priorities stay clear and quality controls remain tight. Employees see leadership engaged in the work, which reinforces standards and accountability. For Color Reflections, that hands‑on style reinforces a company culture focused on craftsmanship and customer care.
What Role Do Long-Tenured Employees Play in Company Culture?
Long‑tenured staff carry institutional knowledge that stabilizes operations and accelerates training. Their experience helps avoid repeating past mistakes and provides trustworthy mentorship for newer hires. That continuity supports consistency in quality and gives customers confidence that the team can deliver even on complex jobs.
How Does Color Reflections Integrate Sustainability and Innovation in Printing?
Sustainability is treated as a practical business priority, not a slogan. Color Reflections looks for material choices, equipment, and workflows that lower environmental impact while preserving performance. Making incremental changes — from substrate selection to energy usage — adds up, and clients increasingly value partners who can reduce footprint without compromising results.
What Eco-Friendly Practices Are Adopted in Wide-Format Printing?
Typical practices include choosing recyclable or responsibly sourced substrates, running energy‑efficient presses, and minimizing waste through nesting and digital proofs. Color Reflections also emphasizes process improvements that reduce rework and material overage. These steps lower environmental impact and often reduce costs and lead times for clients.
Recent studies support the environmental benefits of digital printing compared with many traditional textile methods, reinforcing the practical value of these eco‑minded choices.
Digital Printing’s Environmental Impact & Eco‑Friendly Practices
Findings show that digital printing can use substantially less energy and water and produce fewer chemical wastes than many traditional textile printing processes. While digital systems are not a complete solution on their own, lifecycle reviews and ongoing technology assessments are important. For some operations, hybrid approaches that combine digital and traditional equipment can bridge investments in legacy machinery while improving sustainability.
Environmental Impact of Digital Printing Versus Traditional Textile Printing, A Athalye, 2026
How Does Sustainability Influence Customer Priorities and Market Trends?
As buyers put more weight on environmental impact, suppliers who can document better materials and processes become preferred partners. Color Reflections sees customers asking early about materials, certifications, and end‑of‑life options. Meeting those requests helps win business and builds long‑term client trust.
What Is Eric Berger’s Outlook on the Future of Wide-Format Printing and Business Growth?
Eric expects the market to keep shifting toward automation, smarter workflows, and greater sustainability. He believes steady investment in equipment and people will separate shops that thrive from those that stall. The winners will be the businesses that combine practical innovation with operational discipline.
How Will Continued Investment Shape Printing Technology Evolution?
Ongoing investment fuels better color management, faster throughput, and cleaner processes. Shops that reinvest thoughtfully can expand capabilities and reduce unit costs. Eric stresses not chasing every new device, but choosing upgrades that practically improve reliability, margin, or customer offerings.
What Are the Succession and Leadership Plans for Color Reflections?
Succession planning is part of long‑term resilience. Eric is focused on mentoring internal leaders, documenting processes, and building a culture where ownership of projects can transfer naturally. Preparing future leaders helps ensure the company’s standards and client commitments continue through leadership transitions.
Succession is a well‑known challenge for owner‑run and family businesses; literature highlights the need to balance tradition with adaptation when passing leadership to the next generation.
Family Business Leadership: Succession & Adaptation Strategies
Family firms face intertwined business and family decisions that can complicate leadership transitions. Many struggle to move beyond the founder generation, and the transition phase often creates tensions between preserving legacy and adapting the company for future markets. Case studies show that deliberate preparation, clear governance, and mentorship help firms navigate succession more successfully.
The Succession Process in Family-owned Businesses–the Case of German Company, A Hadrýs‑Nowak, 2018
| Differentiator | Attribute | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Owner‑Operated Model | Hands‑on Leadership | Direct oversight that keeps quality consistent |
| Experience | Problem‑Solving | Practical solutions that build long relationships |
| Sustainability | Eco‑Friendly Practices | Appeals to clients seeking lower environmental impact |
Color Reflections demonstrates how steady leadership, thoughtful investment, and practical sustainability can help a print shop stay competitive. By focusing on those priorities, the company delivers dependable results and prepares for the next phase of industry change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of UV printing technology in wide-format printing?
UV printing cures inks instantly, which means sharper detail, brighter colors, and less handling after print. It works on a wide range of materials, shortens turnaround times, and can reduce solvent use and waste compared with some older methods. For customers, that translates to more consistent color, faster delivery, and broader substrate options.
How does Color Reflections ensure quality in its printing services?
Color Reflections combines owner involvement, robust equipment, and ongoing staff training to keep quality high. Every project goes through checkpoints for color, substrate fit, and finish so clients receive predictable results. Clear communication and hands‑on problem solving help prevent surprises and maintain standards.
What role does customer feedback play in Color Reflections’ operations?
Customer feedback is a key input for improving process and service. The team actively solicits client input, reviews outcomes, and adapts workflows or materials when needed. That responsiveness helps refine offerings and strengthens long‑term partnerships.
How does Color Reflections approach sustainability in its supply chain?
Sustainability is applied pragmatically: choose better substrates, run equipment efficiently, and reduce waste through planning and digital proofs. The company also looks for suppliers with responsible sourcing and prefers materials that are recyclable or have lower lifecycle impact. Those choices help clients meet their environmental goals without sacrificing quality.
What future trends does Eric Berger foresee in the printing industry?
Eric expects more automation, smarter software integration, and a stronger emphasis on sustainable materials. He also sees continued demand for fast, high‑quality short runs and more photographic‑quality output in large formats. Shops that pair operational discipline with selective innovation are likely to perform best.
How does Color Reflections support employee development and retention?
The company invests in training, mentorship, and cross‑training so team members can grow their skills and take on new responsibilities. That investment builds institutional knowledge, reduces turnover, and ensures a reliable team that can handle complex work.