Episode 2. Neil Wallis of Inkwell Printing

In this episode of The Printerviews, host Colin Sinclair McDermott welcomes Neil Wallis, owner of Inkwell Printing based in Northamptonshire.

Neil shares his transition from a software and account management background into the printing industry, eventually taking over the family business from his wife’s parents roughly 11 years ago. We talk about his efforts to modernise the 40-year-old company by replacing manual, legacy equipment with digital-first solutions and advanced finishing technology.

Neil discusses his passion for the tactile nature of print compared to software and highlights his strategic focus on workflow automation. He explains that automation is not about replacing staff but about buying back time for team members to focus on value-added tasks and human-to-human customer service. By documenting processes and integrating tools like Artworker and OPS, Inkwell has significantly improved turnaround times and accuracy.

The episode concludes with Neil reflecting on the importance of knowing your value as a smaller printer and maintaining a relentless commitment to growth.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioned from a software background to lead a 40-year-old family printing business.
• Modernised operations by replacing legacy manual presses with Speedmaster and digital finishing equipment.
• Utilises automation to free up staff time for high-value tasks and customer service.
• Emphasises the tactile value of print as a key advantage over digital-only media.
• Documented internal processes to remove manual inefficiencies and gain hours back in production.
• Advocates for standardising technical language to improve clarity for both staff and customers.
• Focuses on human-to-human relationships while leveraging tech like WhatsApp and automated job sheets.