Artificial intelligence is redrawing the boundaries of creativity and efficiency in the graphics industry. To get a better grasp on this transformation, the founder of Grafiklandia, Juan Blanco, offered a clear road map to the future in the latest edition of Graphispag. In two practical talks, he demonstrated customisation tools and solutions, the streamlining of work flows and accessible strategies that can empower the graphics business without requiring major investment. A window onto the graphics of tomorrow that’s already here.
Innovation and efficiency: Artificial Intelligence in the graphics and customisation industry
Artificial intelligence tools are radically changing the panorama in the graphics and customisation industry. The tools presented by Juan Blanco not only raise the level of efficiency, but also democratise the access to advanced technologies, allowing designers and companies without large-scale resources to invest in technological solutions that can streamline their work.
The integration of artificial intelligence in the graphics world not only represents a technological leap forward, but also an opportunity for innovation and quality improvements in the work output, paving the way towards a more productive and competitive industry.
Improved image quality:
The first topic that Blanco broached was improvements in image resolution. Designers are often faced with the difficulty of working with low-quality images provided by their clients, which has ramifications on the end results in products such as T-shirts, business cards and flyers. Blanco talked about Topaz Gigapixel 7, a tool that uses AI to improve image resolution without sacrificing quality. According to the speaker, this is the most efficient platform for improving images to an impressive level of detail, capable of converting images with 500×333 pixels into a quality reaching 3000×1998 pixels.
Budget automation with AI:
One of the more notable advances that Blanco presented was the use of AI in budget automation. Using ChatGPT, Blanco showed how to train AI to generate budgets quickly and efficiently. In his example, the system calculated the cost of an order for 37 T-shirts with multiple prints, itemising each component in the process (price of the T-shirts, printing, handling and shipment) and calculating the necessary time to do the work. Blanco highlighted the agility that this tool brings to his daily work, allowing designers to produce quick and accurate price quotes without the need for specialised software.
Background generation and design in Adobe Photoshop:
Another of the advances presented by Blanco was the automatic generation of backgrounds in Adobe Photoshop, a tool that makes it easier to fill in the background in the images clients submit. This functionality is particularly useful when working with templates, as in the case of mobile cases, which often become a challenge due to the lack of margins or the improper format of the images themselves. The AI in Photoshop is capable of generating backgrounds automatically, adjusting the images to the design required without the need for manual intervention.
Image generation with Adobe Firefly:
Finally, Blanco presented Adobe Firefly, an AI-based tool that generates images based on text descriptions or prompts. As opposed to other platforms, Adobe Firefly offers a series of options to customise the images, such as the selection of the visual style, the camera angle and lighting, which can create images that adapt to the specific needs of the graphic design. Blanco highlighted the quality of the images generated and the tool’s versatility, which provides high-resolution results and can adjust the image created to the requirements of each project.
Starting out and diversifying without investment in the graphics and customisation industry
In his second talk, Juan Blanco shared his experience in helping entrepreneurs in the graphics industry streamline their businesses. Taking a practical, easy-to-follow approach, he presented digital tools, organisational strategies and platforms which can help manage budgets, work flows and logistics simply and efficiently, even without major initial investment. With this talk, the expert sought to inspire and equip both those just starting out and others hoping to bring their business to the next level.
Organising with efficient work flows
The importance of a well-defined work flow was a core theme. Juan Blanco presented Trello as a simple, free tool to manage orders and projects. He demonstrated how to structure the process from “Pending” to “Finished” using labels, deadlines and verification lists to keep clear visual oversight. This approach is particularly useful for graphics workshops with multiple collaborators, ensuring everyone stays aligned and organised.
Optimisation of logistics with Sendcloud
To take on logistics, the speaker recommended Sendcloud, a platform that integrates multi-company transport services. He explained how this system makes it easier to monitor shipments, provide automatic notifications to customers and allow entrepreneurs to operate with the same professionalism as large companies, even without a website, which would involve a sizeable investment.
Outsourcing and selecting suppliers
Juan Blanco shared his experience working with printing and fabric suppliers, stressing the importance of having good knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of each. From printing services to merchandising products, he explained how to choose the right supplier for each need, optimising costs and ensuring quality.
Creation of professional web pages
In the digital area, the expert presented Framer and Carrd as accessible options for creating web sites and landing pages. While Framer can help develop optimised and visually attractive websites, Carrd is best one for those seeking simple and affordable solutions. He underscored the importance of having a basic online presence to offer products and services professionally.
Primters: a platform for customisation
Finally, Juan Blanco introduced Primters, a platform designed to connect users and vendors of customisable products. Even though it is still under development, he explained how this tool could be an opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to position themselves in the online market, allowing them to centralise their services and build a solid reputation from the ground up.
Agile budgets with AI
In a similar vein, the content creator of Grafiklandia reminded listeners of how tools such as ChatGPT can be used to create quick and accurate budget estimates.
Cristina Benavides, Graphispag associate
