A web to print solution or system allows print work to be quoted, ordered, tracked and managed online using a standard web browser. With a web to print portal, customers may upload artwork, order catalogue items or modify template-based designs, and review and approve the artwork, all via their usual web browser. Online payments may also be made or invoices generated against purchase orders. There are many potential benefits of running an online sales portal. Customers gain the convenience of being able to order at any time that suits them. Like for simple off the shelf items or repeat orders they may find this more efficient than having to phone or email.
Consider the importance of the web to print for the growth of your business:
For the print service provider, web to print portal extends both the effective hours of trading and the business’s geographical reach. With appropriate integration between the web to print portal, management information system, entrepreneur and production systems, it is possible not only to automate job capture but also its set-up and progression into production. By connecting the job submission and production processes, large format print service providers reduce delays and errors in moving work from quote to production and allow sales and other staff to concentrate on higher-value work.
A realistic approach for most printers is to start by using the web to print solution as an enhancement to the service for existing customers. Web to print portals do not by themselves attract web traffic, let alone generate new business. The online service needs to be marketed and its easiest to build on existing relationships. Repeat orders and catalogue items are the simplest to offer via the web to print, but many systems offer the ability to support template-based artwork creation in which the customer can choose a design, edit text and/or select images and then preview and approve the artwork online before confirming the order.
Using the web to print solutions could be beneficial for both the businessmen and customers:
Within a franchise or retail environment, for example, this type of system enables individual stores or franchisees to order and pay for customised materials that conform to branding guidelines. Links into workflow systems with pre-flighting and soft-proofing capabilities also make it possible to accept and validate user-submitted artwork files. Within established business-to-business relationships where there is sufficient production knowledge on the customer’s side to understand and respond to any error messages, this can be made to work to the benefit of both customer and printer. Web to print solution also enables new business models, from offering competitive rates on low-priority work that fills spare capacity to consumer sales.