Web to Print

Many printer administrative processes and conventional management information systems are still suited to offset production and struggle with the demands of a digital print environment. In today's networked corporate environments many of the internal processes are already web-based with established workflow processes and web-to-print software. So why shouldn't in-house printing be as well? Optimised for B2B print providers and in-house printing, web-to-print and digital storefronts are the print sector’s version of ecommerce, using the internet to commission print more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Web-to-print software offers the in-house printer an exciting opportunity to enhance the efficiency, convenience and speed with which print orders can be placed and implemented. A key feature is that print orders can be placed at any time because the print room is open for business 24/7 and is mobile-friendly. Besides, web-to-print makes significant savings possible – both company-wide and within the print room. As most in-house print rooms are run as profit centres, the economic advantages of an all-in-one web-to-print are particularly important. Although still a fast-growing industry, a web-to-print solution does not differ from any other ecommerce cloud-hosted platform. It provides real-time product visualisation, last-minute editing and adjustments, storage and quick uploads can all be used with standard PDF/JPEG format.

A web-to-print platform and workflow in place for order management lets customers upload and preview their print-on-demand jobs online. Print-ready documents can be provided in catalogues, while non-print articles can also be offered for ordering. The application checks whether ready-to-use files are printable, images provided by the customer feature the proper resolution, fonts are embedded, and transparencies have been included. Most web-to-print applications let clients customise pre-designed templates and upload their own content for automated print production. These end-to-end software print solutions should be essential to a digital printer’s sales, marketing materials and design strategies, not just sales. Web-to-print offers critical tools for overcoming the common burden of major increases in back-office administration generated by high volumes of low run, low-cost jobs.