www.printmonthly.co.uk 87 September / October 2024 - Issue 350 WEB-TO-PRINT A WEB OF OPPORTUNITY Despite having only been around since the late 2000s, web-to-print is now considered by many as a must-have for the modern print business. Here, we take a look at some of the latest developments in this sector Given the huge lean towards digital technologies in this day and age, not having a strong online presence could prove problematic for your business in the long run. One of the most effective ways for print companies to conduct business online is through web-to-print. While this relatively simple concept has only been around for less than two decades, it has had a huge impact on how modern print service providers (PSPs) conduct business, allowing customers to easily place orders over the internet without even having to pick up the phone. But with so many print houses offering a similar service, how can PSPs use web-to-print to stand out from the competition. Here, Print Monthly speaks with several developers in this sector to find out about their latest solutions and offerings, and how these can help PSPs gain an advantage in the highly competitive online print space. Reducing Costs Up first is Flex4, the company behind the Online Print Solution (OPS), which provides web-to-print e-commerce and private branded storefronts or portals. Director David Whiteley believes web-toprint should still be important to printers given the increasingly competitive print market as all companies need to make improvements in their workflow processes to reduce costs. “A web-to-print solution like the Flex4 OPS helps with this by providing multiple integration opportunities that eliminate the need to re-key data and eliminate errors,” Whiteley says, adding: “Furthermore, a web-to-print system can help to both win new customers and retain existing customers by providing a better service. Increasingly print buyers expect the ability to order online and if a printer doesn’t offer this option, there is a danger they will lose out.” On the subject of missing out, Whiteley says PSPs still using early web-to-print systems must consider upgrading to ensure they make the most of new developments. He explains that as businesses change, older systems either cannot be adapted, or the cost of the changes are no longer affordable. “The cost of supporting older systems ▲ Flex4 OPS (Online Print Solution) provides web-to-print e-commerce and private branded storefronts or portals
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