- Online printing company
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Contents
Industry History
In 1995, a number of printers had already embraced technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange and email as a way of transferring customer files and speeding up production schedules,[1]. By 1997, the now-defunct ImageX.com was one of the web's first online-only printing companies[2]. After acquiring rivals Howard Press[3], CreativePro.com, iPrint.com[4] and PrintBid.com[5] in 2000 and 2001, the company was eventually bought up by Kinko's in 2003 for $16.5 million.[6]
Today, the industry continues to grow with web-to-print providers servicing everyone from individual consumers to large-scale businesses[7].
Types of Online Printing Companies
- Consumer-Targeted
Serves predominantly home-based, private consumers. These customers are individuals who might not have the design skills, printing experience, software or even desire to create professional printing layouts. As a result, online printers in this category, like Snapfish, tend to focus on simple usability, templates and function[7]. They also price for low-volume jobs, with many consumers ordering just one print of a particular photo or perhaps 50 prints of a custom Christmas card.
- Business-Targeted
Serves small to large businesses and deals mostly in larger quantities (500+). A number of small business-targeted online printers will also offer reseller services, meaning they'll provide printing services for smaller, local printers or designers.
- Specialty
These companies specialize in one type of printed products such as business cards, wedding invitations and stickers. Some specialty printers will focus on one market segment which focuses on wedding related printing only.
- Hybrids
Serves both business and private consumer clients. These printers offer a mix of templates, combining easy to use interfaces with high-end printing services like custom cuts and press-ready proofing. Hybrid printers also tend to offer a range of quantities; shorter-runs for consumers (100-500) and larger runs for businesses. An example of this would be the Green Eagle group of online printers, Green Eagle Graphics, Green Eagle Media, etc.
- Franchised
Many printers are started from a single location and then branched out through a franchise system.
Technology
Depending on the company, most online printers will use either:
Digital printing is the reproduction of digital images on a physical surface. It's generally used for short print runs and for the customization of print media. Because digital printing doesn't use printing plates, it's most often used for POD (print-on-demand) services, custom print jobs and short runs. However, what customers gain in flexibility and price, they tend to lose in overall print quality.
Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique where the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface.
Major Online Printers
Since debuting its online system in 1999, VistaPrint has become one of the largest online suppliers of printed and promotional materials to small businesses and consumers[8]. At VistaPrint's April 2009 third-quarter earnings presentation, the company announced it would also supply technology and products under the FedEx Office brand[9].
A business based in London and Guernsey which offers personalized greeting cards.
References
- ^ Steve Wilson. Printers embrace online services and EDI. | Folio: the Magazine for Magazine Management| 1995-08-0124:n13, | p43(1)
- ^ M Sharon Baker. Puget Sound Business Journal. Seattle: Dec 25-Dec 31, 1998. Vol. 19, Iss. 34; pg. 27, 1 pgs
- ^ ImageX.com Closes on Acquisition of Howard Press L.L.P. Business Wire | 2000-06-27 | 3087
- ^ ImageX.com Closes on Acquisition of Creativepro.com; ImageX.com Becomes the First Online Provider of Design-to-Print Technology Solutions. Business Wire | Business Wire | 2000-06-22
- ^ ImageX.com raises $5 million in stock sale. Puget Sound Business Journal | 2001-06-1522:6, | 83 |
- ^ Kinko's to add ImageX. Graphic Arts Monthly 75.4 (April 2003): 21(1).
- ^ a b John Giles. Implementing Web-to-Print. Quick Printing 32.4 (Jan 2009): 33.
- ^ Ben Steverman. VistaPrint Chases Away the Gloom; Strong profits helped dispel worries that a weak economy could dampen growth at the web printing outfit. | Business Week Online | 2008-01-28.
- ^ VistaPrint FY2009 Q3 Pre-Recorded Earnings Conference Call - Final Fair Disclosure Wire. Waltham: Apr 30, 2009
Categories:- Printing companies
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