Web-To-Print Articles Archive 11.17.2009

W2P Template Personalization versus Complete Design Online? The choice is not up to you.

Who is it up to ? Your customer.

The question is what type of control is the most valuable for a print buying user? The answer is, like most things, ‘it depends’.

For many print buyers having the ability to simply have a web form with text boxes so they can type in information, preview and submit is not only the bare minimum of what they need and want, but also is self-explanatory enough to ensure that minimal errors or questions arise. Thus from a purely functional standpoint, a PSP (Print Service Provider) can upload, enable and configure templates to fit their clients needs. This seems to be the most simple and efficient approach.

The alternative, is design online. What is the difference? Really the true difference is the control that is given to the print buyer. In a simple template personalization approach, mentioned above, the user can’t really alter or change anything. They can only type in their personal information and preview. In comparison, a true online design tool, like Group Canvas, allows the print buyer to have a Photoshop-like editing tool to allow them to move elements of the template around, upload or insert an image, change or add new text, fonts and sizes. The advantages are numerous, but like many things, the more control you give your print buyer, the more help you should be prepared to offer. Although this is a general rule, some print buyers and even more so as we move into the era of ‘everything online’ are capable or handling the technology and minimal question and errors will arise after an initial use.

So, to summarize, in a Web-To-Print solution, which type of tools are right for you, really depends upon, what types of tools are right for your users. Hope this has been helpful.