7 Web-to-Print Installation Best Practices (and a Few Purchasing Tips)

Web to Print Best Practices for In-plant Print Centers Series- Article #2

This is the second post in our series, “Web to Print Best Practices for In-Plant Print Centers.” In my first post, I talked about why we feel this is an important topic and outlined the eight topics we will cover, including: installation, roll out, marketing the system, user adoption (both the print shop and end customers), pricing for users and Web to print systems, production and automation, expanding the print shop’s reach and influence and a summary and considerations. In this post, I’ll discuss installation, but first, I would like share a few best practices about purchasing in-plant Web to print software.

A Little Bit about Purchasing Web to Print Software

Before you install, you have to make the decision to purchase a Web to print system. That’s an entire article by itself for another time. But, I’ll spend a minute on some basics.

1. Ask a lot of questions before you buy.
2. Talk to customer references of software suppliers.
3. Read case studies.
4. Price should not be the only consideration; not all systems can deliver the same Return On Investment (ROI). Think of your investment in a Web to print system as a long relationship that can grow with you. The software vendor you choose matters, because over time your printers will need to be replaced, but your Web to print system will continue to evolve and change with technology. Choose a software vendor that you will be confident will be there for you in the future and has a proven track record.
5. If you are leasing your equipment and the software is part of the lease, consider having a software buyout option at the end of the lease. See a previous blog post about software license ownership.

7 Installation Best Practices

You’ve made a decision, and now it’s time to start the install. Most print center managers haven’t installed multiple Web to print systems and may not know what to expect or how long it will all take.

1. First, take a breath and relax. It’s not hard, but it does take time and work on your part. You’re changing the way you’ve done business, likely for years. A change this significant does not happen overnight. But the end goal and benefits are worth the effort.