Building a Successful Internal Print Portal For Your Brand

Building a Successful Internal Print Portal For Your Brand

Our last post, we discussed the benefits, products, and devices your business needs before your web portal goes live. This issue we will discuss important considerations that need to be brainstormed before building your internal print portal.

Minimums

The first question that should be asked is what minimums will be listed? In the print and promotional industry, we all know the more you produce, the more attractive your price per piece. The answer to this will depend on each product and what your organizational needs are. The good news, the product information including quantity can easily be changed.

Order Clerk

The second question is will employees be placing orders, or will there be a Order Clerk? Do you trust your employees? This is important, because if your employees print a job, approve the art, but then see’s a mistake, they will just print again which increases the tab. Another option is to have a designated individual within your organization approve the purchase and proof or both. This will help minimize mistakes, but could (depending on company size) increase the burden on this employee. Alternatively, each employee can order their product, and then have a designated employee confirm artwork and submit the order to your provider. This option allows control of your buying.

Logistics

The third is weather to have the products shipped to one central location, or to separate locations. This is a matter of logistics, and what best suits your organization needs.

Lead Time

The fourth question is how soon can you expect the product? This information needs to be spelled out for each product on the print portal. Business cards might only be a few days, but power banks can take up to 10 business days. You also need to include transit time, and different methods of shipping. This is important for time sensitive orders.

In conclusion, ask yourself if your organization needs variable data printing.

Variable-data printing (VDP) (also known as variable-information printing (VIP) or VI) is a form of digital printing, including on-demand printing, in which elements such as text, graphics and images may be changed from one printed piece to the next, without stopping or slowing down the printing process and using information from a database or external file.[1] For example, a set of personalized letters, each with the same basic layout, can be printed with a different name and address on each letter. Variable data printing is mainly used for direct marketing, customer relationship management, advertising, invoicing and applying addressing[2] on selfmailers, brochures or postcard campaigns.Wikipedia

What are the benefits? VDP can be used to personalize your message. We can use photos, personal names, and specific copy that will zero in on each prospect to help bring in business. VDP personalizes the print experience.

Ask us how we can create your very own internal print portal with or without variable data for your organization. Our goal is to help our clients succeed.