E-commerce for In-plants

In-plants are in the unique position of being both printers and print buyers. Because of this, E-commerce can be twice as helpful.

In-plants can use auction sites to expand their customer base by taking in commercial work to fill their extra capacity. At the same time they can act as customers and find commercial printers to print their overflow work.

If you have an existing relationship with an outside printer, you can use E-commerce solutions like Collabria.com, Noosh.com or Impresse.com to strengthen that relationship and make your workflow more efficient. You can also use these systems to manage the workflow between your customers and your in-plant. Systems like these can lower your overall production costs by cutting out many steps. They can handle estimating, quoting, online ordering, job submission, job status reporting, remote proofing and job file archiving.

On the following pages In-Plant Graphics has put together an extensive list of many of the existing graphic arts-related E-commerce sites, along with a snapshot of what these sites can do for you. Like automobiles, television and xerography—all once newcomers—the Internet is not going away. Smart in-plant managers will find out now how they can use E-commerce solutions like these to improve their businesses, along with their chances for survival.

—Bob Neubauer

collabria.com

Collabria offers PrintCommerce eTracker—an online ordering and tracking system. No software or hardware purchasing is required. This pay-as-you-use system utilizes PrintCommerce eCatalog, which helps print manufacturers keep track of online orders, creates a job docket for each order—which is updated as the job progresses—aids in billing, and more. Buyers can customize print products and see online proofs of their orders.

httprint.com

This site says its goal is to build an e-community of buyers and sellers of print-related products, services and information. Print buyers can select vendors to bid online then upload art and/or specifications. Vendors can examine the materials and submit quotes. Once the buyer has selected a winning vendor, the art is downloaded from httprint.com. Buyers and vendors can communicate and collaborate throughout the production process. The Project Manager helps you coordinate your time-line and schedules among multiple vendors. httprint.com allows you to proof letter copy, make live changes, audit, track integrity and versioning, and approve mail list file layouts from your desktop.

impresse.com

With this system, print buyers can request and compare multiple quotes, negotiate specs, costs and schedules, transfer files to print vendors and manage proofs, press checks and delivery. For a nominal fee, printers are linked to Impresse.com's e-procurement network, which features, for both buyers and printers, new project specifications, reprint ordering, quote requests, quote comparisons, quote negotiations and job tracking. The site also contains employment and customer listings.

mediaflex.com

Reduce the number of phone orders you take with MediaFlex.com's online print center. It handles many of the daily tasks required by print-on-demand customers. MediaFlex.com allows customers to place orders online and specify job requirements, from media selections to finishing options. It offers processing, tracking and invoicing of digital printing jobs. Customers' files are stored on MediaFlex.com's secure servers. Customers can make changes and reorder print jobs. Files are transferred using MediaFlex.com's secure servers.

noosh.com

This is an Internet-based communications service that lets clients buy, sell and manage print online. Jobs can be created, submitted by buyers, and quoted online by printers—locally or worldwide. Noosh also handles content file transfer, online and remote proofing and job file archiving. Print buyers can use Noosh.com to decide which printer, or how many printers, to review for a print order.

pagepath.com

With its E-commerce solution, MyOrderDesk, PagePath.com provides companies with an online order form that can be linked to the company's own Web site. If the company has no site, MyOrderDesk creates one. The site lets companies manage electronic documents online. MyOrderDesk is a free service, consisting of a secure Web-based system handling order entry, file transfer, confirmation, and job management. PagePath.com contains a comprehensive list of facts and FAQs about MyOrderDesk. PagePath recently formed an alliance with GOprinter.com.

planetprint.com

This site that specializes in short-run, digital, print-on-demand services. For in-plant managers, it offers cosourcing, which provides the hardware, software, customization, integration, training and other tools necessary for managing an entire project. In-plant managers can work with planetprint.com solely as an application service provider, or have the site handle overflow work or produce a certain type of printing or service (i.e. design, fulfillment, distribution).

printable.com

Web site hosting plus a range of E-commerce services for printers are all available at printable.com. The Printer's Dashboard will monitor your sales and business activities, giving you a birds-eye view of your online activities. You can see and sort RFQs, quotes, orders and sales rep activities. Customers can log in and check the status of their jobs. Through the Printer's Dashboard you can manage file transfer, media asset management, account management and procurement.

printcafe.com

The entire printing process can be integrated and automated through printCafe. Clients can pick a printer and spec every aspect of a job from prepress to fulfillment. Printers can receive orders and quote prices. The site tracks job status in real time. Through Printellect, clients are guided through the process to help visualize, specify and purchase printing. SimulSpec allows printers and buyers to view and edit projects simultaneously online. With printGroups, printers and buyers can collaborate across the network with coworkers and partners, with Web-based file access and sharing.

printchannel.com

This site calls itself a "conduit" for the ordering, proofing and output of custom print over the Web. The service is licensed to print vendors. printChannel.com has a policy of not getting involved in the transactions that occur on the site. The printer has the control. The site claims it is just the means to complete the job. Print buyers and sellers negotiate an order, customers order over the Internet with on-screen proofing, and printers receive image-ready impositions while retaining control over grouping, scheduling, administration and job reporting.

printconnect.net

This site manages the entire print process from specification through delivery. It provides an online library of request-for-quote (RFQ) templates used to spec a job, generate a request and send it to the printer. It also offers a way to transfer digital files and track print jobs through the process. Printers can automatically receive RFQs from customers and review buyer specifications and information online. RFQ response forms are electronically transmitted to the print buyer for review. When an estimate is accepted, the printer receives electronic notification.

printlynxx.com

PrintLYNXX.com is a print procurement site, designed for the print buyer. Buyers can establish and control their own print vendor pools and use the Internet site to communicate directly with select, pre-qualified printers to issue bids and receive confidential estimates. PrintLYNXX.com reportedly improves vendor base management, specification writing, bidding, job management, electronic payment and record keeping. Help desk support is available from seasoned print, procurement and IS technology experts.

58k.com

58k.com gives print buyers access to 58,000 U.S. printers in a centralized auction market using electronic bid forms. It is designed to open up all print jobs to all printers. A standardized electronic spec sheet allows print buyers to post quote requests for public consumption. 58k.com rates buyers on their follow-through. Buyers who often submit jobs without executing them will get a low rating. No software is required. Print buyers can see their own jobs, summaries of all open auctions, and job details of other buyers' jobs if they aren't confidential. Buyers can choose to see more than just the lowest bid, so they can make their final decisions on factors in addition to price.

corporatebids.com

Like its name implies, corporatebids.com receives specifications from print buyers, which are then posted in an auction room, specific only to that job. Time parameters and minimum bid increments are determined for the auction, usually lasting 36 hours. Pre-approved and qualified suppliers are invited to bid as often as they like. The lowest current bid is visible to all invited bidders during the auction. Participating vendors are not identified. The lowest cost vendor will be notified of the selection. Then the vendor will directly contact the print buyer, and production can begin.

givemeaprice.com

A customer fills in a work order. The site sends the order to registered companies in that category. The companies then send in their bids. The site claims that 91 companies in the printing, mailing, graphic design and Web design areas are involved in the bidding. Companies pay a nominal fee to the site for participation in the auctions. It is a free site for the customer.

printbid.com

PrintBid.com holds a database of more than 62,000 U.S. printing companies. Clients can search for printers by locality, equipment, capabilities or name. The client can combine all their printer preferences, and the site comes up with a short-list of printers that match their needs. They can also create a detailed request for quote and send it to selected printers. The site offers over 50 RFQ formats for a range of jobs including postcards, annual reports and catalogs.

printmarket.com

An online marketplace where buyers, printers and third party vendors can initiate business relationships and complete the purchase and delivery of graphic arts products. Buyers receive quotes from printers and vendors, then choose. This site also offers a secure file transfer system and frequent buyer rewards.

fobpaper.com

This site allows buyers to tap into a database of more than 50,000 products from more than 200 manufacturers and distributors. fobpaper.com features a Web interface that allows customers to set up individual buying portfolios, obtain price quotes, order products, find paper specifications, and more. Once the paper you want is located, you fill out a few details about your particular purchasing need, i.e., order quantity, shipping location, paper size, etc. You get e-mail notification when your quote is ready. All paper sold by fobpaper.com is mill guaranteed. There are no fees or contracts to sign either.

goprinter.com

A site for buyers, manufacturers and dealers of printing supplies and equipment, GoPrinter.com offers about 3,500 products from over 25 leading suppliers of metal plates, printing blankets, inks, film, pressroom chemistry and more. GoPrinter.com recently formed an alliance with PagePath.

imark.com

This site specializes in used industrial equipment and targets commercial printing and publishing. iMARK.com also contains an equipment buyers platform featuring prepress, pressroom, and bindery systems.

mediastreet.com

This site contains an online catalog offering ink-jet supplies, desktop film, direct-to-plate devices and a film processor. It also offers specialty areas with street names like Software Circle, JET Street, JET Drive, Ink Ave, Cartridge Court and Finishing Lane. A classified area called the "Media Network" lists employment opportunities, resumes, and used and wanted equipment. It also posts listings for businesses in nine different fields including in-plants, industry events, trade publications and trade associations.

paperdeals.com

This offshoot of printbid.com is a paper auction site to match buyers with sellers. There are no membership fees. Browsing the site and buying items are free—only sellers who successfully complete a transaction are charged. Items from different categories are put on auction, and buyers bid until the items are sold. Paperdeals.com will notify buyers via e-mail when an item they seek is on auction. If they are outbid they are notified so they can go back and raise their bid. Results of the auction are also e-mailed. Finally, the site will e-mail the seller with the winning buyer's contact information.

paperexchange.com

A marketplace for the pulp and paper industry, this site enables buyers and sellers to negotiate pricing and directly transact with one another. The trading floor lists an enormous variety of pulp and paper products in all major grades. Online freight quote request and logistics services bring you immediate quotations. The site provides members with industry-specific content including job listings, industry events information, news headlines and stock prices.

prepressmall.com

Like a mall, this site boasts a bountiful supply of products. This is an online source for prepress equipment like scanners, workstations, networks, servers, imagesetters, software, color copiers, RIPs and more. It even features used equipment. You can browse want ads and buy consumables and books. Membership to this site is free.

printequip.com

This site features an online directory of new and used printing equipment and graphic arts trade services. You can use printequip.com to sell equipment direct, without brokers fees or commissions. You can add to and edit your listings any time. Secure, online ordering allows you to purchase equipment. The site claims to receive 10,000 qualified buyers each month.

printers-mart.com

Flint Ink has partnered with other suppliers to offer an array of supplies and equipment, like densitometers, spectrophotometers, light booths, metering systems and, of course, ink. Printers can research products using the site's catalog and add selections to a shopping cart. A tracking function ensures that orders do not get lost in cyberspace.

printnation.com

A one-stop shop for buyers of graphic arts supplies and equipment, printnation.com has more than 1,300 manufacturers represented, with more than 100,000 products featured—many at discounted prices. In addition to selling consumables, scanners, ink, imagesetters, film, plates, paper and chemistry, this site has a used equipment auction. The site provides related services like comprehensive service plans, IT training, warranty services and maintenance services. It also offers printing news, bulletin boards and chat rooms.

tonernow.com

As its name states, this site offers a catalog of toner products from at least 14 different vendors in 11 different categories. Customers may apply for a corporate, educational or government account. The site uses FedEx order tracking. Users may sell their empty toner cartridges on-site. As a bonus, the site offers a rewards program for frequent customers.

americasprinter.com

AmericasPrinter.com is a 40˝ Heidelberg print shop where you can get four-color printing done online. The site houses a price guide for basic jobs (business cards, one-sheet, etc.). Once pricing is established, the user downloads an order form, fills it out and faxes it to the company. A customer service representative will contact the user to verify pricing, a payment plan, and establish a time-table for completion.

imageX.com

This site aims to streamline the procurement process. Its Web-based services include the Corporate Online Printing Center, which offers a customized online catalog of printed materials, the Small Business Printing Center, which provides access to a range of personalized printed materials, based on standardized templates, and PrintPlace.com, PrintBid.com and PaperDeals.com, which are detailed elsewhere in this article.

iprint.com

A site designed for business printing. It does everything from business cards to golf balls. It also offers shops for custom quoting, copying, book printing and direct mailing. The site lists technical and business job openings in many categories.

liveprint.com

This Kinko's-affiliated site allows you to design business cards, letterhead and envelopes, with newsletters, invitations and apparel design coming soon. You can save your designs, retrieve them, update, download and print your new versions. The online store, for buying stationery products, was not available yet at press time.

printomat.com

An automated, self-service printing site, Printomat.com allows users to design their own printed material, like business cards, letterheads, envelopes, mailing labels and more. Users can choose from thousands of templates, paper styles, clip art images, colors, fonts and styles. At every step the system shows exactly how the piece will look when it is finished.

printonthenet.com

PrintOnTheNet.com says that the traditional "brick and mortar" print shop is a dinosaur. While that remains to be seen, in the mean time you can use this site to design and order printed materials like business cards, letterhead, envelopes, announcements, invitations, rubber stamps and labels. You'll get an e-mail you when your order gets shipped. PrintOnTheNet.com has its own prepress, press and bindery operations.

graphicsresourcecenter.com

This site offers printers, publishers, industry associations and manufacturers, as well as educational institutions, a platform to communicate, shop and promote new business opportunities. It puts the commercial printing community on the Internet to facilitate both information sharing and business gains.

printeralliance.com

Printeralliance.com is a union of more than 60 independent commercial printers designed to pool their collective buying power. For a small membership fee, printers receive rebates twice a year on all products purchased from selected suppliers. Printeralliance.com makes the purchase for the independent printer, handling all bulk rate negotiations with the supplier.

printplanet.com

Not to be confused with Planetprint.com, this site offers free E-Communities for the graphic communications and print publishing industry. It features E-Communities dealing with CTP, transition to digital workflow, E-production, printing color, asset management and more.

prtplanet.com

Yet another site with the word "planet" in its name, this e-classified site for the printing and graphics industries offers customers global access for trading their printing equipment, including prepress, press, finishing and consumables. It contains pages for customers to list products for sale, find products and list products they seek. Also included is an employment page, which allows employers and employees to look for suitable job candidates or job opportunities on a worldwide level.

proofitonline.com

This site allows members to upload a job onto their Web site. It can then be integrated to the member's own site for proofing. An annotation feature allows the person viewing the document to mark it. The site also allows members to track the progress of the proof, including the client's comments.

netpaper.com

Formerly PubWeb.com, this site automates ordering, accounting and distribution of print-ready documents to any authorized printer. Users selects documents from a publisher's site, then choose a printer. NetPaper.com retrieves the documents, accounts for copyright royalties and transmits the file.

sprockets.com

A deadline management service. It offers collaboration tools, and uploads and sends files of any size or type. The site employs a security system to ensure all data is private.

myfonts.com

This site allows user to find fonts with simple keywords. The user can test a font. The site offers a MyFonts forum, where users can ask the experts.