A Study of the Functionalities and Workflow for Web-to-Print Platform

Abstract

“Web-to-Print” has become a new trend of printing industry all over the world recently. It combines the advantages of internet with printing processes in a highly digitalized way, and has been used in the U.S. and Europe for a while. Nowadays in the 21st century, whether offset printing, gravure printing, flexo printing, screen printing or digital printing cannot survive without internet, and it will be the trend for printers to develop Web-to-Print platform to reduce cost and increase productivity. Most of Asian printers still use traditional processes to print orders. Comparing to the printers in the U.S. or European countries, these printers in Asia seem not so active in the development of Web-to-Print. Under the influence of digitalization, it will be very important for them to consider how to provide “Web-to-Print” services. To begin with, this research conduct case study analyses of major successful stories of Web-to-Print by literature and actual examples. Functionalities of profitable web-to-print platform, based on our findings, may include various basic on-line operations such as on-line editing, on-line proofing and on-line ordering. Besides, in order to offer a user-friendly environment for foreign customers, the platform should take bilingual user interface into account. The platform should also provide copyright management and on-line legal advice service. After basic functionalities are implemented, educational service such as knowledge learning function are included to illustrate basic and professional printing knowledge which will be useful for those customers who are not familiar with print processes. The results of this study should help traditional printers invest on web-to-print business and provide a good reference for future studies related web-to-print technology and services.