Print Industry Knowledge

Technology Guide

A guide to software for the printing industry, including MIS/ERP solutions through to tools for specific areas of your printing business from estimating and scheduling to fulfillment, shipping, and financials.

   
Introduction

What software do I need to run my printing or converting business?

If you’re researching software to digitize and streamline your print or label business, you may have been confused by all the different terms and abbreviations used in the industry.

We've created this guide to help clarify things for you and to help you learn more about the key software solutions used in the printing, packaging, and label industries.

The most important piece of software for a print provider is an MIS solution, and we have started with an explanation of what this does, along with the different phrases to describe it. We’ve also included details of all the main types of software applications that connect to an MIS solution, and how each integration works.

Scroll down to read more about the following software solutions (or use the drop down menu above to skip to a chapter):

  • MIS Software
  • eCommerce/Storefront
  • CRM
  • Workflow Software
  • Prepress Workflow Software
  • Print Production Software
  • Digital Print Software
  • Imposition/Nesting Software
  • Workflow Automation Software
  • Creative/Graphic Design Software
  • Warehouse Management Software
  • Courier/Shipping Software
  • Accounts Software
  • Financial Automation Software
  • Marketing Automation Software
  • Stock & Substrate Ordering Software

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 2

Management Information System (MIS)

A print management information system, more commonly known as Print MIS, will sit at the heart of your business and help you run all the departments in your print business from one place.

This is the most common phrase for referring to the software printing companies use to manage their business. The term came about back in the 1980s when these software applications did two things only – help printers create estimates and provide management information. Print MIS solutions have completely evolved from these times and do so much more than that now. They are a complete end-to-end solution for everything from sales and marketing to production and invoicing and everything in between.

These are the key functions that a print MIS system will help you deliver:

  • Managing sales and marketing contact records
  • Creating estimates and quotes
  • Checking inventory and ordering substrate
  • Turning estimates into orders and jobs
  • Managing proof approvals
  • Planning and scheduling the production of jobs
  • Assigning warehouse stock to jobs
  • Picking and packing orders
  • Creating delivery notes
  • Producing sales invoices
  • Posting financial information to an integrated accounts package
  • Arranging delivery via a courier

Because of their all-encompassing nature and integration capabilities, MIS solutions for printers tend to be used as the central hub for a workflow. So the other software applications used by printers are connected to the MIS solution, and the MIS passes information back and forth, providing a joined-up connected workflow.

You may also see MIS software referred to as:

What term does Tharstern use?

We refer to our software as 'Business Workflow Software' because it covers every aspect of a business workflow - from sales and estimating, to production and delivery.

While it’s clear that Business Workflow Software is a better description for what our software does, you will find us using both phrases still, for SEO purposes – that’s because there are around 2,400 monthly Google searches for the phrase “Management Information System” and only 10 a month for the phrase “Business Workflow Software”. So while we might not agree with the limits of the phrase “print MIS” we know that’s how the market describes our product, and so we roll with it!

Tharstern's MIS solutions

We have two MIS solutions that deliver the functions listed above - Tharstern Desktop (our most comprehensive solution for companies with more complex requirements) and Tharstern Cloud (our brand-new cloud based MIS for label and flexible packaging converters).

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 3

E-commerce / storefront

Your e-commerce storefront is a space to display your product catalog online and allow your customers to place orders, upload artwork, and make payments. By integrating your storefront with an MIS solution, this functionality increases significantly.

If you’re looking to add a storefront to your website, you could either start with a simple CMS solution like Shopify or Wix that allows users to easily build a website, or go for a more specialist Web-to-Print solution that’s designed specifically for the printing industry and offers more superior customization and functionality.

Common alternatives for this type of software are:

  • Print storefront
  • Print store software
  • Web-2-Print
  • Web2print solution
  • W2P software
  • Web-to-print storefront solution
  • Web-to-print e-commerce solution

How an MIS connects to storefront and web-to-Print applications:

By integrating your web-to-print solution with your print MIS, you can provide benefits to both your customers and your business. How much benefit they get depends on the scope of the web-to-print software and the connection, but as an example of best practice, your customers could get the functionality to create their own live estimates through the estimating engine within your MIS software, change different specifications such as substrate type, size, and colors to see price variations, and place an order for their preferred quote via your website. They will also be able to get real-time updates on their orders and receive notifications whenever their order passes through a milestone.

Creating this connection also provides significant benefits for your business. Using the example above, where an MIS solution like Tharstern is connected to a web-to-print solution such as Vpress using an  API, a printing business could receive an order via their storefront, and have their MIS process the job and send production-ready artwork straight to the press. The first time that a human would be aware of the order is when it gets to the press. This would provide significant time savings for a business, freeing up valuable staff members to concentrate on more complex jobs and improve customer service.

Web-to-print software can connect with your print MIS software either by using XML or an API.

Examples of E-commerce/web-to-print software applications include:

More generic storefront solutions like Wix and Shopify can also integrate with MIS software and work with the software using the API also. Examples of simple storefront software used by printers:
    • Wix
    • Shopify
    • WooCommerce
    • Magento
    • Pinnacle Cart
    • Shift4Shop

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 4

CRM

A Customer Relationship Management solution (or CRM) is a tool used to help print businesses track client data such as contact details and communications. The level of functionality ranges dependent on the CRM solution, from a basic database for storing names and addresses, to a detailed log of all communications, documents, quotes, purchases, and associated tasks. They can also include features to help manage and report on pipeline forecasts and even basic marketing automation functionality such as automated email sending.

Some examples of CRM software used by printing companies are Salesforce, Zoho, SugarCRM, Freshsales, Pipedrive, and Dynamics 365.

Most print MIS solutions also have built-in CRM functionality that allows a printing company to:

  • Record contact and company details.
  • Create custom fields to store relevant information to help track client interactions and insight.
  • Use task management tools to help manage and organize sales teams.
  • Create targeted marketing campaigns based on past quotes and orders.
  • Assign quotes to particular marketing activities, to help analyze and report on the ROI (Return on Investment) of these campaigns.

How an MIS connects to CRM software:

Integrating your print MIS with your CRM solution is often done using an API, and achieved by mapping fields together so that if a contact’s email address is updated in the CRM, for example, it will automatically update in the MIS. Dependent on the two pieces of software being integrated, you can also synchronize quote and order information so that users of the CRM software can see real-time changes that occur in the MIS software.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 5

Workflow Software

The word “workflow” is the generic term to refer to the process of work flowing through a business, but within the printing industry, this term is often paired with different operational facets of the organization e.g. “prepress workflow” to refer to jobs and “PDF workflow” to relate to content, both of which are used interchangeably. Then there’s the “Production workflow” which is the bigger umbrella term that covers taking the administrative job information and flowing it through into prepress workflow, and into press, postpress, and even further on into shipping.

This section of this guide refers to the software used in the later use of the phrase – Production workflows.

If you are looking for information about the entire workflow of a business, including the administrative functions that pull estimating, billing, and production together, please refer to this section about print MIS software.

Other terms used to describe these software apps:

  • Printing workflow software
  • Print shop workflow software
  • Print production workflow software
  • Print workflow automation system

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 6

Prepress Workflow Software

Prepress software basically pulls together the content, pages, and layout of a job and outputs everything either to the plate or direct to press.

Some of the bigger prepress workflow systems on the market, such as Agfa Apogee, Fujifilm XMF Kodak Prinergy, or Heidelberg Prinect cover all aspects of prepress - from job input, imposition, and proofing to page approvals, platemaking, and output to digital press.

How an MIS connects to Prepress Workflow Software:

An MIS solution connects to Prepress Workflow Software using JDF - JDF stands for Job Definition Format and is basically an agreed XML schema. It was developed by an organization called CIP4 to create a common language that would make cross-vendor workflow implementations easier, especially when connecting software applications with Prepress software.

While a PDF file describes the content of pages, a JDF file describes what to do with those pages. It contains all the information that operators in prepress, print-production, and postpress would normally need to know from a more traditional job ticket.

To integrate your print MIS software with your Prepress workflow, you will need to speak to your MIS provider to achieve this. Often they will have existing integrations already in place that can easily be replicated in your workflow i.e. connections to the applications listed below, but they will also be able to create a new integration if you use an uncommon piece of Prepress software.

Examples of Prepress workflow solutions that MIS solutions may integrate with:

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 7

Print Production Software

Press operators use Print Production Software (or Press Control Software) to process the print instructions for each job (e.g. substrate, size, and ink data) and then combine these with the printing plate to output the job.

When integrated with an MIS solution, this can be driven automatically from the MIS but the Press software will still need to combine the job data with the ink data from prepress, and (in an offset environment), a plate will need to exist.

Often these Print Production software applications provide valuable real-time feedback back to the MIS such as substrate usage, speed, and output quantity.

Other terms used to describe these software apps:

  • Press software
  • Printing press software
  • Printing press management software
  • Print production workflow software
  • Print production management software

How an MIS connects to Print Production Workflow:

An MIS connects to Print Production software such as Prinect Production and LogoTronic through JDF, which stands for Job Definition Format and is basically a language that was created to define the various aspects of a printing job so that unrelated software applications could pass information to each other and understand it.

To achieve a JDF connection between a Print MIS solution and Print Production Software, you will need to speak to your MIS provider, who will have experience in creating integrated workflows such as these. The more common applications below will have established integrations, but your MIS partner should be able to create custom integrations if you are using uncommon Print Production software.

Examples of Print Production software that MIS solutions connect with:

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 8

Digital Print Software

All digital presses will have some form of front-end software that the operator uses, called a Digital Front End (DFE). Sometimes people just refer to this software as the RIP because the DFE often includes its own RIP or a third-party RIP. These DFEs can be driven manually via the operator or driven by PDFs delivered from the Prepress software or connected MIS workflow. Laydowns for digital printing tend to be less complex than conventional printing, so typically there is some form of simple imposition control or built-in imposition technology on a digital press. This means that jobs don’t always have to be pre-imposed before being output to this type of digital print production software.

Digital Press software applications can also provide real-time feedback back to the MIS when connected, such as substrate usage and output quantity.

Some examples of digital print workflow applications are:

  • HP SmartStream (which includes a number of technologies for HP Indigo presses such as the DFE Production Pro)
  • Konica Minolta
  • EFI Fiery RIP
  • Xerox FreeFlow Core

Other terms used to describe these software apps:

  • Digital print workflow software
  • Digital press software
  • Digital printing workflow solutions
  • Digital press software
  • Digital press workflow software

How an MIS connects to Digital Print Software:

Your MIS partner will be able to connect to Digital Print Software applications using JDF. The term JDF stands for ‘Job Definition Format’ and is a language used to allow printing software applications to talk to and understand each other.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 9

Imposition / Nesting Software

Imposition software automates the positioning of pages or artwork on press sheets in such a manner that the job can be printed and finished properly and efficiently. On a basic level, the software allows you to plan out where the pages go on each section and sheet, although modern imposition software applications also allow users to carry out more complex tasks such as ganging and nesting.

Ganging software solutions

Imposition software can help operators to combine multiple jobs together on a single press sheet or continuous reel, even if the products are of different-sized rectangular shapes.

Nesting software solutions

Imposition software can also include Nesting software functionality, to allow operators to nest irregular shapes together on the same sheet to minimize waste. This is used most commonly in the carton packaging and graphic display industries.

Examples of Imposition software for printing include:

  • Dedicated imposition software such as Insoft IMP, Tilia Labs Phoenix, Kodak Preps, Dynagram Dynastrip or Ultimate Technographics Impostrip, and Heidelberg Signa Station (although this is also used as part of Heidelberg’s Prinect Production).
  • Prepress software solutions such as Agfa Apogee Prepress have a dedicated module, Apogee Impose, to carry out the page impositions.
  • There are also imposition software plugins for applications like Adobe Acrobat, such as ‘Quite Imposing’ which can work alongside workflow software.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Other terms used to describe this type of software:

  • Prepress Imposition Software
  • Print Imposition Software
  • Press Imposition Software

How an MIS connects to imposition software

Your MIS solution will probably contain some functionality to impose, nest and gang, already but your provider may also have an integrated solution with a more comprehensive software application such as those listed above. Here at Tharstern we have both and offer an integrated imposition solution with the award-winning Insoft IMP. You will need to speak to your MIS provider to find out the extent of the functionality for your specific workflow.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 10

Workflow Automation Software

Using workflow software like Enfocus Switch or Zapier lets you integrate your software to make data sharing easier and automate repetitive tasks so your employees can spend more time on higher-value tasks. This could be by simplifying your artwork approval process, automatically creating more efficient production layouts, or minimizing user intervention with automatic information posting.

Some examples of workflow automation apps are:

Example of how workflow automation works with an MIS solution:

We’ve used the Enfocus Switch software as an example here, but you will be able to achieve different levels of automation with different Workflow Automation software applications. Here are some examples of how this type of software integrates with an MIS:

  1. Automated preflighting – Switch will compare artwork PDF with the original estimate created in your MIS, presenting you with any differences it can spot. These errors can then be dealt with manually by a CSR, or you can even automate some of the preflighting decisions by telling Switch how to fix an issue that fits in with specific criteria e.g. If a 2PP document is 3 times the width of the original 6PP file, then auto-select the ‘spread’ option to modify the Tharstern job to match the artwork.
  2. Remote approvals – The PDF review module within Switch is a simple but powerful tool that allows users to check digital proofs for a job without the need for any login credentials. In the Tharstern MIS, this is embedded directly within Tharstern, and approval stages are recorded in the MIS software too.

How an MIS connects to workflow automation apps:

An MIS solution will connect to Workflow Automation Software using an API. You will need to call on the services of either your MIS partner or a dedicated workflow consultant to help you set this integration up.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 11

Creative / Graphic Design Software

The graphic arts industry uses software applications for a range of creative projects. In the printing industry, graphic design and 3D modeling are common uses.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) software

Being in the graphic arts industry, you will most likely know exactly what CAD software is – it’s a design application that helps users create 3D models so that products can be visualized and planned before production.

You may also hear these terms used to describe this type of software:

  • CAD Packaging Software
  • Package Design Software
  • Packaging Artwork Management Software
  • Packaging CAD Software
  • Packaging Design Software
  • Product Packaging Software

Some examples of CAD software that integrate with print MIS software include:

How an MIS connects to CAD design software:

By integrating your MIS solution with your CAD software, you will have the ability to create nested impositions for irregular shapes within the MIS at the estimating phase. As an example, here’s what the integration between Tharstern MIS and Artios CAD will allow you to do:

  • Create new designs using ArtiosCAD parametric templates
  • Drive ArtiosCAD planning functions and change design attributes directly from within the MIS
  • Get multiple nesting solutions to choose from for optimum production
  • Use existing ArtiosCAD designs directly within the MIS.

This is a complex integration so this connection will need to be carried out by the MIS supplier working with the CAD software supplier.

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Creative Cloud is a collection of 20+ apps, resources, and web services to aid your creative projects, whether that be video editing, graphic design, photography, UX design, etc. The apps can be bought as a collection, or individually based on your requirements.

Some examples of software included in Creative Cloud are:

  • Illustrator
  • InDesign
  • Premiere Pro
  • Photoshop
  • After Effects
  • Lightroom
  • XD

Other terms used to describe these software apps:

  • Design software
  • Graphic design software

How an MIS connects to Adobe Creative Suite

An MIS does not connect with Adobe Creative Suite directly, though the artwork files produced by this suite of software applications can be uploaded and attached to estimates and jobs throughout the MIS solution.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 12

Warehouse Management Software

Printers and converters may also use Warehouse Management Software to oversee their warehouse operations. The main aim of this software is to provide visibility of inventory levels and streamline warehouse processes.

Features of this type of software application include: receiving, storing inventory, tracking, and monitoring the movement of goods.
Most Print MIS applications have some warehouse or inventory functionality built into the core software, but those printing or converting companies with larger storage requirements may also integrate their MIS with a dedicated warehouse management software solution.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 13

Courier / Shipping Software

Shipping couriers such as FedEx or UPS provide companies with web-based shipping applications that allow them to prepare shipments, define shipping rates and transit times, and also schedule collections.

Many printing companies already use this delivery management software to manage their courier deliveries but left unconnected to the workflow, users are required to switch applications and rekey data, which increases the administrative time to process each order. By integrating your shipping software with your MIS solution, you can eradicate this need for data re-entry, and organize deliveries without leaving your MIS system.

Some examples of courier management software that integrate with Print MIS software:

How an MIS connects to courier software:

To integrate this type of courier delivery software into your print MIS solution, you will need to speak to your MIS partner. They may already have established integrations in place, but can also work with you on custom integrations too. Connecting an MIS with shipping software is typically done using an API.

What can be achieved:

We’ve used our integration with FedEx Ship Manager to demonstrate what can be achieved by integrating an MIS with a courier service. Here’s what you can do:

  • Select a delivery service within the MIS
  • Create the consignment in the Couriers software system
  • Print shipping labels, generated from the Courier’s system, from within the MIS
  • Get feedback from the shipping provider about key milestones e.g. dispatch and completed delivery, details of which are assigned to the order within the MIS.
  • Add the name of the person who signed for delivery into the order within the MIS.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 14

Accounts Software

Accounting software is used to process a company’s financial information and summarize that data in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. Functionality varies but tends to include the ability to track bills, process accounts payable and cash flow, track credit limits, record raw material inventory, process payroll, and claim expenses. These applications allow you to get a full financial picture of your business and make filing and tax returns easier.

How an MIS connects to Accounts software:

You can make significant time savings by integrating your Print MIS solution into your accounts software. The integration creates a bi-directional synchronization between the two applications, removing the need to manually rekey data and reducing the time taken to process the financial aspects of an order.

At Tharstern we integrate with several different financial accounts packages including:

What can be achieved:

We’ve used our integration with Business Central to demonstrate what can be achieved by integrating your MIS software with your financial accounting software. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Ability to review account balances and credit limits as early as Estimating to reduce financial risk.
  • Live synchronization of customer and supplier accounts within the financial and MIS databases.
  • Accounts can be checked to highlight those on-stop or over their credit limit within the enquiry, production, and dispatch processes.
  • Sales and purchase ledger activity can be streamlined using dynamic nominal assignment and automated posting routines.
  • Multiple company ledgers can be integrated from a single production database environment.
  • Automatic recording of raw material inventory, WIP, finished goods, and CoGS can remove the need for time-consuming monthly reporting processes.

Speak to our experts to learn more

    
Chapter 15

Financial Automation Software

In addition to the accounting software that’s used to manage the financial aspects of an organization, such as sales and purchase ledgers and payroll, there are additional applications available to help digitize financial tasks even further. Using financial software such as V1 Invoice Automation or Paperless Europe, you can digitize the processing and reconciliation of your Purchase invoices. For those of you in North America trying to navigate complex tax calculations, software like Avalara Avatax can automate these calculations for you with a full list of US and Canadian tax rates.

Some examples of Finance management software that can integrate with an MIS solution include:

How an MIS connects to financial automation software:

Connecting your MIS solution to financial automation software such as the examples above can be achieved by speaking to your MIS partner. Dependent on the software you want to integrate with, they may achieve this by using an API, or they may need to implement a custom development project to achieve this by embedding the software directly within the MIS.

We’ve used our integration with V1 automation to demonstrate what can be achieved through an integration with a document digitization application. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Automatic end-to-end processing of incoming Purchase Invoices.
  • Incoming PDF documents (via email or scanning device) are digitally read and automatically posted to the purchase ledger via Tharstern.
  • Purchase Orders are matched line by line to orders in the Financial Management System.
  • Automated responses are sent to suppliers who send invoices with incorrect information or no Purchase Order.
  • Automated internal emails can be used to set up new suppliers on the Financial Management System.
  • Optional access to archive documents.

Speak to our experts to learn more

     
Chapter 16

Marketing Automation Software

Marketing software applications help you manage your marketing campaigns and automate your marketing activities. They range in functionality dependent on each software application but can deliver anything from basic email marketing campaigns to website design, automated sales sequence emails, proposal creation, chatbots, and social media management.

Other terms used to describe these marketing apps that connect with MIS software:

  • Print Marketing Automation
  • Print Marketing Software
  • CRM Marketing Software for Printers
  • Print Sales Automation Software
  • Email Marketing for Print

How an MIS connects to marketing software:

Some Print Management Information Systems, like Tharstern, have existing integrations with marketing software like HubSpot. But if your MIS has an API, then you can either work with your MIS partner to integrate with other marketing software or, if you have development resources in-house, then you can create this link yourself using the API.

What can be achieved:

As an example, our integration with Hubspot synchronizes information about customers, prospects, and opportunities so that sales, marketing, and estimating teams are looking at the same data. It also allows estimators and CSR teams to enroll contacts on to pre-defined marketing workflows within Hubspot. So for example, an estimator can create a list of customers who haven’t ordered anything in the past 6 months and enroll them in a Hubspot workflow that automatically sends out an email to that customer, offering them a ‘we’ve missed you’ discount or promotion. These automated actions can be pre-defined within Hubspot by the person responsible for marketing.

Speak to our experts to learn more

       
Chapter 17

Stock and Substrate Ordering Software

Paper merchants such as Premier Papers and Antalis have online ordering catalogues that printers can use to check stock and order substrate. Some printing companies have streamlined this process by integrating this service into their MIS software.

Printing companies who have an integrated substrate catalogue within their MIS can check stock and place orders without having to leave their main MIS solution. This is what happens:

  • Users can place orders online.
  • Purchase orders are created automatically in the Supplier's management system.
  • Order acknowledgements are received automatically.
  • Materials are consolidated to achieve preferential rates.
  • The MIS splits orders automatically between bulk packed and ream packed.

An example of this is our integration with Antalis, which allows our users to check electronic product catalogues and price files from within their MIS. We also have a connection to Premier Papers through the Zaikio middleware application.

How the integration with an MIS solution works:

We created our connection to Antalis through custom development to our MIS software, essentially creating a live link between the two applications. However, our connection with Zaikio is different – it is part of a wider set of connections that are available through the Zaikio service. In this scenario, any Tharstern user who subscribes to the Zaikio service is able to connect automatically to Premier Papers without the need to approach either partner. In the future, as Zaikio adds more MIS providers and paper merchants to their list of integration partners, users of other software and suppliers will be able to do the same.

Speak to our experts to learn more

        
Chapter 18

What software do flexible packaging converters use to manage their business?

This chapter contains an overview of the different types of software applications that are typically used by flexible packaging businesses. This includes software used in all the different areas of the business workflow, not just production, and includes the initial sales inquiry right through to warehousing and invoicing.

What is the most used software in the flexible packaging industry?

The most important piece of software used by flexible packaging converters is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Management Information (MIS) solution. You may also see it referred to as the following:

  •  Flexible Packaging Business Management Software
  •  Flexible Packaging Estimating Software
  •  Flexible Packaging Costing Software

An ERP/MIS is basically the core software application that flexible packaging converters use to manage the lifecycle of the products they manufacture, and it encompasses every area of their business in one way or another. Flexible packaging converters will use the software for the following types of activities:

  • Creating quotes and quote letters
  • Creating targeted marketing campaigns
  • Scheduling production
  • Creating financial documents
  • Checking substrate levels and placing orders
  • Managing warehousing and inventory
  • And much more!

Ecommerce / Storefront software for flexible packaging converters

Sometimes referred to as web-to-print (W2P), this type of software is sometimes used by converting companies to provide an online storefront for their customers to place repeat orders. The web-to-print solution is most often connected to the ERP solution so that these orders are automatically sent into the ERP or MIS software and processed without any manual intervention.

For more information about this type of software and how converting companies use it, head to our page about eCommerce and storefront software for printers and converters.

 Workflow software for flexible packaging converters

Workflow software allows flexible packaging converters to automate some of the business processes that take place outside of their main ERP/MIS software. In the flexible packaging sector, this is generally going to be the popular Esko Automation Engine, which automates prepress tasks and allows converters to preflight, trap, and make proofs.

Planning software used by flexible packaging converters

Flexible packaging converters use planning software such as Tilia Phoenix to plan production layouts. This software provides functionality that allows converters to step and repeat flexible packaging, across and down a web, and to optimize for multi-lane digital printing.

Creative and graphic design software for flexible packaging converters

Flexible packaging converters typically use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design the branding elements of their products.

Courier software for flexible packaging converters

If you have a favorite shipping provider, you will most likely use their online web portal to arrange deliveries at your company e.g. the UPS Worldship portal and FedEx Ship Manager. Often, flexible packaging converters integrate these web portals to their ERP so that shipments can be arranged directly from within that software.

You can achieve the same thing if you have your own delivery fleet, by integrating courier software such as BigChange JobWatch to your ERP.

Accounts software for flexible packaging converters

ERP and MIS solutions do come with some financial functionality, but flexible packaging converters typically use more comprehensive accounting solutions to manage their finances. Some examples of this software include Sage, Access, Xero, QuickBooks, and Business Central.

Often, a flexible packaging company will connect these two applications together to automate financial processes e.g. general ledger posting.

Financial automation software for flexible packaging converters

To further automate their financial administration processes, flexible packaging companies sometimes also use additional automation software such as Paperless Europe or V1 Automation to digitize the processing of invoices and purchase orders. Another example is the Avatax software from Avalara which automates the processing of interstate taxes in the USA.

Marketing automation software for flexible packaging converters

Marketing automation software such as Hubspot, Pardot, and Infusionsoft, helps companies to create targeted marketing campaigns, manage sales pipelines, send marketing emails and track online activity.

Those flexible packaging converters who use this type of software often integrate it into their core ERP solution, so they are able to send targeted communications to prospects and customers based on past estimates and orders.

Speak to our experts to learn more

         
Chapter 19

What software do commercial printers use to manage their business?

This is an overview of the type of software that printing companies in the commercial sector typically use. It isn’t extensive and has been designed as an educational article to help printers in the commercial print sector understand more about the software automation opportunities available to them.

(By commercial printing software, we mean the software used by companies that manufacture products typically used for marketing and business purposes e.g. leaflets, posters, business cards, and booklets.)

What is the most used software in the commercial printing industry?

A print MIS system is the main piece of software used by commercial print businesses.

This is the core software application that commercial printers use to manage their print jobs – from the initial sales and estimating phase, through to scheduling, inventory, and shipping. There are a few different phrases used to describe this software, including:

  • Workflow Management Software (WMS)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Commercial Print Management Software
  • Commercial Print Estimating Software
  • Print Costing Software
  • Print Order Management Software
  • Print Job Tracking Software
  • Business Workflow Software

Ecommerce / Storefront software for commercial printers

This type of software (sometimes also called web-to-print or W2P) is very popular with commercial printers because it allows them to create an online storefront that customers can use to easily order custom-printed products such as brochures and business cards. These storefront portals allow customers to self-serve 24/7/365 – a big advantage for the modern print-buying customer.

For more information about this type of software and how printing companies use it.

Workflow software for commercial printers

When the phrase ‘workflow software’ is used in the commercial printing industry, it typically refers to the flow of the administrative job information from the estimating phase through into the prepress workflow, and into press, postpress, and even further on into shipping. Typical examples of this type of software are:

Imposition/optimization software used by commercial printers

In the commercial sector, imposition software is most commonly used for laying down pages onto a folded section (e.g. a booklet). Commercial printers also use this imposition software to optimize a sheet or roll so that the layout is at its most efficient when planning up multiple jobs or components of different sizes and sometimes irregular shapes.

Workflow automation software for commercial printers

Workflow automation software allows commercial printers to automate some of the business processes that take place outside of their main MIS software. This can include processes such as artwork preflighting and proofing or even auto-checking the suitability of jobs for EPM printing (an option on HP Indigos that eliminates the black separation from CMYK jobs to increase printing).

Examples of workflow automation software used by commercial printers include:

It can also include non-industry-specific workflow automation solutions such as Zapier and Automate.io.

Creative and graphic design software for commercial printers

Commercial printers typically use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design their products. They don’t tend to use CAD software, which is generally more suitable for packaging and label printers.

Courier software for commercial printers

Commercial printers often favor one or two shipping providers and use their online web portals to arrange for and manage shipments. These web portals can often be integrated into the print MIS solution used by a commercial printer so that these shipments can be arranged from within the MIS software.

Examples of this software include UPS Worldship, EasyPost, and FedEx Ship Manager.

Printing companies in the commercial sector may also manage their own delivery fleet and can integrate software such as BigChange JobWatch into their print MIS software to streamline this process.

Accounts software for commercial printers

A print MIS solution does come with some financial functionality, namely the production of financial documents such as Purchase Orders and Sales Invoices, etc, but commercial printers typically use some other type of software to manage their financial accounts. And they often integrate the two together to provide synchronization of financial activity between the accounts package and the MIS software.

Examples of this software include Sage, Xero, Quickbooks, and Business Central.

Financial automation software for commercial printers

In addition to the accounting software mentioned above, commercial printers also use financial automation software to streamline the administration of their financial functions. This involves the digital processing of documents such as invoices, and the subsequent reconciliation of these invoices with those in the core MIS software. Integration into the MIS software needs to be carried out to achieve this. Examples of this type of software include V1 Automation, Paperless Europe, and Avalara Avatax.

Marketing automation software for commercial printers

Commercial printers can also use marketing software to help them create targeted marketing campaigns for their printed products. By integrating this type of software into their core print MIS solution, they are able to target prospects and customers based on past estimates and orders. So they know exactly what type of commercial products these companies are interested in.

Examples of this type of software include Hubspot, Pardot, and Infusionsoft.

Stock and substrate ordering software for commercial printers

Paper merchants such as Premier Papers and Antalis have online catalogs that their customers can use to check prices and order stock. Commercial printers can integrate their print MIS solution with these online catalogs, so that material stock levels and prices are checked at the estimating phase, and orders for required materials can be placed from within the MIS system.

Integrating with the Zaikio platform also offers the ability to interface multiple paper merchants into the MIS, allowing orders to be placed and availability to be checked as well as pricing.

How about Digital Printing software?

The software listed in the above sections covers all types of commercial printing, and so is most definitely relevant for digital printing companies who use equipment such as HP Indigo Presses. For information about digital print production software, and digital print workflow software, please see our information about ‘workflow software’.

How about Offset Printing software?

If you’re looking for info about software for offset printers, the above sections are all totally relevant and cover all types of commercial printing.

Speak to our experts to learn more

          
Chapter 20

What software do carton converters use to manage their business?

This chapter provides a list of the different types of software applications used in the carton converting sector and has been written to help companies in this sector learn more about the opportunities there are to use technology to streamline and digitize their business.

What is the most used software in the carton converting industry?

The most important piece of software used by carton-converting businesses is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Management Information System (MIS). You may also see it referred to as the following:

  • Carton Converters Business Management Software
  • Carton Converters Estimating Software
  • Carton Converters Costing Software

An ERP/MIS is the core piece of software that carton-converting companies use to manage their business workflow. Features span across the whole company, touching every department. For example:

  • The sales and estimating teams will use an ERP to create estimates and jobs.
  • Prepress teams will use the ERP to create production-ready layouts and schedule the job.
  • Production will use the ERP to record production milestones so that the whole company knows where the job is at any given time.
  • Traceability i.e. the identification of production batches and material usage for quality control purposes.
  • The finance department will use an ERP to digitize financial activities such as substrate requisitions, purchase order processing, and invoicing.
  • Warehouse teams will use an ERP to carry out their inventory and pick and pack processes.

Ecommerce / Storefront software for carton converters

This type of software (sometimes referred to as web-to-print or W2P) is most commonly used in other areas of the printing industry, but we do have some carton-converting companies who use storefront software to provide their customers with an online ordering portal. However, this is typically only suitable for customers who have lots of repeat orders for previously manufactured products. In this scenario, the web-to-print solution is usually connected to the ERP solution so that these orders are automatically sent into the ERP or MIS software and processed without any manual intervention.

Workflow software for carton converters

Workflow software allows carton converters to automate some of the business processes that take place outside of their main ERP/MIS software. In the carton sector, this is generally going to be the popular Esko Automation Engine, which automates prepress tasks and offers features for pre-flighting and proofing.

Planning software used by carton converters

Planning software is used extensively by carton converters to automate the ganging and nesting of products to maximize each press run. Using the software, irregular shapes can be nested together, and items imposed in a step-and-repeat approach.

The software can be integrated into an ERP or MIS solution to further streamline this process.

Examples of planning software for printing include Insoft IMP, Tilia Labs Phoenix, and Heidelberg Signa Station (which is part of Heidelberg’s Prinect Production).

Creative and graphic design software for carton converters

Practically all carton converting companies will use CAD software such as Esko’s ArtiosCAD and ImpactCAD from Arden Software to create the 3D models that allow their products to be visualized and planned before production.

Often this CAD software is integrated into a carton converter’s ERP / MIS solution so they have the ability to create nested impositions within the ERP at the estimating phase.

Carton converters also use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design the branding elements of their products.

Courier software for carton converters

To arrange shipments, carton converters will often use their chosen courier company’s web portal e.g. UPS Worldship and FedEx Ship Manager. To streamline this process, they can also connect their ERP / MIS solution to their courier’s portal, which means users can manage deliveries without leaving their core ERP system.

Accounts software for carton converters

ERP and MIS solutions might also use accounts packages such as Sage or Business Central to manage their financial operations. Often, a carton company will connect these types of applications together with their ERP so they can digitize these financial processes and reduce admin.

Financial automation software for carton converters

Carton companies sometimes also use additional automation software such as Paperless Europe or V1 Automation to digitize the processing of invoices and purchase orders.

Marketing automation software for carton converters

If a carton converting company uses marketing automation software such as Hubspot, InfusionSoft, or Zoho for their sales and marketing activities, they may also integrate this software into their core ERP solution. This will allow them to send targeted communications to prospects and customers based on past estimates and orders.

Stock and substrate ordering software for commercial printers

Paper merchants such as Premier Papers and Antalis have online catalogs that their customers can use to check prices and order stock. Commercial printers can integrate their print MIS solution with these online catalogs, so that material stock levels and prices are checked at the estimating phase, and orders for required materials can be placed from within the MIS system. 

Integrating with the Zaikio platform also offers the ability to interface multiple paper merchants into the MIS, allowing orders to be placed and availability to be checked as well as pricing. 

Speak to our experts to learn more

           
Chapter 21

What software do large format inkjet printing companies use to manage their business?

This chapter contains an overview of the different types of software applications used by large format or wide format printers. If you refer to your company as a Point-of-Sale printer or Point of Purchase printer, then this page is also relevant for you.

What is the most used software in the Large Format inkjet printing industry?

The main piece of software used by Large Format print businesses is a print MIS solution, which manages the entire lifecycle of a print job – from sales and estimating through to production and delivery.

You may also see the following phrases used to describe the same type of software, but they are all referring to the same thing:

  • Workflow Management Software (WMS)
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Large format print management software
  • Large format print estimating software
  • Print costing software
  • Print order management software
  • Print job tracking software
  • Business workflow Software

Ecommerce / Storefront software for Large Format printers

Sometimes called ‘web-to-print’ software, this type of solution is used by Large Format printers to provide an online storefront for their customers to order directly from. There are industry-specific solutions such as Vpress and Aleyant, but there are also more generic options such as Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce.

Most printers will integrate their print MIS software with their eCommerce solution so that orders placed by the customer via the storefront portal will automatically be processed by the MIS solution. Dependent on the MIS solution used and the level of integration, these orders can even be sent straight directly to the press without any manual intervention.

Workflow software for Large Format printers

The term ‘workflow software’ is mainly used in the large format printing industry to talk about the flow of the job information from the estimating phase through into the prepress workflow, and into press, postpress and even further on into shipping. Typical examples of this type of software are:

  • Prepress workflow software such as Apogee, XMF, and OneVision.
  • Digital print software such as HP SmartStream, CalderaRIP or EFI Fiery RIP.

Imposition/optimization software used by Large Format printers

In the Large Format sector, imposition software is used to automate the nesting and tiling of jobs that will be printed on the same substrate, even if those jobs are of irregular shapes. Products such as Caldera and OneVision support optimization such as nesting and tiling.

Workflow automation software for Large Format printers

Workflow automation software is different from ‘workflow software’ and refers to the solutions used by Large or Wide Format printers to automate the business processes that take place outside of their main MIS software.

Examples of workflow automation software used by Large Format printing companies include:

  • Enfocus Switch
  • Esko Automation Engine
  • Nexio
  • OneVision

Creative and graphic design software for Large Format printers

Large Format printers typically use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design their products. They can also use CAD software, though less often.

Courier software for Large Format printers

If you use a particular courier company to arrange your shipments, then you probably use their web portal software to book these jobs and arrange for delivery. Examples of this software include UPS Worldship, EasyPost, DHL and FedEx Ship Manager.

Large format printers tend to also integrate this web portal with their core MIS software, so that management of these activities can be carried out directly from within the MIS.

Accounts software for Large Format printers

There are many different financial accounts packages available on the market for Large Format printers to manage their financial activities e.g., Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, Access, and Business Central. Typically, these solutions are then connected to the company’s print MIS solution to reduce manual rekeying of data and speed up the administrative time of each print job.

Financial automation software for Large Format printers

In addition to the accounts software mentioned in the above section, there are other types of software applications available to aid with the automation of financial functions with a Large Format printing company. Some examples of this are Paperless Europe and V1 Automation, which both provide automated reading and consolidation of documentation such as invoices and purchase orders. AvaTax is another solution and this deals with the complexities of tax in the USA, with the aim of automating the calculation of the various taxes in different states.

Marketing automation software for Large Format printers

Marketing automation software is becoming increasingly adopted by Large Format printers with a marketing function and is used to create targeted campaigns, send emails, and drive traffic to a company’s website. Examples of this type of software include Hubspot, Pardot, and Infusionsoft.

By integrating their marketing software with their print MIS software, Large Format printers are then able to create targeted marketing campaigns based on previous quotes and orders – an important feature to have in the world of print!

Stock and substrate ordering software for Large Format printers

Paper merchants such as Premier Papers and Antalis have online catalogs that their customers can use to check prices and order stock. Large Format printers can integrate their print MIS solution with these online catalogs so that orders for required materials can be placed from within the MIS system.

Speak to our experts to learn more

            
Chapter 22

What software do label converters use to manage their business?

This is an overview of the different types of software applications that are used by label converters to manage their business. This includes software used in all the different areas of the business workflow – from sales and marketing to production and delivery. 

What is the most used software in the label converting industry?  

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Management Information System (MIS) is the most important piece of software used by label converting businesses and almost every company in this sector will have such a solution installed.  

An MIS/ERP is basically the core software application that label converters use to manage the lifecycle of the products they manufacture, and it encompasses every area of their business in one way or another. 

There are 2 types of ERP/MIS solutions that are relevant for this sector: 

  1. An ERP/MIS solution designed to be used by companies who manufacture label products only. An example of this would be Tharstern Cloud for labels. 
  2. An ERP/MIS solution designed to be used by companies in any area of the printing industry, and which offers support for all manufactured print products, including labels. An example of this would be the Tharstern MIS. 

Ecommerce / Storefront software for label converters 

This type of software (sometimes also called web-to-print or W2P) is sometimes used by converting companies to provide an online storefront that customers can use to place repeat orders. These storefront portals allow customers to self-serve 24/7/365 – a big advantage for the modern print buying customer. Label converters can themselves gain even more advantages by integrating their web-to-print portal with their ERP solution, to automate the processing of incoming orders. 

Workflow software for label converters 

Workflow software allows label converters to automate some of the business processes that take place outside of their main ERP/MIS software. In the label sector, this is generally going to be products such as Esko Automation Engine or OneVision’s Label Automation Suite, which provide label companies with the ability to automate activities such as proofing and preflighting.   

Planning software used by label converters 

Label converters use planning software such as Tilia Phoenix to plan production layouts. This software provides functionality that allows converters to step and repeat labels, across and down a web, and to optimize for multi-lane digital printing. This planning software can be integrated into an ERP or MIS solution to streamline this process. 

Creative and graphic design software for label converters 

Label converters typically use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design their products. They may occasionally use CAD software also. 

Courier software for label converters 

Label converters use online web portals to arrange for and manage shipments from their favorite shipping couriers e.g. UPS Worldship and FedEx Ship Manager. These web portals can be integrated into the ERP/MIS solution used by label converters so that shipments can be arranged directly from within the ERP/MIS software.  

Converters may also manage their own delivery fleet and can integrate software such as BigChange JobWatch into their ERP/MIS to streamline this process. 

Accounts software for label converters 

ERP and MIS solutions do come with some financial functionality, but label converters typically use more comprehensive accounting solutions to manage their finances. These two applications are often connected together to provide synchronization of financial activity between the accounts package and the ERP/MIS software. 

Examples of this software include Sage, Xero, Quickbooks, and Business Central. 

Financial automation software for label converters  

Additional automation software is available for the financial areas of a label converting business. Paperless Europe and V1 Automation provide tools to digitize the processing of invoices and purchase orders, while Avatax automates the processing of interstate taxes in the USA. These solutions can be integrated into the ERP/MIS solution used by the label company to speed up these processes even further.  

Marketing automation software for label converters 

Label converters can also use marketing software to help them create targeted marketing campaigns for their printed products. By integrating this type of software into their core ERP/MIS solution, they are able to target prospects and customers based on past estimates and orders. So they know exactly what type of commercial products these companies are interested in. 

Examples of this type of software include Hubspot, Pardot, and Infusionsoft.  

Speak to our experts to learn more

              
Chapter 23

What software do direct mail printers use to manage their business?

We have created this chapter for direct mail printers who want to find out more about the different types of software applications that are available to help them manage their company. We have also included information about how these different applications connect together, where relevant.  

Data processing software for direct mail printers

Direct mail companies can use various different software applications to process the different types of data they receive from their customers. This type of software often falls under the generic banner of ‘data processing software’, and includes functionality to carry out tasks such as de-duping, address validation, and decryption for example.

Software that direct mail printers use to manage print production

Direct mail companies that have print production facilities may also use a Management Information System (sometimes called a print MIS) to handle both the quoting and print production aspects of an order.

These MIS solutions allow users to quote for different cells/drops for each unique configuration of products including supplied stock, client-supplied items, and printed products. The MIS software creates production instructions for the printed products within each cell/drop and allows users to track the progress of each order as it moves through the production and assembly phases. Direct mail companies can also use this type of software to compare the estimated job costs with the actual job costs, in order to identify efficiency improvements.

Those direct mail companies who do not use an MIS solution will often use a spreadsheet product such as Microsoft Excel to create each quote. This typically only works with orders that have very basic print requirements, as the lack of production instructions for more complex printed products will cause problems further down the workflow.

Creative and graphic design software for direct mail printers

Direct mail printers may use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to design their products. They don’t tend to use CAD software, which is more widely used for label and carton converters.

Accounts software for direct mail printers

A print MIS solution does come with some financial functionality, namely the production of financial documents such as Purchase Orders and Sales Invoices, etc, but direct mail printers typically use some other type of software to manage their financial accounts. And they often integrate the two together to provide synchronization of financial activity between the accounts package and the MIS software.

Examples of this software include Sage, Xero, Quickbooks, and Business Central.

Marketing automation software for direct mail printers

In the absence of an MIS solution to help them calculate custom quotes, direct mail printers will typically use software such as Hubspot or Salesforce to create ‘line by line’ quotes for their clients. These will consist of a ‘menu’ of different services for their clients to choose from.

Stock and substrate ordering software for direct mail printers

Paper merchants such as Premier Papers and Antalis have online catalogs that their customers can use to check prices and order stock. Direct mail printers can integrate their print MIS solution with these online catalogs, so that material stock levels and prices are checked at the estimating phase, and orders for required materials can be placed from within the MIS system.

Speak to our experts to learn more

              
Chapter 24

What software do in-plant printers use to manage their department?

This is an overview of the type of software that in-plant printers typically use to manage their business. It isn’t extensive and has been designed as an informative article to help printers in the in-plant print sector understand more about the automation opportunities available to them through technology.

What is the most used software in the in-plant printing industry?

Most in-plant departments use a Management Information System (or print MIS) to manage their business workflow. This software is about much more than the production aspect of a job – it touches every part of the in-plant business, from estimating to delivery.

These are the types of features that in-plant departments benefit from when they have an MIS solution installed:

  • Track orders as they move through the workflow, organized by due dates and/or the machines on which they would be produced.
  • Check job status at a glance.
  • Send automated messages to inform the shop and its customers of job milestones.
  • Generate end-of-month reports, including chargeback summaries to help the in-plant stay within budget.

Ecommerce / Storefront software for in-plant printers

An eCommerce storefront solution (sometimes called a web-to-print or W2P solution) can be used by in-plant departments to provide an easy self-service way for their internal customers to place repeat orders. These online portals can provide an Amazon-like interface to libraries of stored documents that customers can order and re-order on demand. Dependent on the web-to-print solution used, customers could also build their own documents by choosing the paper stocks and binding styles they want.

Workflow software for in-plant printers

When the phrase ‘workflow software’ is used in the in-plant printing industry, it typically refers to the flow of the administrative job information from the estimating phase through into the prepress workflow, and into press, postpress, and even further on into shipping. Typical examples of this type of software are HP SmartStream or EFI Fiery RIP.

Workflow automation software for in-plant printers

Workflow automation software allows in-plant printers to automate some of the business processes that take place outside of their main MIS software. This can include processes such as artwork preflighting and proofing or even auto-checking the suitability of jobs for EPM printing (an option on HP Indigos that eliminates the black separation from CMYK jobs to increase printing.

Examples of workflow automation software used by in-plant printers include:

  • Enfocus Switch
  • PrintOS from HP

It can also include non-industry-specific workflow automation solutions such as Zapier and Automate.io.

Speak to our experts to learn more

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