Not long ago, the options for screen printing business software were limited. Most print management information systems (Print MIS) and web-to-print software programs were designed for commercial printers and copy shops that produced documents and marketing collateral. That’s no longer true.
The newest Print MIS and web-to-print software options are for print businesses that use a mix of analog presses and digital printing equipment. Today’s best screen printing business software empowers your company to provide fast, accurate estimating as well as web-to-print storefronts for online order submission.
1. With the rise of digital printing, it no longer matters whether your business started out in screen printing or commercial offset.
With the right mix of digital presses and wide-format digital printing equipment, any print business can produce short runs of everything from marketing documents and promotional products to decorated garments, textiles, wallcoverings, signs, and billboards.
Many screen printing companies use a combination of screen presses and digital printing devices to produce short and longer runs of retail graphics, POP displays, decorated apparel, signs, decals, and fleet markings. But you may also offer complementary services such as short-run packaging, labels, or direct-to-shape printing on promotional products or decorative objects.
2. Screen printing continues to be a viable, cost-effective process for many jobs.
Print business software developers who assumed screen printing would be the first printing process replaced by digital printing never really understood screen printing. Many jobs (and new types of jobs) can still be done better and more cost-effectively on a screen-printing press. Screen printing firms have a knack for discovering niche markets for which screen printing equipment is best suited. That’s why versatile print estimating programs such as Ordant can include the costs of screen-printing prepress and workflows.
3. The best screen printing business software is easy to customize.
Tools such as estimating, order management, and web-to-print storefronts should be highly customizable. No two print business are alike any more, and every company can continually introduce new products and services. You shouldn’t be charged exorbitant fees for customization. Nor should have to hire a developer to set up a program to accommodate your unique pricing model and growth strategies.
4. It’s not necessary to buy two different packages for managing business operations and setting up web-to-print storefront.
Whenever you join separate Print MIS and web-to-print programs, some critical job-related data can fall between the cracks. Or, you might have to re-enter customer data from online orders into your order management system. Ordant’s web-to-print option enables orders that customers place online to flow seamlessly into your order management system for set up, proofing, and proof approval.
5. A platform exclusively for screen printing can limit your options.
This is an exciting time to be in the printing business. Because new opportunities are emerging every day, you don’t want to be locked into a system designed solely for screen printing.
The Ordant platform for print estimating and order management can easily be configured for whatever mix of screen printing presses, large-format printers, and finishing equipment you currently use while keeping your options open for the future.
You can also set up custom pricing models that can give you a competitive edge in a fast-changing market. And if you choose to expand in new directions, Ordant can incorporate the prepress, printing, and finishing costs associated with using digital presses, label printers, and other print processes.
Because it is a cloud-based program, Ordant can be quickly installed. Your company doesn’t have to worry about buying, maintaining, and updating servers to host the software. The cloud-hosted software can scale up your capacity as your business grows.
When you get a demonstration of Ordant, note that you don’t have to be a professional estimator to produce accurate quotes.
Unlike screen printing business software built primarily for people with business backgrounds, Ordant encourages every employee in your plant to participate in the profitable operation and growth of your business.
In addition to enabling more employees to create estimates, Ordant streamlines order tracking, online proofing, purchase orders, customer relationship management, shipping, and invoicing. Whether your employees are working on site or at different location, they can quickly see when jobs are due (or overdue), what materials are needed for specific jobs, and any special requirements each customer might have.
Ordant can your help your screen printing business minimize errors due to miscommunication while fostering better collaboration, customer service, efficiency, and profitability.
Visit https://ordant.com/screen-print-estimating to learn more and request a demo.