Online Shop Software for Printers – Why printQ Is the Complete Solution

Digital Transformation in the Print Industry

The print industry is in the middle of a digital revolution. Where orders were once placed by phone, email, or in person, customers today expect fast, intuitive, and digital ordering options.

An online shop is no longer just an additional sales channel — it is:

• A customer retention tool that is available 24/7
• A process optimizer that automates routine orders
• A growth driver that opens new markets

But not every shop system is suitable for printers. Standard webshops quickly hit their limits. Print products are complex — they must be configured, designed, preflighted, and produced. That’s why specialized online shop software for printers is indispensable.

What Print Shop Software Must Deliver

1. User-Friendly Online Editor
At the heart of any solution is an intuitive Web to Print editor where customers design products themselves.

• Beginners must be able to start instantly, without design knowledge.
• Professionals need precise tools for accurate results.
• Features like 2D/3D previews, QR uploads, and CI-compliant templates are now essential.

2. Automated Workflows
Efficiency depends on minimizing manual tasks.

• Automatic preflight checks validate uploaded files.
• Print-ready PDFs are generated instantly.
• Order confirmations, invoices, and delivery notes are created automatically.

This enables true lights-out production — routine jobs running without human intervention.

3. Integration & Interfaces
Shop software must integrate seamlessly into existing IT environments:

• ERP/MIS for production planning and costing
• CRM for customer data and campaigns
• E-commerce APIs for payments, shipping, and marketing tools

Open APIs are critical for long-term scalability.

4. B2B and B2C Capabilities
Printers serve different customer groups, and modern software must support both:

• B2C (Open Shops): Public shops for consumers and small businesses
• B2B (Closed Shops): Portals for corporate clients, with approval workflows, pricing rules, and brand-compliant templates

A system that unifies both worlds saves costs and increases flexibility.

5. Scalability
Whether small print shop or international enterprise, scalability is key:

• Start with one shop, expand to hundreds of client portals
• Multi-language and multi-currency support for global customers
• High performance even at enterprise order volumes

Why Standard Shops Don’t Work for Printers

Many printers start with generic shop systems like WooCommerce or Shopify. While these work for simple products, they fail for print-specific requirements:

• No integrated design editors
• No preflight or automated print data generation
• Limited ability to configure complex products
• Weak B2B functionality with approval workflows

The result: manual overhead, errors, and unsatisfied customers. Only specialized Web to Print software like printQprovides the depth needed for professional print workflows.

printQ: The Complete Solution for Printers

printQ combines all the critical aspects of modern print shop software:

• Magento foundation: Full e-commerce features (shopping cart, vouchers, accounts, shipping).
• Online editor: Intuitive design with 2D/3D preview, QR upload, and template gallery.
• Automation: End-to-end workflows from order to press.
• Multi-client support: Manage open shops and closed portals in one system.
• Integration: Open APIs for ERP, MIS, CRM, and external tools.
• Scalability: From single shops to international portals.

With printQ, printers build a true bridge between e-commerce and print production.

Real-World Case Studies

• Druckhäusle (Germany): Launched an online shop within months using printQ. Customers could design CI-compliant products immediately. Closed shops for repeat clients followed, resulting in higher sales and reduced staff workload.
• SAXOPRINT (Europe): One of Europe’s largest online printers uses printQ to manage a vast portfolio. Magento’s scalability supports thousands of products, while automation cuts per-order costs dramatically.
• Velocity Graphics (USA): Built a closed B2B portal for a restaurant chain with 100+ locations. Managers customized menu posters while HQ ensured brand compliance. Later expanded to 500+ products — all largely automated.

Benefits for Printers and Customers

For Printers:

• Efficiency through automation
• New revenue channels via online sales
• Long-term loyalty with B2B portals
• Competitive advantage through digital services

For Customers:

• 24/7 ordering convenience
• Brand consistency with CI-compliant templates
• Transparent pricing with real-time calculation
• Flexibility for individual adjustments

Future Trends in Print Shop Software

• AI-powered templates: Automated layouts and image optimization
• Omnichannel integration: Linking print with digital marketing and social media
• Sustainability: Eco-materials and CO₂-neutral printing options in the shop
• Headless commerce: Custom frontends with printQ as the back-end engine

Online Shop Software Is No Longer Optional

For printers, online shop software is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a strategic necessity. The decisive factors are: editor, automation, integration, multi-client capability, and scalability.

printQ delivers all of this in one platform. From small print shops to international providers, printQ enables B2B and B2C workflows, automates processes, and unlocks new markets.

The answer to what really matters in print shop software? Everything — in one system.