Prepressforums.com - Is there any PC software that does something like this?

sauce · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 07:57 PM

I'm sure we are all familiar with vistaprint's ordering system:
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx?xnav=logo

Sometimes I get customers that just need quick full color business card designs. What kills me is doing the layout manually in InDesign or Photoshop. Most of them would be happy with this process -- Pick a background, throw text on it, print 1000, done.

I'm not looking for those crappy Printshop Deluxe type programs. I need something professional. Hopefully something that comes with a printed index of background images so I can keep it at the counter for our customers. And it needs to generate press ready PDF of course.

And while I'm here, what other template based software is there?

Sparky · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 04:53 AM

Sounds like you just want someone else to do your job. All those designs had to be created by someone, so why don't you spend a little free time and create a few "standard" layouts yourself, then you will have ready samples to show your customers, or have stock layouts to make modifications to for them. :wink:

Even though "templates" are sometimes nice to have around, I feel customers still want to be unique in that there stationary should reflect who they are, not who someone else thinks they are.

my 2¢

oxburger · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 06:37 AM

Here is another idea. Get some nice quality stock art cds that have royalty free images on them. then you can print out contact sheets of the images to make a "catalog" of images available. it wouldn't be out of line to charge for the time it takes to design it, and you can usually charge more per hour for design than file prep anyway.

If you do a high volume in business cards, it would be well worth it to have someone to lay them out and charge for it.

sauce · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 02:55 PM

Sparky I don't think you understand me. Did you click on that link?

Oxburger thats a great idea and I thought of doing it myself, but I assumed that its already been done... I just couldn't find where. Thought I'd come here for assistance. No one knows anything? I wish there was like a print industry software list. I'm sure theres lots of stuff I could use that I don't even know exists.

Mikie · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 03:39 PM

IMO you are going to have to do alot of BC's to pay for that type of online service. If you really wanted to do it, find an Applescripter(or learn it), set up a website kinda like they have there, having the customer input the information and select the background etc, export that out as a txt document and run a find and replace script with Indesign template, output a pdf.
I setup a similar system for a local printer like this last year, works ok for his needs. 3 of his large customers, he prints all of their BC's. This simple system frees up his prepress guy, pdf's are output after approval into a hot folder which takes the job thru prinergy, ready to plate. It doesnt work so well if they want a custom card IMO, if they ae supplying logos etc it kinda turns into a preflight nightmare, but if Hung,Low, and Happy Lawyers Group wants there bc's cheapo, well heck let them do all the work.

Good Luck

zetaprints · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 09:07 PM

try a web-to-print service (www.Zetaprints.com )
You can be taking orders online just like vistaprint does.

sauce · #7 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 09:16 AM

I didn't want an online service. The title of the thread is, "Is there any PC software." I'm kind of interested in web-to-print, but that company's site looks very unprofessional. Are there any others?

Sooo once again, is there any template based software for PC? Hopefully with a printed book of artwork to keep at the counter and let customers create their own layouts 1-2-3 ?

sauce · #8 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 09:17 AM

zetaprints, my apologies. I didn't realize you were the one posting. Umm.. I didn't mean to dog your site like that. I will check you guys out now, especially cause you're a member of this forum. Sorry.

LoganBlade · #9 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 09:58 AM

May be a bigger solution than need but this software package seems to have everything in one. I could only hope my boss will head this way or a solution like it. I think a lot of the software for this type ocf commerce is going to be very high.

http://www.pace2020.com/

zetaprints · #10 (**permalink**) 04-20-2007, 01:14 PM

Hey Sauce :-) Thanx for being honest. No need for apologies, really.
Which part of the site doesn't look professional to you?
www.zetaprints.com or the actual web-to-print system?