Printing process
Orders are processed online and jobs are printed using a formula based on type of job, paper stock type, print run quantity, finishing (if any) and ship-by dates, among other factors.[19][20] User-selectable options are minimized, printing standard types of printed materials, such as business cards or postcards. Within each category, only specific sizes, paper stocks and ink colors are supported. This results in higher numbers of similar jobs which can be ganged together. Changeover time is reduced because there's less need to change paper or inks between jobs.[21]
Self-service design, proofing and ordering are handled at the front-end through the web, with controlled printing, cutting, packing and dispatching handled at the back-end through printing plants.[22] Cimpress' process involves multiple software components, and the management of multiple production components, in an end-to-end production workflow from "click to ship".[23] Vistaprint is vertically integrated with production facilities for North America in Windsor, Ontario,[24] and for Europe in Venlo, Netherlands.[25][26] The company uses presses such as the Manroland 700 as part of its printing assembly line.[27][28]
Computer-integrated manufacturing techniques help minimize human intervention and labor costs.[29] Using browser-based desktop publishing environment, customers design and proofread the job. Jobs are routed for printing without intervention. The printing is done in a single pass on automated, high-volume, large-format presses. Once printed, the products are cut down to size using a computerized robotic cutter, assembled, packaged and addressed using proprietary software-driven processes, and shipped to the customer.[30]
In a form of mass customization using as little as 60 seconds of production labor per order versus an hour or more for traditional printers, orders are printed faster and at lower costs than traditional printers.[21] Their strategy is to target small-run orders usually excluded from conventional large printers.[20]
