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The path from web-to-print to web-to-publish
Classic web-to-print applications have already been in use for years and help users to handle print processes efficiently. But output channels and technologies are constantly evolving. Self-service publishing tools combine classic and digital media production. Whether print or digital - you decide yourself what content you want to output and in what form. You have access to all your drafts at any time and can maintain data centrally and transmit it to your partners at any time. This way, you always have an overview.
Why web-to-publish is increasingly displacing classic web-to-print
Web-to-print is not new per se. However, as can be seen from the name, the term refers exclusively to workflows that are needed to produce products for printing for users. In classic marketing, this was the only form of advertising for a long time. But as customers and systems evolved, the need for additional output channels and forms of advertising changed with the advance of digitization. With Web-to-Publish, it is possible to publish regardless of the output channel, the advertising medium, and the type of medium. And all within one system.
Why use self-service publishing?
The creation of advertising materials requires years of experience in various graphic and design tools as well as training in design or print. Self-service publishing makes it possible to quickly and easily produce marketing materials for various channels without these requirements.
- Work independently - Leverage the power of publishing tools and work independently of external partners, such as ad agencies or a printer, without needing graphics or IT skills.
- Centralized management - keep track of your marketing campaigns and assets. You can create new designs individually or adapt templates from existing campaigns to create new content for print and digital in seconds.
What does self-service mean?
A self-service application is a website or marketing portal designed to help complete processes or transactions without external help (e.g. from agencies). In terms of operation, it is similar to a shop system or a comparable solution. Today's marketing processes require ever shorter turnaround times and a higher degree of customisation of all advertising media - both print and digital. Furthermore, publishing is shifting from large print runs to targeted on-demand productions. Self-service publishing allows you to meet acute needs on an ad hoc basis, enabling you to react quickly to new marketing demands - without external help and waiting times.
Functions at a glance
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Time and cost saving
The creation of marketing materials at the push of a button saves time and reduces costs.
Easy to use
Work comfortably in the browser and independently of additional software or graphics skills.
Central data management
Use the user, customer and rights management to keep an overview of all data.
Connection to external systems
It is possible to connect your company's existing marketing systems, such as databases or a shop, to the marketing portal.
Digital and print
Whether for the production of printed matter or for digital advertising - play out advertising messages in different channels and systems.
Barcodes and much more
Create barcodes (EAN, QR etc.) automatically within the design process. Always up to date.
Goals of self-service publishing
In areas where suitable advertising messages need to be formulated and played out quickly and flexibly on demand, e.g. for social media or trade shows, self-service publishing tools provide important relief for specialist departments. The intuitive application enables customers to create the advertising materials they need in a cost- and time-saving manner.
Another important goal is the centralization of marketing activities. Global companies in particular can benefit from this. Using statistics and tracking functions, they can see at any time how their marketing campaigns are being used and can constantly sharpen their marketing portfolio and brand by contacting users. At the same time, it is ensured at all times that the templates comply with the company's own design specifications for digital and print channels.
Why is self-service publishing worthwhile beyond web-to-print?
Digitization offers ever new opportunities for marketing. In addition to classic channels such as billboards, ad placements or flyers and brochures, there is a wide range of digital playout options. For example, companies nowadays have a social media presence for which online banners have to be created on a regular basis. Ads, too, can no longer rely solely on print. For all channels - digital or print - however, the following applies: The company's image must be consistent and meet CI specifications.
The non-profit organization "Two Sides", together with the independent market research company "Toluna", conducted a study on "Consumer Perceptions of Print and Paper". In it, it was shown that 51% of consumers intend to read more news online in the future, compared to 40% in 2019. However, print remains an important medium. Some 40% of respondents would be concerned if daily newspapers disappeared.
The study shows that classic print publications are still in demand, but companies need to adopt a hybrid approach to their marketing communications. Self-service publishing tools that enable the playout of digital content in addition to classic web-to-print functions help here.
Application example of self-service publishing
An example of a typical process in a self-service publishing system usually looks like this:
Sales staff in the field need business cards for a trade show. Instead of ordering these centrally via their graphics department, they can request personalized documents conveniently via their web browser.
Via a marketing portal, they select the appropriate template from all available templates. The content is automatically populated from the central master data management system. This means that a wide variety of templates can be commissioned and ordered directly in just a few seconds.
The cards are produced on demand by the print service provider or can be downloaded and sent as a PDF file, for example.
How do you approach a self-service publishing project?
3 steps to a successful self-service publishing system:
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Analysis
The needs or requirements for the system are evaluated during a workshop. Which systems are currently in use and how can the customer be provided with the best possible information? Where can the use of a self-service publishing system offer added value to employees and customers, and how can information be distributed in a targeted manner in order to achieve the company's own communication goals?
Consulting
As part of a joint development of scenarios, not only user and rights systems but also the actual templates are worked out and a user story developed - from the creation of the template to the playout of production data to external service providers such as a print shop or further systems.
Solution
Once the application scenario has been designed, the next step is to find a powerful technology to implement it.
Our conclusion
The use of a self-service publishing system can help to conceptualize, create and target marketing messages even more effectively and efficiently.
Above all, self-service publishing is characterized by massive time savings compared to classic, manual marketing processes. For example, the use of web-to-print can lead to closer integration of external service providers into workflows, thus achieving seamless communication and greater process reliability.
Sounds complicated? Our experts at netzwerk P can guide you safely to your goal when dealing with web-to-print and web-to-publish projects. Our solution has been tried and tested by medium-sized companies and corporate customers.
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