I have a print company that uses online order entry and processing. 
There are several companies that have simular web site systems
(gotprint.com, vistaprint.com, design-it-online.com, ect).  The sites
I just mentioned have an online design function that I do not have. 
This function allown customers to design their postcards, business
cards, ect.  I am interested in adding this function to my web site. 
Is there a package out there that I can buy or license and add to my
site allowing customers to creart their own designs.  Thanks  KC

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 27 May 2004 06:40 PDT

There are a number of affiliate programs like these guys:

http://www.printingautomation.com/index.html

that will allow you to set up an online design function at your site
for business cards, postcards, etc, and collect a fee every time
someone orders a print job.

If that's the type of thing you're looking for, I can provide several
links to similar services.

However, I haven't yet found any stand-alone software that will add a
do-it-yourself design capability to your website without being part of
an affiliate program.

Does that help?

---

Clarification of Question by ant21-ga on 27 May 2004 09:11 PDT

We own an affiliate program already, its www.myprintteam.com. I would
be interested in a list of other affiliate programs to compair ours
to, but I am looking specifically for a module that I can plug in that
will allow our customers to create their designs online through our
site.  We actually own a print company so we're not interested in
joining someone elses affiliate program.  If there is not a program
out there that can be purchased or licensed, can it be built for us.

---

Clarification of Question by ant21-ga on 27 May 2004 14:51 PDT

If there are not any online designing programs to buy or license, can
you provide a list of print affiliate programs like ours.

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 27 May 2004 14:57 PDT

ant21-ga,

I'd be glad to provide you a listing of the type of affiliate programs
you asked about.

However, I'm not convinced that there aren't software programs out
there that will do what you want...we just haven't found them yet.

Perhaps you want to post a separate question about the affiliates so
that you won't stop folks from looking into the software question.

Just a suggestion...let us know how you would like to proceed.  Do you
want the affiliates as an answer here?  Or should we keep looking for
software?

Thanks.

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Question by ant21-ga on 28 May 2004 11:56 PDT

Please list the affiliate programs.  Thanks

Hello ant21-ga,

Thanks for giving me the go-ahead on your (somewhat revised) question.  

I've listed printing affiliates (and some relatd programs) below.

Before rating this answer, however, please let me know if anything in
this answer is unclear, or whether you need additional information. 
Just post a Request for Clarification, and I'll be happy to assist you
further.

Best of luck in your ventures.

pafalafa-ga

==========

First, let me mention an application package that *may* be pertinent
to your original question.  Saepio Technologies has developed a "print
solution" tool that may be able to provide the type of template you're
looking for.  It's a bit hard to tell the full
capabilities/limitations from the description at their site, but it
seems worth an inquiry on your part, at least:

http://print.saepio.com/index.html

"The Agilis Media Producer print solution consists of server software
at either the corporate level (non-hosted) or on equipment operated by
Saepio (hosted), a template-based software application (the Print
Toolkit) at the corporate level and a web browser end user interface
(the Print Compiler) at the local level. Developed by Saepio to
simplify local marketing, the print solution leverages the Internet to
instantly create and deliver customized marketing materials for
manufacturers, retailers and franchises."

===========

Next, you may also want to check into the services offered at Pintra:

http://www.printra.net/systems/business_cards.html

Business Cards: Turn your Headaches into Profits!
Often the most configurable variable corporate identity product,
business cards are also commonly the most competitive product on which
to bid. Printra's online system, including the Automated Typesetting
module, help turn this headache into a profit center for you, allowing
you to add other, higher-margin products to your customers' ordering
site easily and on the fly.

----

Although this sounds along the lines of what you were originally
looking for, once again, it was hard for me to tell from the sight
just how their software operates, and what its capabilities are. 
Still, seems worth looking into.

==========


Now, as to the affiliates.  We've already identified one company that
seems to be one of the main players in this area:

http://www.printingautomation.com/


As you will see, however, there's no shortage of affiliate programs
(and related "reseller" programs) to choose fromt:

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/affiliate.aspx?

http://www.admartprinting.com/affiliates/affiliateprogram.htm

http://www.makemoneyprinting.com/

http://www.business-cards.com/business-cards-affiliates.html#

http://www.boncard.com/opp.htm

http://www.printglobe.com/Affiliates.asp

http://affiliate.psprint.com/

http://www.samedayflyers.com/affiliate.php

http://www.gfxzoo.com/affiliate.php

http://www.printfirm.com/affiliate.php

http://www.kreed.com/affiliate/index.php

http://www.bceusa.com/become_a_dealer.html
[not quite an affiliate program, from what I can tell, but something similar]

http://www.superfastprinting.com/Join_Us.asp

http://www.carlsoncraft.com/index.cfm?&intMenuItemID=11038&blnReload=1&

http://www.ccdresellers.com/index.php
[again, not quite an affiliate...they invite "resellers" *and* they
provide design templates to those who participate in their program]

http://gotprint.net/gotprint/showStaticPage.do?page=affiliate_program.html

http://www.incmedia.com/referal.html

http://www.designercard.com/htdocs/orderform/ares/associates.html

==========

Again, if you need any additional information, just give me a holler.

pafalafa-ga




search strategy:  Google search and Google Directory search on:

printing affiliate
"business cards" affiliate
postcards affiliate

Hello,

I'm not sure that you'll be able to find an existing program/module
that meets your requirements. Your best option may be to place your
request with professional programmers, and have them place bids on the
custom software development.

If this sounds like a good idead, this site is probably a good start :

Elance
http://www.elance.com/c/static/main/displayhtml.pl?file=eol.html&module=home

Thanks for the kind rating, ant21.  Best of luck in your ventures.

paf