What is design to print, and how can it accelerate my workflow?

Brands and manufacturers constantly face the challenge of bringing their products to market as efficiently as possible. One of the latest innovations that aids in this endeavor is design to print, a technology that bridges the gap between digital product designs and print production. Particularly for e-commerce brands and manufacturers, this solution offers unprecedented benefits: it accelerates workflows, optimizes product processes, and makes personalized products more scalable.

But what exactly is design to print, and how can it transform business processes?

Design to print is a software solution from Expivi that enables brands and manufacturers to quickly and accurately convert a product design into a print-ready file. Imagine designing personalized products such as t-shirts, shoes, or jewelry with initials. The process is fully digital and automated, meaning that once a customer customizes or personalizes a design, it’s immediately ready for production without any manual steps.

This technology allows companies to implement an online configurator, enabling customers to directly customize their product and then save the design as a print-ready version that production partners can use instantly. This solution eliminates error-prone processes and often removes the need for time-consuming steps, such as recreating designs in other programs like Adobe.

One of the greatest advantages of the design to print solution is how it accelerates production workflows. This is achieved through a combination of automation, error reduction, and seamless integration. Let’s explore the key aspects in detail:

Customers receive a realistic view of the customized product in the online configurator, helping them make quick decisions and reducing the need for revisions. Thanks to real-time visualization, the final result is immediately visible to the customer, allowing them to feel confident in the design before production begins.

With design to print, companies can generate print-ready files instantly. When a customer finalizes a design, it is automatically converted into a file that meets print specifications. This eliminates manual steps, such as resizing or adjusting color optimization, which would typically take time and add costs.

Expivi’s design to print software can easily integrate with a brand or manufacturer’s existing production systems. This allows designs to be sent seamlessly and without delay to print partners or production departments, significantly increasing the speed of the entire supply chain.

Automated processes and real-time feedback help minimize errors. This is essential in sectors where accuracy is crucial, such as products with intricate designs or personalized details. With design to print, corrections that would typically be performed manually are processed directly within the system, drastically reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

Design to print offers more than just speed. It improves quality and customer experience and enables a more scalable and cost-effective way of working. Here are some of the primary ways design to print contributes to process optimization:

Since products can go directly into production from the configurator, the time from design to production is significantly reduced. This gives companies a competitive advantage by allowing them to respond more quickly to market demand and trends—essential in dynamic industries like fashion and retail.

Thanks to design to print, companies can offer personalized products at scale without additional costs or production delays. The ability to combine mass production with personalized options, such as adding customer names or specific designs, allows companies to provide unique experiences without losing efficiency.

Automation through design to print saves both time and costs by reducing the number of required manual actions. From design verification to file generation, the process happens entirely digitally and without manual intervention. This not only lowers production costs but also paves the way for a more streamlined and cost-effective workflow.

Today’s customers expect a high level of personalization and speed. By offering custom-made products and putting them quickly into production, companies can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. With design to print, customers can trust that their customized product will be produced accurately as designed, leading to higher customer satisfaction and more repeat business.

Design to print is more than a tool; it’s a game-changer for businesses and manufacturers aiming to meet the demand for speed, precision, and personalization. The ability to design, visualize, and produce products quickly and without errors is a competitive advantage that is becoming increasingly important in today’s market.