Why the Holiday Rush Strains Print Shops
Every year, print shops face an influx of holiday orders that can overwhelm even the most experienced teams. Seasonal promotions, last-minute client requests, and increased production demands make November and December the most stressful months in the print calendar.
Without proactive workflow planning, bottlenecks appear at every stage from order entry and proofing to invoicing and delivery. Many shops still rely on manual tracking or disconnected systems, which slow down communication and increase the risk of errors during the busiest time of the year.
To prevent these challenges, print shops need to focus on creating a connected and automated workflow before peak season begins.
Workflow Tools That Keep Jobs Moving
Streamlined workflows rely on visibility, automation, and communication. Print Reach offers several integrated tools that help print shops maintain control during the holiday rush:
- MyOrderDesk: An online web-to-print solution that automates order submissions and proof approvals. Customers can place orders, upload artwork, and approve proofs in real time, reducing back-and-forth emails.
- Printer’s Plan: A print management system that organizes quotes, job tickets, scheduling, and invoicing in one place. It acts as a central hub for tracking each job from start to finish.
- Midnight: A cloud-based MIS system that gives managers full visibility into production, estimating, and fulfillment. Real-time job tracking ensures nothing falls through the cracks when orders pile up.
- Print Reach Pay: An integrated payment platform that speeds up billing and cash flow by allowing customers to pay securely online. No more delays waiting for checks during peak season.
These solutions help print shops manage holiday print orders efficiently and reduce the stress of last-minute projects.
3 Workflow Changes to Make Before the Holidays
- Automate Proofing and Approvals: Implement a digital proofing system so customers can review and approve designs quickly.
- Integrate Your Order and Payment Systems: Connect job management with invoicing and payments to shorten turnaround times.
- Enable Real-Time Tracking: Use a cloud-based dashboard to monitor progress, identify slow points, and reassign resources when needed.
How Automation Improves Customer Experience
When your workflow is automated, customers notice the difference. Orders move faster, communication improves, and turnaround times shrink. Automated proofing reduces mistakes, integrated payments accelerate delivery, and digital job tracking keeps clients informed every step of the way.
These improvements do more than make operations smoother. They build trust and loyalty during the busiest time of the year. Happy customers are more likely to reorder and refer others once the holidays are over.
Q&A: How Can Print Shops Prepare for Holiday Order Spikes?
Q: When should print shops start preparing for the holiday rush?
A: Begin at least 8 to 10 weeks before peak season. Use this time to test automation tools, train your team, and evaluate bottlenecks from the previous year.
Q: What is the most common workflow issue during the holidays?
A: Manual proofing and approval delays. Automating this step with MyOrderDesk can reduce turnaround time significantly.
Q: How can shops handle unexpected last-minute orders?
A: Real-time job tracking in systems like Midnight or Printer’s Plan allows managers to see capacity instantly and adjust schedules on the fly.
Q: How can integrated payments make a difference?
A: With Print Reach Pay, customers can complete transactions online, which shortens cash cycles and reduces delays waiting for manual billing.
Turning Holiday Pressure into Opportunity
The holiday season does not have to be chaotic. By adopting print shop automation tools from Print Reach and optimizing your holiday print shop workflow early, you can transform potential bottlenecks into opportunities for efficiency and growth.
When your team can manage holiday print orders seamlessly, you not only meet deadlines but also exceed expectations.