Iain Storey, operations director, Portobello Press "The basic things web-to-print does have been around for 10 years. The integration with workflow is probably where you’re seeing improvement, both for the customers and suppliers, because it’s flightchecking as the file s uploaded, so minor problems get solved before we receive it. As things get more integrated we will be able to supply more services at the front-end. Things like the ability to assemble items from variable data, or taking a standing cover and making minor text amends, but the trick will be to make that simple and easy to use."

Tony Rafferty, chief executive, Printing.com "We sat it out for 10 years to allow for the emergence of second-generation technology that would liberate the elegance and power of InDesign in a template environment. For web-to-print to work effectively, users need to be able to create a template from the native file in under five minutes – making template-building no more complex than creating a PDF; they need to be able to edit the entire document – thereby increasing the scope of the application; and the software needs to link seamlessly with their MIS, CRM and logistics partner."

Jerry Kennelly, chief executive, Tweak Printer "Web-to-print offers opportunities to create low-cost, no-commission orders. It’s faster, better and cheaper and enables companies to get more out of under-used resources and provide customers with 24/7 self-service. It is affordable for both large and small printers. The main thing is that it offers design content, which many printers simply don’t have the resources to access. In five years’ time, I think web-to-print will be present in well over 50% of printers, as customers and consumers want to be more in control of their products."