Firm to unveil web-to-print service

Printing.com's franchisees will be able to offer a "web-to-print" service allowing customers to design their own stationery online before picking up the goods at a local outlet, it has emerged.

The new service is part of the Trafford-based printing hub's new Vision 2015 plan to help franchisees through difficult times and will be announced by chairman George Hardie at the company's AGM in Manchester on Friday.

Mr Hardie said: "We believe that by adding these systems, greater efficiencies can be realised, making the business model more robust and sustainable.

"We also believe that the template based solution will open up new markets, in particular larger businesses and multi-site operators. Incorporating these elements will add, we believe, to the appeal of the various Printing.com franchise formats."

The web-to-print service will be available during the second half of Printing.com's financial year to March 2011.

Mr Hardie said trading had continued to "undulate" since the company published its annual results in June, but conditions over the past six weeks had been "slightly softer" than in April and May.

He said: "Given the continued uncertainty about the economic situation, it remains appropriate to maintain a cautious stance in the short term."

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