Guide for Canadian Printers to Expand Their Reach in the US Print Market with Web-to-Print

web to print guide for canadian printers

The printing industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and Canadian printers are no exception. To stay ahead of the game, many Canadian printers are looking to expand their business into new markets with web to print, particularly in the USA.

This complete guide is for those Canadian printers who are aiming to make their presence felt in the USA print market. Learn with us everything from establishing a business presence to adapting to American business practices.

The Current Canada Print Market

Industry revenue of “Printing“ in Canada from 2012 to 2024

The printing industry is an important part of the Canadian economy, providing services to a wide range of businesses and individuals. According to a report by IBISWorld, the Canadian printing industry generated an estimated CAD 9.9 billion in revenue in 2021, and employed over 34,000 people across the country.

The industry is composed of a variety of printing services, including commercial printing (brochures, flyers, and business cards), digital printing (using digital technology to print high-quality documents in a shorter amount of time), and packaging printing (product packaging, labels, and tags). There are also many printing equipment manufacturers and suppliers operating in Canada.

However, the Canadian printing industry faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The report suggests that the print industry has been transforming in recent years, with digital printing and online communication taking over traditional printing methods.

Despite these challenges, the print market in Canada is still significant, with various printing services and products available, and continues to evolve to keep up with the latest trends and innovations to stay competitive in this industry.

The Status of the US Print Market

The printing industry in the United States, on the other hand, is a large and diverse market. It generates approximately $80 billion in annual revenue.

In 2021, there were approximately 27,600 printing establishments in the United States, and around 450,000 people were employed in the commercial printing industry itself.

Digital printing alone accounts for approximately 55% of all printing revenue in the USA among which the packaging and labeling sector is the largest segment accounting for approximately 43% of industry revenue.

Although in recent years, the printing industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many businesses reducing their printing needs and transitioning to digital formats, the US print market is still a catch because of the growing love for personalized print products.

Yes, Print-on-demand (POD) is becoming increasingly popular in the USA. Consumers are becoming highly interested in unique, customized products that reflect their tastes and preferences. The demand for personalized print products such as stationery, customized invitations, photo books, phone cases, and custom-printed clothing has grown in recent years, with many purchasing it not only on special occasions but with no specific reason as well.

US print on demand market

Why Should Canadian Printers Consider Expanding into the US Print Market?

Expanding a printing business beyond one’s home country can be a great way to increase revenue and achieve business growth. The United States, in particular, represents a significant market opportunity for Canadian printers, therefore for the following reasons, every Canadian print seller must consider expanding into the US print market.

1. Larger market

The US print market is significantly larger than the Canadian print market, offering a greater potential customer base and more growth opportunities.

2. Access to new customers

online business with web to print
Expanding into the US print market can provide Canadian printers access to new customers and industries, potentially expanding their client base and revenue streams.

3. Diversification

Expanding into the US print market can help Canadian printers diversify their business and reduce their reliance on the Canadian market, which can be beneficial in times of economic uncertainty.

4. Shared language and culture

Canada and USA shared culture
Canada and the USA share a language and culture, which can make it easier for Canadian printers to navigate the USA market and build relationships with customers.

5. Favorable trade agreements

Canada and the USA have a strong trading relationship, with various trade agreements in place that can facilitate business between the two countries.

However, doing business in the US can be challenging, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the local business environment. 

Therefore, before jumping into the opportunity, one must understand the local market, choose the right legal structure, obtain the necessary permits and licenses for operating in the United States, hire local staff or contractors, and most important – use the best web to print technology because it is the only valuable tool for Canadian printers looking to do business in the United States.

Understanding Web-to-Print Solutions

Web to print solutions are online platforms that allow customers to design and order printed materials directly from a printing company’s website, eliminating the need for customers to visit physical locations to place orders, which saves them time and money.

It is a revolutionary web-based software that allows customers to choose the type of printing services they need, upload their designs, and place orders. Additionally, web-to-print technology provides a streamlined ordering process, and automates the printing process, reducing the need for manual input and minimizing errors.

Advantages of Web to Print Solution for Canadian Printers

Web-to-print benefits both the store owner and their customers in numerous ways and for those looking to tap into a new market like the USA, using it will double the chances of surviving and serving the US print market.

Therefore, Canadian printers can take advantage of the growing demand for online ordering and offer their services to customers in the USA by using web-to-print solutions because of the following benefits;

Web to print solution advantages for print businesses

Increased efficiency

Web-to-print solutions automate the order process, reducing the time and effort required to process orders.

Improved customer experience

With features like convenience, live pricing, a library of free templates and designs, seamless payments, and more for customers, they will enjoy shopping and keep coming back.

Better cost management

Web2print solutions can help Canadian printers manage costs by automating pricing and reducing the need for manual input.

Increased revenue

By adopting web-to-print solutions, Canadian printers can expand their customer base and generate new revenue streams.

Competitive advantage

With w2p solutions, printers can differentiate themselves from competitors and attract customers who value the convenience and flexibility of online ordering.

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Reasons Why US Customers are Valuable for Canadian Printers

personalized products innovation

Canadian printers seriously interested in expanding their print business into the US print market, must give utmost importance to the US customers due to various reasons.

Firstly, Americans love personalized print products. as they allow them to express their individuality and stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s day or just any other day, Americans shop for personalized print products more than any other people all over the globe. Therefore, it can be confirmed that Americans are the most valuable customers for any print business.

Secondly, the US has a large and diverse population, which means that there is a high demand for printing services across various industries and markets. Canadian printers can tap into this demand by offering high-quality printing services at competitive prices.

Thirdly, the US has a strong economy, and businesses in the US are often willing to pay a premium for high-quality printing services. This means that there is a potential for Canadian printers to earn higher profits by doing business with US customers.

Lastly, US customers are often tech-savvy and are comfortable with using online platforms to place orders for products and services. By offering web-to-print services, Canadian printers can cater to this demand and provide US customers with a convenient and efficient way to place orders for their printing needs.

How Web to Print Will Help Canadian Printers Achieve Success in the US Print Market?

Stepping into a huge and new market can be scary but with w2p solutions, the whole process becomes a lot easier for both the store owner and their customers.

Web-to-print technology can provide Canadian printers with a powerful tool to succeed in the US print market. By adopting web-to-print solutions, Canadian printers can offer their customers an easy and streamlined way to order and customize print products online.

Here are some ways web-to-print can help Canadian printers succeed in the US print market:

1. Streamlined ordering process

Play Video about rising online sales ecommerce
Web-to-print technology allows customers to easily order print products online. By offering a user-friendly interface and simplified ordering process, Canadian printers can attract US customers looking for a hassle-free buying experience.

2. Increased customization options

custom tshirt cross selling
Web-to-print solutions provide customers with a range of customization options, from selecting a design, color, size, and font to adding personalized text or graphics. This feature can help Canadian printers stand out in the US print market, where customization is becoming increasingly important.

3. Access to a wider customer base

With web2print solutions, Canadian printers can easily expand their reach to US customers and attract them from different locations who might not otherwise have found them.

4. Reduced costs

Canadian printers can enjoy a great reduction in their costs by streamlining the ordering and production process with web2print solutions. With online ordering, there is less need for manual order processing, which can save time and money. Additionally, web to print solutions can help reduce waste by optimizing inventory and printing only what is needed.

5. Improved customer experience

Web-to-print solutions offer customers a convenient and user-friendly way to order and customize print products. By providing an intuitive interface, clear pricing, and a range of customization options, Canadian printers can improve the customer experience and build loyalty among Americans.

6. Increased efficiency

A lot of laborious tasks such as order processing, proofing, and billing can be automated in web2print which will improve the efficiency of the print business. This can free up staff time for other tasks and help reduce errors which will benefit Canadian printers a lot in keeping up with the competition in the US print market.

7. Better management

Be it the inventory, orders, jobs, or even multiple stores, everything can be managed smoothly and efficiently with web-to-print technology which Canadian printers can take advantage of especially when entering a competitive market like the US.

8. Availability and localization

Since the United States of America has six standard time zones, catering to all different zones requires 24/7 availability which is one of the key benefits of web-to-print technology. With a web-to-print solution, Canadian printers can allow US customers to place orders and customize their print products at any time of the day or night, from anywhere with an internet connection.

Also, as people from every corner of the world are settled in the USA, in order to cater to the needs of all types of customers, Canadian printers can localize their print business to different languages, currencies, and payment methods, all with web2print technology.

Wrapping Up

Establishing a presence in a global and competitive market is not easy but is neither impossible. Although the US print market can be challenging, with the right and best web-to-print solution, any Canadian printer can make the move and expand its reach in the USA without any hiccups.

Not just Canadian printers, if you are a print company looking to expand globally, Design’N’Buy will help you reach your destination. With our exceptional web-to-print solutions, we help print companies around the world make a mark of their own.

Adopt our impressive web-to-print solutions and grab orders and start selling like crazy!

We will be showing live demo of our robust web to print solutions at Graphics Canada- Booth 5706

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