If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Happy reading!
Take notice! Traditional print software providers are slowly changing their business plans. Adobe, after previously causing a stink with the FedEx Kinko’s tie-in with Acrobat, decided recently to drop it’s Print Service Provider program. In both instances, printer’s and print media outlets took notice.
Quark’s recent entry into an online design and print outlet has largely gone unnoticed. Last year the company introduced the QuarkPromote.com website which allows design neophytes easily editable templates for standard business print collateral. Simply put you can customize templates for brochures, business cards, letterhead, postcards, etc. Although Quark does not directly produce the artwork or the printing, they do control the marketplace and thus the terms of service for both designers and printers. (Sound like Apple’s iTunes model?) Regardless of their public stance, Quark sees this as a growth opportunity according to an article in the Denver Business Journal.
After the announcement, a lively discussion ensued on their message board. The larger print community has either not heard of the initiative or do not see it as a direct threat. On the other hand, Quark learned valuable lessons from Adobe’s previous FedEx Kinko’s debacle – extend the olive branch and opportunities to both designers and printers. Most of the country’s quick print franchises are prominently displayed on the main page, but any independent printer can join as an authorized partner. For designers, Quark designed templates can be uploaded which one assumes pays a royalty at purchase similar to iStock photo.
Will designers and printers still feel part of the family or simply locked out?
Related posts:
Ryan,
The difference between the Adobe debacle and QuarkPromote is night and day. Quark is NOT actually using its software to send work to Kinko’s. What Quark is doing is sending work from its site to printers who get on their network. It’s more work for printers, not less, as in the Adobe case.
Quark has always been more printer-friendly than Adobe.
@ Jeff,
Good points…
Adobe and Quark’s business practices share similarities and differences. The similarity is that in both cases the pipeline or input side of print work is not controlled by the printer. By not owning the marketplace, printers have to meet certain requirements for membership and presumably pricing agreements.
The difference is in the approach. QuarkPromote, as you point out, offers any printer the opportunity to join and receive work. Adobe’s would have sent the work to one single source, Kinko’s.
Quark also recently stepped up an offer after Adobe canceled/shifted its Print Service Providers plan.