We examine two rapidly scaling online business models, both growing within the print sector, exploring what they mean for the future landscape of commercial print THE TWO MODELS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PRINT FULFILMENT When analysing the impact of digitisation on print, it can be easy to focus either on the rapid changes to print hardware seen in recent years, or the evolving role of the software that underpins it. But it could be argued that the biggest driver of change has been the increasingly online lives of the people who purchase print. Fuelled by the post-pandemic ecommerce boom and a corporate pivot toward zero-inventory and on-demand customisation, everyone from independent digital creators to corporate enterprises now expects high-quality printing at the click of a button. The landscape of online print webstores is currently being shaped by two different business models, each scaling rapidly but serving opposite ends of the trade. On one side are all-in-one circular fulfilment ecosystems like Teemill – platforms that take care of the entire lifecycle, supplying the digital storefront, the apparel, and the physical manufacturing in a single package. On the other side are B2B software providers like Flex4 OPS, which builds high-utility web-to-print storefronts that allows existing commercial print shops to automate their workflows and handle bulk corporate contracts online. In this article, we speak to both companies to understand how they are redefining the modern print landscape, what tools they offer to today’s entrepreneurs, and how their contrasting technologies can shape the future of print production. The Flexible Approach Flex4 OPS is a UK-developed, modular web-to-print ecommerce solution which enables existing print service providers to launch customised public and private-branded webstores. All of Flex4’s webstore packages include a range of add-on modules, with additional features and API integrations that can streamline workflows and reduce admin costs processing online orders. In addition, the company offers digital marketing services which are aimed at increasing search engine visibility and driving more traffic to a webstore, increasing the number of possible online orders and enquiries received. Speaking about what the modern print customer is looking for in a webstore, Francis Whiteley, managing director at Flex4, says: “At the core of most print customer It’s about improving efficiency, reducing admin, and creating better customer experiences to increase customer retention ONLINE WEBSTORES | JONATHAN PERT 43 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 361 - July | August 2026
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