Unique Products: How Print on Demand and Inventory Systems Synchronize

Print on demand is a business process in which printed material, including product packaging like labels, are printed to order based on the customer’s request. Inventory systems management is a practice companies perform to manage inventory of customer specific stock products. Print on demand jobs and the management of stock inventory may seem to be at cross purposes, but they actually work together to benefit a wide variety of businesses in the following ways.

Flexo-Graphics carries a large inventory of customer specific labels and packaging parts in its warehouse. The items are stocked, based on agreements with clients. Typically each product will have a maximum and minimum on-hand quantity to ensure product is available to ship within 24 hours. Clients rely on the inventory systems of Flexo-Graphics for a peace of mind knowing product is stored in a secure and climate controlled warehouse, and is available upon a click of a button.

History has shown us that inventory programs meet the needs of a broad array of customers, but generally best fit client’s with product lines that are at a mature market level. Products with a stable demand benefit by having Flexo-Graphics print larger and predictable quantities of the product, then storing in the warehouse for future release. Our online portal allows customers to see real-time data about product levels, and even place stock product orders.

When it comes to the product packaging and labeling, there are quite a few reasons why the same customer who needs utilizes an inventory program may also need a print on demand solution. One of the most common reasons is the need for short run season products, or event based products. Often times products are offered for a limited time, and thus do not require larger volumes of labels printed. Furthermore, marketers are becoming savvier by introducing products in response to an event or action, so time to market to essential and print on demand labels fit the bill.

Initially, many organizations are unsure as to the market demand for their products. Print on demand labels are then a perfect fit for products coming to market. Print enough labels for the initial launch, and then migrate the label to a stock item as demand stabilizes. Furthermore, as a product is phased out of the market, companies are using print on demand labels to reduce the potential obsolesce of label as the product retires. Print only what you need; when you need it.

Need help with determining your inventory and print on demand solution?

Whether you need a stocking program or a print on demand to program, Flexo-Graphics can meet your needs. With a climate controlled warehouse that is internet accessible 24 hours a day, to a state of the art digital center to print labels on demand, Flexo-Graphics is ideally positioned to help.

To learn how we can help you with your business-critical operations, please call us today at (262) 790-2740, or use the contact form on our website, to schedule a free consultation.