When you’re looking to invest in new technology, the first stop is often online reviews. They promise quick insights and a convenient shortcut to finding the best platform. In the fast-paced world of online print ordering and web-to-print software, this initial research is crucial—but as smart print providers know, building a successful, long-term business means looking beyond the star ratings.

We’ve all heard the stories: the slick, well-marketed platform that turns out to be unstable; the company that’s great at selling but disappears when you need support. Unfortunately, a few bad actors make it difficult to discern substance from spin, often using inflated reviews to mask a lack of genuine experience or crucial support infrastructure.

A web-to-print solution is a foundational investment in your business, not a quick purchase. You deserve a partner who will truly stand by your business for years to come.

Here’s what matters most when selecting web-to-print technology to power your print business—and how to separate fleeting marketing from a dependable, long-term partnership.

The Problem with Spin: Why Star Ratings Aren't Enough

Software review sites were designed to help businesses make better decisions through shared experiences. Unfortunately, they’ve also become easy targets for manipulation. Some vendors—often startups or existing companies with little experience in new markets—pay third parties to post hundreds of fake five-star reviews or create false user profiles to boost visibility.

For print businesses, this is a serious problem. You depend on robust, stable, and secure platforms to manage customer interactions, orders, approvals, and workflows. When your core platform fails, it doesn't just slow operations—it can halt revenue in its tracks, impacting your entire print workflow.

The Cost of Complacency: Why Choosing Wisely is Your Best ROI

Choosing the wrong web-to-print system isn’t like picking the wrong office chair. It’s a decision that affects your entire production process, your brand experience, and even your customer retention.

A flashy interface or glowing online testimonials can easily mask deeper issues, such as poor support, unreliable hosting, limited integration options, or vendors who simply don’t understand the operational realities of the print industry. Once your business is committed to a platform that can’t scale or deliver, switching can be incredibly disruptive and expensive.

That’s why careful, deep evaluation is vital. Your business deserves a web-to-print partner with substance.

As Benjamin Franklin wisely advised

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

This timeless wisdom applies directly to selecting your web-to-print partner...

The True Measures of a Partner: What to Demand from Your Vendor

When evaluating a web-to-print solution provider, it’s essential to look beyond the star ratings and dig into the fundamentals of who they are, how they operate, and what they can prove.

1. Proven Outcomes: Look for Decades, Not Days

A credible vendor should have genuine pedigree—a proven, measurable track record of success, not just marketing claims.

At Vpress, for example, we’ve spent over two decades developing, refining, and supporting web-to-print solutions used by commercial printers and marketing organisations across the globe. This level of experience guarantees the stability and enterprise-grade technology that only comes from continuous, well-supported innovation.

When reviewing any vendor, ask these foundational questions: How long have they truly been in the web to print sector? Can they demonstrate measurable success through verifiable case studies?

2. Real-World Success: Demand Verifiable Case Studies

Fake reviews are easy to create; real, documented case studies are not.

Look for vendors who can provide transparent, detailed examples of how their web to print software solutions have improved customers’ workflows, reduced costs, or enabled growth.

We work closely with our partners to document real-world success stories, from streamlined print procurement systems to seamless integration with ERP, CRM, and MIS systems. These stories show what our software delivers in partnership.

3. Long-Term Stability: Check the Financial Foundation

The web-to-print software you choose is a long-term investment. It’s critical that your vendor is financially solvent and independently owned, ensuring continuity and stability for years to come.

Vpress remains privately owned and financially independent, allowing us to focus on customer needs rather than external investor pressures. We consistently reinvest in development and support, ensuring that our clients benefit from innovation that is sustainable and strategically aligned with their goals.

4. Trust and Security: Where Is the Code Built?

Many software vendors outsource their development entirely to unregulated offshore regions, often to reduce costs. While this might appear efficient, it can introduce major risks, from data security vulnerabilities to limited accountability.

At Vpress, all development is managed within regulated environments under strict compliance and security standards. This guarantees peace of mind that your data and your infrastructure are safe, secure, and responsibly managed by a trusted web-to-print provider.

5. Future-Proofing: Is the Platform Open, Cloud-First, and Scalable?

Modern print businesses demand flexibility. A good software platform should be cloud-based, SaaS-driven, and scalable to meet both current needs and future demands.

Vpress’s Coreprint platform is built for this modern environment, offering seamless scalability and a secure cloud infrastructure that grows as you do. Our system is built with open integration options, enabling easy connectivity with your existing tools. Choosing an open, standards-based system ensures your software investment stays relevant and adaptable.

Your Due Diligence Checklist: Separating Spin from Substance

So how can you move beyond the marketing noise and find an authentic technology partner? Here are some simple but powerful checks:

• Ask for references and contact them directly. Genuine vendors will be proud to connect you with satisfied, long-term customers who use their web to print solutions.
• Investigate the commitment to constant evolution. A trustworthy vendor should clearly articulate their development roadmap and demonstrate active, reliable updates during the demo. This shows they are committed to future-proofing the platform for years to come.
• Request a live demonstration using your data and real-world workflows.
• Engage with the team. A trustworthy vendor has experts who understand both print and technology, not just salespeople.
• Check their community presence. Do they attend industry events, publish insights, or contribute to print innovation? Real vendors are visible and accountable.

Trust is Built on Actions, Not Reviews

Your online print storefront and web-to-print platform is the engine of your business growth. It's a relationship based on trust, stability, and mutual success.

At Vpress, we’re proud to have built our reputation over two decades on genuine results, long-term partnerships, and continuous, stable innovation. We believe in providing the industry with enterprise-grade web-to-print technology, developed to the highest security standards, and supported by people who truly understand print.

When choosing your web-to-print provider, don’t just look for high scores. Look for the partner who is happy to put you in touch with real customers, who shows genuine stability, and whose future is tied to yours.

Choose a partner who is here to stay, and here to help you grow your print business. In business, as in life, the partnerships you forge define your path. As the old proverb suggests

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.

This holds true for your web-to-print provider...

About Vpress

Founded over 20 years ago, Vpress is a pioneer and global leader in web-to-print and print automation solutions. Our Coreprint platform empowers print providers, marketing departments, and enterprises worldwide to streamline their print workflows, reduce costs, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Privately owned, financially secure, and developed entirely within regulated markets, Vpress is proud to set the industry standard for reliability, security, and print industry innovation.