Sending Exported Documents to a Professional Printer

This article applies to the following Content Automation permission levels: 

Key terms

Document
Documents can be created by users from their available suite of templates. These documents can then have their content edited based on the Inputs that are available in that template. The starting point for a document's content is the template's default content. An admin can limit a user's access to only certain template variations.

Export
Documents converted to their finished file format e.g. an HTML file being converted into a PDF document.

Export Delivery Method
Ways users can send exported documents to third-party services e.g. professional printers, asset management tools, and email marketing platforms.

Overview

Some printable documents to be sent to professional printing services directly from the Content Automation platform.

You will know if your artwork to be sent to a printer if the Share with Printer button is active in the Exports screen (you can find this within the drop-down menu next to the Download button).

Please note, documents can only be sent to a printing service if:

• Your Marketing/Brand Team has permitted one of the artworks to be assigned to an external printing partner.
• The artwork has been approved and/or exported.
• The format and size of the artwork are compatible with the printer's offered services (for example, a printer may be able to print A2-sized documents, but not A1).

If the Share with Printer button is greyed out, the document is unable to be shared with a professional printing service and you may be required to print out the document locally e.g. on an office or home printer.

How to Send Exported Documents to a Professional Printer 

1. Once your artwork has been approved and exported, you will then be directed to a page titled Exports for this Project, listing all the artwork you have exported for print on this occasion. 
   
   
2. For each exported document, there will be a button labeled Download. Next to the Download button will be a drop-down arrow. On this menu, for print-supported exports, there will be an option to select Share with Printer, selecting this option will commence a print order.
   
   If the button is greyed out, it means that the artwork is not available for print due to its format or functionality – this is typically the case with digital artwork.
   
   If you have exported multiple documents for print at the same time, you will need to select the first item in the export list to Share with Printer. You will be able to send more items to the printer once you have been directed to the Order Form page, provided the documents are supported by the printing partner. 
   
   
3. Next, you will be directed to the Order Form & Artwork Items page. Here you will need to populate the print order details.  
   
   Underneath the Order Summary, the Pricing Sheet is available for review detailing the unit prices available for the artwork you’re choosing to print. You can view the printer’s details and any information on delivery methods and turnaround times in the Printer Notes underneath the order summary.
   
   
4. At this point, if you have not yet selected all items you wish to print, be sure to click the button which says Add more items to your order and follow the same process outlined above. You are also able to add duplicate artwork items to the order if you require. 
   
   
5. Once all documents have been added to your print order, you will then be instructed to review all of the documents to ensure you are happy with their appearance before payment is made. Once you are satisfied with how they look, press Continue.
   
   
6. Populate your contact details for Invoicing and Delivery. If the invoice address is the same as the delivery, then select copy to delivery details so that you don’t need to populate them twice. If different, then you will need to manually input the delivery details. 
   
   
7. A comment box for Additional Notes will then appear for any details you wish to include for the printer. Press Continue to be directed to the order summary.
   
   
8. Complete a final review of the order summary. If you wish to update/make changes to the order, yocanto go back and edit the entered details.
   
   
9. Once the order has been reviewed you will need to tick the check box which indicates you have reviewed your artwork and you’re responsible for the print order that has been created.  You can then select the green Send Order button to finalize the order. This will package all documents for print and the order information will be sent via email to both the Printer and the email of the user who created the order.
   
   
10. Once the printer receives your order, they will send you a confirmation email with a link for payment. Follow the prompts to complete the order.

Supporting video tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

My artwork can't be sent to a professional printer. What do I do?

Your artwork is unable to be shared with a professional printing service if:

• Your Marketing/Brand Team has chosen not to configure the template for professional printing.
• The artwork has not been approved and/or exported.
• The artwork is in a digital format created for online use (such as HTML files, e-newsletters, or social media tiles).
• The artwork is not compatible with the printer's offered services (for example, a printer may not have the ability to print an A1-sized artwork).

If your artwork can not be professionally printed, you may want to either:

1. Check that you have not used a digital format template.
2. Print the document on a local printer, such as one in your office or home.
3. Contact your administrator to request for the template to be made available for professional printing. 

My print order is taking too long to be delivered, how do I track my order?

Once the order leaves the Outfit platform, all print and order-related queries will need to be forwarded to the Printer directly. You can view the printer’s details in the Printer Notes or by contacting the internal Marketing department.