Getting started as a print partner
Here you will find all the necessary information on how to get started as a Cloudprinter.com print partner.
Summary
Cloudprinter.com enables communities, businesses and enterprises to send any print job, data or content through the Cloudprinter API to print partners for the worldwide fulfilment of the print products.
Cloudprinter.com is building the global print network by selecting qualified and experienced print partners to connect as a print & fulfillment production partner.
Basics
Print Order Routing
A local routing profile (a full Cloudprinter.com network) is used to send print orders to all onboarded print partners based on the rule of the closest to the client’s delivery address and the best combination of the production and shipping price. The Cloudprinter.com Enterprise client can use custom routing criteria to ensure print jobs are completed as required (client custom routing profile):
a. Specific print quality.
b. Specific colour quality.
c. Specific presses.
d. Specific SLAs.
Performance
Performance on the Cloudprinter.com platform is evaluated based on production metrics such as average production time, quality of test and ghost print orders, reprints, and returns.
Pricing
Price level is an important part of the print order routing but not the only one. Low pricing with low performance has the risk of getting a limited amount of orders. We advise using sharp pricing but with a certain space to adjust to be able to get more orders.
Shipping
Cloudprinter.com utilizes the print partner's shipping account for print order processing. The platform has predefined commonly used logistics providers, each offering various options such as priority and next-day delivery. Additional local providers can be included on the platform upon the print partner's request.
Finance & Legal
Payment Terms
Print partner`s usage of the Cloudprinter.com platform is free of charge. The print partner is invoicing Cloudprinter.com for production and shipping of the products every 30 calendar days. Payments are made by Cloudprinter.com in the next 45 calendar days.
Agreements
Cloudprinter.com enters into a separate Print Service Provider Agreement with each print partner. The agreement defines the conditions of cooperation, including rights and obligations, payment terms, SLA, etc.
Quality & Performance
Production Days
Production days start from the time the print order was received by the print partner from the Cloudprinter.com platform. Currently, all print orders production (SLA) time frame is 1(one) business day.
The standard SLA has the following exceptions:
a. For products that require polyurethane reactive (PUR) binding binding, the SLA is 2 (two) business days.
b. For hardcover products, the SLA is 2 (two) business days.
c. Certain products may have unique requirements that affect the fulfillment time frame. In such cases, the SLA will be communicated separately, and the specific time frame will be agreed upon.
The required production time is sent to the print partner in the order document in the “priority” field.
Errors While in Production
In case a production error is detected during the production process, the print partner can send an automatic error signal including the expected delay for doing an internal reprint of the specific order. This will ensure that the error will not cause a delay in production performance as long it is about specific orders.
Cancellation in Production
For items that can not be produced a cancellation is required. An item cancelled signal is used for this. The signal includes a predefined cancellation cause and a custom description of the issue. Cancellation is eg. used when the PDF file cannot be ripped or the PDF file is the wrong size.
Production or Transport Errors
Clients can place a reorder of the order if the product has production errors or damages from transportation. A reason for the reorder will be provided in the print order details as well as a more detailed description. Reorders cannot be invoiced by the print partner.
Product Quality
Cloudprinter.com assesses the quality of the products, packaging, and delivery times by placing end-to-end test print orders during the onboarding process and ghost print orders to live print partners across the globe.
Expenses for the end-to-end test print orders are covered by the print partners and ghost print orders are covered by Cloudprinter.com.
Online Dashboard
Cloudprinter.com is designed and built on a set of core API’s. All functionality is accessible through API calls to the platform or via the online dashboard at home.cloudprinter.com.
Home Dashboard
The homepage of the dashboard provides cockpit data of the orders, performance and production sites (in case a print partner runs multiple sites).
Production Interfaces
Production interfaces are used for the print order delivery to the production site of the print partner. Here the print partner can set the protocol and method used for the print order data delivery from the Cloudprinter.com platform.
Multiple production interfaces can be created by a print partner. For example, a digital press location and a remote large format production site under the same print partner account and login.
The method to integrate is "Cloudprinter order API JSON".
After creating the production interface the platform will show the API key which should be used for receiving the print order.
CloudSignal API Interfaces
Cloudsignal API interfaces are endpoints at Cloudprinter.com for receiving the signals from the print partner. The more signals are implemented, the better a performance indication Cloudprinter.com can make. At least one CloudSignal interface per account is required.
After creating the CloudSignal interface the platform will show the API key which is used for sending signals.
Machines
In the Machines section, the print partner chooses the equipment available at their facility. This step is pivotal in the print order routing process.
Product Catalogue
Here the print partner can view and check the provided and agreed pricing for the Cloudprinter.com products.
Shipping
The available shipping options and the related reference name for the production site can be found in the Shipping section. The print partner can see which shipping options were enabled for the specific production. Under the Shipping Profiles section, the active shipping prices can be found. An active shipping price list can be downloaded from the Shipping prices section.
Print Orders
The comprehensive list of current print orders in production includes real-time updates on print order status from the print partner. Various filters are provided to facilitate working with the print orders overview.
CloudCore API & CloudSignal integration
Cloudprinter.com provides actual and detailed manuals and descriptions of production interface and signal integration here Cloudprinter order API JSON v2.2 and CloudSignal API
Testing the Integration
After integration is completed, a testing period starts. Coudprinter.com provides a number of easy to use test cases for the initial testing in the Test centre. Together with Cloudprinter.com, the final testing is performed.
Go Live and Start to Receive Print Orders
When the print partner approves the integration test print orders, a product test print orders run can be made (end-to-end test print orders). When print orders are fulfilled and approved by the print partner, test print orders have to be sent to the Cloudprinter.com product assessment team for approval of the print partner account. This takes no longer than 24 hours after receiving the test print orders.