Flyeralarm is offering the crowdworking service “Crowdsite”. According to the print platform, this allows customers to access the services of over 90,000 design experts. The offer is integrated directly into the Flyeralarm site.
Recently, many online print companies have added editors to their offerings. These tools allow customers to design their own print products, even if they are rather inexperienced in the field of design and layout. Flyeralarm is taking a different approach: the platform relies on external designers in addition to ready-made templates and artwork. The new design service is integrated into the website. Flyeralarm is using the resources of the crowdworking platform, Crowdsite. The onliner thus offers a selection of over 90,000 graphic designers and creators who have registered on the portal.
Crowdworking or crowdsourcing platforms act as brokers. In this way, they take advantage of the synergy effects of the platform economy: Supply and demand are brought together in an uncomplicated process on the web. Flyeralarm and Crowdsite are also relying on this. The online print company has identified a common problem among its customers: “Not every company or self-employed person has graphics skills or has a layout professional on hand,” writes Flyeralarm. Sandra Veenhof, Flyeralarm’s business unit manager, explains, “Often people come to us who know which print product is their first choice, but have a hard time creating print files.”
In practice, Flyeralarm relies on authoritative and direct communication with graphic designers. After a product is selected, either an existing design can be chosen or graphic support can be requested. In this case, a quote is generated, and after payment in the web store, the search for suitable and vetted graphics professionals runs automatically in the background. Flyeralarm promises that the initial designs will arrive “a short time later”. There are two options for a personal exchange with the graphic designers: In the standard variant, a chat function is offered; in the Pro variant, it is also possible to communicate directly, for example, via telephone and e-mail, with the graphics expert. Customers can track the progress of their projects in their user accounts, as well as deadlines and prices. A revision process for the design is also included in the package. Finally, the print data is created from the final approved design and printed at Flyeralarm.
Both companies benefit from the cooperation: “We are very pleased to cooperate with the leading marketplace for print products in Europe,” says CEO Roel Masselink: “With the cooperation, we bring demand and supply together with pinpoint accuracy and completely digitally.” He emphasizes, “The graphic designers on our platform are vetted and thus meet high professional standards.” To date, Flyeralarm and Crowdsite say they have more than three million products and variants in their joint portfolio: Logos, print data for flyers, business cards, pens, leaflets, stationery, stickers, notepads, envelopes and T-shirts can be designed and printed.
