With a name as recognisable and valuable as Print.com, it comes as something of a surprise to learn that the company only started in 2017.
And even then, it appears to have been something of an accident.
“It all started quite unexpectedly,” explains Fiona Robinson, Country Captain of Print.com’s new UK headquarters in Sale, Manchester.
“Our founder Marco (Aarnink) acquired the Print.com domain name, but at that time, he wasn’t even focused on print – his team was developing a personal finance app.”
But when a US blogger reported the domain purchase – the exact value is unknown but its competitor Printing.com’s domain changed hands for £1.8million last year – Aarnink’s phone in Deventer, Netherlands began ringing constantly with industry insiders desperate to know what revolutionary print business was coming.
“The funny thing was, we didn’t have a product. We didn’t even have an idea for one,” Robinson says. “But when you see that kind of organic interest, you don’t ignore it. The team quickly put up a simple website with a registration form asking the print community to share their ideas.”
This accidental market research yielded hundreds of emails packed with ideas and suggestions from print professionals worldwide. What began as a practical response to unexpected interest evolved into Print.com’s defining philosophy: co-creation.
The funny thing was, we didn’t have a product. We didn’t even have an idea for one
“What makes Print.com fundamentally different is that we didn’t develop our platform in isolation and then try to sell it to the industry,” Robinson adds. “Instead, on Valentine’s Day 2018, the company gathered designers, marketers and print professionals together and locked themselves in a painting studio for two days to sketch out the blueprint for what Print.com should be.”
That intensive workshop produced a vision for an exclusive print platform designed specifically for professionals – a place where agencies, brands and print resellers could access hundreds of premium print products and finishes through an intuitive interface.
According to Robinson, a print industry veteran, this co-creation approach has shaped everything about how Print.com operates.
“Many platforms try to serve everyone from occasional home users to major corporations, which inevitably leads to compromises. By focusing exclusively on creative professionals, we’ve been able to build tools and workflows that actually match how agencies and designers work.”
The result is a platform that speaks the language of creative professionals while eliminating common pain points in the print procurement process.
“Creative agencies don’t want to waste time navigating confusing websites or explaining technical specifications,” Robinson says. “They need accurate pricing immediately, transparent production timelines, and consistent quality they can stake their reputation on.”
Launching in Manchester
Print.com’s decision to base their UK operations in Sale, five miles south of Manchester city centre, wasn’t by chance.
“Manchester has this incredible concentration of creative talent,” Robinson adds. “From established agencies to innovative independents, there’s a vibrant design community here that’s constantly pushing boundaries. That makes it the perfect environment for Print.com’s collaborative approach.”
The UK team – which includes Co-Creator Cadie Mayor, Customer Journey Guide James Scheck, Campaign Agent Sean McLaughlin and not forgetting Garry, the office boxer with the fabulous title of Chief Morale Woofficer – brings nearly 50 years of combined experience in the print industry.
“We’re not just a website,” Robinson emphasises. “Having experts with decades of print experience means we can advise on materials, finishes and production techniques in a way that purely digital platforms can’t match.
“Think of us as your print procurement team – your go-to experts, advisors and inspiration for everything related to print, promotions and branding.”
Print.com’s approach aims to transform what can often be a transactional relationship between creative agencies and print providers into something more collaborative and valuable.
“Traditional print buying can be frustrating for creative professionals,” Robinson says. “You design something amazing, then face delays getting quotes, unexpected limitations or quality issues that reflect badly on your work. We’ve built Print.com to eliminate those friction points.”
The platform offers instant pricing across hundreds of product configurations, detailed specifications that match industry standards, and production timelines that agencies can rely on when planning client work.
“For creative agencies, print quality directly affects how clients perceive their design work,” Robinson says. “That’s why we’ve developed rigorous quality standards and work with premium production partners who understand the exacting requirements of creative professionals.”
While Print.com offers the convenience and efficiency of a digital platform, Robinson is quick to emphasise that technology is only part of the equation.
“Print is inherently tactile and physical. You can’t fully appreciate paper stocks, special finishes or colour reproduction on a screen,” she explains. “That’s why our UK team is available for consultations, to send physical samples, and to advise on techniques that might elevate a particular project.”
This combination of digital efficiency and human expertise particularly benefits agencies working with tight deadlines or complex requirements.
“Sometimes you need someone who understands both the creative vision and the technical realities of production,” Robinson says. “Our team can bridge that gap, suggesting alternatives when something isn’t possible or identifying opportunities to make a design even more impactful.”
Establishing Print.com in the UK
As Print.com builds its awareness in the UK market, Robinson is particularly excited about growing the local community of creative professionals who will help shape the platform’s future development.
“We’re actively inviting UK designers and agencies to become part of our sounding board, to share their ideas and needs, and to help us refine our offering for the British market.”
This community-driven approach extends to Print.com’s broader business philosophy, with regular workshops, feedback sessions and collaborative product development.
“We call it a ‘test flight’ – we invite creative professionals to experience our platform and service, then provide honest feedback about what works and what could be improved,” Robinson says. “That input directly influences our development roadmap.”
In an industry sometimes criticized for its environmental impact, Print.com has made sustainability a core consideration rather than an afterthought.
“Responsible print production matters to creative agencies because it matters to their clients,” Robinson adds. “We’ve built sustainability options into the platform from the ground up, making it easy to choose eco-certified papers, carbon-neutral production methods, and responsible finishing techniques.”
This approach allows agencies to confidently recommend sustainable print options without compromising on quality or design impact.
As Print.com establishes its UK presence, Robinson sees enormous potential for reshaping how creative professionals engage with print production.
“Print remains an incredibly powerful medium, especially in an increasingly digital world,” she adds. “We’re seeing renewed appreciation for the tactile qualities and permanent nature of print, but agencies need production partners who understand both traditional craftsmanship and modern design workflows.”
With its combination of digital efficiency, premium quality, and collaborative approach, Print.com aims to become the go-to print resource for UK creative professionals.
“We’re not just launching a service; we’re building a community,” Robinson concludes. “We invite every creative professional in the North and beyond to join us on this journey, to help us create the print platform you’ve always wanted.”
Creative agencies and designers interested in experiencing Print.com’s platform can book a free consultation or “test flight” with the Manchester-based team by visiting Print.com or contacting Fiona Robinson direct on 0800 098 1026 or [email protected]
