Running a print shop should be about creativity, speed, and customer satisfaction. Instead, too many shops are buried in admin tasks that quietly drain hours from the week. Quotes take nearly an hour to prepare. Orders require duplicate data entry. Production slows under constant coordination. Inventory updates eat entire afternoons. Customer approvals drag on for days. DecoNetwork print shop automation software streamlines every one of these tasks so your business can run faster, smoother, and with less effort.
These inefficiencies do more than waste time. They stall growth, frustrate staff, and push customers toward faster competitors. The reality is that no shop can scale with manual processes holding it back. That is why more owners are turning to print shop automation software. By automating quotes, orders, workflows, inventory, and approvals, DecoNetwork eliminates the bottlenecks that keep your business from reaching its full potential.
1 / Quotes: Manual Spreadsheets That Waste 30–45 Minutes Each
The Pain — Every print shop knows the frustration of quoting. Sales reps spend 30 to 45 minutes building each quote in spreadsheets, re-checking prices, and manually formatting proposals. In that time, a competitor with automation can send three or four quotes and win business before you even hit send.
The Agitation — The longer it takes to prepare quotes, the higher the risk of losing customers. Prospects want speed and clarity. If your shop cannot respond quickly, they will go with the shop that can. Worse, manual spreadsheets often mean mistakes in pricing or product details, damaging trust and costing you repeat orders.
The Solution — With print shop automation software, quoting becomes instant. DecoNetwork Quotes pulls live pricing from supplier catalogs, applies your decoration methods automatically, and generates professional proposals in minutes. Instead of wasting time on spreadsheets, your team can respond faster, close more deals, and impress customers with a smooth, modern experience.
2 / Orders: Data Entry That Eats 15–20 Minutes Per Job
The Pain — Every order that comes in requires retyping details into multiple systems. On average, it takes 15 to 20 minutes of manual data entry just to process one job. Multiply that by dozens of orders each week and the wasted time is staggering.
The Agitation — Beyond the hours lost, duplicate entry creates mistakes. A misspelled name, wrong garment size, or missed deadline can lead to unhappy customers and costly reprints. Staff frustration grows as they spend more time on admin than serving clients or selling new jobs. Each error chips away at your reputation and your bottom line.
The Solution — With print shop automation software, orders flow directly from the online store or quote into production without anyone retyping information. DecoNetwork Orders centralizes all order details so your sales team, designers, and production crew work from the same accurate data. The result is fewer errors, faster turnaround, and a smoother experience for both staff and customers.
3 / Production: Losing 2–3 Hours Daily In Workflow Coordination
The Pain — Production managers often spend 2 to 3 hours every day juggling emails, sticky notes, whiteboards, and team messages just to keep jobs moving. Instead of running smoothly, workflows feel like a constant chase.
The Agitation — This wasted time slows every order. Deadlines slip, communication breaks down, and staff grow frustrated waiting for clear instructions. Customers notice the delays, and what should be an exciting delivery turns into an apology. When production is held together with manual coordination, the business cannot scale.
The Solution — With print shop automation software, workflows are built into the system. DecoNetwork Production assigns tasks automatically, updates job statuses in real time, and gives every team member visibility into what needs to be done. No more endless check-ins or lost details. Production runs on schedule, your team stays focused, and customers receive their orders when promised.
4 / Inventory: 5–10 Hours Weekly Updating Products By Hand
The Pain — Keeping product catalogs current takes 5 to 10 hours every week. Staff waste time updating styles, sizes, and prices by hand, only to repeat the process when suppliers release new changes.
The Agitation — Manual updates are not just a time drain. They create gaps that cost you sales. Imagine quoting a customer on a style that is out of stock or showing outdated pricing that kills your profit margin. Every missed update chips away at trust and can send customers to competitors with more reliable systems.
The Solution — With print shop automation software, inventory updates happen automatically. DecoNetwork Suppliers connects directly with major product catalogs, keeping styles, pricing, and availability accurate in real time. That means your quotes, online stores, and orders are always up to date without anyone spending hours managing spreadsheets.
5 / Follow-Ups: Endless Time Chasing Customer Artwork Approvals
The Pain — Chasing artwork approvals and customer updates can swallow hours every week. Staff send email after email, make phone calls, and still wait days for a simple “yes” to move an order forward.
The Agitation — These delays stall production, create missed deadlines, and frustrate customers who expected quick turnaround. Worse, the back-and-forth adds stress to your team and drains valuable hours that could have been spent on sales or fulfillment. Every stalled approval puts revenue on hold.
The Solution — With print shop automation software, customer approvals are built into the platform. DecoNetwork Mockups allows clients to review artwork online, approve with a click, and leave feedback instantly. Your team no longer wastes time chasing updates. Your jobs move forward smoothly, deadlines are met, and customers feel taken care of.
DecoNetwork's Print Shop Automation Software Grows Your Business
The five biggest time wasters, quotes, orders, production, inventory, and follow-ups, are more than just admin headaches. They are the hidden costs slowing your growth and keeping your team stuck in busywork. Shops that continue managing these tasks manually will always struggle to scale.
The solution is simple. Print shop automation software like DecoNetwork eliminates the bottlenecks holding your business back. From instant quotes and seamless order management to automated workflows, live supplier catalogs, and online artwork approvals, DecoNetwork frees your team to focus on what really matters: growing sales and delighting customers.
DecoNetwork is built for every type of garment decorator, including screen printing, embroidery, DTF printing, DTG printing, sublimation, and more. Whether you are a small shop ready or a high-volume business, automation is the bridge between chaos and business growth.
The shops that automate today will lead tomorrow. Request your free DecoNetwork demo and see how much time your business can save this week.
