Lob
Lob is an automated direct mail platform that enables you to send personalized physical mail, verify addresses, and track delivery with the same ease as sending digital emails.
PrintES
PrintES is a cloud-based print management software providing integrated tools for estimating, production tracking, and customer relationship management to streamline operations for commercial printing businesses and sign shops.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lob | PrintES |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lob.com | printepssw.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Miami, USA |
Overview
Lob
Lob transforms how you handle physical mail by bringing the speed and automation of digital tools to the offline world. You can automate the entire lifecycle of direct mail—from creation and printing to mailing and tracking—using a single platform. This eliminates manual coordination with print shops and mail houses, allowing you to trigger personalized postcards, letters, and checks directly from your existing CRM or tech stack.
You can also ensure your data is accurate with built-in address verification that cleanses and formats global addresses in real-time. Whether you are a developer looking for robust APIs or a marketer needing a dashboard to launch retention campaigns, Lob helps you scale your physical outreach while maintaining full visibility into delivery status and campaign performance.
PrintES
PrintES provides you with a centralized platform to manage your entire printing business from a single web browser. You can move away from fragmented spreadsheets and manual tracking by integrating your estimating, invoicing, and production workflows into one automated system. It allows you to generate accurate quotes quickly, track jobs through every stage of the shop floor, and manage your customer database without switching between different applications.
The software is designed specifically for small to medium-sized print shops, sign makers, and digital printers who need to improve their operational visibility. You can monitor real-time inventory levels, schedule equipment maintenance, and analyze your profit margins on every job. By digitizing your shop's documentation and communication, you reduce the risk of costly production errors and ensure your team stays aligned on deadlines.
Overview
Lob Features
- Direct Mail API Connect your existing software to automate the sending of personalized letters, postcards, and checks with simple code.
- Address Verification Verify and standardize US and international addresses instantly to reduce return-to-sender mail and save on postage costs.
- Campaign Analytics Track your mail pieces in real-time with per-piece tracking so you know exactly when your customers receive them.
- HTML Templating Create dynamic mail designs using HTML and CSS to personalize every piece of mail for your specific recipients.
- Automated Checks Send secure, compliant checks to vendors or customers automatically without ever touching a printer or an envelope.
- Global Delivery Reach customers in over 190 countries using a distributed print network that ensures fast and reliable local delivery.
PrintES Features
- Smart Estimating. Generate accurate quotes in seconds by pre-configuring your material costs, labor rates, and markup percentages for consistent pricing.
- Production Tracking. Monitor the status of every job in real-time as it moves from design to press and finishing stages.
- Inventory Management. Track your paper stock, inks, and substrates automatically so you never run out of materials during a critical project.
- Customer Portal. Give your clients a professional interface where they can approve quotes, upload artwork, and track their order progress.
- Automated Invoicing. Convert your completed jobs into professional invoices with one click to speed up your billing cycle and cash flow.
- Shop Floor Scheduling. Assign tasks to specific machines or team members to optimize your equipment utilization and meet every delivery deadline.
Pricing Comparison
Lob Pricing
- Access to all APIs
- Test environment
- Up to 300 address verifications
- Standard delivery speeds
- Community support access
- Everything in Developer, plus:
- Pay-as-you-go per piece
- Unlimited address verifications
- Access to HTML templates
- Standard tracking and analytics
- Email support
PrintES Pricing
Pros & Cons
Lob
Pros
- Automates tedious manual printing and mailing tasks
- Excellent API documentation makes integration very straightforward
- Real-time tracking provides digital-level visibility for mail
- Address verification significantly reduces wasted postage costs
Cons
- Monthly platform fees can be high for small teams
- HTML template rendering can sometimes be finicky
- Customer support response times vary on lower tiers
PrintES
Pros
- Industry-specific tools built specifically for print shop workflows
- Cloud-based access allows you to manage the shop remotely
- Centralizes estimating and production in one unified database
- Reduces manual data entry errors across the business
Cons
- Public pricing is not available without a sales consultation
- Initial setup requires time to input custom material costs
- Interface may feel utilitarian compared to general-purpose CRMs