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.
PrintVis
PrintVis is a comprehensive business management solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central designed specifically to handle the unique estimating, production, and scheduling needs of the printing industry.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lob | PrintVis |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lob.com | printvis.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $70/month |
| 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 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Odense, Denmark |
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.
PrintVis
PrintVis is a specialized business management solution designed to handle the specific complexities of the printing industry. Built directly on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, it gives you a unified platform to manage your entire print shop from initial quote to final delivery. You can automate your estimating process, manage complex paper inventories, and oversee production schedules without switching between disconnected systems.
Whether you run a small commercial print shop or a large packaging facility, the software adapts to your specific workflows. You can track real-time job costs, manage multi-stage production tasks, and gain full visibility into your shop floor capacity. By centralizing your data within the Microsoft ecosystem, you eliminate manual entry errors and ensure your team always has access to accurate, up-to-the-minute project information.
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.
PrintVis Features
- Quick Estimating. Generate accurate quotes in minutes by calculating paper, ink, and labor costs automatically based on your specific equipment.
- Production Scheduling. Visualize your entire shop floor capacity and drag-and-drop jobs to optimize your press time and meet deadlines.
- Inventory Management. Track paper rolls, sheets, and ink levels in real-time so you never run out of materials mid-job.
- Job Costing. Compare your actual production costs against your original estimates to identify where you are losing or making money.
- Shop Floor Data. Capture real-time updates from your press operators using touch-screen interfaces to track progress and material consumption.
- Case Management. Manage every detail of a print job from a single screen, including technical specifications, history, and customer communications.
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
PrintVis Pricing
- Financial management
- Sales and marketing
- Inventory management
- Supply chain management
- Project management
- PrintVis base functionality
- Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Service management
- Manufacturing modules
- Advanced production scheduling
- Enhanced shop floor control
- Complex warehouse management
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
PrintVis
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft Office 365 tools
- Highly flexible estimating engine for complex jobs
- Robust financial reporting powered by Business Central
- Scales easily from small shops to enterprises
- Regular updates backed by Microsoft's technology roadmap
Cons
- Significant learning curve for non-Microsoft users
- Implementation requires a certified partner
- Initial setup can be time-consuming and complex