Technology report: Online payment - The online print opportunity.

Choosing the right payment service provider comes down to reliability, time and cost, says Niall Magennis.

Despite the predictions of naysayers, the web hasn't led to the death of print. Instead, like Team GB at the Olympics, it's defied negative predictions and actually turned out to be a golden opportunity. The internet has opened up new ways for printers to reach their customers, giving once-local firms the opportunity to massively increase their geographical reach. Nowhere is this truer than the area of web-to-print (W2P).

Like all good ideas, the concept behind W2P is straightforward. It allows users to either upload existing document layouts or to create their own via customisable online templates for printing without the need for traditional print buying and it has led to a growth in companies offering online printing services for smaller jobs covering everything from business cards to personalised greetings cards.

The sector has enjoyed strong growth in recent years and looks set to get even bigger in the future, according to experts. A report from InfoTrends commissioned by Canon late last year found that the market for W2P is set to grow by almost 70% over the next five years.

Despite the sector's growth, there are still some obstacles that need to be overcome. Customers ordering products …