The first AI applications for ordering printed materials are hitting the market.
Following the work undertaken on the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), several companies in the graphic arts industry are already experimenting with commercial applications of artificial intelligence. Print.com, Adobe, Cimpress, and Printess are involved at various stages, from graphic design to order fulfillment.
Print.com is connecting its catalog to ChatGPT
The Dutch platform uses the MCP protocol to make its products accessible through an AI assistant.
Since September 2026, Print.com has been offering its customers access to its catalog through ChatGPT. Users can make a request in natural language?for example, to find out the price of flyers to be delivered to Paris by Friday.
The assistant searches for configurations that match the request, taking into account media types, finishes, prices, and turnaround times. It then provides a link to finalize the order on the Print.com platform.
The company uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that allows AI assistants to query external systems. There is still a significant limitation: payment, file downloads, and prepress checks are not performed directly within ChatGPT.
MCP and UCP: Two Protocols with Different Functions
MCP establishes the connection with AI assistants, while UCP aims to standardize business operations.
The example of Print.com shows that a printer can make its products accessible to AI agents without waiting for the UCP protocol to be finalized.
However, MCP does not define a common vocabulary for describing print characteristics. Each vendor maintains its own configuration and encoding rules.
The two approaches are complementary. One provides access to existing systems, while the other aims to standardize the information exchanged.
Adobe, Cimpress, and Printess are exploring other applications
AI is also used in document design and the creation of customizable products.
In August 2026, Adobe announced the integration of more than 70 features from its applications into ChatGPT. These tools allow users to perform certain graphic design and editing tasks using conversational prompts.
For its part, Cimpress helps produce the printed materials ordered through Canva Print Shop ( Read "What If Canva Saved the Printing Industry?") . This model bridges the gap between the creative process and the industrial service provider, without requiring the client to go through the printer's website.
These applications are not a substitute for the technical checks required during manufacturing. Their primary purpose is to simplify access to products or reduce the amount of configuration work.
It remains to be seen how economically viable these new channels are. Print.com has not released any figures that would allow us to assess the volume of orders generated by its ChatGPT plugin.
These early applications nevertheless demonstrate a shift in the purchasing journey. Customers can now begin their search using an AI assistant rather than on a printer?s website. The next step will be to determine whether common protocols will allow graphic arts companies?including the smallest ones?to access these new channels without having to develop numerous custom solutions.
