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AI receptionist for print-on-demand shops
For custom merch shops fielding calls from a coach who needs forty shirts by the tournament.
The team logo is on a phone screenshot, the tournament is in twelve days, and the coach wants to know if you can do sizes from youth small to adult triple extra large.
- TactlyHi, Copperline Print House. I'm the virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- CallerThis is Coach Abernathy. I need 40 shirts with our team logo for a tournament on the 22nd.
- TactlyScreen printed orders take about seven business days to produce, plus shipping. Let me take the details so the team can confirm the date. What colors and sizes?
- CallerNavy shirts, white logo. Mostly youth medium and adult large.
- Message for Sales: 40 navy shirts, white print, needed by the 22nd
Can an AI receptionist work for print-on-demand shops?
Tactly is an AI receptionist for print-on-demand and custom merch shops. It answers your phone in your shop's name, explains production and shipping times, print methods, file requirements and minimums from your notes, and takes custom and bulk requests with the quantity, sizes and deadline. It cannot see orders or proofs and takes no payments. It emails a summary and transcript of every call.
The problem
Missed calls are missed work.
Custom printing runs on deadlines. Reunions, team events, bachelorette weekends and company retreats all have a date, and the caller wants to know right away whether you can hit it. If you do not answer, the next shop on the search page will.
Most print shops are small and the people who could answer are at the press or the heat press. Tactly explains your production times and minimums, and turns each custom inquiry into a written request your team can quote from.
Calls it handles
The calls print-on-demand shops get every day.
Can you make my deadline?
Tactly explains your production and shipping times from your notes and records the event date for your team to confirm.
Bulk and group orders
It collects the item, quantities by size, colors and the deadline, so your team can quote without a second call.
Artwork and files
Accepted formats, resolution and whether you offer design help, answered from the file rules you write.
Misprints and reprints
It records the order number and what went wrong, and explains your reprint policy as you wrote it.
Setup tips
What to put in your notes.
Tactly answers only from what you tell it. These are the lines that matter most for print-on-demand shops.
- Write production times for each print method and any rush option you offer.
- List accepted artwork formats, minimum resolution and any setup or design fees you share.
- Tell Tactly which details to collect on a group order: item, colors, sizes by count, deadline and ship-to address.
Plans for print-on-demand shops
Starter
$49/mo
For a solo owner who mostly needs the missed calls covered.
- 100 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.35 a minute
- Every feature included
- Most popular
Pro
$99/mo
For a busy shop that wants nights, weekends and lunch rushes handled.
- 250 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.29 a minute
- Every feature included
Growth
$199/mo
For a team that sends a large share of its calls to the receptionist.
- 600 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.25 a minute
- Every feature included
FAQ
Questions, answered
Can Tactly approve a proof?
No. It cannot see proofs or orders. It records the caller's feedback and order number for your team.
Can it give a price on a bulk order?
Only from price tiers you write in the notes. For anything else it takes the details so your team can quote.
Does it work for shops that sell through marketplaces too?
Yes. Tactly answers your phone line, wherever your orders come from.
E-commerce
Related industries
Stop sending callers to voicemail.
Set up your receptionist, make a free test call from your own phone, and switch it on when it sounds right.