Dynamic offer generation based on print shop machine load

A variable price on-line printing system comprising:

• printing and finishing resources;
• an on-line server to receive print job data and electronic requests for use of the printing/finishing resources from customer workstations;
• a dynamic price database comprising data that describe current and anticipated future demand for the printing/finishing resources;
• an automated dynamic price offer generation process system for accessing the dynamic price database and deriving a dynamic price for use of at least one of the printing/finishing resources based upon said current and anticipated future demand as indicated in said dynamic price database for the at least one printing/finishing resource;
• a user interface engine that receives input from the automated dynamic price offer generation process and that outputs price offers to said customer workstations, wherein said price offers output by said user interface engine include said dynamic price associated with said at least one printing/finishing resource.

A variable price on-line printing method comprising:

• receiving an on-line print job request and data defining said print job from a customer workstation, wherein said on-line print job request specifies use of a first resource of a printing/finishing system;
• identifying a second resource of said printing/finishing system that is an alternative to said first resource and that is currently being used at a sub-optimal capacity as compared to said first resource;
• deriving a dynamic price that differs from a default price for said second resource, wherein said dynamic price alters customer demand for said second resource as an alternative to said first resource;
• outputting said dynamic price to said customer workstation in association with an offer to use said second resource of said printing/finishing system as an alternative to said first resource;
• receiving input from said customer workstation that indicates acceptance or denial of said dynamic price offer for use of said second resource of said printing/finishing system.