Printavo is built for screen printers.
Your laser shop needs something different.
Printavo is a solid tool for screen printing and embroidery shops. But if you run a commercial laser shop with LightBurn, the terminology, workflows, and file handling do not fit. BeamFlow is built specifically for laser production workflows.
Why Printavo does not quite fit laser shops
Screen-print terminology everywhere
Printavo uses "imprint information," "garment type," and "print queue" throughout the UI. None of these map to laser cutting or engraving workflows. You end up fighting the tool instead of using it.
File upload is a $249/month feature
Production file upload requires Printavo Premium at $249/month. And even then, it is generic file storage with no awareness of .lbrn2 files, material presets, or machine configurations.
No multi-machine workflow
Printavo tracks jobs through production stages, but it does not handle the specific problem of getting the right file version, with the right settings, to the right machine. That gap is where laser shops lose money.
Pricing matrices built for apparel
Printavo's pricing matrices are designed for screen printing quantity breaks (shirts x colors x locations). Laser jobs price by material, thickness, cut time, and complexity, which does not fit Printavo's model.
Feature Comparison
Printavo pricing verified March 2026 via printavo.com and review aggregators.
| Feature | BeamFlow | Printavo |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Commercial laser shops using LightBurn | Screen printing and embroidery shops |
| LightBurn file support | .lbrn / .lbrn2 packaging and versioning | Artwork upload (all tiers); production file storage (Premium only) |
| Customer proof approval | Timestamped proof links with approval record | Artwork/quote approval (all tiers) |
| Job file management | Files and approvals bundled per job with version history | Not designed for multi-machine workflows |
| Material/preset tracking | Job files and notes bundled per job record | No material database or laser settings |
| Version control | Full version history on every job file | No version history on production files |
| Pricing | $99/month after 30-day free trial | $49-$249/month (production file storage requires Premium at $249) |
| Unlimited users | Up to 5 operators included | Starter limited to 1 additional user; unlimited at $149+ |
| API / Zapier access | Planned | Premium only ($249/month) |
| Inventory management | Not included (focused on job workflow) | Basic (purchase orders and receiving for apparel blanks) |
Which tool is right for your shop?
Use BeamFlow if...
- -You run a commercial laser shop with LightBurn
- -You have multiple operators or machines
- -You lose time to wrong file versions at the machine
- -You need timestamped proof approval records
- -You want job packets with settings and assets bundled
Use Printavo if...
- -You primarily do screen printing or embroidery
- -You need invoicing and QuickBooks integration
- -You want garment-specific pricing matrices
- -You need e-commerce merch stores
- -Your production files do not need versioning
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Printavo work for a laser shop?
You can use Printavo for invoicing and basic order tracking in a laser shop. Many awards and engraving shops do. But the production workflow features are designed around screen printing: garment types, imprint areas, color counts. If your core workflow involves LightBurn files, multi-machine handoff, and material presets, you will spend time working around Printavo rather than with it.
Is BeamFlow cheaper than Printavo?
It depends on the tier. Printavo Starter is $49/month but limits you to 1 additional user and no file upload. Printavo Standard is $149/month with unlimited users. Printavo Premium is $249/month for file upload and API access. BeamFlow is $99/month after a 30-day free trial, with file versioning and proof approval included.
Does BeamFlow replace Printavo entirely?
BeamFlow focuses on the production workflow: job packaging, proof approval, version control, and operator handoff. If you need full invoicing, QuickBooks sync, or e-commerce storefronts, you may still want a separate tool for those. BeamFlow solves the specific gap between customer approval and the machine.
What about shopVOX or ShopWorks?
shopVOX Express is $99/month for one user plus $19/month per additional user. shopVOX Pro is $249/month plus a $499 onboarding fee. ShopWorks OnSite starts at $60/user/month plus server hosting costs. Both target awards and engraving shops with broader ERP features. They are more expensive and complex. BeamFlow is narrower and laser-specific: it handles the job file workflow that these tools do not address.
Ready for a tool that understands laser production?
Try BeamFlow free for 30 days. Built specifically for commercial laser shop workflows.