A system and method are provided for processing digital documents using a print application manager. The method comprises: receiving a digital document in a raw file format from a network client at an MFP; determining the file format; recognizing a print application corresponding to the determined file format; accessing a registry of network-connected service providers cross-referenced to print applications; sending the digital document to a service provider with the recognized print application; receiving a print application-rendered digital document from the service provider; and processing the rendered digital document at the MFP. Typically, selecting a service provider from the registry includes: identifying a plurality of service providers cross-referenced to a particular print application; and selecting the service provider using a random or round-robin algorithm. In other aspects, the MFP determines print applications embedded with the network client; and adds the network client to the registry as a service provider.