7 Things You Need to Know to Get the Ultimate Printing Services
Your investment in printing is important to you. What do you need to know in order to get the best possible printing services?
1. What is your printer’s area of skill?
There’s a lot more to printing than most of us are aware of. In order to make a judgement call here, you may have to do a fair amount of research to investigate different printing methods and to find out whether the type of printing the company you are considering specializes in.
If you want screen printing done, the company you choose should be specialised in this direction. The same goes for digital and offset printing. You will need a basic knowledge of printing processes to know what to look for.
Allowing a printer to sub-contract your work means that you lose a certain amount of control over the process and you’ll probably pay more than you need to since most printers aren’t proper print brokers who are specialists in determining specifications, following up client projects, checking on quality and so on.
2. What is the reputation of the printer?
Regardless of what a printers says they can do for you, you need to investigate their business reputation to find out if they really do deliver good quality work and can be relied on to deliver on time. There’s no point in getting your promotional calendar halfway through January, so reliability as well as quality are important. If you’re new to choosing a printer and don’t know anyone else with a knowledge of the printing trade in your area, you may have some difficulty finding this information, but it is nonetheless vital.
3. How much will it cost?
Although pricing is obviously an important consideration, the cheapest printer might not be the best printer for you. Shoddy work will be spotted by your clients and will give you an unprofessional image. Add cost to your checklist, but give it a lower weighting than quality and reliability. Cost will only be a deciding factor if you find two printers that are equally good at what they do.
4. How much time have you got and what’s your print run?
These two factors reflect back on your printer’s expertise and capacity. If you’re looking for 1,000 or more copies of an item, you’ll want to use higher quality offset printing. This method is also cheaper for big runs. However, you’ll have to be willing to wait for your material since plates have to be made. Smaller print shops usually subcontract this type of work.
If you’re in a hurry and only need a few items, digital printing is the answer to your prayers. You can also use smaller operators for this kind of printing.
5. What services does your printer offer?
Find out to what extent your printer is willing to help you. Do they deliver the material? If you are printing decals, will they help with installation? Always check that you will be given a proof for final approval before the print run starts.
6. Visit the business
A visit to a printers’ place of business can give you an indication of their professionalism. Meet with the people with whom you will be dealing directly and form an impression of whether you will be able to work with them effectively. You need to know whether you can expect dedication or whether you’re just another client to them.
7. Ask about green practices and certifications
With environmental awareness at an all-time high, choosing an eco-friendly printer adds to your marketing efforts. Of course, you also get the benefit of knowing you’ve been environmentally sensitive in your choice.
1. What is your printer’s area of skill?
There’s a lot more to printing than most of us are aware of. In order to make a judgement call here, you may have to do a fair amount of research to investigate different printing methods and to find out whether the type of printing the company you are considering specializes in.
If you want screen printing done, the company you choose should be specialised in this direction. The same goes for digital and offset printing. You will need a basic knowledge of printing processes to know what to look for.
Allowing a printer to sub-contract your work means that you lose a certain amount of control over the process and you’ll probably pay more than you need to since most printers aren’t proper print brokers who are specialists in determining specifications, following up client projects, checking on quality and so on.
2. What is the reputation of the printer?
Regardless of what a printers says they can do for you, you need to investigate their business reputation to find out if they really do deliver good quality work and can be relied on to deliver on time. There’s no point in getting your promotional calendar halfway through January, so reliability as well as quality are important. If you’re new to choosing a printer and don’t know anyone else with a knowledge of the printing trade in your area, you may have some difficulty finding this information, but it is nonetheless vital.
3. How much will it cost?
Although pricing is obviously an important consideration, the cheapest printer might not be the best printer for you. Shoddy work will be spotted by your clients and will give you an unprofessional image. Add cost to your checklist, but give it a lower weighting than quality and reliability. Cost will only be a deciding factor if you find two printers that are equally good at what they do.
4. How much time have you got and what’s your print run?
These two factors reflect back on your printer’s expertise and capacity. If you’re looking for 1,000 or more copies of an item, you’ll want to use higher quality offset printing. This method is also cheaper for big runs. However, you’ll have to be willing to wait for your material since plates have to be made. Smaller print shops usually subcontract this type of work.
If you’re in a hurry and only need a few items, digital printing is the answer to your prayers. You can also use smaller operators for this kind of printing.
5. What services does your printer offer?
Find out to what extent your printer is willing to help you. Do they deliver the material? If you are printing decals, will they help with installation? Always check that you will be given a proof for final approval before the print run starts.
6. Visit the business
A visit to a printers’ place of business can give you an indication of their professionalism. Meet with the people with whom you will be dealing directly and form an impression of whether you will be able to work with them effectively. You need to know whether you can expect dedication or whether you’re just another client to them.
7. Ask about green practices and certifications
With environmental awareness at an all-time high, choosing an eco-friendly printer adds to your marketing efforts. Of course, you also get the benefit of knowing you’ve been environmentally sensitive in your choice.