Printing Secrets from Print Acumen
The Free Printing Guide
Insider tips that will greatly assist you in finding a competent & cost effective Printing supplier.
Why Can’t All Printing Companies Do The Same Job?
Based primarily on the equipment they have, Printing companies operate within specific market segments. Some do full colour ‘glossy’ work while others only do general jobbing work. Some are much better at very large runs, some at shorter runs. Some printing companies offer a comprehensive graphic design & prepress service while others just print from what they’re given.
The printing business is intensely competitive, so you need to be aware that some printers will stretch the boundaries of their expertise and what they’re actually equipped to do, just to get your business. The downside of that is your print job may suffer through over-pricing, under-delivery, second grade quality, errors or all of the above.
How Do I Find The Right Printing Company?
With so many printing companies to choose from, your chance of finding the right one will more than likely be hit or miss. Quality, pricing, and services vary immensely between printing companies. You're definitely flying solo when it comes to finding the right one for you, unless you seek professional assistance. You’re best finding someone with many years of printing industry experience.
What’s Important, Service or Price?
Most printing companies can produce ‘commercially acceptable’ colour or they would not be in business. When looking for a printing company, go for service. With competition so fierce these days, printing companies are stretching their value-added services to separate themselves from the pack. The less you know about the printing process, the more help you'll need from an expert. The problem is finding one who’ll teach you.
Does It Matter Where The Printer Is?
As long as your printing company delivers what you want, when you want it at a price you can afford, don't hesitate to look outside your own back yard for a printing company. You can email your files to most printing companies anyway and if the goods arrive on time, who cares if the printer is a suburb or two away?
What About Quantity Breaks?
Thanks to new technology and the advent of digital presses, on-demand printing is now freely available. You can print the exact quantity required for a particular task or promotional period. Determining print quantities remains one of the hardest roles of a print buyer.
Be conservative when estimating your quantity. Try and determine the life of the document, and print only what you need. Studies show that around 30% of every print job goes to waste. Based on these statistics, that last big job you had done that cost $10,000 - like as not you possibly wasted $3,000.
Take the time to estimate the quantities you need, as accurately as possible, no matter where the ‘price break’ kicks in. Although unit costs drop as quantities increase, you’ll waste thousands of dollars if you don’t use the materials. Aim for zero waste.
Who’s Responsible For Details?
Every single speck of information about your print job can affect the production process and delivery time. Variations in quantity, inks, paper stock, finishing, embellishments, binding, etc all affect the final price. Even a minor difference in job size can have a dramatic affect on the price. Make sure the person responsible for your printing has an extremely keen eye for detail and is on the ball.
Why Do I Need To Know Anything About Printing… Can’t The Printer Sort It All Out?
If you can afford to hire an experienced print buyer, do it. Being successful at print buying is the culmination of years of working with all kinds of printing companies, gaining technical knowledge, and keeping abreast of new printing technology.
They don't teach print buying in schools or colleges. The best print buyers learn from years on the job. Also never, ever assume graphic designers are experts on printing. In many cases they have little or no understanding of printing procedures or production
proceses. Choosing a designer with limited industry experience could substantially increase your print costs.
If I Deal With Print Acumen, Do I Need To Know The Printing Company?
Printing is a service business as much as it's manufacturing, so start your selection process with the salesperson.
If you don't feel comfortable talking with your sales rep, the relationship won't work. For most corporate buyers, the sales rep is the printer. Find a ‘printing guru’ that you like and with whom you can develop mutual trust and respect.
Is It Worth Doing Our Own Digital File Preparation?
For maximum efficiencies with minimum fuss, you can't beat Mac files. The Mac OS is still the preferred platform by printing companies worldwide, despite what the PC guys tell you.
Many companies assume that PC programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher are perfectly suited to offset printing - They are not. These programs are designed for low resolution output to computer screens, network printers & copiers, not ‘high-end’ image setting equipment or commercial presses.
With the wrong software, colour separation, text formatting and font defaults are areas where problems can ocur leading to extra work, time and money.
If you'd like to know how to save [up to 32%]
on all company printing costs plus
a mountain of time, download the full version of our
FREE Printing Perth Guide.
Here's just a small sample of what you'll discover...
- Who you can't trust for printing advice.
- How you can slash your printing costs… forever.
- Why using the same company for all your printing can cost you big $$$'s .
And best of all... you don't need to know anything about printing.
“I’ve Reduced My Annual Printing Costsby More Than 32%” |
|
 |
“Peter, that Printing Perth guide you sent me was fantastic.... I’m embarrassed when I think of how much money I've wasted on printing in the past. Your insider tips are going to save me a small fortune in the coming years, plus a lot of time and energy. Thanks heaps!” Greg Milner |