Around 56% of consumers trust print marketing more than other advertising methods. Knowing how to choose the best commercial printing service will benefit your business more than anything else will.
About 7 out of 10 Americans claim that they consider direct mail advertising to be more personal than online advertisements. Contrary to popular belief, direct mail is alive, well, and thriving due to the demand for commercial printing.
Customers judge businesses based on promotional materials. Selecting the right printing service will help you make a good first impression.
Here are five tips for hiring commercial printing services:
It's important to have a budget in mind. Still, it's even more important to break down each company's pricing based on value.
Cheaper isn't always better. In fact, cheap pricing could mean that you won't get what you need out of the service. For instance, you typically won't find large format printing being offered at cheap prices.
Ask each company you're considering for a cost breakdown. This will give you a better idea of the value you'll get.
Always ask questions about the experience of any service/professional you're considering. It gives you insight into their background and the work they do.
It's especially important to ask questions when you're hiring a graphic designer. After all, their experience will affect the quality of any graphic design printing you receive from them.
Asking about experience includes acting on the following tip:
Knowing how to hire a professional printing service means looking at the portfolio. It tells you more about a commercial printing service than words alone do.
Take note of the aesthetic elements and quality of each portfolio's materials. If you're hiring a fine art printing service, the materials' design, colors, and quality should be top-notch.
Portfolios also demonstrate how services use creative branding ideas to help their customers. Think of it as proof of their branding knowledge and expertise.
The best printing services are professional, which means they provide excellent customer service. You're not getting high-quality printing solutions unless the customer service is also high quality.
A company makes it clear whether or not they value customer satisfaction through their interactions with customers. Pay attention to how the professionals treat you. If their responses are polite and prompt, then you're good to go.
Anything less than that indicates there's something wrong.
Always read the reviews available for any printing service you're considering. Look beyond the testimonials on a company's website to get the juicy details. These reviews tell you a lot about what to expect from that service.
Be sure to read both positive and negative reviews. When multiple reviews say the same thing, you've spotted a pattern to look out for.
79% of households claim that they read or scan direct mail advertisements. Let's face it: the quality of your commercial printing heavily affects your brand image and sales alike.
39% of customers claim they've tried a business for the first time thanks to direct mail. Your promotional materials will be more powerful than ever with the right printing service.
Turn your commercial printing dreams into reality—look into our commercial printing services. Our work will exceed your expectations beyond comparison.
When choosing a printing company, your objective is to find the one that best aligns with your specific goals and unique needs.
When choosing a printing company, your objective is to find the one that best aligns with your specific goals and unique needs.With that in mind, below are five factors to consider when searching for the right company to assist with your upcoming print project.
1) Level of Customer Service
Sadly, the printing industry has been gradually steering away from personalized
support. It seems many printers, especially those found online, have adopted an
automated, self-service business model in an attempt to cut costs.
This is unfortunate because modern print projects can be quite technical and
involved. Hence, most clients actually need more help and advice, not less.
So, for the best possible outcome, always choose a printer that offers personal
attention. After all, you want your questions and concerns addressed in a
prompt and professional manner, and you want to receive timely communication
throughout every phase of your project.
Only a printer that has a sincere interest in your success can offer the level
of service you expect and deserve.
2) Length of Time in Business
Because the printing industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving,
longevity has proven to be a good indicator of credibility.
If a printing business has been successful for decades, you can be confident it
has the knowledge and expertise to manage your projects effectively. That's
because the longer a printing company has been around, the greater the
likelihood they have experience with your exact type of project and industry.
Conversely, an unreliable and inefficient printing company generally doesn't
stay in business very long.
Needless to say, length of time in business is a very important consideration
when looking to develop an enduring business relationship with a commercial
printer.
3) Value for the Dollar
Everyone wants quality printing for an affordable price. In fact, price is always an important consideration when making any purchase. In addition to a fair
price, a professional printer can offer additional value in a variety of ways.
For example, providing a dedicated support person who monitors and manages your
print job from start to finish can add tremendous value to a project because it
reduces the risk of mistakes and delays.
Other traits that add value include being easy to work with, patiently
listening to your needs, being readily available for questions, providing thorough
and accurate quotes, delivering timely, and offering a guarantee.
A printer can also add value to a client's purchase experience by offering a
wide variety of extra services, such as laminating, folding, die-cutting,
embossing, variable data printing, sequential numbering, or mailing services.
The best printing companies know that value-oriented clients are not just
looking for affordability, they are also seeking a convenient and
straightforward solution.
4) Range of Capabilities
If a printing company has minimal presses and equipment, there will be
significant limitations on the scope of projects it can produce. On the other
hand, a printing company that has a vast array of equipment will be able to
offer a much wider selection of printing options.
Naturally, you'll want to work with a printer that has the equipment and
expertise necessary to service your current requirements, as well as any
anticipated needs you may envision for the future.
In addition to production equipment, other things to consider include the range
of paper choices, coating selections, binding styles and finishing operations a
printer has to offer.
Ultimately, one of the best qualities to look for when choosing a printing
company is versatility. By offering a multitude of products and services, a
printing company provides clients with more choices. The more choices available,
the better the opportunity to achieve the outcome you desire.
5) Willingness to Offer Guidance and Suggestions
If a printing company isn't willing or able to provide recommendations or
advice, chances are it probably isn't the most suitable choice for you.
Ideally, you will want to work with a printer that is eager to offer valuable suggestions
and guidance.
Once you and the printer have a mutual understanding of your project's specifications
and timeline, a client-focused printer will ask follow-up questions about the
intended use and goals of the project.
This will enable the printer to offer additional ideas and solutions that could
help you achieve your objectives more efficiently. For example, if a print
partner is truly dedicated to your success, he/she will make thoughtful suggestions
on various ways you can save money and/or improve the appearance and function
of your print materials.
In most cases, the willingness to ask good questions and offer meaningful suggestions
is what separates a superior printer from a mediocre one.
Formax has been in the printing business for over 35 years. In addition to
offering excellent pricing and value on all types of custom printing, we
provide personalized assistance to ensure you get the necessary advice and
guidance for your specific project.
We'd be happy to quote on your next print project or answer any questions you
may have about print-related topics. Just give us a call at 866-367-6221 or click
here to submit our easy quote request form. As always, we look forward to
assisting you!
Take care! Rick
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