BHP Printing Blog

A couple weeks ago we gave a few examples of mistakes people and companies make when choosing a printing company.

1. Picking a Print Shop based only on price
2. Thinking  all print shops are the same
3. Having three or more printers competing with each other for your work
4. Thinking  having the right equipment is all a printer needs to print your job
5. Not giving your print shop enough time to print your job properly
6. Pick print shops that don't guarantee their work
7. You don't ask for references

In that blog we discussed the first three. Here are the other 4 examples.

Mistake #4: Thinking having the right equipment is all a printer needs to print your job

Many print shops own great equipment. However, there is no guarantee that they know how to run it.
There are many printing presses that have lots of extra functions, but if the press operator doesn't know how to use the new features, you might as well use a printing company that has old equipment.

Mistake #5: Not giving your print shop enough time to print your job properly

Mistakes happen when you’re rushing! In your hurry, you may forget to tell your printer certain instructions. You may make a mistake on your original artwork because you were concentrating on getting it done, instead of getting it right.

Before you work on your printing project, talk with your printer. Get your printer involved from the beginning. There might be a more efficient way to complete your project that you don't know about.  You should think of your printer as your "project partner."

Mistake #6: Pick print shops that don’t guarantee your work

All reputable printers guarantee their work.  This means if they make a mistake on your printing, they will re-run your job at no charge.

The best thing you can do is pick a printer who unconditionally guarantees their work. If it's not printed right and it's their mistake, they will run it again.

Mistake #7: You don't ask for references

This is probably the easiest way you can avoid any problems with a printer. All good, reputable print shops will eagerly give you references. Ask your printer to give you at least three names of people they have done business with. Most successful printshops can run quite profitably on their referrals and their repeat business.

There are seven mistakes we see over and over again when people are choosing a printing company. In this post we are going to talk about the first 3. Stay tuned, next week, we’ll talk about the last 4.

1. Picking a Print Shop based only on price
2. Thinking  all print shops are the same
3. Having three or more printers competing with each other for your work
4. Thinking  having the right equipment is all a printer needs to print your job
5. Not giving your print shop enough time to print your job properly
6. Pick print shops that don't guarantee their work
7. You don't ask for references

Mistake #1: Picking a Print Shop based only on price

The old saying is true. "You get what you pay for." This is especially true in the printing business. If you want good printing, you should pick on based on the overall value you receive, not because they are the lowest priced.  Value is the combination of Quality, Service, and Price.

It is impossible for any company to offer the cheapest price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at the same time. You can get high quality and you can get super service, but you can't get both while getting the lowest price.

A printer who offers the lowest price tends to offer the lowest quality. Your printed piece is your image. It directly reflects on your professionalism and the standards of work you are willing to accept.

If your printed materials are poor, this is how your company image is presented.

Mistake #2: Thinking all print shops are the same

Every printing company is different. Each one has different equipment and different employees who know how to do certain kinds of jobs well. All employees have different abilities, and companies have different lead times to complete your work.

Printing is a combination of art and craftsmanship. Contrary to what many people think, printing is not running paper through a machine. It takes craftsmanship to turn out quality printing.

Ask questions in order to pick the best print shop for you:

• What type of work do they print.
• Can you see samples.
• What is their average turnaround time.
• What type of jobs don’t they handle themselves.

Mistake #3: Having three or more printers competing with each other for your work

Sometimes this is a good way to do business, but it often is not with printers.  A good printer has loads of loyal customers. If you flip-flop from printer to printer, a good print shop won't be too motivated to help you in an emergency situation, and with printing, there will always be an emergency situation.

Price is always a consideration. But price should never be more important than good quality and good service. But, when you need a favor or superfast turnaround a loyal company will bend over backwards to help you.

Every print shop expects to go above and beyond for their customers. They might have to work all night, print an extreme rush job, or pull off a miracle. As a loyal customer, the print shop will do all they can to help you meet your deadline.

Next week we’ll talk about the next four mistakes….