What Should You Look For in a Print Provider?

The PrintMediaCentr conducted a print buyer survey to learn what role indicators such as color, quality and consistency play in choosing a print provider. It’s no surprise that the number one reason for picking a print provider was Quality – specifically quality of the final printed piece. Quality was ranked more important than price, turn-around time, customer service and additional services. And the Finishing of the quality printing was ranked more important than managing an exact color match.

So as a potential print buyer, what do you need to know about Finishing? In simple terms Finishing is everything that happens after the ink has been applied to the paper. So services like:

Cutting and Trimming – even edges, sizing

Coating – an application to reinforce and protect the finished product

Scoring – to ensure the fold is good

Perforating – allows a portion of the print to be detached

Die-cutting – different cuts and shapes in papers

Binding – holds pieces together -- coil, saddle stitching, and so on

And the list goes on and on.

That’s why you need a print provider who understands that printing is more than just a flyer or a brochure, or slapping your logo on a piece of paper. It’s about the entire process from start to finish.

Lately, there has been a lot of buzz in the industry about the need for printers to transform their business to that of a Marketing Service Provider who offers all sorts of bells and whistles like Web Design, Data Management, SEO and the like. But as the survey above confirmed, when it comes to choosing a print partner, consumers care more about PRINT expertise than those other services.

At POS, we are not afraid to say we do Print, and really, really good print.

P.S. Our Finishing is really good too.