HELP, I Need to Find a Printing Company!

The power of printed material is still unsurpassed. You can not only see it but also touch it, smell it, and take it with you. Text, drawings, pictures photos and colors have -each in their own way- an enormous effect on people and the ability to carry information, a message. Even more so, the content or intention of the message can be reinforcement by the way it is printed or weakened.

However, before you can start the actual printing of a project, a lot of work goes into designing the product; bringing words, colors and structure to simple "white" paper. Of course, this is overly simplified. It requires a lot of skills, abilities and knowledge to prepare a project in such a way that it is effective in carrying its message and also suitable for printing.

Marketing agencies or other specialists often do the design of a project, but printing companies manage the entire printing aspect; they reproduce information on paper and other stock and are often involved in the advice towards the designers but also in the distribution of the final product to various customers and locations.

There is no such thing as one standard printing process. Depending on various factors, different processes are available to ensure maximum quality and impact.

To give you an idea, a brief overview of the main processes and their specifics:

1: Engravure* Used for high volume production with a lot of pages, like catalog's and magazines. The Press is fed by a real of paper.

Typical print run: > 500,000 copies, > 20 pages (letter size). Other typical products: Catalog's and Magazines. The start up costs for engravure are (very) high. On a good-coated paper the print quality of engravure is one of the highest of all processes. *(In specialized engravure Companies, the technique is also used for the production of packing materials like milk cartons and butter wraps)

2: Web offset Used for high volume production, like newspapers. In this process too, the press is fed by a real of paper.

Typical print run: > 30,000 copies, > 16 pages (letter size). Other typical products: Magazines and Brochures. The start up costs are way lower than engravure but still substantial. The printed quality depends a lot on the paper that you choose for your project.

3: Sheet fed offset This process is used for lower volume production which requires the highest quality, like Annual Reports. The press is fed with sheets of paper. Sheet fed presses can print on a 24lb paper stock but also on stock as thick as a 24pt cart board with maximum size of 28 x 40".

Typical print run: between 500 and 30,000 copies, ≤ 16 pages (letter size). Other typical products: Magazines, Brochures, Flyer's, Presentation folders, Posters, Postcards, Boxes, etc. Start up costs are way lower than web offset. The quality can be very high on the right paper stock. In addition, most larger sheet fed companies have a lot of equipment in house to finish your project with die cutting, embossing and foiling.

4: Digital printing Digital printing is popular for very low volume production with an average quality, like flyer's. The copier is fed with sheets in limited weights and size (maximum 12pt, 14 x 20")

Typical print run: between 1 and 1,000 copies, ≤ 4 pages (letter size). Other typical products: Brochures, Small Posters, etc. Start up costs are low, which makes it suitable for low-budget projects.

5: Screen-printing Screen-printing is used for low volume production on a broad variety of stock, like fabric and plastics.

Typical print run: between 1 and 1,000 copies. Typical products: Signs, Clothing, Posters, etc.

Regardless of what you want to print, make sure you use the process suitable for your product. This is not only cost efficient, it will also give you the quality you are looking for.

Most printers will tell you they are capable of doing your project even if they have to outsource it to another company. If you want to avoid the extra costs that this outsourcing will generate, always ask if the printer has the equipment in house for your particular job.

If you don't mind that the printer of your choice is outsourcing your project because of your relation with him, bear in mind that the printer has to mark up the price he pays to the company that does the actual job. Mark up is necessary because the printer you deal with remains responsible for all problems that may occur and is also financially responsible.

A few examples may give you an idea on how to manage your printing projects in efficient and cost-friendly way:

Lawn Signs: Don't ask a web offset printer to print lawn signs for you. He doesn't have the equipment to do that and if he takes the job, he will outsource your project completely. Going directly to a Screen printer will save you money.

Brochures: If you ask a web offset printer to print 100,000 brochures with a separate cover that is embossed, he will most certainly don't have the equipment to do the embossing and to print the cover. However, as part of a total project it works best if he is in charge of the outsourcing to a sheet fed printer. He knows all the requirements for your project and for you it is easier to have only one contact for all your questions.

Choosing the right company Once you have determined the proper process for your printing needs, you still have a lot of printing companies to choose from. How do you know what company meets your needs best?

There are a few points to consider that will give you a "feel" what company to choose for:

How long is the company in business? A company with a long history must do something right, right? A long time in business means a lot of experience. Don't hesitate to ask for examples of their work so you can get an idea of what they are capable of making.

Does the company invest in the latest technologies in his field? If you choose a printer make sure you have access to a modern printing company, one that has invested more than any other company in your city in technical upgrades. Make sure the plant has modern, fast make-ready presses. Don't hesitate to ask for a plant tour. Most companies are more than happy to show their customers around and brag about their innovative technologies.

For example, if a Sheet fed printer doesn't have CTP technology (Computer-To-Plate), he is way behind in the market and most certainly his other equipment is also of the past century.

All press equipment in a plant should be compatible - which enables the printer to put your project on any press with consistent, effective quality results. If the presses are compatible, the printer is also able to run a project simultaneously on two or more separate presses and be 100% confident in color match.

Is the printer's quality predictable? Printers who are able to do every aspect of your project inside their own plant won't compromise the quality of your project by transport for outsourcing purposes. In addition, it is easier to keep a close look on every aspect and phase of your project.

Do you receive a quick and to the point reaction if you ask for a quote? A printer should be able to give an estimate within 2 business days. If your project is extremely complex it may take an extra business day. If a sheet fed printer doesn't give a reaction within this time-line he is probably not busy with reliable customer service.

Do you receive "to-the-point" advice if you ask for information? A good adviser can help you through every step of the process. He can advise on specific problems or work with you to develop a complete concept for your project. Some printers will go much further with their advice and will outline all the possible technologies available to you. They will give you clear insights into the financial aspects of each option. Knowledgeable people will draw your attention to issues you never thought of during the process of designing your project.

When getting in contact with a printer, see if they are willing to give you advice and information even before you place an order. That will give you a nice impression of their willingness to be a good adviser.

Do you want to go Environmental Friendly? Nowadays we are all aware of the environment and the impact our behaviour has on nature.

For a printer, careful production delivers the greatest benefits in the long run. Some printers have an effective and strict policy for quality and environmental management. All activities are carried out according to rigorous procedures.

For example, they recycle all plates and waste paper and they maintain a comprehensive solvent and ink-recycling program. These printers also try to use, as much as possible, environmentally friendly produced stock.

Another aspect to check if you are looking for an environmental friendly printer is the FSC Certification. FCS Certified printers are part of the "chain of environmentally awareness companies".

If the environment is your concern, these printers are able to provide you with solid information about their policy. You can check at http://www.fsccanada.org/FSCPrinters.htm (Canada) or at (USA) if the printer of your choice is FSC certified.

Of course there are other aspects that influence your choice of printer as well, like location. However, the six aspects that are mentioned above can be very helpful to make your initial selection and help you to avoid expensive mistakes.

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