We often give advice on this blog regarding what you can do to make your print efforts more successful. But when it choosing the right printing company to handle those print projects, sometimes knowing what not to do can be just as helpful. Here are the three biggest mistakes businesses make when screening custom printing companies:
Only Looking at Companies One Project at a Time
Say youre looking at having a few hundred business cards made up for your business. If thats the case, then a purely digital printing company might be able to offer you the best deal. But what about when you want to have some high-quality calendars printed to give to clients? Consumers actually tend to keep promotional calendars for all 12 months of the year, and 84% of Americans remember a companys name if they receive a promotional gift with that companys logo. And what if you want to spice up your marketing with a custom vehicle wrap? In one poll, 48% thought car wraps were the most unique advertising method available. For those kinds of things, youll need to be looking at fully custom printing companies. In the long run, its worth focusing on these custom printing companies because youll have more options and probably more flexibility on pricing, too.
Reducing Custom Printing Companies to Their Equipment
Weve often pointed out the respective pros and cons of digital and offset printing, but its a mistake to get so wrapped up in these techniques that you forget about the people implementing them. The best custom printing companies have experienced and highly trained technicians operating their presses, whether those are traditional lithographic presses or brand new digital ones. And in the end, the quality youll get from various custom printing companies will depend on the comparative skill of those people, not just the equipment theyre operating.
Sacrificing Customer Service for a Lower Cost
No matter the size of the business youre running, youre probably looking to minimize costs wherever possible. But when it comes to hiring custom printing companies, the worst thing you can do is choose one that is able to offer bargain-basement prices because its slashed customer service and support offerings. If youre dealing with projects that have an impact on how your business is ultimately perceived by the public (as most print projects do), then you want to make sure youll get the help you need to make them turn out perfect.