Your business has a lot riding on the outcome of your commercial print projects. Every detail matters when presenting your business to your audience. Businesses need a commercial print partner that can take the valuable time and money spent on your project, planning, and design to produce high-quality final products that make the difference in the way your customers perceive you. Beyond simply providing printed material, building a partnership with your commercial printer offers a long-term strategic and collaborative relationship that can provide valuable insights, recommendations, and support that drive success for your business.
Securing a partner with a G7certified commercial print location means less stress about the quality and look of your printed material. In the long run, a strong relationship with an experienced print shop will continue to save you money, reduce risk, and help your projects run smoothly.
Before we share steps you can take to find a commercial printer, here are a few reasons why relying on a commercial printer can help drive success for your business:
More than providing print services, a commercial printer should be a trusted vendor and strategic partner, Here are key points to take into consideration when choosing the commercial printer for your project:
Do they have experience working in your industry vertical, whether it’s healthcare, hospitality, franchise, finance, non-profit, retail, or education? Commercial printers that serve your industry are intimately aware of trends and best practices that may be unique to your space.
Does the print shop offer offset printing, digital printing, variable data printing, and POD? Can they print wide-format for your banners, wallscapes, or billboards? Do they provide finishing services in-house? It’s important that your commercial printer can deliver the type of printing services you require. It can also be a benefit if your commercial printer can provide direct mail services and kitting and fulfillment. Working with a printer like Marketing.com that provides all services under one roof eliminates the need for multiple vendors and transit cost and time between services, as well as provides a single point of contact that is closely aware of all your projects.
You can ask for samples to help you choose which company meets your needs. Inspect the products produced by the print shop, especially pieces that you’ll be using in your marketing campaigns. Is the printer G7 certified to maintain color accuracy and resolution with images and designs? Discuss quality procedures that occur at each step in the production process.
There can be a lot of moving parts to manage in your print projects and the relationship with your printer could involve many stages of review and revision. It’s important to find a commercial printer who has standards as high as yours, is responsive to your inquiries, and provides timely and useful communication throughout the project. You want a commercial printer that solves problems, and not create them.
Cost, although important, is only one factor that should go into your decision on which commercial printer to work with. What’s most important is that your business is getting value for its money. Will the print shop also include services like folding, die-cutting, or laminating without adding costs? Make sure that printers’ quotes are based on the same paper grades, inks, and finishes to prevent lower-quality materials from affecting bids. Identify what’s most important to you, and focus on finding a commercial printer who fills those needs affordably.
Find a commercial printer who fits the needs of your business and can accommodate the requirements for all your different projects. Utilizing a commercial printer with multiple locations, like Marketing.com, allows you to experience the best of two worlds: you can take advantage of the buying power and vast capabilities of a large company, as well as have the local presence of a production facility and team members in your neighborhood.
If protecting sensitive data is a priority for your business or your clients, it’s vital to find a commercial printer that maintains security protocols, compliance, and certifications such as HIPAA, HITRUST, SOC 2 Type 1, or ISO 27001. Look for a print shop that has knowledge of the federal and state regulations, or GPO Level 1 certifications as well as standards specific to your industry. It’s important that the confidentiality of your data is secure through every phase of the production workflow.
At some point, your print collateral will need to be recycled. Environmental and sustainable practices matter to customers. Working with a commercial printer that adequately recycles waste, and offers sustainable stock and substrate options can make an impact with your customers.
Beyond providing printed material, developing a partnership with your commercial printer establishes a long-term strategic and collaborative relationship. This relationship offers invaluable insights, recommendations, and support that contribute to your overall success. With their expertise and guidance, you can navigate the intricacies of print projects more efficiently and effectively, ensuring that each piece reflects your brand's values and resonates with your target audience. Marketing.com can help you connect the dots to find the ideal commercial printer to meet all of your print marketing requirements regardless of where your business is located.