When you decide to choose a print supplier it’s a bit like buying a PC.

Why?

Because you need it to do three things really well:

• Sturdy and reliable in other words like your print supplier you want it to be able to withstand the rigours of working with you and be capable of fulfilling your expectations.

• Processing – like your PC you want your printer to be quick to respond to your needs.

• Competitive – you will probably have a budget and this will determine what you will use your PC for; your print supplier is much the same; a competitively priced service is an advantage but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

Price shouldn’t be the main motivator in choosing your printer and in some instances this principle also applies to purchasing your PC.

If you want a PC to do a basic job then you will undoubtedly buy a cheap netbook but don’t be surprised when it doesn’t deliver all that you want it to do. The same can be said when seeking to work with a printer supplier. If you purchase print purely on price because you consider it to be valueless then I would suggest that the cheapest price is probably the right choice for you!

Think about the features of a PC; what do you want it to be able to do for you; do you have a specification; how long do you invisage using your PC until you replace it?

The same approach can be applied when you are looking for a good supplier of print.

Here are some things to consider:

• Are they financially secure?
• How long have they been in business?
• Have you determined what or how you will use your supplier? For example if you are considering outsourcing your cheque printing and processing; it’s unlikely you will be using the local printer down the road as you need to be working with an APACS accredited printer!

Be clear on what type of supplier you are looking for which in turn, will aid you in being able to provide a specification(s) to the print company.

Are you seeking to establish a long/short term working partnership? If you are considering outsourcing an aspect of your back office printing such as invoice processing then you must be looking at a longer term relationship.

By not properly evaluating what there is in the market place you could end up having to go through the whole process further down the line.

Finally don’t be taken in by a supplier who offers many other features that are irrelevant to the task in hand; it is very easy to be sidetracked by wonderful solutions and various offerings but they may not have any bearing on your own specification and requirements.

A reputable print company will be able to reduce your costs by understanding your requirement and offer their expertise by suggesting an alternate but just as effective solution; in fact, your supplier should be actively promoting cost reductions where feasible.

Price should not be the dictum when choosing whom you wish to partner with; this is a short term and ineffective approach it won’t save you money in the long term because you won’t have established good working partnerships, and in the short term, loyalty to you and the company will be compromised as your print supplier will devalue you as a customer in other words you will be perceived as someone who only ever buys on price this does not make for a good relationship with your print supplier!

So even if it’s a PC or a print supplier you want it to be there for you through thick and thin and deliver when you need it most!

For a free and impartial discussion just call us!