It's Right. It's On Time. Or It's FREE!
- Expert Help on all Your Projects
- High Quality and Fast Turnaround
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
5 Print Buying Tips for Saving Money
Learn Useful Hints to Help You Pinch Your Print Pennies
We know that marketing your business with professional printing materials can be expensive. And in these tough economic times, it's more important than ever to be efficient wherever possible. So, consider the following cost-saving tips to help you get the most bang for your marketing buck.
Request Paper Samples and Ask Questions
Start by requesting various paper and layout samples. A good printing company will send you physical samples quickly to help you choose the right "look and feel" for your postcards, brochures, folders, stationery or custom printing project. Also, don't be afraid to ask important questions up front. Consider things like accepted file formats, color conversion, color-matching, bleeds, timeline and cost. By making sure the printer knows exactly what you expect, you'll save time and money by not having to deal with unnecessary edits, returns and reprints.
Plan Ahead for Affordable Printing
There are some areas in business where it is okay to procrastinate...unfortunately printing is not one of them. You'll avoid hefty production and shipping rush charges by giving yourself and your printer plenty of time to get things completed. The more complicated the print project, the more time you should allocate to mitigate any unexpected issues that may come up. Not sure how long your project will take? Find more information on Printingforless.com's standard printing production timelines and shipping scheduling.
Consider Your 'Per Piece' Rate
Do you know that you would pay just $16 more to go from 250 to 500 brochures? Here at PFL, we utilize an instant pricing system so you can see exactly what your project will cost. You pay the price shown for the minimum run based on the format of your job, which covers the electronic processing of your file, production plates, the setup of your job on our presses, and the paper and trimming cost. Then, you just pay a single flat rate for each additional piece that you order. As a result, increasing your quantity is a smart move if you are looking to get more for your money, especially if you use a large quantity throughout the year.
Stick With Standard Papers and Sizes
Every time you order a non-standard paper stock or size, you increase the price of your project. Due to cost efficiencies achieved by ganging - placing multiple print projects on a common printing sheet - commercial printers usually charge more for custom papers and sizes. So, stick with house stocks and standard sizes if you are printing on a budget.
Utilize a Print and Mail Shop
If you are planning on printing and mailing your newly-printed postcards, brochures or newsletters, it might be smart to enlist a one-stop-shop to handle it all for you. Oftentimes, you'll save money by having your printer handle the mailing portion of your campaign as well because you can avoid the cost of having your project shipped to you first. Plus, you won't have to spend precious time messing with address labels, licking stamps, or hauling heavy boxes to the Post Office. Check out PFL's Mailing Services Guide or mail layout templates for best results!
By considering these helpful print tips, your next printing experience will not only be more affordable, but also more enjoyable. Inexpensive printing doesn't have to mean 'cheap printing'. By being prepared and knowing the ins and outs of commercial printing, you can save money and still receive a high quality product.
Ready to learn more about saving money on your next project?
Call our printing experts at 800.930.2423!