This document provides information about finding a printing company to suit business needs. It discusses getting quotes from multiple companies, considering price, timeline and extras. It also recommends establishing a good relationship if using a printer regularly to gain benefits like discounts. The document suggests considering eco-friendly printers and discussing sustainability practices. It outlines the process of uploading files, getting a proof and approval before full printing and delivery of the finished job.

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2. There are many costs associated with running a business, but one that is often forgot about is the cost of printing services. The truth is that businesses often find the need for printed materials. While sometimes it is a feasible option to produce these in house, in other cases it may be more realistic to secure outside printing services. There are specific companies that focus in mailing, printing, and binding processes that may be just what you need.

3. Steps to Finding the Printing Company That Will Suit Your Needs

4. Decision Making Process Price is often a deciding factor, and to ensure that you are getting a good price you are going to want to get no less than three different quotes for the printing services that you are looking at. To receive a quote you need to have a template of the project, which you have, as well as your timeline and the total number that you need printed. Be sure that you have this information on hand prior to requesting a quote. Be aware, that on average the larger the number you need printed the more affordable it is per unit. Additionally, if you are someone that needs a very fast turnaround you may have to pay to make that happen.

5. Be sure to ask questions about this quote when you receive it. Are there extra charges not included like surcharges for changes, split mailing, etc.? Knowing this ahead of time helps you to be prepared for the final bill. Realize that the cheapest estimate is not always the best option for your business. Be sure that you pair the price with the time frame and any other extras that you might need for your publication.

6. Your Relationship with the Printing Company Your relationship with a printing company is important. This is especially true if you are going to be using printing companies on a regular basis. If you are going to be giving this company a lot of business don't you want to make sure that your business relationship is valued by them? If you are a loyal customer to a commercial printing company you may find that you actually start to enjoy some customer perks. For example, perhaps they will reward your business with a faster printing turnaround time. Or maybe they will offer you a loyal customer discount. All of these perks may end up saving your thousands of dollars a year when it comes to your business printing needs.

7. Going Green There are many printing companies that are geared towards reducing their carbon footprint on the industry and you may want to check into them for your businesses use. Talk to them about the inks that they use. Production of petroleum based inks create very harmful byproducts. Many printing companies use fossil fuels to power their machines. Today there are many companies out there who are choosing to forgo petroleum basked inks in favor of soy or vegetable based inks. A printing company may choose to utilize recycled papers for their products.

8. Commercial printing consumers worry that this type of eco friendly attitude and technique would cost higher but the cost for eco friendly printing is actually significantly lower. Plus, you would not be sacrificing any of the printing quality that you are look at. While eco friendly methods are touted by activists, it is actually something that more consumers are looking for, and the printing companies are responding to. If it is a priority to your business then be sure to speak with your printing company about how they are working to reduce their impact on the environment and how you are looking for that in your decision making process.

9. Getting Your Print Job Done Once you have chosen the printing services and the printing company that you are going be doing business with you will begin by uploading and emailing your order and any supplemental materials to the printing company. Prior to allowing the company to fully print the order ask them to create a proof copy or sample for you to approve to ensure that the overall quality is what you are looking for. Once they receive your okay they will continue with printing the job, and hopefully this will put the final product in your hands within a short period of time.

10. Thanks to technological advances today there are many digital printing services that allow you to do everything with the click of a button. If this is the case you can upload, proof, and print all in one spot. One of the biggest perks of this mailing printing service is that you can upload your project, have it printed, and then have it sent directly to your customers cutting out the postage to have it sent to you which may save you a significant amount of money depending on the volume of your print order.