4 Steps to Finding and Selecting a Printing Company

There are a lot of printing companies available on the market and finding the right one takes a lot of time and effort. It may seem like hard work, but finding a printing company that offers high quality prints and good service at a discounted price is well worth the hassle.



1. Scout Around



a) You can check directories online or offline to give you a list of contact information for printers at close vicinity or online printers that offer nationwide services. The good thing about directories is that you have a list in your hand, and when a phone call to the printer proves unsatisfactory, you can simply move to the next number on your list.



b) If you want a tangible proof of a high quality print out, start your search with the perfect print. Look around for a brochure, postcard, or poster that catches your attention and ask the business owner for the contact details of the printer. Of course, remember to compliment the owner on the quality of the print or the design, it will make him all the more helpful.



2. Do a Backgrounds Check:



a) The website offers a wealth of information. Navigate through the entire website looking at the list of products, availability of technical support, and other services they have. Get a general feel and look for professionally made website. Remember though that websites are a marketing tool and should be treated as such (with suspicion and should be verified).



b) Look for blogs, reviews, and articles: Testimonials, the absence of presence there of is an indication of the popularity of their services. The positive reviews should overwhelmingly over shadow the negative reviews.



3. Request for a Sample Catalog



Most printing companies will send you a sample print catalog you can use to assess the quality of their service and the specification for materials you need. Although this is an advertising material, it is pretty much representative of the quality your printer can provide. It is after all printed using the same printer, with the same ink, and with the same materials.



4. Make a preliminary call



The phone call says a lot of things about the printing company. You should check for the courtesy of their sales personnel and their competence in answering your questions. You can also ask them to walk you through the printing process, or ask advice about the difference about print specifications. If their prices are not posted on the web, you can take this opportunity to ask them for a price list.



Here are a few things you may consider asking about:



a) If you have a sample catalog on hand, ask about the durability of each material: expected longevity, display areas, etc.



b) Inquire about the support you can expect to receive, design services, proofing mechanism, or even allowances.



c) Talk about turn-around time or the time it will take to complete your printing project.



d) Also ask about the refund or reprint policy of their printing company.