I have a Cat Genie www.catgenie.com an automatic cat box cleaning system and it just was not working right. I called customer service and they sent out a new processing unit within two days of my call. It fixed the problem and the great service and the way they backed their product, it just made it really easy to say how awesome their product is! Stuff happens, right? Well i am conducting a marketing campaign as part of the return service they provide by adding my pens and pads and a note saying "thanks for the great service". Do you think my message will impress and make it to a decision maker who would reach out to me and inquire about my printing and ad specialty products or will the shipping guy keep all the goods for him self?
I just got off the phone with a client and I just had to share this story about the order i didn't get. So i had given an estimate for 500 brochures 11" x 17" with bleeds that folds to 8.5" x 11" from their supplied and industry supported file for a South American trade show they were participating in for the first time. It was not last minute mind you. When they asked for the estimate it was three months out. Sounds simple enough, right? A few months go by and no order. But why? I was told I have the order. When I called today to see how things were progressing I was told they decided to have it printed in California because the price was cheaper. I don't know who said it first but I love the phrase "cheaper is not the best value". After adding in the shipping an unfortunate thing happened. They paid more than what I would have charged and the quality was not what they expected. Not only did they pay more and wait longer there was no time to reprint it and reach them in time so they had no choice but to go with what they got. What could the California printer do about it? The conversation went something like this on the phone. "Sorry, we printed what you gave us". "You will have to pay again for the printing and shipping to have it reprinted and we can not guarantee delivery in time".
Now what if they called me and said they found it for less? I think its a good thing to ask to match or beat a documented price. If I can I will within reason. Especially to grow a relationship. That's the point of this story. The best value is not because its a cheaper price but rather communicating and educating so clients can make a sound business decision. Like any relationship when you build trust and good will the relationship flourishes. What do you think? I really would like to get my readers feedback. What is important to you? There are printers out there cutting prices to the bone and going out of business which in the long run really hurts the industry and can leave you the client file less. Just today I got a call from a client who said his printer went AWOL. Bad for them, good for me.
Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 23:16 )
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Perfect Proofing Makes Perfect Printing Projects
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It may seem like there is never time to proof something thoroughly the first time, but when it is not done, you may end up making time to do the entire job a second time. Just what are some of the things that should be checked during the proofing process? Here is a list to perfect your proofing strategy:
Proof the text.
The first place to start is the text. Review all text for spelling and grammatical correctness, check punctuation, and most importantly, accuracy of content. Making changes to text later in the production process will only slow things down, so make sure that everything is perfect before moving on to the next step. Once you "OK to print" the responsibility for accuracy falls to you, the customer.
Proof the images.
Viewing the images on your computer is a great place to start, as long as your screen is calibrated properly, but keep in mind that the colors on-screen will not be a perfect match to the colors that are printed. Be sure to check the size and resolution of the image. For high-level image quality jobs, use a custom print shop versus a "gang run" printer. There are no guarantees on the final outcome in most cases so you get what you pay for in that sense. It's wise to have a physical proof rather than just an on-screen proof of the images done on professional proofing equipment—you will get a better idea of the true color of the piece. For this reason alone use a Custom Print shop versus a gang run or discount printer. A custom printer will stand behind their work. A discount printer may not so ask this important question before handing over your credit card.
Proof the pages.
Checking an entire page of an original can be done on screen, but it is also a good idea to print out the pages. Look over the typography, placement of images, illustrations and text, as well as hyphenation and line arrangement, page format, and bleeds. www.silverbirches.com/printingterms.shtml
The difference between a thorough proof and no proof at all is the time you may spend having to redo a job. Taking the time at the beginning will save you time and money in the long run.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 September 2009 13:49 )
Co-Authored by Kimball Stadler
Kimball was asked by a potential customer to explain a few things about printing in easy to understand "everyday terms". Here's how she responded.
I have recapped a few ideas below to help you understand the "printing lingo" from an outsiders viewpoint. So many times we talk to companies that feel they are paying a high price for services but given no explanation as to why these charges are incurred so thank you for the chance to explain. I hope it will save you time and money as you price this job in the local area.
1. Beware of on-line companies. They have very cheap prices, but no guarantees on the quality of printing and finishing and if they are out of your area ask about shipping charges and be careful. Ask them to explain the conditions of doing business and ask them for their version of "Printing Industry Trade Customs". See www.printing-press.org for more information.
2. Cut down costs by providing your artwork files in printing industry supported formats like .pdf and .eps. To be sure call and ask. If files need to be created set a budget and ask to be notified if the budget will be exceeded. Ask questions like "are there extra charges like the purchase of stock photos"? Best to know now then when you pick up your order and be held hostage.
3. For ultimate savings, run as many items as you can at the same time (business cards, envelopes, invoices, letterhead) in your color(s) because all printers charge an "ink wash charge". That charge may be $25.00 or more per color for each item. BUT, when you run multiple items together, the ink wash charge is spread out over all the items - not for each.
4. How long will you have to wait for the job? What if they miss deadlines on important projects? How will you know that? All of those questions build up when your image and reputation are important to you. So ask questions.
These things don't happen here at Copans because we communicate and educate our clients. While we may not always be the lowest on pricing, we will be the highest in service, printing quality and the added value of ideas and strategies on how to grow your business and get your name out there. We believe these core values separates us for the competition.
I hope this helps and again, thank you for the opportunity.
Kimball Stadler
Account Representative
Copans Printing & Graphics
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 21:21 )
I have been so consumed in online social networking and "Getting My Name Out There" I have not been taking my own advice. To supplement my message by printing promotional and marketing pieces that target my selected market. OMG! What happened here? Nothing more than most of you I am sure. Can you relate to this? You probably have a laptop, PDA, Smart Phone, IPOD or an MP3 player. Maybe all of them.They play music and take pictures. Maybe listen to an audio book or music. You can get email, transfer funds in your bank account or check stocks all while sitting in the waiting room at your doctors office. How convienent is that?
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 21:22 )
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This question is asked alot by my clients more and more in todays high tech digital world. It used to be plate, print and deliver. A plate by the way is made of high grade aluminum with a laser image that transfers the image to a rubber surface and then to the paper. Thats called offset printing. Now that plate plays a vital pricing role. A job thats full color on two sides 8.5" x 11" 500 sheets prices higher than using the digital process so it becomes a mute point. I used to outsource thiese projects until i noticed just how much i was "giving away" so we have just installed a brand new state of the art Xerox 700 Digital Press. The color is awesome! Its vibrant, it really pops and serves our clients short run color needs.
So where does that leave the tried and true historic conventional offset printing process? I believe it will always be with us because no new process can produce the same quality and there are many clients out there who know and can see the difference but under 500 sheets of 8.5" x 11" digital printing is the way to go. You can print using a variety of papers too. From glossy text and cover papers to textured papers. They are specially made to handle the heat some digital machines dish out. That is one excellent advantage with the Xerox 700. It has decurlers to minimize curling as it exits the machine so it lays nice and flat. In addition it uses less power so it generates less heat making it a very green machine. If you would like more information contact me directly.
Last Updated ( Monday, 01 February 2010 12:38 )
Todays way of doing business is changing and whats changed the most is how businesses market themselves or don’t. I find business owners want to save a few bucks sacrificing quality of their image. These times more then ever require a plan to create new business and what do some companies do? They go into shell and without knowing they seperate themselves from their competition in a negative way. I am not claiming to be the Guru but what are you thinking? Maybe its the relationship you DON’T have with your printer. Whos business is it anyways? Do they care about your needs or do they just take your order and collect a check like you are ordering a 5$ sub at Subway? Think about that next time someone asks you to send them information on your company.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 21:22 )
Word, Illustrator, EPS, PDF, MAC, PC…what does it all mean? Todays technology allows every person to be a typesetter/designer. Problem is when you bring it to me for printing, I cant use the file and I proceed to ruin your day because all of the hard work that went into the project may need to be re-done. “But I printed it out at home and it worked fine.” True. But printing at home and printing on my offset presses, ah ha!
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 August 2009 21:22 )
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Printing
