Top 6 Communication Tips When Working With Commercial Printers

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Top 6 Communications Tips
when Working with Commercial Printers

Common-Sense Guidelines for Print Buyers & Creatives

By Margie Dana

1. Give your printer as much detail as you can, as early as you can.
   You need to provide very detailed job specs (specifications) if you want a fair estimate. It will help prevent "surprises" when the job is done (I'm using air quotes in this sentence). Remember, every print job is unique. It's built spec by spec.
2. Tell your printer how you prefer to be communicated with.
   Ideally, your printer will ask you, but if not, be clear about how often he or she should be in touch with you during production, and by what means. Some people prefer phone calls; others, email.
3. Do everything in writing.
   Job specs change during the production cycle (quantities & delivery instructions, for example), and you need to keep track. Changes can affect your price. Paper trails (or email trails) are critical.
4. Admit what you don't understand, and seek a clearer explanation from your printer.
   I never understand people who are too proud to speak up and say, "I have no idea what that means," when they hear a too-technical explanation. Printing has a language all its own. If anything is unclear about what's happening with your job, just say so.
5. Make your priorities crystal clear.
   Different jobs have different priorities. Is it the delivery date? The quality? The cost? Out with it! Again, your printer should ask you, but if not, make sure you bring it up.
6. Ask your printer for input & creative suggestions.
   You may know exactly what you want and why, but perhaps you don't. It's extremely smart business to ask your printer for ideas. Maybe there's a better way (more creative, more cost effective, quicker, "greener," and so on) to produce what you want. Maybe a different paper would work better. In my mind, this is where the real value of a printing company lies: in how they assist in getting you the best product possible, to match your budget and your expectations. Get your printers involved, as opposed to merely giving them "job orders."