Getting printing done can be a time consuming business, as well as always seeming to be more expensive than you’d expect. But with a bit of planning and attention to detail you can make it a much less frustrating task.  Here are some ways to keep the costs of printing down while maintaining good standards of quality.

Discuss the job with your printer

Nobody knows better than a printer how to reduce the costs of printing. It can be done by using less expensive paper, a different graphics style, or perhaps by subcontracting certain jobs out to a smaller, specialist operator. If your printer is concerned about losing your business just over a pricing issue they’ll usually find a way to meet your needs at a better price.

Watch the way your artwork is prepared

You may not need a fancy four-colour printing job, depending on how the materials have been designed. Talk this over with your graphics supplier and see if a two-colour print run would be adequate for the type of job you’re creating.  Another point to watch is that making changes after the artwork leaves the graphics shop is expensive and likely to cause delays in delivery of the final job. It’s your responsibility to see that everything is correct, including the spelling and the illustrations, so make sure to check the artwork carefully before accepting it.

Use a printing press matched to job requirements

There are many different kinds of printing press. Some printers only have the four-colour variety, and they naturally cost more to operate than a simpler machine. If you only need a one-colour letterhead you can save money by going to a printer with a one-colour press.  The reverse situation applies when a small printer tries to do a high quality four-colour job. Be sure your work is matched to the printer’s capabilities.

Insist on good quality

Most printers are capable of turning out a good quality of finished product so if the job’s not as good as you expected talk to the printer about having it reprinted and keep an eye on the quality as the job goes through. When you’re initially placing the job ensure you specifically mention the level of quality you require. Get proofs for every printing job before giving the final ‘okay’, and sign the proof when you return it to the printer so there’s no doubt about what you’ve approved.

Keep a samples file

Keep samples of printing that you like. If you want a particular type of paper or special colour combination then using a printed example is the best way to show a printer or a graphic designer exactly what you mean. Just saying ‘glossy’ or ‘bright’ isn’t sufficiently meaningful to a person in the printing or graphics trade.

Meet your personal deadlines

Print jobs are often rushed and important deadlines can be missed due to a number of factors. The first thing to appreciate is that the more time you give a printer, the more likely it is that the job will be finished on time and with the quality you want.

If you have a deadline be sure the printer knows about it. They can take you through all the steps and tell you whether it’s possible to meet it. Do all you can to speed up the process by ensuring proofs are returned promptly. And always keep in mind that making changes at the proofing stage is almost a guaranteed way of having the job come in late.