Most businesses have some ability to print at small quantities. Whether that means using a small desktop printer or a larger office print station. This may be enough to print flyers for the office potluck, or a small number of promotions, or takeaway brochures intended for customers. Eventually though, you will want to expand your promotions, and that is when you will want to explore commercial printing for the numerous advantages.
Price
When you first start to scale your promotions, the first thing you realize is that price matters. A price decrease of five to ten cents per piece can add up when you are printing thousands of pieces.
For simple print jobs (one to two hundred pieces) doing it yourself may be a viable option. However, if your quantities increase or you are wanting a premium look, you should be considering using a commercial printer.
Time
Cost is not the only factor to consider, you must also factor in your time. You are comparing apples to oranges if you just factor in the cost of ink, paper, and postage (when applicable).
While on a smaller print jobs you may be able to produce a piece at a similar price as a commercial printer, if it requires devoting employee resources to coordinate, your real cost of doing it yourself can skyrocket dramatically. If someone on your payroll is spending half a day coordinating and printing a project, that’s a cost that should be included in your calculations.
Some print shops (Classic Impressions, for example) are also certified partners with Canada Post. Smartmail Marketing Partners ensure your mailing is produced by an expert. Certified Canada Post Partners not only prepare your mail in house (stuffing, addressing, preparing), they can also source and clean data. Better yet, they also offer postage savings and helpful marketing advice that non-certified vendors can’t, helping you catch small details that can cost you BIG if gone unnoticed.
What does a Certified Canada Post Partner have to do with time? There are Commercial Printers, and there are Smartmail Marketing Partners, and Classic Impressions Inc. is one of very few that are both. Not only will you save time coordinating with a single vendor, they will help drastically reduce the turnaround time on any direct mail campaign, as they print and prepare mail all under one roof.
Flexibility
DIY projects are fun, but let’s be honest, doing it yourself often looks like you did it yourself.
The advantages of using commercial printing are clear. Commercial printers use higher quality equipment and paper, and are trained marketing experts. Ensuring that colours are sharp, folds are tight, and every project meets the highest quality standards. Their knowledge and ability to choose the right production option for your job ensures print job looks premium. Classic Impressions specializes in being able to print Digital or Offset in house, depending on the job requirements. A huge advantage in cost and time savings, one that is unmatched among a majority of other printers).
Commercial printers also give you the flexibility to choose higher quality materials and finishing, allowing you to achieve a premium look through simple things like adding a bleeds (printing all the way to the edge of the paper) or including textured and die cuttings (a ‘stamp and cut’ process that produces unique shapes).
If you can imagine it, there is a good chance a commercial printer can bring it to life.
Contact Classic Impressions for your next print job – big or small. We are happy to show you the difference a commercial printer can make in both quality and price. Our service representatives are here to help guide your next print job and bring your vision to life.
