16 Ways to Save Money on Print Jobs
By Alpa Patel
If buying print for your company is a brand new responsibility for you, you’re probably shell shocked. Who can blame you! You’re thinking, “Where do I go? Who can I trust? How do I know how much printing costs?”
Relax. We were all there once. I’ve put together some tips to help you s-t-r-e-t-c-h your printing dollars. Knowing some rules-of-thumb will definitely save you money. It’s a recession, so these tips are even more important.
Today, let’s just focus on paper. Did you know that paper accounts for one third to even one half of the cost of your print job? Choose your paper wisely and know why size does matter. Check it out …
1. Stick to multiples of 8-1/2 x 11. That’s the standard
size. Stray too much from a multiple of this size, and you could pay more.
2. Use a printer’s house sheet. Printers stock several types
of paper in their plant, and using what they have on hand often saves you
dough.
3. Reduce the weight of your paper (heavier = pricier).
4. Reduce trim size - even 1/4 inch matters for some jobs. Ask
your printer.
5. Consolidate jobs. By planning ahead, you can print multiple
jobs on the same sheet of paper. This is called ganging.
6. Print only what you need. Reduce waste. (File this tip
under “Duh.”)
7. Go digital. Digital printing lets you print exactly what
you need - even one copy! Most printers today have digital equipment or they
work with another printer who does.
8. Reduce page counts.
9. Shift what you can to the Web. (Is this heresy? Sorry.)
10. Avoid bleeds. That’s when the ink “bleeds” all the way to
the trim edge of the finished piece. The printer has to print the job and then
trim off the edges to create that bleed. That can cost you more.
11. Change your sheet (go to a lower quality of paper).
12. Sabine also suggests that as an option you consider a #1 sheet
rather than a premium sheet, which can save you 12 percent. Moving to a #2
sheet? This saves you 24 percent.
13. Know where the price breaks are. The more paper you buy,
the better your pricing.
14. Don’t be so picky. Ask your printer what paper he has
available/running when your job will print. You’ll avoid make-ready, and save.
15. Know that broken cartons will cost you more. If you’re
ordering a special sheet and only need a small amount, the printer has to
“break a carton” to run your job. You’ll pay extra, since the printer has to
purchase that special sheet (in the whole carton) just for you.
Always talk about paper with your printer when you’re planning your job. Let him or her guide you. Please have an open mind and listen to your printer’s ideas. Together, you can create magnificent work.
Media Contact: Alpa Patel
Phone Number: (714) 634-1992
E-mail:
hello@weprint-oc.com
Website: Save money on printing
