7 Tips on Choosing a Custom Printing Company For Small Businesses

Posted by David Watson . on September 24, 2021

Print marketing isn’t dead! In fact, 82% of customers trust print ads the most when making buying decisions. Campaigns that combine print and digital ads have a 400% effectivity rate, too.

Meanwhile, 18 to 23-year-olds claim it’s easier to read print than digital content. Another 77% of consumers say print drives higher levels of recall.

A strong print marketing strategy could set your business up for success. It’s important to hire the right custom printing company for the job, though. Their experience and expertise will ensure your print materials wow customers.

If you take the DIY route, however, you could waste valuable time and money.

A custom print team, on the other hand, can provide amazing custom print ideas you can use to stand out from the crowd.

Not sure who to hire? Here are seven tips that can help. With these tips, you can find the right team for the job!

Start your search for a printing company with these seven simple tips today.

1. Gather Referrals

First, consult your professional network. Ask other business owners you trust if they’ve worked with a print company. If they have, ask if you can see some of their print materials.

Seeing their print materials up close can help you gauge the quality. You can feel the cardstock between your fingers or notice printing embellishment. Online images, on the other hand, don’t always show every detail.

Take the time to talk to your professional network about their experience with the printing company, too. For example, you can ask:

  • Was the company easy to work with
  • Did they come up with great ideas
  • What services did you request
  • Were you able to make changes
  • Was the team responsive
  • Did they meet your deadline
  • Did you have any issues with the team

You can learn from their hands-on experience to make an informed decision.

If your inner circle can’t help, that’s okay. Head online and Google “printing for businesses” or “printing company.” Then, start creating a list of options.

You don’t have to hire the first printing company you come across. Instead, use the rest of these tips to narrow down your choices.

2. Look for Experience

Once you have a list of printing companies, learn more about each one.

Visit the company’s website and check their “About Us” page. Take a look at their Better Business Bureau listings, too.

First, consider how long the company has worked in the print industry. Try to find a long-established business. An established business won’t close its doors overnight.

These companies are more likely to have the experience and expertise you need, too.

Make sure they’ve offered the services you need for at least a few years. Otherwise, they might struggle to accomplish your goals. A team that lacks experience could make costly mistakes on your materials.

Remember, you don’t want to waste time or money on cheap, low-quality printing projects.

Instead, find a team with custom printing experience that can meet your needs.

3. Explore Previous Projects

Make sure each custom printing company on your list can meet your expectations. Check their website for a portfolio. You can also check their Google My Business listing or social media accounts for project photos.

Does their work meet your expectations? Make sure they’re capable of producing high-quality work.

Ask each company on your list if they can send a sample, too. Remember, you can learn more by handling the sample. You can look at the details up-close to make sure it looks as you expected.

Asking for a sample will help you avoid paying full price for low-quality items, too.

If the company produces low-quality print materials, take your business elsewhere.

4. Review Their Services

Make sure the printing company can meet your needs and expectations. Ask about the custom print services they offer. For example, you might need:

  • Flyers
  • Banners
  • Brochures
  • Business cards
  • Fulfillment services (shipping, warehousing, etc.)

If the company doesn’t offer the services you need, scratch them off your list.

Try to find a one-stop shop you can rely on. These companies can both design and create your print materials. You could save valuable time and money as a result.

You can find the best wholesale trade printing company here to get started.

5. Read Reviews

You can also learn more about each business by reading online reviews.

Check the company’s website, BBB profile, and Google My Business listing. Read a handful of reviews from each site. Look for comments about the team’s professionalism and responsiveness.

You don’t want to hire a company, only to struggle to reach them about projects.

Look for comments about the company’s ability to meet deadlines, too. If you experience delays, you might struggle to accomplish your goals.

Find a company that has a strong reputation in the industry. They’ll want to keep that reputation by offering the best possible services.

6. Choose Creativity

The average American household receives over 450 pieces of marketing mail each year. You’ll want to make sure your print materials stand out. Otherwise, consumers might not pay attention to your marketing materials.

Look for a custom printing company that’s both creative and innovative. Make sure they’re up-to-date with the latest trends, too. Determine if they offer any services their competitors don’t.

They can help you stand out from the crowd to reach customers.

7. Request Quotes

Before making your final choice, consider your custom printing budget.

Gather quotes from at least three local businesses. Determine what’s included in each quote. For example, are you allowed to make multiple edits to the designs?

Then, compare your options. Don’t choose the cheapest company on your list.

Instead, choose someone with the experience and expertise you need. You’ll get more bang for your buck choosing a quality business.

Fit to Print: 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Custom Printing Company

Your marketing materials can help you wow customers and draw in new leads. Use these tips to find the best custom printing company around. With their help, you can accomplish your marketing goals and stand out from the crowd.

Start printing amazing materials with these tips today.

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