Printing
5 secrets you can use right now to trim your printing costs ...
Here's how to trim your printing budget and maintain the quality of your work.
These days, you can easily produce your own print layouts and copy - or, you may find working with an ad agency can save you time and money. Either way, you'll find these five secrets helpful in turning your ideas into a quality print piece.
1. Choose a cost-effective format ...
I know. I know. Your ad agency has designed a lovely new brochure - and it is 7-1/4" x 7" and it is "oh so creative".
There is just one tiny little problem. It doesn't fit into a regular envelope - so, you are going to pay extra to have an envelope manufactured and printed.
Hint: if you want to save money on your next brochure - work with a standard piece of paper. An 8-1/2" x 11" size works well, can be folded into thirds, and it can fit nicely inside a standard business envelope.
2. Use color sensibly ...
OK. It is cheap to produce black ink on a white piece of paper. Sometimes, that is just the "look" you want. And, you may even splurge by using some colored bond paper for the back-ground ...
But, highlighting the print piece with some spot color may also be a nice way to make your print piece a little bit more eye-appealing - with just a slight increase in your printing costs.
And, if you can afford it - a full-color photo or graphic image may produce the effect you want at a price you feel is worth it to better showcase your products, goods or services.
3. Know your papers ...
Lots of choices out there ... but probably better to just look at "glossy" vs. "plain" paper to start with ... and make certain your designer works with the printer and paper supplier to make certain the paper is just right for your project.
The "glossy" papers, although ideal for reproducing color photographs, produce a glare that may be hard for some to read.
The "plain" papers are often used when there is limited art work and more text.
4. Deadlines. Deadlines. Deadlines ...
You need adequate lead time to get your project completed. You can't hurry because that's when most
of the mistakes will show up.
Make certain your agency has the finished product ready to go to the printer well in advance of when you need it for distribution. It insures a quality job and saves on rush charges - and re-dos.
5. Proofread before printing ...
Seems obvious, huh?
Unfortunately, it is a step that many overlook - or neglect to do because it can be tedious - especially if the deadlines are too close.
When you have everything ready, proof it again. Check spelling, punctuation, grammar ... all the little things that can go wrong.
Even proof the things you see all the time, like you company name, address, phone, etc.
If you need help with your printing, here are some things that we do well:
* Creative ideas -- so that you don't have to come up with everything yourself
* Layouts and designs -- so that you can "see" what the finished project will look like
* Sizzling Copywriting -- so that your marketing materials sell for you 24/7 and ...
* Dramatic photographs and eye-catching graphics -- so
that your materials visually tell the story you want told.
"I've provided paper and printing for nearly
25 years to these guys. We've done 100's
of print projects for a wide variety of clients."
Mike Wendell
Horizon Printing & Graphics
Puget Sound area
Contact us today for more information and price quotes.
Let us know if we can help you, contact us today:
(425) 355-1415
Glen@LuminaPhotography.com
