Startups still need a lot of printing. Most businesses print significant volumes for their needs between core products, informational resources, and marketing materials. You need higher-quality printing if you want your startup to make an impression and preserve its reputation.
So how do you get it?
Understand the Process
First, it’s important that you understand the commercial printing process. That way, you’ll understand the products and services you’re buying, and you’ll be in a much better position to make effective decisions for your organization’s unique needs.
Typically, the process goes something like this:
Design and prepress
Much of the work will be done before the printing machines fire up. In the design and prepress phase, your designers and the printer you choose to work with will be responsible for creating materials and preparing equipment to support the final product. You can iron out many mistakes and mitigate potential issues here.
Printing
Once you decide on the printing process you’ll use, the printing itself will largely be on rails. Your printing partner will handle the equipment and core printing process, adhering to the job specs as closely as possible.
Print Finishing
Print finishing is a set of processes that occur after initial printing. Depending on your needs, these often include things like laminating, collating, binding, and more. Some organizations practice inline print finishing, accelerating the process by integrating print finishing directly into the production line. In contrast, others practice offline print finishing, taking more time but enjoying much more flexibility and scalability.
Quality control
After the print-finishing process is done, the quality control phase begins. Good commercial printers invest heavily in this phase, ensuring the work is completed according to internal quality standards.
Key Strategies to Improve the Quality of Your Printing
What are the most important strategies to increase the quality of your printing?
Assess your project
There are many different types of printing – each of which has strengths and weaknesses. The quality of your finished product is going to depend on your ability to select the right printing processes. A good printing partner should be able to help you understand the details of your specific project and recommend the right course of action.
Choose the right partner
It’s also important to choose the right partner. Many businesses have the equipment or access to equipment necessary to support full-scale commercial print jobs. However, not all of them are equally invested in the quality of their output. Do your due diligence, look for partners with a long history of success, and always check out reviews and testimonials before finalizing the partnership.
Work through the options
You’ll probably have lots of options for how to print your project and how to finally present it to your audience. Review these options carefully, and avoid making up your mind until you’ve seen all of them. Your choice in things like paper stock and finishing can make a big impact on how audiences perceive your materials.
Be willing to spend a bit more
If you’re interested in getting the highest quality possible, consider increasing your budget. In printing, as is the case with many industries, top-quality materials and processes are more expensive than their cheaper counterparts. Increasing your budget even slightly could entitle you to better resources.
Polish your design
Your work depends heavily on your design quality, so spend some extra time polishing it before you send it to the printer. Make sure you’re working with professionals who have experience designing for print, as it’s not the same as designing for digital.
Review the proofs
Your order will likely have a proof associated with it. A proof is a single sample designed to illustrate how your product will look once it’s finally printed. Printers like to show you a proof to see if you’re satisfied with the quality before they print thousands of copies. This step is no mere formality; you can review all the options you selected and proofread your work one last time. Once you approve the proof, you can no longer make changes.
Finalize the project carefully
Before you sign off on it, review all the details with a fine-tooth comb to ensure they meet your standards.
Finding a quality printer is easier than ever. But with so many considerations to remember, choosing the perfect partner can be tricky – and completing a project according to your desired quality can be even trickier. Still, with these strategies and attention to detail, you should be in a position to complete your project satisfactorily.
Photo by Fernando Arcos: Pexels
