In the 21st century, almost everything is online, including advertising and marketing. The convenience and low turnaround time of digital media have made print marketing lose its sheen (pun intended). These days print advertising or marketing is either considered ineffective or a waste of money.
While most people consider print marketing to be dead, a report by FinancesOnline paints a different picture. According to the report, 92 percent 18-23 years old say print is easier to read than digital, 80 percent of consumers act on directed printed mail advertisements, and 77 percent of consumers reported that print media has higher levels of recall.
It’s pretty clear now that print marketing remains one of the most effective mediums to build a brand’s goodwill in the market. Therefore, it would be a good business strategy to hire a printing company to drive your print marketing campaigns. Here are the top 5 factors to consider when selecting a printing company.
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Length of the Stint in the Industry
Before anything else, do some due diligence and find out how long a printing company has been in the industry. A highly-experienced printing company like https://www.crystalprint.co.uk/ with a 30-year long stint in the biz is more likely to understand your needs than a relatively new company.
Since the printing industry happens to be ultra-competitive and constantly evolving, the seniority of the companies has proven to be a good indicator of their credibility. To explain, if a company has managed to sustain itself in such a highly competitive industry for more than a decade, then that speaks volumes about that company’s knowledge and expertise.
The longer a printing company has been in the industry, the higher the likelihood that they have worked with similar businesses like you in the past and will better understand your project. In the same vein, a company that’s not as efficient or skilled will not last for long in this line of business. Therefore, the longevity of a company is an essential factor when picking a commercial printing company.
Excellent Cost-Performance Ratio
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, print advertising is either considered ineffective or extra cost by the company. Therefore, it’s mandatory to start with a printing company that offers an excellent cost-performance ratio to lay down the foundation to justify higher spending in the future.
Look for companies that offer quality printing for an affordable price. Remember, in addition to cost-effectiveness; a good printing company brings a lot more to the table. To illustrate, a seasoned and professional printing company will appoint a dedicated point person for the companies to oversee the printing project from start to finish to eliminate any delays or errors.
Other traits of a good printing company include timely delivery, willingness to make changes on short notice, paying attention to your needs, and being available for questions or doubts. In a nutshell, a good printing company offers not only excellent value for money but also a straightforward solution.
Range of Services Offered
Picking a printing company with a limited range of services will affect the scope of what you can achieve from your association with that particular company. On the flip side, a company with a wide array of equipment and services will widen your horizon with a broad selection of printing options.
It would be wise to search for a printing company that is well equipped to handle not only your current requirement but also any other needs you anticipate in the future. Consider things like the range of papers on offer, binding service, coating options, finishing varieties, laminating, die-cutting, and embossing.
Versatility is the best service that any printing company can offer to its clients. With a range of different services and options on offer, the client is spoilt for choices and can pick the best possible options to achieve the desired outcome.
Proactive Approach to Business
A customer is always right, even when they are wrong. A good printing company will have a customer-centric approach to deliver the desired outcome. Ideally, a company must look for a printer that is willing to offer guidance and suggestions based on their expertise and experience in the field.
You can tell a printing company is good when they take a proactive approach and ask questions about the project’s target audience and intended goal. In turn, the clarity will help the printer suggest ideas and solutions that will be more efficient to achieve the goal.
Excellent Customer Care Service
According to a PwC survey, 65% of patrons in the UK confirmed that a good customer experience is one of the key deciding factors for making a purchase decision. This stands for all industries, including printing. A company with a skilled and knowledgeable customer service team in place will provide the best consumer experience.
Modern print projects can be technical and involved, which means companies are looking for expert help and advice and not scripted customer responses. Printing companies with a prompt customer service team that addresses concerns and queries timely should be the top priority. Remember, only the companies with customers’ best interests in their minds will be able to offer the level of service and attention you deserve.
These were the five factors to consider when looking for a printing company for your print project. The baseline here is to pick a printing company that will be as invested in your print project as you and strives to make your vision a reality.
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