If you are in charge of print management for your firm, you need to know the key questions to ask a Printer. Here we have compiled a list of the 10 most common things we get asked by our customers.
What printing choices do I have?
You should always ask your printer about the processes that are best for your job. Depending on your quantity, they might recommend either digital or litho options. Your time limitations, budget and purpose will all go into this decision.
Have you assessed the creep and bleed?
If you are printing a bound book or brochure, your printer might advise you to leave space and time for creep. This process can take time for designed work, and you might need to allow for this in your schedule. Your printer will also check for bleed – 3 mm is standard as a precaution.
Can you help me choose the paper stock?
You might know exactly what you want, but your printer can help you choose the best paper stock for your project and your budget.
Should I mark up my artwork with specs?
It can be a good idea to mark up artwork with the specs and colours that you want to use. This helps to prevent misunderstandings and ensures that you get exactly what you want.
What size is best for my products
Your printing team has expertise in all aspects of the industry, and they can help you determine the best size for your specific project. A few millimetres here and there can really increase or decrease the cost, and they can help you to save money.
What about formatting and folds?
If you are looking to print something with a unique format or folds, your printer can help. They can advise on any unusual folds, and they can tell you if you need to adjust your artwork to make the format work.
How many copies should I print?
While you don’t want to fall short, you also don’t want to print far too many copies of a brochure or report. Not only is this a waste of money, it will also lead to heaps of unused paper just taking up space. Your printer can help you determine a good number of copies to print.
When can I see a proof?
Before anything is set to print, you should always ask to see a proof. Even a PDF proof is a good idea if you can’t come to check the material as it is being printed.
What is the timescale for the project?
It is always a good idea to firmly confirm the time scale before you promise anything to your superiors or clients. Just because something happened quickly last time does not always mean that the same thing can happen again – make sure that a deadline is agreed upon before getting started.
Will you keep me up to date?
We advise that you regularly check in with your printing team. They will let you know if any problems arise, and you should do the same if this occurs on your end.