Print Perfection: 5 Must-Haves for Choosing the Right Print Partner

Do you think all printers are the same? Not at all! Even though two print shops might have the same equipment, they might have very different philosophies, quality standards, and customer relationships. To help you find the right partner for your printing needs, here’s a quick checklist of questions you’ll want to ask during the vetting process.

1. Do they prioritize customer service? From the first interaction, you should feel valued. Your printer should listen to you, take the time to walk through your options, and help you find solutions when you’re stuck.

2. How do they handle mistakes? Everyone makes mistakes. When your printer makes a mistake, how do they handle it? In a healthy partnership, a printer will take responsibility for its errors and do it quickly and transparently. Ask your printer for examples of how they’ve handled mistakes in the past.

3. Do they have “The Right Stuff”? As your business grows, your printing needs may change. Maybe you only need direct mail today, but you might need signage down the road, too. Or perhaps you will decide to launch your product line and need packaging. Ask how they are growing and investing in their business to ensure they can grow with you.

4. Do they stay on top of industry change? The printing industry continually advances with new techniques, substrates, and approaches. Does your print provider keep pace with those changes and offer you the best, most flexible solutions available?

5. Are they good communicators? A great printer should keep you in the loop at all stages of production—from project kickoff to final delivery—and return your calls promptly.

Selecting the right print provider involves more than choosing a company with the right production equipment. It requires choosing one with a philosophy that matches yours, one that will be there for you over time, and one you can trust. Find those things, and your partnership will be worth its weight in marketing dollars.