Any small business owner will tell you that saving money is every bit as important during the good times as it is when things are tight. It is simply the best way to do business, and that typically means constantly monitoring expenses and taking every opportunity to shave a few cents where you can—provided that you are not sacrificing quality. This is especially true for commercial printing costs associated with business documents and marketing collateral. No one is suggesting that you need to strip the budget, though printing costs can balloon out of control if you are not careful.
So, what can you do about it? Thankfully, there are several things you can do to ensure you are getting the best value for your dollar, rather than wasting money on something that may or may not work.
Commercial Printing Doesn’t Have to Cost an Arm and a Leg
Analysts at GMI Research estimate that the commercial printing market was worth $460 billion in 2022 and forecasted to reach $518.6 billion by 2030. That is a lot of money being poured into marketing efforts, and we certainly want that to continue. That said, there are ways to reduce unnecessary costs impacting your bottom line. Brumley Printing wants to be your commercial printer of choice, and one of the reasons our loyal clients keep coming back is that they know, beyond the quality of our services, they are getting the most value for their investment.
They also know they are working with someone who knows the industry, seeks to understand what each client is looking for, and then educates the client so they spend their money on the right things.
Here are a few ways you can reduce your commercial printing costs:
1. Consider digital printing
When feasible, have your printed projects (flyers, brochures, etc.) done digitally rather than with offset printing. Granted, offset printing remains a cost-effective commercial printing method especially if color correction or specific color matching is crucial, but it is ideally suited for consistently high-quality, bulk printing jobs. Digital printing can also save you a pretty penny if you are working with smaller batches or a quick turnaround. It also helps reduce inventory costs by enabling on-demand production, which eliminates the need for large initial print runs and minimizes the risk of obsolescence from outdated designs, regulations, or changing market demands.
2. Proof everything
According to BrightLocal, nearly 100% of people use the internet to find a business to work with. Many of those same industry experts contend that errors in grammar and spelling in your website, social media posts, or marketing materials make your company appear unprofessional and careless. Additionally, commercial printing errors can result in significant financial losses for companies, including rework, wasted materials, and damage to brand reputation. Be sure to proofread everything before sending the job to the printer. This includes graphics, font styles and sizes, colors, transparencies, and spelling. In some cases, your printer will catch mistakes that slipped past you but remember you bear the final responsibility for any unintentional errors you submitted or have signed off on.
3. Use lighter-weight paper
Printing on lighter-weight paper when possible can also help reduce printing costs. Keep in mind that some printing jobs may require heavier-weight paper to achieve the desired look and feel. In these cases, it is usually better to pay more and get what you really want than to settle for an inferior product.
4. Think carefully before adding excess imagery
Incorporating numerous images in your print jobs can quickly drive up costs. But the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words” still rings true. Fortunately, there are several things you can do that will allow you to use images in your printed materials without busting your budget. For starters, you should avoid using “bleeds”. A bleed is a printing term that describes a document that contains an image or images that extend beyond the trim edge of the paper. Bleeds must be printed on larger paper and then trimmed down, which results in higher costs.
5. Say no to custom paper stock
Many commercial printers have a wide variety of stock papers that they use on a regular basis, and these are typically less expensive than custom stock that must be specially ordered.
6. Print everything at once
If there is a chance that you might need more of a particular printed piece in the future, it is usually a good idea to go ahead and have them printed all at one time. This is especially true for offset commercial printing jobs that include setup charges for every run of a printing project.
7. Plan and schedule your print jobs
We have all heard that “patience is a virtue.” When it comes to commercial printing, it can also help reduce costs. Last-minute, rush orders cost more and are more prone to errors than well-thought-out orders that are placed far in advance of the time the printed materials are actually needed.
Analysts at GMI Research estimate that the commercial printing market was worth $460 billion in 2022 and forecasted to reach $518.6 billion by 2030.
Turn to Brumley Printing for Competitively Priced Commercial Printing
Just like every commercial printing project matters, the money you spend on those efforts matters too. Thankfully, there are strategies to ensure you spend your hard-earned money wisely, and the best place to start is with Brumley Printing. We are not here to spend all your money. We are here to educate you on what makes the most sense for you and your commercial printing budget.
Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring your next commercial printing job is a success—regardless of your printing specifications or needs. We work with our customers to understand their unique ideas and needs. We ask the right questions and take pride in identifying potential obstacles in advance. This collaborative effort provides invaluable peace of mind every step of the way.
Brumley Printing has been helping Fort Worth small businesses with their custom printing and marketing needs for over 30 years. We provide quality services at competitive prices and offer unprecedented service and guidance to every client. When you choose Brumley Printing as your print provider, you can be assured of high quality and great value. To get started, call us at (817) 336-5551.