Newsletter Production
Printer Charming
How to Choose a Commercial Printer
So, your newsletter is all written, edited, and
proofread. Your articles are interesting and your design looks great. What’s
missing? The final step—printing.
Many newsletter producers will print out their
newsletter on their own printer and make copies on a photocopier. That is
a great solution for a limited budget and a small run. You may find that
this option is all you ever need.
But what if you want to print a tabloid sized (11 x 17
inch) newsletter and your copier only handles 8½ x 11 inch paper? What
should you do if you want a more polished, professional look? Do you want
to print in a color other than black? It may be time to use an outside
printing service.
There are so many commercial printers out there. It can
be difficult to choose which printer is best for you. If you’re
wondering what is the best way to find and work with a printer, consider
these tips.
Start at Home
Consider your budget carefully. Knowing how much you
can spend allows your printer to understand your limitations and assist
you in making the right choices. Be honest with your printer about your
budget. But also expect to pay for quality printing services. Ask
questions of your printer before you submit your job for printing. You
will then be aware of any extra charges due to special paper, ink, or
folding work beforehand.
Shop Around
Call or visit several printers in your area and discuss
your newsletter project with them. Ask friends and business associates for
recommendations. Make sure to ask for samples of their work. It is a good
idea to view a sample as it comes off the press. Just looking at the
samples they have on file won’t give you a complete idea of their
day-to-day printing output. When choosing a commercial printer, don’t base your decision solely
on price. Customer service, quality of work, and commitment to fulfilling
your order on time are just as important.
Be Realistic
You can’t have full color printing for a small run of newsletters at
a price that will fit most community’s budget. You can’t get your
final proof to the printers in the morning and expect it back that
afternoon. You can’t expect to have a newsletter printed on hot pink
paper in blue ink look good. Printers have limitations. It is helpful to be realistic and to ask
questions before your job is printed. Also, the more flexible you are, the
smoother your job will go. Remember this general rule of thumb. When getting a document printed,
you are looking for quality, price, and speed. You will generally end up
with two. For example, you can get a great looking publication printed on
time, but it may cost you more. Or you can get good quality on your
newsletter at a bargain price, but this job may take longer. Fast and
cheap usually means lower quality. Decide what is most important to you
and discuss this with your printer. If you are unsure about something,
just ask.
Develop a Relationship
Once you find a printer that you like, foster that relationship. You
will have a good understanding of what to expect and will come to trust in
your printer’s judgment. Your printer, in turn, will better understand
your needs and the manner in which your work is presented. By anticipating
your needs, your printer can schedule your work ahead of time and offer
you faster turn-around time. If you ever need any other printing done, you
will have a trusted partner to turn to and can be confident in the
results.
Before you pick your printer, read our important list of questions
to ask!
