Printing Companies???
Discussion
Am I correct in thinking that when I get anything printed through a printing company such as one off the internet (e.g. www.vistaprint.co.uk/), most of these companies don't actually own a big printing press. Instead they are merely acting as a middle man and charging me for ordering through them. If this is true, does it mean that if I don't need anything designed or even if I could design it myself, I can go straight to an actual printing company that owns its own printing press and save myself the cost of paying the middle man.
Can anyone suggest one of these companies. Thanx
Can anyone suggest one of these companies. Thanx
BRoCceRs said:
Stephanie Plum said:
I just replied in the other forum!! Yes we'll do it cheaper, and yes they are leeches.... sorry did I type that?! I meant middlemen.......
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Crikey, have you been drinking Plum ?
Edited by BRoCceRs on Monday 27th November 22:04
When have I not?
And I just checked your website....... oops. In my defence, I do have a big printing press - in fact more than one.
Edited by Stephanie Plum on Monday 27th November 22:09
Stephanie Plum said:
I just replied in the other forum!! Yes we'll do it cheaper, and yes they are leeches.... sorry did I type that?! I meant middlemen.......
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
I don't think they're leeches in the strictest sense, but IMO print management outfits invariably dip-out a bit on quality. Colours a bit off, not-quite in spec paper and that sort of thing.
yertis said:
Stephanie Plum said:
I just replied in the other forum!! Yes we'll do it cheaper, and yes they are leeches.... sorry did I type that?! I meant middlemen.......
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
I don't think they're leeches in the strictest sense, but IMO print management outfits invariably dip-out a bit on quality. Colours a bit off, not-quite in spec paper and that sort of thing.
That's because they try and buy everything at the lowest price - so, I as a printer, will put up on press first, and potentially take more care of, a client who comes direct and pays a good price for a good job, and pays on time.
We use RCS exclusively - they've never let us down. Great prices from quantities of 1 up to 10,000. rcs.plc.somethingorother
Oh and they've got all their own mega expensive equipment - they're printing 10 sets of x 17 A4 glossy images pages for £99 delivered.
Oh and they've got all their own mega expensive equipment - they're printing 10 sets of x 17 A4 glossy images pages for £99 delivered.
Edited by aceparts_com on Monday 27th November 22:21
Stephanie Plum said:
yertis said:
Stephanie Plum said:
I just replied in the other forum!! Yes we'll do it cheaper, and yes they are leeches.... sorry did I type that?! I meant middlemen.......
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
I don't think they're leeches in the strictest sense, but IMO print management outfits invariably dip-out a bit on quality. Colours a bit off, not-quite in spec paper and that sort of thing.
That's because they try and buy everything at the lowest price - so, I as a printer, will put up on press first, and potentially take more care of, a client who comes direct and pays a good price for a good job, and pays on time.
Hmm that's totally wrong but hey you know that - and you'd be telling everyone you never outsource as a manufacturer too.
BRoCceRs said:
Stephanie Plum said:
yertis said:
Stephanie Plum said:
I just replied in the other forum!! Yes we'll do it cheaper, and yes they are leeches.... sorry did I type that?! I meant middlemen.......
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
Mail me - I'll let you have a price
I don't think they're leeches in the strictest sense, but IMO print management outfits invariably dip-out a bit on quality. Colours a bit off, not-quite in spec paper and that sort of thing.
That's because they try and buy everything at the lowest price - so, I as a printer, will put up on press first, and potentially take more care of, a client who comes direct and pays a good price for a good job, and pays on time.
Hmm that's totally wrong but hey you know that - and you'd be telling everyone you never outsource as a manufacturer too.
I take it you mean ethically wrong? And we only outsource when we are absolutely stacked or we've had a major breakdown - with 2x 6 colour B1s and 1x12 colour B1, plus 2x NexPresses that doesn't happen often!
Stephanie Plum said:
I take it you mean ethically wrong? And we only outsource when we are absolutely stacked or we've had a major breakdown - with 2x 6 colour B1s and 1x12 colour B1, plus 2x NexPresses that doesn't happen often!
You take that incorrectly. I'm pleased that some companies stick to a certain area and do it well but other firms need more than a one trick pony, the larger of which use industry 'leeches' like Communisis.
Print Management companies are (a)arses who go for the cheapest price and then screw it down further but (b)have quite a lot of work which appeals to printers with empty presses in this competitive market place.
My old printer used to have a 'tray' system in estimating - tray 1 was instant price, for good loyal punters, tray 2 was for virtually everyone else, price in a day or two and tray 3 was for print management companies, conveniently located in the nearest bin.
They too take a lot of care for direct customers, often acting as advisers as much as printers and checking every job is as good as it can be.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to Vistaprint. Yes they're cheap, but you will be bombarded with intrusive advertising from that moment on.
My old printer used to have a 'tray' system in estimating - tray 1 was instant price, for good loyal punters, tray 2 was for virtually everyone else, price in a day or two and tray 3 was for print management companies, conveniently located in the nearest bin.
They too take a lot of care for direct customers, often acting as advisers as much as printers and checking every job is as good as it can be.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to Vistaprint. Yes they're cheap, but you will be bombarded with intrusive advertising from that moment on.
What about design companies that print manage for their clients. I've been running a design company for over 15 years and have recently merged it with my wife's promotions company. As well as a design consultancy, we handle printing for all our clients, from screen, pad, litho, digital and embriodery. We keep the quality very high, by using the same suppliers we have for years, and who only deal with trade customers like us.
pcowen said:
What about design companies that print manage for their clients. I've been running a design company for over 15 years and have recently merged it with my wife's promotions company. As well as a design consultancy, we handle printing for all our clients, from screen, pad, litho, digital and embriodery. We keep the quality very high, by using the same suppliers we have for years, and who only deal with trade customers like us.
You are just leeches too.
Some of our biggest clients are designers who provide print to their end users but don't have the time to manage the project once artwork is signed off. Obviously with a spend of 100k plus with a particular supplier you are able to make sure your 1000 quid spending client gets better treatment than he would going direct, plus less hassle. Also the supplier knows they will be paid on time which protects them from bad debts.
S.
Edited by Broccers on Thursday 30th November 11:50
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