Learn Useful Hints to Help You Pinch Your Print Pennies

We know that marketing your business with professional printing materials can be expensive. And in these tough economic times, it's more important than ever to be efficient wherever possible. So, consider the following cost-saving tips to help you get the most bang for your marketing buck.

1. Plan Ahead for Affordable Printing

There are some areas in business where it is okay to procrastinate...unfortunately printing is not one of them. You'll avoid hefty production and shipping rush charges by giving yourself and your printer plenty of time to get things completed. The more complicated the print project, the more time you should allocate to mitigate any unexpected issues that may come up. Not sure how long your project will take? Find more information on Printingforless.com's standard printing production timelines and shipping scheduling.

2. Consider Your 'Per Piece' Rate

Do you know that you would pay just $16 more to go from 250 to 500 brochures? It pays to purchase six to twelve months of materials at once, rather than order four different print jobs. You can even order one print run for your next several mailings. Just have your printer hold the printed pieces until your scheduled mailing comes up.

3. Stick With Standard Papers and Sizes

Every time you order a non-standard paper stock or size, you increase the price of your project. Due to cost efficiencies achieved by ganging - placing multiple print projects on a common printing sheet - commercial printers usually charge more for custom papers and sizes. So, stick with house stocks and standard sizes if you are printing on a budget.

4. Utilize a Print and Mail Shop

If you are planning on printing and mailing your newly-printed postcards, brochures or newsletters, it might be smart to enlist a one-stop-shop to handle it all for you. Oftentimes, you'll save money by having your printer handle the mailing portion of your campaign as well because you can avoid the cost of having your project shipped to you first. Plus, you won't have to spend precious time messing with address labels, licking stamps, or hauling heavy boxes to the Post Office. Check out PFL's Mailing Services Guide or mail layout templates for best results!

5. Request Samples

Start by requesting various paper and layout samples. A good printing company will send you physical samples of a wide range of papers to help you choose the right "look and feel" for your project. Reviewing physical samples instead of relying on written descriptions, you’ll ensure you get what you want the first time increasing your campaign’s response rate and eliminating “do-over” costs.

By considering these helpful print tips, your next printing experience will not only be more affordable, but also more enjoyable. Inexpensive printing doesn't have to mean 'cheap printing'. By being prepared and knowing the ins and outs of commercial printing, you can save money and still receive a high quality product.