American companies will spend $110 billion on traditional print advertisements by the end of last year. And ads are a small subset of the many paper mediums companies rely on. What about internal projects, sales pitches, product mockups, and more?
In short: Print isn't dead. And it's not cheap either.
In fact, printing expenses account for a significant portion of any company's resources. That's why you want to try printing on a budget. The problem is, you don't know enough about cheap printing options to land the best deal possible.
Stop spending more than you have to on printing expenses. Instead, read on and discover six tips and solutions for businesses printing on a budget.
1. Get Quotes
One of the best ways to get the most out of your budget is to get the most out of your printing company. It all starts by researching reliable businesses that often work within your industry.
As you create your list, always consult the company reviews. While you can find budget printing options, they aren't always worth the price. Would you want to use a poor-quality print to advertise your service?
Probably not.
Once you've trimmed your list of print companies with the help of reviews, you're ready to take the next step. Provide a thorough write-up of the project, including the type and size of paper, number of pages, bindings, and more.
Detailed information will help these companies give you accurate quotes, which you can use to come to a final determination.
2. Order in Advance
Search for printing solutions as soon as you need them. Waiting until the last minute could cost you in more ways than one. Some print companies can turn around an order in a single day, but this means there's very little time, if any, to make corrections or adjustments.
Not to mention, you'll have to pay extra for an expedited print. It's best to give the standard printing service two weeks to handle your request.
However, one week may be an acceptable time frame if your order is only a few pages. For larger requests such as brochures or catalogs, it may be in your best interest to start the project one or two months before the deadline.
3. Be Specific
Printing is a collaborative process. Sometimes, the details can become lost in translation. For that reason, make absolutely sure that you are conveying your request in clear and specific language.
This is less of a concern if your business has already created the copy and art. In this case, you'll only have to discuss print options before coming to the final product.
But when you need some assistance in terms of artwork, typography, or more, always be concise.
Communicate about what works and what doesn't, and describe upfront what you're looking for in the project. Fewer edits lead to both faster turnaround times and lower expenses.
4. Use Color Sparingly
If you have a small printing budget, consider keeping things monotone.
The fact of the matter is colored ink is expensive, and the costs add up when you're mass-producing high-quality images. You're also paying more for the printing company to edit these colored images and balance brightness, tones, and contrast.
Follow the old adage that less is more. If you're concerned that your printing project won't impress in black and white alone, you can still make use of color. Choose one or two shades and incorporate them tastefully throughout the piece.
In most cases, these limitations often lead to prints with better design decisions. The thoughtless use of color can be disorienting and distract from the actual copy on the page.
5. Prune the Paper
At the office, ink is the largest culprit of printing expenses. But for large-scale printing operations, the paper itself comes at a significant cost. That's because these printing companies use high-quality, specialized types of paper.
Cut the number of pages you require and you'll benefit from significant cost savings. Ensure you're not wasting space anywhere in your project. Otherwise, that's an opportunity to consolidate.
When your project is as efficient as possible, you can also save by using a different type of paper. For example, thin paper weighs less and can reduce the total price, especially when shipping is a factor.
Many printing companies bulk-order their most popular type of paper, known as the "house" paper. This is often the cheapest option available due to high-volume cost savings. By making the switch, some of those savings will pass down to you.
6. Work With a Talented Designer
Most print companies have in-house designers of their own to help those in need. While they come with an additional price tag, these professionals oftentimes pay for themselves.
Due to their expertise in the world of printing and design, they're familiar with cost-effective design choices. Whether it's choosing a different type of paper or compressing the project into fewer pages, a designer can help you save.
Not to mention, the aesthetic and organization of your project stand to benefit. It's an excellent way to stretch your printing budget and create an effective publication.
Printing on a Budget Without Compromises
Cheap printing options may appear at first to fit the bill. That changes when they offer poor-quality service and products. Luckily, you don't have to compromise when you're printing on a budget.
Small changes to your design can lead to some big savings. Go back to the drawing board and prune the project until only the essentials remain. In the end, it'll be better for both your wallet and the final print.
Trying to stretch your budget and improve your bottom line? Search our site and find more ways your small business can save more money while building your brand.
