So, you’re looking for a reliable printer to support your business with all its print needs. But is it a simple supplier or a printing partner you’re after?
In this blog, we outline the key differences between using an ad-hoc supplier or a long-term printing partner, and the key benefits you could be missing out on if you’re not partnered up yet.
We’ll cover…
- What Does a Printing Partner Do?
- What Are the Main Benefits of Working With a Printing Partner?
- How to Choose the Right Printing Partner for Your Business
- Could We Be Your Perfect Match?
What Does a Printing Partner Do?
There are several key differences between an ad-hoc print supplier you might find through a quick internet search and a trusted printing partner you’ll return to each time you need to deliver your messaging in print.
Print suppliers are often chosen based on their price point, with the cheapest coming out on top. Relationships with suppliers like these are transactional rather than collaborative, and are usually very short-term. They’ll come into play towards the end of the process, once you’ve already devised your campaign and finalised your designs.
Most of the time, you won’t have a personal interaction with any member of their team — you’ll simply select a product from their product library, submit your designs according to their specifications, and your printed materials will arrive shortly afterwards. If you’re looking for something bespoke, have queries about your design, or encounter an upload issue, it can be difficult to access the support you need to ensure the perfect print.
Working with a printing partner, on the other hand, is an entirely different experience. Not only will it unlock bespoke print solutions, but when you invest in working with a printing partner like B&B Press, you’ll have a dedicated account manager on hand to offer guidance and answer all of your questions — from advising on paper type and finishes through to providing feedback on designs and a complete print management service.
What Are the Main Benefits of Working With a Printing Partner?
Like any business partnership, there are benefits to establishing a strong working relationship with a team you can trust. Partnerships offer consistency by providing you with a single point of contact who you can turn to any time you’re in need of their services or support.
When you choose to partner up with a great print provider, there are a host of benefits you and your business can enjoy. We’ve listed a few of the main ones below.
1. Quick Turnaround, Reliable Service
Whether you have regular print projects on the go or only require occasional print support, being able to trust that your printer will deliver high-quality products with a high-quality service will make your job 10x easier.
At B&B Press, we know that a lot of print projects have tight turnarounds and fixed deadlines that can’t be missed, and our printing schedules are sensitive to this. We appreciate the frustration caused by supplier delays, which is why we strive never to be the supplier that’s running late and letting people down.
2. Consistent Quality Every Time
When you’re promoting your business, maintaining brand consistency is key — from your fonts, brand colours, logos, and messaging, through to the look and feel of your printed marketing materials. After all, consistent brand experiences build familiarity and recognition, making your business stick in the minds of your potential customers.
Working with a printing partner means being able to trust that this consistency is always achieved. A printing partner will guarantee an end-to-end quality control process, so you can rest assured that even with multiple print runs, everyone in your audience will enjoy the same experience with your brand.
3. Bespoke Requests Are a Breeze
It’s important to be aware that, without a partnership in place, some printers might be reluctant to offer bespoke print solutions, which can place huge limits on what you’re able to achieve with your print marketing efforts.
All print companies provide standard print services to their clients, but a dedicated printing partner will be able to go above and beyond in what they can offer for your business, carrying out custom projects if the occasion calls for it.
Not only this, but you can call on your printing partner to step in at any stage of the process — whether that’s to assist you in getting your artwork print-ready or helping to tackle distribution challenges.
4. Industry Insight and Expertise
Having a printing partner on board gives you access to specialist support and expertise gained over years of successful print production. This means unlocking innovative approaches to print design and problem-solving, as well as insights into what’s trending in print and which techniques and materials will set you apart from your competition.
5. Print With a Personal Touch
At B&B Press, we know that good business is built on great relationships. That’s why we always appreciate the opportunity to work with other businesses whose values align with our own, and take pride in the time we invest into seeing our clients succeed.
When you partner up with a team like B&B Press, it’s about more than just the print. The more we get to know about your business and your goals, the greater support we can offer to help you achieve maximum impact with your printed marketing efforts.
We’re here to help you make the best possible impression with your customers, and we’re always on hand to offer expert guidance and strategic advice to support your wider marketing campaign with our bespoke print management service.
How to Choose the Right Printing Partner for Your Business
Establishing a strong partnership takes time, and there’s a lot riding on your decision! When it comes to choosing the right printing partner for your business, it can be tricky knowing where to start your search.
Here are some of the key things to keep in mind when researching your potential new printing partnership…
1. Their Reputation Precedes Them — In A Good Way!
Before the internet, we’d usually only be able to learn of a company’s reputation through advertising and word of mouth. Now, thankfully, one quick online search can show you everything you need to know in just a few minutes.
Reading about other people’s experiences through the company’s website, customer stories, Google reviews, or social media profiles can be a great way to establish whether they’re the right team for the job. Proof of the perfect match will shine through in the way others speak about them and interact with the business online.
2. Their Ethics Align with Your Own
In modern business, partnerships are very rarely purely strategic. Now more than ever, businesses are prioritising an ethical approach and are seeking partners who do the same.
Reading a company’s website, blog articles, and social media posts should give you a good sense of where they stand in terms of their mission, vision, and core values. If they’re similar to your own, you know you’re off to a good start.
3. They’re Capable
Some printers specialise in shorter print runs, while others focus on large-scale bulk jobs that keep presses running for days. Some are limited in the materials they can print on, while others have the technology to print on a wide range of substrates.
When you’re considering a printing partner, it’s important to make sure they can support your needs — both now and as your requirements grow in the future.
Could We Be Your Perfect Match?
If you’re on the hunt for your ideal printing partner, you might just be in the right place! We’d love to learn more about your business and its printing needs to see if we’d be a good fit. Fancy a chat?
