Commercial printing is an essential part of many businesses’ operations. The paper stock, ink quality, and choice of technology used in the printing process can all impact your product and, ultimately, your success. So, how to choose a commercial printing company that ticks all the right boxes?
Before you narrow down your options, you should have a concrete idea of what you want in a commercial printing company. Your line of business, budgetary constraints, and delivery needs are just a portion of the deciding factors.
Below, we’ll go over some aspects to help you determine the right commercial printing company for you.
How to Choose a Commercial Printing Company: Key Factors
Finding a reliable printing company is easier said than done. A lot of elements come into play, like cost, experience, and adaptability to industry trends. We’ve outlined some vital factors to help nudge you in the right direction:
Scope of services
When choosing commercial printing services, think about the type of printing you need. Your safest option is to look into the different services offered by printing companies and decide which ones your business would benefit from the most.
At CityPress, we offer the following printing solutions:
Digital printing
Offset lithography
Flexography printing
Large format printing.
Printing quality
The printing quality is key when choosing your professional printing provider. For example, if you work with banners, ensure the commercial printer company knows the appropriate resolution for a print of that size, as well as the best ink to use. This is just one example of how to narrow down good commercial companies.
Paper stock and ink options
If your line of business relies on paper, it’s vital to choose the right kind of paper. For example, businesses that need paper stock for the distribution of flyers and brochures would want to work with a printing company that offers glossy, eye-catching coated paper to attract a larger audience.
On the other hand, if you handle book printing, you’d want to choose a company that offers uncoated stocks for the inside of the books and glossy and coated stocks for the covers.
The type of ink matters, too. For instance, if you require flexographic printing services, whether the commercial printing service uses solvent base or water base inks can make all the difference in the photo quality.
Print-on-demand option
Look for companies that offer a print-on-demand option. Print-on-demand is an appealing option to small and large businesses alike – it’s an excellent way to test out designs and figure out what sells. Plus, the delivery is quicker, and the costs are low due to the simplified production process.
Level of automation
Choosing a printing company with a high level of automation offers several benefits for your printing needs, including efficiency, quick turnaround, and precision.
With robust automation, you don’t have to worry about your role in the commercial printing process. Not only is it cost-effective, but automation saves you time and speeds up the whole production, getting your products to your clients as quickly as possible.
Pricing
An expert printing service will have prices that reflect its quality standards. If you want to get more bang for your buck, be ready to invest good money in your printing provider. The delivery speed, level of experience, and type of printer press are among the factors that affect the pricing of commercial printing services.
Delivery speed
If you don’t know how to choose a commercial printing company, consider the delivery options. For example, fast-paced industries like finance and real estate rely heavily on printing and have a constant demand for paper. Businesses in these sectors would benefit from a commercial printer with speedy delivery, preferably same-day delivery.
Portfolio
It’s always a positive when the printing business has its work showcased on its site. That way, you’ll be able to see whether your demands line up with what the provider can do. Check whether the business in question has worked on projects similar to yours, whether that be booklets, business cards, or direct mail.
Our CityPress portfolio is regularly updated for clients to flip through!
Location
If you have multiple stores across the country, you should consider a commercial printer with more locations as well. This will make it easy for you to pick up orders if necessary for a speedier delivery.
Signs You Should Avoid a Commercial Printing Company
Finally, here are some warning signs a particular commercial printer may not be a good pick:
Limited scope of services - Depending on your business, you might need to expand your printing needs down the line. Instead of switching between printing providers, it’s best to make sure your top picks offer an array of printing options.
Subpar quality- If the colors look faded or the text is blurry, it’s a sign that you’re working with the wrong commercial printer. The problem may be an old commercial printing press or outdated technology.
Unreliable customer service- The customer support team is the connecting bridge between the client and the service provider. If you can’t rely on the commercial printing business’s customer service representatives, or they consistently fail to offer solutions to your problems, it’s a sign to stay away.
Little to no experience- While it’s good to give smaller printing providers a chance to prove themselves, if they have nothing to show for their previous works, it might be because their projects haven’t been up to par.
Hopefully, these points have given you a better idea of how to choose a commercial printing company that fits your needs.
CityPress: The Answer to Your Commercial Printing Needs
If your business is dependent on printing, finding a reliable commercial printing company should be your first priority.
CityPress is a professional commercial printing company with proven experience in digital printing using the latest trends and technologies. Our print options include indoor and outdoor POS displays, corporate and event signage, vinyl banners, and more. Whatever your digital printing needs may be, we’ve got you covered.
Let us handle all your printing needs from start to finish – contact us here.
Steve Bates
Steve is the president of CityPress and brings a wealth of knowledge from the printing industry to readers, helping them make more informed decisions in an ever-changing printing space.