Asking the Right Questions Will Get You the Best Printers

You may be feeling that it's too presumptuous to ask or too forward. And you're probably thinking, "How do I do it?"

When getting the best and perfect printing outfit to do the job for you, it all boils down to the fact that you need to know things about the printer. You simply need to know. And for you to be able to be in the "know", you need answers. Getting it straight from the horse's mouth is the only way to do it.

1. How much does it cost? Printers usually have a standard package and rates for the services that are rendered on a fixed specification. However, prices do vary with the amount of work and the requirements given by the customer. Printers often do not quote a price until they know enough about their customer's needs for accuracy. It is still good sense to not rely on the prices and costs that are available online or that of what the printer has made for instant pricing. It just might not be the same price that you'll get after you have been served with the statement of account.

So after providing them your requirements and specifications, ask for a quotation. It is better to be aware of how much you have to pay before you let them start doing their job, than having to be surprised and outraged when you get the final bill.

2. How long will it take? How long is the turnaround? Turnaround time depends on many things: your specifications, requirements, other jobs that your printer already has lined up, availability of materials, etc. etc. Also, expect an answer such as "That depends". Ask your printer what exactly does "That depends" mean. Let your printer be more concrete as possible, asking the number of workers that will be assigned in your project, locations, or other tangible elements.

In addition, ask for a humanly possible deadline. You should remember that you are not the only customer that your printer has. So be flexible. Ask them straight how long they would be able to finish your job order. There will definitely be events and surprises that we cannot comprehend that could occur during the process. If they think there are going to be problems along the way, ask them to tell you outright, not after they have already missed the deadline. Better working relationships are based on truth and honesty.

3. What are the methods to be used to execute the job order? If and when you know the process that your printer is going to apply, you'd be able to create and agree on a more flexible schedule for your finished product. Ask for a step-by-step description. Many printers are more apt to explain the procedure to their clients. There's also nothing wrong with asking whether you could make production visits to ensure that they are right on track. Better yet, you could ask your printer for a list of work schedule so that you could check from time to time the progress of your job order.

4. How much experience do you have? Printers usually have an available portfolio that tells how long they've been in the business and how well they have done in the past, how they are doing in the present, and how they want to be in the future. Included in these are the number of people they have done the same kind of work for, and the clients that they have.
When you need a printer, you want to have someone that is in the know. And most important, you want a printer who is truthful and instills confidence in their answers. It is better to hear someone tell it straight that they are new in the business and ask you to give them a try, rather than to have someone say that they are "THE premiere" printing provider then be disappointed later on.

In terms of the clients that they have, you don't actually need the names. You just want to try to get sense of who they worked for. You need to know that there are other people out there who trust this printer with their job orders and specifications.

5. What are your qualifications? Again, the company's or printer's portfolio will actually have this information. Look for something explicit and succinct. Let the printer know that you are highly interested in getting their expertise and knowledge to do the job for you. And isn't it assuring to have people who try to develop themselves and their expertise to better their brand of service?

These questions are just a starting point. For you to get detailed information, you need to ask detailed questions. It is alright to ask many questions as long as you don't get off as too pesky or come out like you are just trying to annoy your printer. You are paying for a rendered service so it is fine to be conscious and be fully informed of what you're paying for.

Be sure to distill and refine the answers you get, draw out from the insights and read between the lines. You should also refine your questions so they come out clear and concise. You will see the results reflected in your targeted and expected output.

Don't be afraid to ask your printer provider the questions that are nagging you. If and when your printer provider does not provide satisfactory answers, it's time to go shop for another outfit. There is certainly no harm in asking around. Still, the responses you get will be helpful in the long run in determining the value of your job order, and how your choice of printer values their work.

There is no generic question, or answer for that matter, when it comes to establishing a working relationship with your choice of printer provider. Again, the many considerations and factors will come into play. It is still up to you to get the answers you need and the information you deserve. To quote an article: Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.