If you have a large or small printing job to run off, you have many choices. In Chicago, you can choose from a local printer or from some service online – which does not make the two mutually exclusive. You can opt for the least expensive printing company, but this does not mean you will get a good job. In fact, the job may never be finished to your satisfaction. Hopefully, the following tips will help you weed through the available pin companies and find the right one.
- Quality: Before you even consider a printer, check the quality of their work. Examine their website. Ask for any samples of their printing skills. Look at them in terms of text and image alignment, clarity, and general standards. What quality of paper does the company use? Try to obtain examples that are similar to the work you need done. This makes comparing jobs easier.
- Reliability: How reliable is the company at getting its printing done on time? Are there any issues with orders being later or forgotten? Ask current and prior customers about this.
- Environmentally Friendly: If you are part of the Green Movement, you do not want to see a company wasting ink, trees and other materials. Does the company have the international standard ISO 14001? Does it possess accreditations such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC?
- Printing Press: What types of printing presses does the company operate? Are they strictly digital or do they have other options? If digital, what type of computer system do they use? Is it the latest model – these tend to be of a higher quality than earlier versions.
- Paper: What paper types do they employ? Do you have options in terms of weight, size, color, thickness, etc.? If so, is the paper suitable for your purpose e.g. business cards, documents, posters?
- Designers: Does the printing company have a designer ready and willing to help you with your projects if you need or want it?
- Customer Service: What is the level of their customer service? Will they handle the details in-shop and not send anything out? Do they relate to you and your business in a friendly, co-operative and professional manner? Does the staff from the top to the bottom communicate well with you and understand your needs and specifications?
- Price: Is it market price but fair? Do they offer various options? Can you get something affordable in the Chicago shop that is not cheap in quality?
Finding the Right Printing Company
If you live in Chicago, IL, you have access to many printers both in-shop and online. It is your responsibility to find the right one for the jobs you need done. Do your research. Be thorough. Make sure that, while price is important, it should never come at the cost of quality. A good printing company can deliver quality printing at an affordable price.
