What Are The Benefits of Local Print Shops Over Online Printing?
COST
Which costs more? Online printers advertise their savings as the number one difference. Pricing is usually the first thought for customers, but comparing local print shops like ours to online printing is like comparing apples to oranges. Here are some of the differences:
Online Printing
Customers have to submit a PERFECT file. No one will check the work for mistakes or errors. Knowledge of file formatting are necessary. The customer pays for those mistakes, as well as high shipping costs.
Local Print Shops
Local printers work with customers to make sure the sizing and the imaging are correct. We also advise customers on which materials are right for them. By doing this we ensure the final printed piece is exactly what they are looking for.
KNOWLEDGE
Our team has many years in the print industry. A customer debating on online printing or local should take into consideration of just how complicated printing is. The technology is constantly changing, and there are so many factors in creating a finished piece.
Online Printing
Seldom have print and design experts. There is no guidance and no guarantee the customer will get the results they intended.
Local Print Shops
Have experts who will save customers a lot of headaches. Customers have their project on time, within their budget and the way they would like it.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customers are people not orders. Every order that comes in is followed by numerous calls, emails and sometimes with personal meetings.
Online Printing
All computerized. No one to speak to. No one to guide a customer.
Local Print Shops
Real people who work with the customer from start to finish.Customer satisfaction is the number one priority.
CONSISTENCY
Cohesiveness and consistency are so important. It really matters to us that our customers are satisfied and happy with their printed pieces.
Online Printing
Colors may vary and the paper stocks may vary. A customer doesn’t know what it will look like until it’s delivered. There are no assurances or guarantees.
Local Print Shops
A local shop will run swatches of colors through the machines and present them to the customer to choose. Profiles of each customer’s piece are kept on file to assure future printing matches. At a local print shop if a customer wants “avocado green,” they’ll get the avocado green they are looking for.
SPEED
There’s a saying, “You can have it fast or you can have it good, but you can’t have both.” At a local print shop , you can say that just isn’t true.
Online Printing
Just because online is open 24/7, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive your product when you would like it.
Local Print Shops
Will literally “stop the presses” on other jobs if a customer needs their product that day.
These are all factors when choosing online or local printing. Both have a place in the printing world, but when a customer wants a job done right, it’s probably in their best interest to choose local. And what online printer can shake their customer’s hand? That’s one more difference that matters!
