This is part three in our series about how effective print planning can boost your business. To read more on this topic view parts one and two.
Effective print planning has been on our minds a lot lately – from what poor print planning can mean for your business (and how to overcome it) to how to leverage print planning for a competitive advantage.
Failing to plan your prints can put you at risk of losing money over low-quality prints. And “low-quality” can cover any number of sins, including:
- Mistakes in formatting margins or structure
- Unfit-for-purpose stocks and materials
- Discolouration or inconsistencies of colour.
These are all relatively serious issues that I talk about a lot, and that’s because they’re absolutely vital to the success of your prints, and even more your brand! I don’t want to repeat myself though, so today, I’m going to tell you about some examples of companies who took their printing to the next level.
The companies were able to boost efficiency and eliminate revenue-draining and low-quality printing — just by changing their approach to planning
In these examples, you can clearly see the risks of not effectively planning your printing. You can also see the transformation that’s possible with some outside-the-box thinking and know-how.
4 companies who transformed their printing with effective planning
Company #1: Used fit-for-purpose signage
This organisation in the mental health field was putting together promo material for the launch of a new, interactive product. This included some large signs — 2m x 1m — to be made of simple cardboard, which the campaign organisers expected to stand up on their own.
This posed an issue because the nature of the material meant that the signs would be close to impossible to stay up.
Upon an initial consultation, they realised that not only had they not planned out the usage of these signs, but they also hadn’t planned the material.
They didn’t have the foresight to consider the application and materials for the correct end use.
For signage, it’s important to consider the application and materials for the correct end use.
When this organisation came to Inkifingus, they were able to receive some samples to give them an idea about how different materials would behave. As a result, they decided to go with coreflute signage rather than the unfit-for-purpose cardboard stock.
The result?
This company had a well-planned product that worked.
Company #2: Changed their paper stock to save $$$
By improving the quality of their binding, this business was able to save themselves a lot of headaches
This company had a printing job put together by a design agency. This agency had specified a certain type of paper stock that would work well to show off the design they’d produced. Whilst the stock worked, and did indeed make the design truly stunning, the problem was that it was hugely expensive.
When this company came to Inkifingus, we heavily cautioned them against using this expensive stock. Even though the design agency had planned for the best way to present their design, they hadn’t planned around a long-term budget.
Instead, we suggested a comparable stock of similar quality, but more cost-effective for long-term printing. This advice alone saved them $3000 per print job.
They were then convinced that the top-quality stock was not really necessary for their audience, who were not printing or graphic design experts, and therefore would not notice a very small change in quality to a less expensive stock.
After reviewing the project requirements, we were able to recommend a lower-quality stock that was fit for purpose, and more cost-effective.
So, the total savings the company experienced thanks to good advice and improved planning?
$7500.
Company #3: Eased the transition from manual to digital
This business was struggling with the technical folders required to teach the intricacies of their business. These folders were in their 4th or 5th evolution, and they were becoming inconvenient to keep updating and reprinting.
When the company decided to move these manuals to digital, they anticipated that there
Creating a solid plan for transitioning your print records from manual to digital can be long, time consuming work without effecting print planning.
would be confusion from those who were used to having the manual folders around. To mitigate this, they engaged Inkifingus to print a smaller, simplified folder as well as custom pens and note pads, and a USB with the electronic version loaded to help ease the transition and provide basic instructions on how to use the digital system.
The result?
Thanks to effective planning, they were able to ensure a smooth transition to a better digital system, and they were able to save over $40 per unit that they were previously spending on each manual.
By improving the quality of their binding, this business was able to save themselves a lot of headaches
Company #4: Improved their product quality
This company was able to get a much better product out of print planning. Originally, they were having folders printed with a mass-market stationary and printing supplier who were giving them cheap plastic on their landscape binding. This binding was so dysfunctional (the folders repeatedly fell apart) and the colours varied so greatly between each folder that management was embarrassed.
Not only had this company failed to plan their prints, but they were also receiving poor advice from the mass-market printers.
When they came to us, the first thing we did was make them realise that by cutting costs on the binding, they were actually causing themselves more pain through the expensive reprints. We also advised and helped them to create a base template for all of their documentation. This was a key part of a new approach to planning prints in advance, and it allowed any employee to create a folder that was consistent, nicely-designed and professional.
We were able to recommend a stronger board, reinforced lamination, multiple creases to make the folders expandable. By doing this, the lifespan was to extended to meet the end use of the product..
Achieve print excellence with effective planning
Want to achieve the same transformation that these companies have?
The key to transforming the way your business approaches printing is not necessarily by taking huge, uncertain leaps. It’s simply by making sure you have a clear goal in mind, and a willingness to think outside the box.
From there, all you need is some good advice.
At Inkifingus, our years of experience and specific printing knowledge means that we’re fully equipped to answer any of your questions and help you plan the best possible product for your purpose.
Contact Inkifingus today if you’ve got questions about printing or you would like to know more about the benefits that our expert planning advice can offer your business.
Or, if you’d like more information on Inkifingus’ extensive range of products and services, you can download our product brochure here.
