You have received your estimate and it looks like what you are after so what do you do now?
Double check everything in the estimate from page quantities outlined to the type of finishing involved and if delivery is included, to where. Any queries should be highlighted at this stage so give your contact a call and go through any specifications that might be troubling you. If something is still not clear ask for a dummy or to see some of the printers previously printed samples of something similar and then confirm what you require.
Now think about the quantity, you will most likely have a run on cost outlined on in your estimate and in the case of lithographic print the more you get the more economical the unit cost. Also in the case of lithographic print if you order 1000 brochures and then require a 1000 more at a later date this will be the same cost again opposed to getting the initial 2000 run to begin with. This is due to the time involved setting up the print press and finishing equipment, they are big machines so it is best to set the machinery up and let them run than to set them up and then set them up again!
The time frame is also important, as an example PrintHouse Corporation runs shift work from 6am to midnight with a standard turn around of approximately seven working days for the print and finish of most items up to a certain quantity. However if you require your item sooner it is always a good idea to highlight the delivery date so a super speedy turn around can be worked out.
If you need design for your item you will need to supply text (preferably already typed out in a word document) and any images that you would like on, for example, your brochure. For a good quality high resolution print images should be set to CMYK for full colour print and at least 300dpi at the finished size. It is a good idea not to supply images from the web as although they look good on screen the reproduction when it comes to print is terrible!
If a logo/s is required to go on your brochure this/these will also need to be supplied, the best format to supply your logo in is an .eps file however other high resolution formats can be used.
Design to be supplied? Check what programmes your printer uses, find out if they accept original files or would prefer print ready PDF files saved to their settings. As a general guide print ready files have 3mm bleed with fonts and images embedded or collected – depending on what type of file is being supplied.
Production will then check your file to see if everything coincides with the job specifications and if everything will print correctly to a high quality. A proof will then be supplied for you to approve before your job goes to press.
PrintHouse Corporation has a press colour calibrated proofing process so you know what you see in the proof is pretty much what will be delivered. And as we are a London printer it is also easy to get to us if a press pass is required.
So, you have now approved your proof or a press pass has been signed off which leaves everything in the hands of the printers to print and finish your item to a high professional standard and to the agreed time frame as mentioned above.
The final thing to keep in mind is storage space…if your product is being delivered directly to you, a large quantity of brochures for example will usually be supplied shrink wrapped on a palette or two!
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Amber Bantatua is a Senior Sales Executive at London based printer PrintHouse Corporation. If there is a query in regards to a print estimate or receiving a quote contact us here.
