subject: 4 Elements To Consider When Reviewing A Printing Quote [print this page] Shopping around is the best way to find the most cost-effective printer for your marketing needs. However, it is important to compare apples to apples when you review printing quotes to ensure that you choose the best company for your bottom line.
What is a printing quote?
A printing quote is an estimate of what your particular job will cost. Keep in mind that this is only an estimate, and the actual amount that you will have to pay may be more or less depending on the factors that are determined in the quote. For instance, some quotes may not include certain fees or may not cover any extras that you might choose to add on during the printing process.
Factors that can impact your actual cost
If you are ordering a product with a set price, there are still some factors that can cause your printing quote to be different from the amount that you will actually pay. These include:
Applicable taxes
Computer fees for editing that had to be made to your file
Costs to ship
Coupons and other discounts
Customizations/personalization
Fees for editing or design
How is a printing quote determined?
The way that a company gives you a printing quote may vary from one place to another. However, generally all printing companies will look at the stock (type of paper or card), size (dimensions of your project), quantity (how many you need) and turnaround time (how quickly you need the final product returned to you). As mentioned above, services such as editing or custom orders may incur additional fees.
Obtaining printing quotes
There are several ways that you can obtain printing quotes. If you are using an online printing company, then many will have an automated calculator right on the website. Simply input all of the details of your project, and the price should automatically update. These generators only work for non-custom orders.
If you need custom printing, you will usually have to contact the company directly. You can expect to wait about one business day for a reply in most cases, although your wait time may be shorter if you are a regular customer with that company. Calling the company directly will often shorten this time over sending them an email. Calling the company directly will also allow you to discuss any special requests that you might have that could affect the final bill, allowing you to get a more accurate printing estimate.
Printing estimates are a great way to compare the prices and services of different printers. They are also a good way to help you establish your printing budget, as they will give you an idea of how much you will need to spend. If you are planning on doing any printing for your company, it is a good idea to obtain a few printing estimates before you begin.
