subject: When Is Online Printing The Best Choice? [print this page] With todays tight marketing budgets, you may be looking for ways to save on your printed products. You might be wondering why you should go with online printing when you have a color printer or copier right there in the office. Here is a look at some of the times you need to nix your copier and go with an online printer.
You need a professional looking product
One of the times you should definitely consider online printing is when you want the final product to look professional. Your desktop printer and company copier will work fine for printing and copying the memo about the annual staff party. However, your business cards will look cheap and homemade if they have the fuzzy edges caused by the perforations on printer sheets.
In addition, remember that your online printing company has the access to the equipment that adds the final details to your product. If you want embossing, a glossy finish, binding, or any other finishing touches, then online printing is the way to go.
You need design help
Ready for new letterhead or business cards, but not sure how to design it? The advantage of choosing an online printing company is the fact that many will have predesigned templates for you to use. You choose the template that you like, input your information or upload a graphic, and send it off to them to print. You get a professional looking product without having the headache of hiring a graphics designer or trying to come up with an idea yourself. And if you want something truly unique, many online printing companies will offer design services for an additional fee.
You are short on time
Time is money, and if you are spending it all doing the design and printing work of your business needs, then you will not be able to focus your attention on more profitable ventures. An online printing company is able to take your design and print it up quickly while your attention is elsewhere. Printing times will vary from company to company, so be sure to ask ahead about turnaround times if you are printing time sensitive materials. You may be able to pay extra to have an order rushed if you need it sooner.
You need help delivering
Mailing lists can be useful if you need to get the word out about your company, but it is also quite time consuming to address several thousand envelopes yourself. Your online printing company may offer mailing list services either upload your list or purchase one of theirs. Many will even put postage on your mailings and mail them for you.
You want to save money
In reality, printer ink is not cheap. If you try to do your printing yourself, you could find that you will actually end up spending more in time and supplies than you would going to an online printing company. Online printing companies have the resources to create professional-looking products for much less than you could on your own. Better yet, the time saved will ultimately end up saving you money as well.
