Before Working With a Commercial
Printing Company Here Are a Few
Important Questions to Ask Them
1. Should I Go With Offset Printing or Digital Printing?
When it comes to your printing project specifications, your commercial printer will have two options: offset printing or digital printing.
Offset printing uses plates: Think of an old-school printing press and you’ll be going in the right direction.
Digital printing uses toner or liquid ink, no plates.
If you need a quick turnaround, digital will usually serve you best. It is great for shorter print runs and when the print pieces have variable data. Offset printing is better for larger print runs and provides the Pantone Matching System, so the color will be exactly what you need to support your brand.
2. Which Type of Paper Should I Use?
The paper you choose for your commercial printing project will be greatly influenced by what you’re printing and how you’re using it. There are plain, coated, synthetic, premium, and recycled papers, as well as varying weights.
Some options include:
- Uncoated text
- Coated text: gloss or matte
- Uncoated cover
- Coated cover: gloss or matte
- UV coating
- Aqueous coating
It’s definitely a lot to consider! The best commercial printers will walk you through this process and discuss your project to ensure your paper is a great fit for what you’re printing.
3. And what size?
If you can be flexible, it's always worth speaking about the size you want your piece to be. Quite often a difference of a few millimetres can mean you can plan up more pages per sheet and have a much more economical print. This might leave you with extra budget to get that metallic.
4. Can I use folds or unusual formats?
Your printer will also be able to advise on any unusual folds or die-cuts. Different printers might want artwork adjusted to allow for folding, so go through how you want your final piece to look and they will figure out how to do it.
5. Can I see a proof?
Crazy things can happen when work goes to print, so even if it's just a PDF proof, make sure you see something.
6. How fast can you do it?
Find out from your client when they need the finished items and where they want them delivered. Your printer will then be able to work backwards from that time and give you a deadline for the artwork. It's always best to do this sooner rather than later in a project.
7. Can I call you at any time?
Check in with your printer on a regular basis. If there is a problem your printer should get in touch, but it's always good to call up and hear that everything is running nicely and delivery will be on time. If you're aware of everything at every stage, it can't go wrong.
8. How will the job be delivered?
