5 Ways For A Small Business To Stretch Your Printing Budget
While small businesses may have a smaller advertising budget than their larger competitors, as a business owner you understand the importance of investing in quality advertising materials. Part of your advertising budget will most likely go towards printing flyers, signs, and cards throughout the year. If you want to stretch your budget while getting the highest quality of print materials, it is important that you follow these five pieces of advice.
Understand Your Print Shop's Definition of Press-Ready Files
Each printing company has a slightly different definition of what entails a press-ready file. However, most of them agree that the file needs to be at least 300 dpi, be in CMYK color, and have a one-eighth inch bleed. The 300 dpi ensures that the printed image does not appear grainy or blurry. Usually, a higher dpi will provide you with an even sharper image, and many printers will refuse to print files that are delivered with a lower resolution. The CMYK is necessary because some RGB colors cannot be achieved by color printers, meaning the print shop will have to switch your file and you may lose some of your desired colors. The bleed ensures that your file prints all the way to the edge, avoiding white space around your border.
Before sending files to be printed, make sure you know the specifics that a print shop like Excalibur Printing requests. If you send the wrong type of file or files without the correct parameters, your print shop may send the file back, wasting time, or they may offer to fix the file to make it print ready for a certain fee.
Respect Your Print Shop's Safety Zones
Some printers include safety zones as part of their press-ready demands while others merely suggest them. A safety zone is a small margin, usually one-eighth inch, around the borders of your printed material, where you do not place any photos, images, or text. This is because it risks being cut off during the trimming process.
If you ignore your printer's safety zone rules or suggestions, you run the risk of some of your advertising material being unusable, meaning you will have to print a second round.
Start Creating Your Advertising Materials Well Before You Need Them
Most print shops charge extra for rush orders. This means that if you need your materials within a day or two, you may end up paying more than if you can wait until the standard delivery date. By creating your advertising materials well in advance, you will have time to proof them, fix any mistakes, and still get the cheapest shipping or delivery on your materials.
Order a Proof
While it takes more time to order a proof, a proof can save you from making costly printing mistakes. For most people, it is easier to catch spelling and grammar mistakes on a physical copy of an advertisement than on a screen. You will also be able to check the colors and positioning of your material. Ordering a single proof prevents you from wasting money by having to redo an entire order once you find a mistake.
Order In Bulk When Possible
Almost all print shops offer a discount on bulk orders. If you do not need a bulk order, ask if you can get a discount for contracting all of your work for the year through a single print shop. Many print shops will work with you to help you maximize your budget.
As a small business owner, it is critical that you maximize your advertising budget. Being aware of how you can save money while printing can help free up money for other advertising needs.
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