What should you ask the printer?

I come late to the party so there is no much to add, but here are my humble additions:

My art uses overprinting. Will you be able to do so?

I have found that many printers get confused when art uses overprinting, because (apparently) it is not used very often. I always highlight this to them so they are aware that I will be using it. I often set the areas with overprinting to both overprint and multiply, just to make sure is not missed.

I am using unusual inks (such as metal inks). Do you have any suggestions on the order in which they can be printed or overprinted?

Unusual inks can be scary if they are not used correctly. I have seen boxes peeling off because the art was overprinted on a metal flood and it never cured. Highlighting to the printer that you are using the unusual ink and asking for their opinion is always a great idea. Sometimes different printers have different ways of working with the ink. This question might also raise flags that nobody had noticed. Metal inks might need extra curing time, which might move the deadline and/or add to the final cost, for example.

What types of finish do you offer/work with? Do they have any special requirements?

I notice that every time I go to print a project, there are a myriad of new finishes that I did not know existed. I always end up with a new swash book of finishes, which is great. They have sometimes special requirements such as extra curing time or incompatibility with metal inks, so it is always good to ask.

Can the finish be applied inline?

A finish that can be applied inline saves time. Not all finishes come in this style though, and not all printers carry all of them. Sometimes asking this question just allows you to learn that the finish you had selected was an old fashion one that needed for the ink to be 100% cured but they have a new one that can be applied inline and be done with it as opposed to waiting for the curing time.

Can the finish be spot-applied?

Not all finishes can be applied in only a spot (area). This depends on the actual finish and on the actual press the provider has.

Do you offer embossing? What types? How should I provide the art?

If either the embossing plates or the whole embossing task are outsourced then there might be different requirements to how you provide the art.

How accurate is the registration of the embossing? What is the maximum acceptable error margin?

Depending on the type of embossing and how old the provider machinery is they might not be able to assure the embossed area will be 100% registered with the art. It is always good to know so in advance to avoid surprises and adapt the art to their capabilities.

What is the maximum acceptable error margin for trimming?

If the trimming is not as straightforward as a rectangle (think a cosmetics box as opposed to a magazine spread) and if their machinery is old, then they might not be able to assure a very tight registration. It is good to know so and to adapt the art for trimming variations.

Do you offer barcode testing?

Certain inks (such as metal inks, for example) render barcodes illegible. Horrible thing to find when the product has already been delivered to the retailer. Most printers I have worked with offer the service of testing the barcode after is printed just to make sure it is readable. They offer this for free, but I often find that if I don't ask for it, they don't do it.

Is any part of the process outsourced?

Sometimes finishing, embossing and trimming are outsourced, because they require extra machinery that the printer might not be interested in buying. If you are adding another provider to the process it is always good to know so, particularly if you need to complain or fine tune. If the other provider is hidden behind the printer and your printer is not doing a good job on representing you, then it can get tricky and add time to the deadline.

Can you assure you will not edit my art once I send it? If you need to do so, can you please let me know what you are doing or, better, let me do it?

This sounds like an idiotic question, but sometimes some adventurous printers take liberties and move things around to fix production problems you might have missed or change colours because they think you made a mistake. Highlighting to them that you don't want them to do so is a good idea. There is usually more than one way of overcoming a production problem and their choice of solution might not be the one you might have preferred.

Can I come to a press approval?

I love press approvals because it is fascinating to see my digital work turned into actual plates and ink; I think offset presses are awesome (as in awe inspiring) and I also learn a lot from press operators. But besides my personal geeky fascinations I find that coming to the a press approval, at least the first run of a project, allows me to catch problems that would have been terrible to catch when the whole thing is already run (like misunderstanding overprinting) and sometimes make last minute decisions (like "OK, overprinting metal is not working, forget about the metal, make it black"). It also allows me to see how careful the printer is. Sometimes they can be sloppy if they are under tight deadlines (hickies much?). Make sure not to micromanage, though, (note to myself) and to trust they know what they are doing.

Hiring the right printing company for your business is a crucial marketing move, and you only have a few critical minutes or email exchanges to evaluate whether a particular printing company is right for you. Make the most of this short time and ask the right questions, so you won’t be surprised down the road.

No matter if you’re looking for support for your business or the new publisher of your comic book, asking the company you’re interested in precise and direct questions can save you a lot of wasted time and effort.

Here are the most important questions you can ask your potential printing service before signing a business contract with them.

Is the Printing Company Familiar With the Product?

Whatever you have in mind – posters, door hangers, bookmarks, or table tents – ensure that the professional printing service knows the printed products you want.

Previous work is also a serious consideration. Once you’ve ascertained if the service can meet your expectations, ask for examples of previous jobs so you can check for quality and errors.

Can the Prospective Printer Provide Samplers?

Inspect samples as close to the printing project you have in mind as possible. If you want a bookmark made, ask for the print vendor’s  example of customizable bookmarks.

Try and match the print material of the sample close to your design idea. This will let you see and touch the wares before you buy them.

Does the Printing Company Offer Design Support?

There are print jobs that are so simple they don’t need any graphic design input, but certain projects need a professional touch to come to fruition. Certain design services provide design support along with their print services.

When you’re speaking with customer service, ask about different packages, and if one includes one-on-one with a graphic design expert.

What Type of Printing Do They Offer?

There are two main types of printing. When choosing a printer service, you need to know what kind of printing the service uses before signing on the dotted line. Offset printing and digital printing are the most commonly used printing methods. Here’s a bit more about each of these.

Offset Printing

In this laborious process, the printer engraves a sheet for each page, which is why you can’t just print two or three copies of your project without losing significant money and effort. Offset printing works best for more extensive print jobs.

Digital Printing

Using the latest technology, digital printers can apply a four-color process in the blink of an eye. Digital printing is fast and, with some services, you can print-on-demand, which means you can control costs and distribution.

The main difference between these two types of printing is quantity. Do you want a set copy file and a large order for bulk printing which is the perfect job for offset, or do you prefer digital printing’s customizable nature? In the end, the choice is primarily influenced by your project’s scope and nature.

What About Creative Requests?

If you’re hiring a printing service to partner with you and  be a vital tool in your marketing arsenal, ask them how they handle bespoke requests.

Bespoke requests are those that are out-of-the-norm or one-of-a-kind. Some printing services have robust design arms and can help you on every step of your creative journey, but others don’t like to take on tailored projects. It’s important to ask these questions before deciding on a service.

How Long Will it Take?

Turnaround time is as big a consideration as anything else. You have deadlines to meet, and you need to feel assured that the service you’ve chosen will keep up their end of the bargain.

Ask for an estimated delivery time for your printing job. You can go further in your research and look at customer reviews, specifically looking for comments about turnaround time.

The Last Round

Choosing a printing service is a tricky business. You have to ensure that the projects that you have in mind fit the scope and capabilities of the service you’ve chosen.

No matter if it’s a personal creative endeavor or a boost to your marketing strategy, seasoned printing professionals like those at Comix Well Spring can help you achieve your printing goals.