What Print Buyers Want -- Delivering on Promises

What are some things that turn you off about a print provider?

Not being able to deliver what you promise and offering services that are not really a good fit are definitely two turnoffs. Some printers will do or say anything to get work, and then are not able to deliver.

I respect a printer more if they come back and say this is not a good fit for us, but we appreciate the chance to bid the job. I would be more inclined to return to them in the future, as opposed to rewarding the former. Also, I do not like being pressured to place an order.

When meeting potential print providers, what determines whether they get your business?

I like to see how efficiently work moves through the facility, from prepress to press to the bindery. I also like to witness how the plant managers and the plant personnel interact. I believe that if the people in the plant interact well, there is a sense of pride in the work they produce and the quality of that work.

What causes the “disconnect” between print buyer and print provider? How do you resolve this?

Disconnects would be not listening to what I am saying or not hearing what I actually want. Trying to sell me an idea or a concept that I don’t need is another. And, yes, not communicating with me is a big disconnect.

Cite examples of a print provider going the extra mile for you. Why is this important?

There have been a few instances where I have had plant managers get involved directly with issues regarding schedules, quality, downtime or related issues that impacted critical products. The plant managers were in contact with me late at night and on weekends, providing me with updates and laying out their action plans to rectify the situations.