Printing is a necessary part of almost every business, from eye-catching marketing materials that drive sales to branded stationery and signage that promotes consistent branding. But what many commercial printers don’t realize is that they can offer far more than just printing services. By incorporating creative services like samples, prototypes, on-site consultations, and design services into their offerings, they can help businesses bring their ideas to life in impactful ways that set them apart from competitors.
The benefits of offering these additional services to clients are numerous, including increased productivity and profitability. By bringing these services in-house, printing companies can save on costs related to project management, shipping, and storage of printed materials, as well as minimize waste and reduce time spent in production. Additionally, delivering services in-house allows printing companies to respond quickly to client requests and market changes while maintaining the quality of their work.
Creating and delivering custom prototypes can help identify potential problems before they occur in full-scale production. This can help streamline the approval process and save a lot of time and money by eliminating rework or redesigns. Additionally, the ability to provide on-site consultations or meetings with design and print experts can make it easier for both parties to communicate their goals and ideas clearly, resulting in a faster, more productive collaboration.
Incorporating creative services into your printing offerings can also enhance client satisfaction and loyalty. When you can deliver a finished product that is not only printed on high-quality paper but also embellished with metallic or embossed finishes, for example, it shows that you understand the importance of enhancing the look and feel of your products and services. This demonstrates your commitment to innovation and keeps you ahead of the curve in the industry, attracting clients who value cutting-edge solutions.
Another great opportunity for commercial printers to expand their offerings is to offer package prototyping. While large, national brands are likely to go to massive production printers for these types of jobs, smaller, local brands can often benefit from short runs that can be produced by commercial printers in-house. Additionally, the ability to produce and test different fabric-based packaging options can give brand owners more options when it comes to meeting their specific needs.
By expanding their offering to include design and creative services, commercial printers can give themselves an edge over competitors that may not be able to compete with their price point or capabilities. They can also become more “sticky” by making it harder for customers to walk across the street to another printer that promises a few pennies less for their work if they know they’ll have access to their digital files and other resources in-house. In addition, they can increase their bottom line by charging a premium for additional, higher-quality work and services. They can also sell their services as a monthly managed print service (MPS), which provides visibility into end-to-end print operations to identify and address inefficiencies while boosting productivity.