Print Buying Consultant
Ten Money Saving Tips for Print Managers
Despite their stated desire to realize savings from streamlining the various components associated with the print buying process, it's been my experience over the years, that many print managers neglect to do some of the easy things that can add up to significant cost savings annually. We all know these things, but we don't always do them. Below are a few tips for saving money on print jobs, which might be old hat to some, but vital to remember.
1.) Check invoices line-by-line-especially when starting out with a subcontractor. If she knows you're checking, this will cut down on un-ordered extras, duplications, and so on. ($500-1,000 saved with each invoice with a long-time vendor)
2.) Develop a check-off sheet to track jobs. This sheet matches invoices against orders, so that you pay only for what you ordered. It's simply too easy to forget the details.
3.) Know when to go out to bid. For large-scale, repeat work bid-out every three years at a minimum-more frequently for smaller jobs. ($100,000 annual savings in switching prepress vendors)
4.) Are you going to a four-color process when digital will suffice? Consider image choice and positioning-if quality won't be compromised, go with less expensive digital. ($500+ saved on small quantity runs)
5.) Know your postal forms and regulations. I once questioned a postal employee (after I had done some research) on the use of a certain form. Turns out, he had suggested the wrong form, and we saved thousands in mailing costs by knowing the rules and asking the question. ($7,000 error caught)
6.) Be cautious about professional service recommendations. Rather than take a designer's recommendation about a printer, I went out to bid, took another printer, got a beautiful job, and saved loads. No one cares for your bottom line like you do. ($6,000 savings on press kit folder)
7.) Is your mail house doing all it can for you? Shop around; compare your current list of services with those offered by others. You may be surprised by what's out there, I was. ($1,000s saved)
8.) Get your database managers to submit in your preferred software (mine is Excel) for the sake of consistency and saving time and headaches. (Saves on outside vendors adding fees to correct data fields)
9.) Use the negotiation process to secure cost savings. When a company is keen to get your work, and they know they are competing head-to-head, you can get waivers of fees (such as for delivery), preferential timelines, and so on. (Eliminated three times monthly delivery charges of between $50-$125)
10.) Know the market, read industry news to keep up on cost-saving technologies. In the last few years, many Internet and e-commerce companies have emerged to serve the print-buying market. Integrating the right solutions can impact your bottom line immediately. If you're not aware of what's out there, you could be operating at a disadvantage to companies who deploy proven technologies for print buying.
About The Author
Since 1990, Judy Benjamin has managed operations for three major organizations, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars by implementing new systems, directing internal staff and mailhouses, managing vendors, analyzing costs, coordinating print media and streamlining print buying processes. Ms. Benjamin is reachable at jbenjamin@cal.berkeley.edu; 617-797-8602.
Latest News
PAR Technology Corporation Releases Next Version of SpaSoft(R) Spa ... MarketWatch - With a unique booking engine, advanced resource inventory, scheduling, yield management and reporting tools, SpaSoft is the system of choice for today's ... |
UPDATE 1-Owners battle over fate of 65 Steve & Barry's stores Reuters - ... the new owners of Steve & Barry's -- investment firms Bay Harbour Management and York Capital Management -- filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday ... Steve & Barry’s to liquidate Steve & Barry's again files for bankruptcy Steve & Barry's to begin liquidating stores |
Founders & Former Executive Management Team of LCA-Vision Seek ... MarketWatch - The three of them worked together as the executive management team of LCAV to grow the market capitalization of the Company in excess of 1000% from ... LCA-Vision Names Michael J. Celebrezze CFO |
MassMutual Announces Promotions for Two Co-Chief Operating Officers MarketWatch - Bill has also proven his exceptional capabilities as a leader in the asset management business and in building strong financial services organizations," Mr. ... MassMutual Life promotes COOs OppenheimerFunds Names CEO Mass Mutual promotes COOs |
Angiotech Terminates Note Repurchase Agreement With Ares ... RTT News, NY - TO) said it terminated the note purchase agreement with Ares Management and New Leaf Venture Partners. Earlier, Angiotech said it had notified Ares and New ... Private equity firms pull out of Angiotech financing agreement Firms pull out of Angiotech agreement Angiotech announces termination of note purchase agreement with ... |
AFP | Treasury to Buy Reserve Government Fund's Holdings (Update3) Bloomberg - 3, according to statements today by the department and New York- based Reserve Management Corp., the fund's owner. Shareholders can expect their money by ... Treasury Will Help Liquidate Reserve Fund Treasury to Support a Frozen Money Fund Treasury to backstop mutual fund |
TOWONA Strengthens Management Team; Li Jieling, Lin Ming, Kong ... MarketWatch - The TOWONA group formed the complete management framework headed by Zhang Zhenzhong as Chairman of the Board and CEO, Zhang Leyang as president, ... |
NTN Buzztime, Inc. Announces Management and Board Changes MarketWatch - ... will be comprised of Terry Bateman, Kendra Berger, the company's chief financial officer and other members of the management team. ... Wi-LAN Appoints New Chairman of the Board |
Innerscope Research Strengthens Management Team With Three ... MarketWatch - ... healthcare and service sectors, brings to Innerscope significant experience in marketing, customer relationship management and operations. ... |
![]() Miami Daily Business Review | US Sugar Corp. Statement Regarding The Lawrence Group MarketWatch - As would be the case with any such proposal, our Board of Directors will carefully review it with its professional advisors and the Company's management ... Florida's Everglades Deal With US Sugar Faces Challenge From New Bid Nashville firm wants to purchase US Sugar land Florida Gets a Rival in Effort to Buy Everglades Land (Update2) |
Resources
-
AdWords | Google AdWords | 21 Ways to Maximize ROI by Andrew Goodman
Get the original Google AdWords handbook by Andrew Goodman. This 155-page e-book is packed with advanced tips to help you maximize your AdWords campaigns. Download and get free December 2005 update.
-
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
-
Restaurant Checklists: restaurant menu design, cafe training, business plans, restaurant marketing a
Full package of restaurant information including restaurant menu design, training, restaurant business plans, restaurant marketing and Management forms and templates
-
Castlemelody.com: Web design and creative design of graphics
Web design with content Management system for dynamic and flexible websites.
-
...MySoftwareTemplates.com high-quality Microsoft Word templates for Software
Development, Proposal
Write successful Proposals, White Papers, Case Studies with slick templates, checklist and forms.
-
Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way!
"
-
PARENTING TOOLS to design the family of your dreams! What does your dream family look like?
Powerful tools for parenting, anger Management, and creative blocks!
-
Productivity. Improve business productivity through work measurement and method study.
Set of resources to improve worker, workplace and office productivity. Learn to measure productivity, calculate a productivity index and construct a total factor productivity index. Resources include team productivity and employee productivity.
-
Construction Information Services - Construction Management
Construction Information Services include Construction Management ebooks - Construction Software - Articles - Firm directories - Forecasting and Trends of the building industry
-
Landlord Property Management Rental Guide
Looking to manage your own rental property? Use our beginners guide for landlords and rental property investors!
