Three Questions to Ask Your Printer
By Chris Thompson
Technology has certainly taken over and changed the way we do business. We hear about companies going “paperless” and committing to reducing their use of paper. And there’s good reason for it. The numbers associated with paper consumption in America are staggering.
According to The Paperless Project, the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year and 45% of the paper printed in offices ends up in the garbage by the end of the day. They also estimate an estimated 18 million acres of forest are lost each year, equaling a loss of 20 football fields worth of trees every minute.
While general paper use has become a concern with the majority of people, there is one reality associated with paper and printing in business. It’s a necessity.
From simple business cards, to large format posters, to marketing collateral, to direct mail, companies rely on paper and print to grow their business in numerous ways. And the relationship a company has with their printer is a critical piece of the company’s overall marketing and sales strategy.
The majority of our customers at Talient Action Group (TAG) have been working with us for a very long time. And as technology and the print industry have evolved, so have our customers. And most importantly, the quality, consistency and reliability of the work we do continues to get better every day.
You likely have a commercial printing company that you work with. Chances are, you have a few, in case someone drops the ball or can’t meet one of your deadlines. And that’s OK and suggested. Regardless of the partnership you have with your printer, the next time you meet with them, take some time to better understand their capabilities and ask them these questions.
What type of experience does your production team have?
The knowledge, expertise and experience the production team has is really the single most important factor to consider when choosing a company to partner with. And if you’ve ever been on the floor of a print shop, you know what I mean. It’s intense and complicated and you have to know what you’re doing. The presses are complex to run and maintain, there is an endless list of other equipment needed to fulfill most projects and sometimes you even go home with dirty hands. At TAG, our production team has a combined 150 years of experience and the average employee has been with TAG for 12 years!
What new technologies have you implemented in your company in the last 3 years?
This is another very important question. Traditional commercial print shops that have refused to stay up to date with technology and industry trends are likely on a downward spiral and won’t last. It’s just the nature of the business. At TAG, we’ve invested heavily in web2print solutions, digital storefronts and we are most proud of our new HP Indigo 7800 digital press! TAG was the first printer in New England to get one and we know how to maximize its functionality to produce better results and substantial cost savings for our customers.
What makes you different from all of the other print companies out there?
I love asking this question to every business I deal with. The answer you get will give you a good sense of how connected the business is to their customers and what they feel truly differentiates them. If they really get it, they’ll be able to articulate how they actually help their customers, solve business problems and find ways to stretch budgets. When we get asked what makes TAG different, our answer is simple. Our technology and our people! And we hope for an opportunity to show you what we’re capable of.
Chris Thompson is the Vice President of Business Development at Talient Action Group (TAG) and can be reached at chris.thompson@talientaction.com