1. Think ahead when quoting projects. Keep in mind target margins and promised timelines. If you sense complexity or volumes that could be a problem in the future, give yourself room for options. Set a project fee that gives you the choice of keeping it in-house or sending it out. Either way, you should be able to preserve for the most part your target margins.
2. Handling single or multiple finishing steps. Most in-house finishing departments can handle multi-step finishing, but it may require several different set ups and multiple passes to get an end product. What are the fully-loaded time and labor costs of multiple steps and passes compared to an outsourced binding and finishing specialist?
3. Third-party perspective and advice can be valuable. Sometimes you can get too close to a project and tunnel vision sets in. Outside binding and finishing experts can help you engineer and design a project from the beginning that is better for a customer and more cost-effective to produce.

For larger and more complex projects take a minute to consider all your options. It can make all the difference in hitting your margin goals and meeting your scheduling deadlines.

We’re constantly adding new equipment and capabilities to better serve the commercial printing industry. Give us a call at 816-257-1919 and we’ll be happy to help.

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1. Do they have a partial customer list and references we can contact immediately?
   The social proof and credibility of other experienced printers willing to attest to the responsiveness, professionalism and quality of work should be a critical factor. Does the bindery have happy customers who trust them?
2. What are the experience levels and tenure of customer service representatives, project managers and team leaders?
   Companies that treat and train their people well will do a better job. A company should be able to point to long-term and highly experienced employees that know printing, print finishing and binding processes.
3. What professional associations are they involved with?
   Companies that are involved with their trade associations are investing in education, knowledge and best-practice sharing. Look for active members of printing and bindery association chapters at the local and national level.

Finally, look for culture fit. Nice, smart and successful partners are always more fun and productive to work with!

The post How to Hire the Best Bindery and Print Finishing Partner for Your Project appeared first on Post Press Specialties.