You're looking at producing a large quantity catalog or publication for your company.
Money is tight and printing is one thing that is necessary but you want the most bang for your buck.
What do you do? Do a Google search for China printers or maybe look through a manufacturers directory for overseas printers.
This would be a logical start to the process.
Or so you would think...
Paper, ink, labor, printing plates, set up costs, etc are all cheaper overseas, right? Well, maybe but not so fast.
Why then are there scores of printing manufacturers in Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, China, India, etc advertising all over the internet and everywhere else? Well, the one thing that most overseas printers won't tell you.
Depending on the complexity of your project, you can get just as good of a price in the U.
S.
as you can overseas once you factor in the shipping costs.
Not to mention, the turn time on overseas projects range from 8 - 12 weeks.
Not exactly Speedy Gonzalez.
Let's first look at why this is true.
Many commercial printers in the U.
S.
, especially large format web presses have a lot of flexibility in pricing.
Sure the margins are low but a lot of times they need work to keep the presses running and keep the lights on.
This is where you can really get down and dirty.
Over the years I have seen manufacturers bend over backwards just to get a project in house.
Next there's the control factor and language barrier.
Unless you have an interpreter or a contact at the foreign press that speaks fluent English there could be some communication gaps.
I say all this to say.
Overseas printing is still a very, very good option.
Especially for some die cut type pieces or pieces that require a lot of hand work.
But don't under estimate the good 'ole USA.