Why do print prices vary so much? Should I always go with the cheapest?
Printing
machines vary considerably in size and the number of
colours they can print. Typically presses are 1, 2, 4
and 6 colours. Some are small; printing A4 sheets
only, while larger presses can print 16 x A4 sheets
at one time.
The variations come into play because a
printer with an A4 single colour press can still
print a 4 colour sheet by putting the paper through 4
times and changing the ink each time. A printer with
a large 6 colour press can print a single colour job
as well. Printers prepare their prices using the
following costs - film and plates, paper, press time.
Film and plate prices are fairly standard within the
industry and most printers consider it a chargeable
cost only rather than a profit centre. Paper prices
vary considerably with quality, also a printer who
might have a contract job to print hundreds of
thousands of a particular brochure every month will
get a very competitive price from the paper mills, he
could use the same paper for your job quoting very
favourably. It is not always a good idea to specify
exact paper specifications to a printer but ask him
what he can supply at a competitive price, ask for
samples and compare the feel.
Hourly rates of
printing presses vary the most, an hour printing for
one man working a small single press is going to be
inexpensive while an hour printing for three men
working a 6 colour press is going to be much more
expensive. However, a 4 colour job on a single press
may take 4 hours while on a 4 colour press only one
hour.
If there are big price differences try to find
out more information about size of presses, paper etc
to see where the difference lies.
Last of all and the
most difficult to detect without trying them out is
simply that some printers are better than others.
Some machines are maintained better and give a
sharper stronger result. Some printers are
technically better and can produce a better result. A
good printer who employs knowledgeable people and
keeps his equipment working well will be more
expensive than someone who is trying to do things on
the cheap.