Here’s 10 things you should always ask your printer:

What equipment are they using to print?

This is important, because it defines the printer’s capabilities. Advanced systems can work with a huge colour spectrum and are fully digital, able to work with any form of software.

Will anything be outsourced or is it all done in-house?

Subcontracting can result in extra costs to clients. In-house printing is a far more cost effective, fully integrated process.

Ask for an equipment list. Most printers will give this up readily.

From the printer’s perspective an equipment list is really a list of services. This will tell you what sort of binding they can do, for example.

What file formats will they accept?

If you’re using high quality graphics you’ll need to be absolutely sure the printer can handle things like Adobe Illustrator files, PDF, and basic Windows or Apple related software.

What is the minimum resolution required?

Resolution will translate into a dpi (dots per inch), which is an indicator of print quality. Check your software so you can make an exact comparison between the printer’s resolution and what you want.

What is the total ink limit? Ask before you convert from RGB (red, green, blue) to CYMK! (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black)

The ink limit is a colour mix ratio. A CMYK mix is 40C 40M 40Y 100K = 220. That would be fine for a print setup with a limit of 360. If the required CMYK mix is above capacity, the print won’t be an exact mix, but a reduced equivalent.

How much will it cost to mix a spot colour?

Spot mixes are formulas, and this is one of the best possible reasons for working with printer with the ability to work across a full spectrum, where mixing spots is pretty easy.

What is the general turnaround time?

This isn’t a “maybe” question. This is a business issue, and it’s critical. Turnaround time should be factored in with your quote.

What are the proofing guidelines?

Proofing guidelines are specifications. Good printers will provide a complete built in set of guidelines for print jobs, specifying file types, resolution issues, and in some cases swatch references for colours, which make the proofing process very accurate.

How much bleed is required?

This issue is particularly important in graphics business card printing and poster printing. “Bleed” refers to excess elements which extend off the margins. This may be decorative elements, text, photos, clip art, etc, which creates a need for larger sizes of medium for the printer.

Ten Questions You Should Ask Your Printer is a post from: Australian Trade Printing Articles

• Full name
• Business name
• Job title (helps jog people’s memories and file your card appropriately)
• Phone number
• Email address
• Tagline – but keep this related to your unique selling point

Negotiable elements include:

• Physical address
• Website address (although in some industries, leaving this off your business card printing could harm your credibility)
• Mobile phone number
• Fax number

Business card design tips
Unless you’re a designer yourself, your business card design will be a trade-off between quality and price. One of the cheapest ways to get a professional design for your cards is to use your business card printing team to do the layout – they are professionals who have usually seen thousands of different business cards, and know what works and what doesn’t.

You will need to have some input, even if you decide to use your business card printing service or a professional designer for the layout. Think about asking them to:

• Include a photo of yourself with the card – many people recognize faces much more easily than names
• Ensure that the size is a standard one that will fit in binders without folding
• Find a way to utilize the back of the card (while still leaving some space for your prospects to write notes on). A map to your business, or a special offer on presentation of the card are good ideas.
• Keep the design consistent with any other corporate materials you have – this will be the easiest design strategy for most business card printers

Business card printing tips
Your business card printer can often help out with ideas to make sure your card stands out from the crowd. You can use strategies like:

• Cutting one corner on an angle, or an edge on a curve
• Ask about stock options including texturing, glossier laminate and very high weight cards.
• Ask about shaping options – you can create a custom cutting form for an extra price with most business card printers.

Quality business card printers should have a turnaround of less than 5 days. Some offer hard copy proofs, so you can see how your design looks in ‘real life’ – a good business card printer won’t charge for this service.

Sources:
http://www.digital-women.com/how-to/howto5a.htm
http://visualaccentsdesign.com/designtips/50surefire.htm
http://scobleizer.com/2006/07/05/business-card-best-practices/
http://www.businesscardscenter.info/blog/business-cards/business-cards-tips/are-you-making-this-mistake-with-your-business-cards/

Using Your Business Cards Effectively is a post from: Australian Trade Printing Articles

In today’s high-tech world, a paper business card can seem a little old fashioned. However, that little rectangle is a powerful instrument when it is used the way it was intended. A business card does the basic function of telling whoever reads it who you are, and what your business is called. It has the information necessary to call you, such as office, home, and cell numbers plus your business email address.

A very important aspect of the business card is the first impression it makes. When people look at your business card, what do they see? A card with a white background, black font, and perhaps a red or a blue logo on it? Or a vividly coloured, attractive card that will stay in the mind’s eye of the viewer for some time to come?

This is why business card printing services are a good idea. The people behind these services are professionals who do professional-quality work. They are capable of producing full colour cards, cards that are printed on both sides and cards that are coloured on one side, black and white on the other side. Business card printing services can take your press ready artwork and design a smashing card around it. Some of these printers have graphic artists on staff. These talented people can help you decide what your finished card will look like.

If you have the artwork and a vague idea of what you would like to see on your business cards, a good business card printing service can bring that idea to fruition for you. If you want quick service at a price that will not break your budget, try an online printing service for your business cards. It is a simple task to email them your artwork and ideas, and discuss them in a series of other emails. Online printing services will email you a proof of your business card with the artwork in place, generally within 24 hours. If you like what you see, you just have to confirm the order. You can have your cards within three to five days under optimum shipping conditions.

Why Business Card Printing Services Are a Good Idea is a post from: Australian Trade Printing Articles

Think of your business cards as an extension of yourself. The graphics, colors, and even the fonts you choose to use can affect how others will think of you and your business. Whether or not you choose to have the back of your business card printed as well as the front can make a difference in how much others know about your products and services. You’ll want to strike a balance between too much and not enough information.

You can design your own business cards, or find an online printing company who will do the designing for you as a part of the price of the business card. A business card printing service is usually an online printing company, and is knowledgeable about the latest business card trends. From their web site, they can show photos of their work to any prospective customers who are interested in their services.

Often, you can see samples of an actual business card before you decide whether to use the company. Most business card printing services will email you a sample of what your own business cards will look like for you approval before they begin to print your order. This is to make sure they have arranged everything on the card the way you prefer. Since your business cards will be promoting your company, this is an important step. You want to be sure that the image the cards portray is one you want your company to possess.

Don’t be afraid to make your cards look a little different from the ones you have seen. You can use bright colors, photos, anything you can think of that will jazz up your cards, yet still allow you to maintain a professional image. This can definitely work in your favor, as surveys have shown that people will hang on to a brightly colored or unusual business card far longer than they do a plain black and white one. If your card seems to say, “I’m special” it is much less likely to end up in the trashcan, and much more likely to bring customers in to your business.

How a Business Card Printing Service Can Help Increase Your Business is a post from: Australian Trade Printing Articles

There are more types of business cards now than ever before. At one point in time, the only business cards available were in black and white, with clip art or other graphics as the only photos available. Nowadays, you can have business cards printed in glorious color with added photographs of your choice. Several designs exist for business cards as well. They can be a classic one-sided card, a glossy or matte two-sided card, or a card that will fold out into what looks like a mini brochure. The choice is all yours!

Do, however, choose a card that will fit your business image. For example, if you are a realtor, you probably would not want a pink business card featuring the Hello Kitty character. If you are a tax analyst, it wouldn’t be a good idea to choose a black-framed business card with a background design that reads “Harley Davidson Forever” or “Born To Ride”.

For reasons such as the above, it’s a good idea to have your business cards professionally printed. Many people have tried and failed to make their own business cards, using their home printer. Business card printing in the home or office doesn’t always work out the way you might think it would. For a little more, and in some cases less than what you would spend for the special business card paper stock, you can have your business cards professionally printed.

There are online printing companies who have their own graphic artists on staff. These talented individuals can take your information as well as your ideas for business cards, and present you with a sample card for your inspection. If you approve, you can then order as many as you would like. Your business card color printing order will be ready for shipping in just a few days. Before you know it, your cards will be sitting on your doorstep, waiting to be put to good use.

Business Card Printing – Creating the Right Business Card is a post from: Australian Trade Printing Articles