Switching print partners is no easy feat—and yet, it’s sometimes still the best option for some marketing teams. While it takes time, costs money and has a major learning curve, some companies are losing money and credibility due to a printing partner mismatch. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth the hassle, keep reading to learn the hidden costs of switching print partners (and when it’s still worth it).
One major cost of switching print partners is the need to offboard your old partner and onboard your new one. This takes time, expertise and the proper management to ensure everything goes smoothly. It’s not like you can simply say you’re done with service and you part ways.
At the end of a partnership, offboarding might include:
With your new partner, onboarding services might include:
Even with the extra time spent offboarding old partners and onboarding new partners, it’s still sometimes the most cost-effective option to get an improved, more accurate printing experience.
Switching your print partner comes with a whole new set of rules and guidelines, so it can be difficult to adjust accordingly. Every commercial printing company uses a different method
Some of the biggest learning curves might include:
While adapting to a new partner takes time, the right partner is always worth it. The best partner for your commercial printing needs ensures you save money in the long-term and makes it worth the switch.
Another cost of switching print partners is rebuilding trust. The main reason companies switch printing partners is often due to:
There are a multitude of reasons that businesses switch printing partners. Sometimes, those reasons can be so severe that it takes time to rebuild a new relationship with the new print partner.
If you’re used to constant mistakes and problems with your current or past print partner, you might have a negative outlook from the start. The best way to work past this is to try to give complete trust in your new partner if they’ve earned it and let them show you how much better their services are. The key, though, is to allow them to prove themselves—even if you have lingering doubts from your past partner and printing experience.
Switching to a new printing partner might mean experiencing delays during the transition phase, but it doesn’t have to if you plan accordingly. Some companies choose to quit their current partner cold turkey the minute they find a new one. However, if you plan it out well, you can come to a gradual end with your current partner while simultaneously onboarding the new one to minimize delays.
The best way to approach the transition and reduce delays is to simultaneously team up with your new print partner while the old one is coming to a close and finishing up projects. If you need a hard stop, it’s important to get information, logins, and other assets to transfer them over to your new partner.
While there may be a few delays in the transition, it’s important to note that sometimes switching partners is still the best plan of action in some cases. While there are hidden costs with delays, it’s often well worth it to experience better communication, higher quality, lower prices and a better overall experience.
One of the most common hidden costs of switching print partners is the extra time spent recalibrating. As with any new change, there’s a learning curve. It might take a little while to get adjusted to your new printing partner and vice versa. Each printer uses a slightly different process and schedule, so it takes time spent adjusting on both sides.
Even with the extra time spent recalibrating, it’s relatively small in comparison to time spent redesigning, reprinting or income lost in campaigns with the wrong print partner. When weighing the decision to switch partners, consider how compatible you and your current partner are. If there are more negatives than positives, it might still be worth switching print partners despite the hidden costs.
Whether switching print partners is worth it depends on how well your current partner is able to meet your business needs.
Signs it’s time to find a new print partner include:
If you’re experiencing difficulties with your current partner or aren’t getting the results you hoped for, it might be worth it to switch print partners. Sometimes, switching partners is all it takes to get your commercial print needs on track and start saving money again.
A better print partner offers:
Related Content: How to Stay Within Budget on High-Volume Print Projects
While there are multiple hidden costs that can pop up when you switch print partners, some companies still find it worth the hassle. If switching commercial print partners means that you’re able to improve the quality and effectiveness of your finished projects while working with a more communicative partner, it’s usually worth it.
At Signature Graphics, we offer businesses alternatives for high-volume commercial printing with our full-service offering. With design, print, assembly and delivery services combined, we help companies save time and send prints on time. Curious how we our process works?
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