Desktop Printing vs. Commercial Printing
Any business owner knows the importance of print when it comes to promotions and marketing. Despite the fact that computers and the Internet are an enormous part of our daily lives, certain printed materials like business cards, posters and catalogs will never go out of style. However, as computers advance, so too does design software and desktop printers – two objects that might make you wonder whether you need the services of a professional commercial printer at all when it comes to creating the printed matter you need. Are commercial printers still relevant in this day and age? The answer is a resounding “yes” – but whether or not you need their services for your specific project depends on several factors. Here are three questions to ask yourself in order determine whether you should invest in commercial printing services:
1. What level of quality do you expect? If quality is not an issue and time is of the essence, you may be better off printing what you need yourself, on your desktop printer. One example is a “Lost Dog” flyer. If your pet is missing, you may not want to hesitate long enough to place an order with a professional printing company – and it’s doubtful that the amateur quality level will affect the flyer either way. Therefore, you may want to design and print off the flyer at home. However, if you need a large quantity of flyers, you may want to turn to a professional after all. On the other hand, objects like business cards should always be printed professionally, as a poor design, cheap card stock or even imprecise cutting could diminish people’s opinion of your business.
2. How many copies do you need? Even if you’re not terribly concerned with quality, as in the “Lost Dog” flyer example above, you’ll still want to outsource your printing job to a professional if you’re dealing with a large quantity of copies. Printing hundreds, thousands – or even just dozens – of copies yourself on a standard desktop printer will be far too costly and time-consuming. You’ll have to contend with obstacles like paper jams, low ink levels and other headaches if you choose desktop printing for a large job. Why not let an expert handle matters instead?
3. Is the project particularly ambitious? Any project that involves multiple pages, full color photos or illustrations, or unusual cuts and folds should be outsourced to a commercial printing company. Consider a brochure, for instance: It may be possible for you to design and even print a brochure at home or in your office, but even after that aspect of the project is complete, you’ll still have to cut, fold and assemble your brochure’s pages – and the quality still won’t be able to match what you could achieve with a professional printer on your side!
Desktop printing and commercial printing both have their place in the world of printed materials, but it’s important to know which one is most appropriate for your needs. Keep these guidelines in mind and you’ll be able to make the choice that works best for you.
