When people need printed materials for a project or campaign, or even for personal use, they tend to choose the cheapest and quickest option, which often means going to a copy shop instead of using a professional printing service.
Although choosing a copy shop might be the cheaper option and more convenient in the short term, it often means sacrificing on quality and can sometimes end up being more expensive with the need for countless reprints.
When choosing between a copy shop and a professional printer, there are many factors at play. It depends on the type of print job you need doing, as well as your timeline for the project and whether or not you need additional services like design or marketing assistance.
If you’re unsure of what to choose for your next print job, read on to find out more.
How do their services differ?
A copy shop is usually used to service clients' commercial day-to-day printing needs, such as printing contracts to sign or items for a school project. At a copy shop, it’s normal to hand over a flash drive on which you’ve loaded the files you need printed and an employee will plug it in. You’ll be asked to specify which files you need printed, as well as the quantity and Bob’s your uncle, so to speak.
However, at a professional printing company, there are a lot more services on offer than getting a few print outs. At a professional printer, there will often be professional designers to help with any design and layout queries or concerns you may have. In addition, marketing professionals will be able to help you design and execute compelling cross-channel marketing campaigns so that you can use print marketing to build awareness and increase brand equity.
A wide range of printing options are also available at a professional printer, such as digital printing, litho printing and variable data printing for personalised printed items.
Click here to head over to our online print shop if you’re looking for ease and convenience.
Which is better for which type of job?
Type of job
For professional book or magazine printing services, litho printing is often the best choice as it is better suited to large-scale prints (thousands of books) and it produces beautiful vivid prints that really stand out for this sort of application. Litho printing services are only available at a professional printer.
Large print run
If you’re printing out posters to advertise a neighbourhood get-together or you need materials printed for a school or work project, using a home or office printer or going to a copy shop would benefit you more than using a professional printer as you wouldn’t require a large number of copies, and mid-quality prints would be acceptable.
Schedule
Schedule is also an important aspect to consider. If you need your printed materials urgently, it might be better to go with a copy shop. However, if you have some time, a professional printer might take a bit longer but the result will be a higher-quality finished product.
Omni-channel marketing
If you are launching a new brand or product and are unsure of the best way to tailor your marketing efforts with your target market or you are looking to launch a large-scale print-marketing campaign that needs to resonate with a particular customer persona, you won’t find this help at a copy shop and will need to go to a professional printing house that has an in-house marketing department.
Design and layout
If you need help with the design and layout of your project before it is printed, you should use a professional printer. A professional printing house can also help you with any marketing needs you might have, including how to create great cross-channel marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness.
Binding and finishing services
If you require any additional services for your printed project, such as binding and finishing options, or need high-quality printed items on special paper that has been finished to prevent scuff marks and scratches, then a professional printing company can offer all that and more.
What are the benefits of using professional printing services?
When using a professional printing service, you are getting so much more than just the printed items you requested. You are gaining access to a wealth of professional design and marketing expertise that will advise you on your design and layout as well as how best to bring your product to market using print advertising, as well as the best paper size and quality to use for different projects. There are also a variety of different printers and print techniques available to suit your project and your budget.
Key Takeaways
Deciding between a copy shop and a professional printing service really depends on the type of project you need doing, your budget and timeline, and whether you require any help with designing and marketing your brand.
If you need help with designing a new logo or you need beautifully finished printed materials for a campaign, printing it through a copy shop or going through a professional printer could be the difference between a well-executed, professional-looking item that makes customers take notice or a flop.
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