Commercial Printing: Reading the Fine Print for Hassle-free Printing

There things you should know but are too lazy to read. When it comes to buying things online or doing transactions such as online commercial printing, the fine print should be treated as guidelines to make transactions flow more smoothly. It helps both you and the company to read them carefully.

The fine print can be found in almost any business transaction. The fine prints give you further explanations. It can also be the terms and conditions applicable to your orders.

Such fine prints are present at the back of parking ticket, the back of the laundry claim stub, and of course, in most websites. In commercial printing companies, it is best to read the terms of use so you can adjust your expectations. It will save both you and the printing company a lot of trouble in the future.

Orders

• Because each project is made with your specifications, all orders are final. When you approve a proof, or waive approving one, you consent for the job to go into production, especially when you have paid for it.

• What you approved will be printed, regardless of typographical errors, low resolution, or distorted images. Even if the mistake is obvious, they are required to relegate it as your artistic license. This is why proofing is such an important step so you can check your file before you signal it or approve it to go into production.

• It is utterly important for you to review the digital proof they send you. At times, when the printing companies see poor quality images that will translate to poor print, they will advise you during the proofing stage. Remember, your input greatly dictates the output. If you have high-resolution images then that would automatically be obvious in the final print output.

Reprints and Refunds

• Human error can be minimized but are entirely unavoidable. When customers see a difference in their job specification they should call the printing company within 24 hrs and ask for a reprint. They will ask you to return all the printing jobs before they issue a reprint.

• At times when the customer changes their mind and decides to cancel a print job, (before the proof is accepted) refunds are possible given no work has been done. Certain charges for digital proofs and other services will be deducted from the actual refund. Plates, professional fees and such should be expected.

Turn Around Time

• The turnaround time is only for the actual printing time. You should give allowance for the pre-press time (or the approval of proofs) and shipping time. Even when you waive your proof, there can be trouble with the wrong file format, or the file quality. In this scenario the printing company may request you to upload another file before putting your job to press. Turn around starts after the approval of proof and payment of the job order.

• Only business days are counted, so you have to check their business days. Also take note of non-working holidays. Turnaround ends when the prints leave the warehouse. Shipping is excluded from the count, so you should allocate time for shipping as well. Although the printing company arranged for the shipping, they have no control over what happens to the prints after it leaves the warehouse.

These are simple guidelines you should take note of when acquiring the services of an online commercial printing company. For other inquiries, you can call the printing company ahead of time to guide you through the printing process. The extra effort of knowing the guidelines of printing will help make your printing experience hassle free and pleasant.