I'm actually going to comment on this because of the fact that Print Buyers and Procurement decision makers need to know. Today as the digital age has helped streamline production, there is no exception in this area for printers. In fact, nowadays with the internet and alot of resources for companies, to go through a print broker who ends up finding just the lowest price and marking it up for profit for himself/herself.
I can say that other than the actual catalog design there isn't much else brokers do. The one area I will give credence to is this; If the company that wants to evaluate their marketing channels and ways to hit new markets (demographics ect), then the brokers can do research, and/or help formulate ways to make different printed marketing materials to give a competitive edge. If it is for a basic catalog that has no fancy bells and whistles, it would seem almost useless and in fact detrimental to companies to use a middle man, when nowadays finding a printer (Esp web offset) is the easiest thing, due to the excess capacity in the market.
Most times customers dont realize how all brokers do is rip them off. The "print brokers" are the joke of our industry, due to the fact that it isn't a job that really brings value to customers, other than taking a bit of work off their plate at a cost.
Print Brokers
This would be of far more value if Paul named names. After 15 years, he does know who the good ones are, even if he doesn't want to name the bad ones.
Print Brokers are useless
I'm actually going to comment on this because of the fact that Print Buyers and Procurement decision makers need to know. Today as the digital age has helped streamline production, there is no exception in this area for printers. In fact, nowadays with the internet and alot of resources for companies, to go through a print broker who ends up finding just the lowest price and marking it up for profit for himself/herself.
I can say that other than the actual catalog design there isn't much else brokers do. The one area I will give credence to is this; If the company that wants to evaluate their marketing channels and ways to hit new markets (demographics ect), then the brokers can do research, and/or help formulate ways to make different printed marketing materials to give a competitive edge. If it is for a basic catalog that has no fancy bells and whistles, it would seem almost useless and in fact detrimental to companies to use a middle man, when nowadays finding a printer (Esp web offset) is the easiest thing, due to the excess capacity in the market.
Most times customers dont realize how all brokers do is rip them off. The "print brokers" are the joke of our industry, due to the fact that it isn't a job that really brings value to customers, other than taking a bit of work off their plate at a cost.