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.
The comment above is basically a Printer telling you to buy from him, not the broker. Brokers buy so much printed material that they can negotiate deals that a typical small business could never get. Plus they know all the ins and outs of the business and can help you from making mistakes. If nothing else, a broker can get you a discounted rate for printing you're already buying.
The comment above suggests you can do a simple google search and beat the broker's pricing. Printingforless.com is one of the most respected discount to the public printers in the country, and that is who one of my customers was using for their bi-monthly postcard printing. They were paying $580 for 10,000 4x6 postcards, 4 color on both sides (which is discounted from over $680 on their website), they were paying over $900 from the local basement printer before that. They now get this exact product from us for $410. This is printed in America by Americans and is the same paper, same coating as they got before. We've been doing this 1 project for them for 18 months now and not one complaint. We now print almost everything for this customer.
I could give a hundred examples but they just re0ordered today so it's fresh in my memory. On top of the savings and the expertise is the fact that most brokers offer a no questions asked satisfaction guarantee. If the local guy screws it up you'll likely argue about everything little detail of the screw up and who's fault it was and so on and so on. Most brokers I know simply redo the job correctly or refund the money.
The chances though of a broker delivering a poor product are slim to none, they've spent years finding the best mix of price and quality from every printer within 300 miles. They know where to get the best printing at the best price, period.
Good information however one thing to keep in mind, in some areas (I cant speak for everywhere), the very best printing companies often have policies that prevent working with Print Brokers. The reason most often given is, their reputation/brand... that they invest heavily in and work hard to get is far too important to entrust to an outside broker who has no investment on the table if something goes wrong. That said, if you are looking for cheaper costs / savings, often a broker will help.
I would suggest however that maintaining a good business relationship with a top tier printer can be a life saver. Membership has its privileges as someone once said and in an emergency or for a large time sensitive or very complex projects, a good relationship with one of those top tier, one stop shops is a major benefit for any buyer.
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.
The comment above is useless
The comment above is basically a Printer telling you to buy from him, not the broker. Brokers buy so much printed material that they can negotiate deals that a typical small business could never get. Plus they know all the ins and outs of the business and can help you from making mistakes. If nothing else, a broker can get you a discounted rate for printing you're already buying.
The comment above suggests you can do a simple google search and beat the broker's pricing. Printingforless.com is one of the most respected discount to the public printers in the country, and that is who one of my customers was using for their bi-monthly postcard printing. They were paying $580 for 10,000 4x6 postcards, 4 color on both sides (which is discounted from over $680 on their website), they were paying over $900 from the local basement printer before that. They now get this exact product from us for $410. This is printed in America by Americans and is the same paper, same coating as they got before. We've been doing this 1 project for them for 18 months now and not one complaint. We now print almost everything for this customer.
I could give a hundred examples but they just re0ordered today so it's fresh in my memory. On top of the savings and the expertise is the fact that most brokers offer a no questions asked satisfaction guarantee. If the local guy screws it up you'll likely argue about everything little detail of the screw up and who's fault it was and so on and so on. Most brokers I know simply redo the job correctly or refund the money.
The chances though of a broker delivering a poor product are slim to none, they've spent years finding the best mix of price and quality from every printer within 300 miles. They know where to get the best printing at the best price, period.
Print Brokers
Good information however one thing to keep in mind, in some areas (I cant speak for everywhere), the very best printing companies often have policies that prevent working with Print Brokers. The reason most often given is, their reputation/brand... that they invest heavily in and work hard to get is far too important to entrust to an outside broker who has no investment on the table if something goes wrong. That said, if you are looking for cheaper costs / savings, often a broker will help.
I would suggest however that maintaining a good business relationship with a top tier printer can be a life saver. Membership has its privileges as someone once said and in an emergency or for a large time sensitive or very complex projects, a good relationship with one of those top tier, one stop shops is a major benefit for any buyer.