10 Questions You Should to Know about Printing Services
I come late to the party so there is no much to add, but here are my humble additions:
My art uses overprinting. Will you be able to do so?
I have found that many printers get confused when art uses overprinting, because (apparently) it is not used very often. I always highlight this to them so they are aware that I will be using it. I often set the areas with overprinting to both overprint and multiply, just to make sure is not missed.
I am using unusual inks (such as metal inks). Do you have any suggestions on the order in which they can be printed or overprinted?
Unusual inks can be scary if they are not used correctly. I have seen boxes peeling off because the art was overprinted on a metal flood and it never cured. Highlighting to the printer that you are using the unusual ink and asking for their opinion is always a great idea. Sometimes different printers have different ways of working with the ink. This question might also raise flags that nobody had noticed. Metal inks might need extra curing time, which might move the deadline and/or add to the final cost, for example.
What types of finish do you offer/work with? Do they have any special requirements?
I notice that every time I go to print a project, there are a myriad of new finishes that I did not know existed. I always end up with a new swash book of finishes, which is great. They have sometimes special requirements such as extra curing time or incompatibility with metal inks, so it is always good to ask.
Can the finish be applied inline?
A finish that can be applied inline saves time. Not all finishes come in this style though, and not all printers carry all of them. Sometimes asking this question just allows you to learn that the finish you had selected was an old fashion one that needed for the ink to be 100% cured but they have a new one that can be applied inline and be done with it as opposed to waiting for the curing time.
Can the finish be spot-applied?
Not all finishes can be applied in only a spot (area). This depends on the actual finish and on the actual press the provider has.
Do you offer embossing? What types? How should I provide the art?
If either the embossing plates or the whole embossing task are outsourced then there might be different requirements to how you provide the art.
How accurate is the registration of the embossing? What is the maximum acceptable error margin?
Depending on the type of embossing and how old the provider machinery is they might not be able to assure the embossed area will be 100% registered with the art. It is always good to know so in advance to avoid surprises and adapt the art to their capabilities.
What is the maximum acceptable error margin for trimming?
If the trimming is not as straightforward as a rectangle (think a cosmetics box as opposed to a magazine spread) and if their machinery is old, then they might not be able to assure a very tight registration. It is good to know so and to adapt the art for trimming variations.
Do you offer barcode testing?
Certain inks (such as metal inks, for example) render barcodes illegible. Horrible thing to find when the product has already been delivered to the retailer. Most printers I have worked with offer the service of testing the barcode after is printed just to make sure it is readable. They offer this for free, but I often find that if I don't ask for it, they don't do it.
Is any part of the process outsourced?
Sometimes finishing, embossing and trimming are outsourced, because they require extra machinery that the printer might not be interested in buying. If you are adding another provider to the process it is always good to know so, particularly if you need to complain or fine tune. If the other provider is hidden behind the printer and your printer is not doing a good job on representing you, then it can get tricky and add time to the deadline.
Can you assure you will not edit my art once I send it? If you need to do so, can you please let me know what you are doing or, better, let me do it?
This sounds like an idiotic question, but sometimes some adventurous printers take liberties and move things around to fix production problems you might have missed or change colours because they think you made a mistake. Highlighting to them that you don't want them to do so is a good idea. There is usually more than one way of overcoming a production problem and their choice of solution might not be the one you might have preferred.
Can I come to a press approval?
I love press approvals because it is fascinating to see my digital work turned into actual plates and ink; I think offset presses are awesome (as in awe inspiring) and I also learn a lot from press operators. But besides my personal geeky fascinations I find that coming to the a press approval, at least the first run of a project, allows me to catch problems that would have been terrible to catch when the whole thing is already run (like misunderstanding overprinting) and sometimes make last minute decisions (like "OK, overprinting metal is not working, forget about the metal, make it black"). It also allows me to see how careful the printer is. Sometimes they can be sloppy if they are under tight deadlines (hickies much?). Make sure not to micromanage, though, (note to myself) and to trust they know what they are doing.
It’s no surprise that every managed print services provider claims they can deliver exactly what you need. If every photocopier solutions provider is reassuring you that they’re the ideal partner, it can be challenging to decide who really can meet your business needs effectively. Ask the following questions to choose the right managed print service provider best equipped to back up their commitment to you.
Can the provider submit written testimonials from long term managed print clients?
Finding out how others have experienced the service is one of the best ways to predict how it will work for you. If possible, ask for names and contact details of other clients so you can approach them independently. Any reputable managed print services provider will share testimonials with you.
Are you confident the provider will accurately measure, and report cost savings?
A high-quality service provider works with you to manage your print solutions and reduce print costs. It’s important to know that your provider will regularly review your account to identify areas that could be more efficient. It’s helpful to find out what procedures they have in place for this.
Does the provider employ their own service team?
You need to be able to communicate effectively with your service provider. Look for providers that have their own in-house service team. This means you’ll benefit from consistency, as well as local support.
Do the service providers offer a choice of photocopier and laser printer brands?
A service provider who isn’t tied to one brand, means that you have more choices. You might already have a preferred brand for products like photocopiers, for example, Sharp copiers or Canon copiers. Service providers who work with multiple brands, ensure you get devices that fit your budget and meet your business needs.
Will the provider utilise existing cost-effective print devices, regardless of the manufacturer?
A good managed print services provider should adapt to your needs. If you have cost-effective devices you want to continue using, a reputable supplier will support you in this and suggest complementary solutions.
Can the provider improve workflow automation and/or optimise business processes?
A managed print services (mps) provider should focus on optimising your workflow and processes. By continually reviewing your printing environment, print volumes, security features, device usage, and print spend, they should be able to recommend ways to optimise processes.
Is the provider happy to supply details of all service calls, including the time the call was logged, time taken to complete the call, fault and rectification undertaken by service engineer?
Transparency is important. If you experience an issue, you need to know that it is properly recorded and that you can access the information as you need it. Confirm that the supplier is willing to provide service call details as requested.
Does the provider offer direct access to Senior Management?
You need a strong partnership with your service provider. A reliable provider will give you access to senior managers who are committed to improving your services. Good providers will allocate you a relationship manager and account manager.
Are you confident the service provider will constantly monitor your print platform?
Regular contact helps service providers to constantly monitor your printing solutions. You should gain assurance that the provider will be continually working to support and improve your devices and processes, whilst staying in touch with you at the same time.
AXIA COPIER SERVICE & PRINTER SERVICE
OUR SERVICE COMMITMENT
WE’RE ON A MISSION
Each and every day we work hard to deliver quick, reliable, and proactive service that’ll exceed your expectations. That means we’ll do all we can to ensure a consistently high standard of document output from your digital photocopiers, multi-function printers and laser printers during their effective lives.
OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR STRENGTH.
Because of their experience and dedication, our fully trained service engineers are the best people to achieve our mission. Naturally, they’re all qualified and they attend comprehensive training for all new products that are released.
And, above all, they’re passionate about their work and enjoy working here at Axia Office. In fact, most of our engineers have been with us for over 15 years!
PRINTER SERVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
When it comes to services and support, your printer or office copier, Axia Office has a world-class system that leaves no stone unturned. Here are some of the features of our service that makes us an industry leader year after year.
We support our field technicians with innovative software and systems. When a call comes in, it’s allocated to the technicians via their laptops. They immediately have access to the full-service history of the machine, manufacturers’ service manuals and, if they happen to require a part not with them, they can order it online before leaving your premises. Their spare parts are replenished every evening via a courier.
The system we use, generates a daily report that shows the fault reported and the work completed by the engineer for the current and three previous calls. This helps management identify recurring problems which are then addressed by our service manager.
Our system also calculates the time taken to complete each call, and our average completion time for all calls. So, if you want to know how long your service may take, you’re more than welcome to inspect our “live” reports.
We provide a detailed report of all service calls including the time each call was logged, allocated, completed and the work performed, for all multi-function printers and copiers under contract with us. If you’re not already a customer of ours, we suggest you ask your current service provider to supply these reports. We’re sure you’ll find the outcome interesting!
We also provide software that automatically notifies us of page counts at the agreed intervals and when toner reaches a predetermined level, e.g., 33%. This reduces administration at your end and ensures that you never run out of toner.
At the end of the day, our systems are all about a smoother, stress-free experience for you. We’ve invested several hundred thousand dollars in our systems - without them we couldn’t continue to be at the top of the game.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
We want to ensure that there are no interruptions when it comes to your business multi-function printer/copier.
Therefore, we offer a cost effective and comprehensive preventative maintenance contract, that ensures you experience a consistently high standard of quality with your machine.
Here’s how it works: A maintenance inspection interval is programmed into your printing and scanning machine in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
At each maintenance interval, our technicians complete all checks and replace all parts in accordance with the manufacturers’ service manual, thereby addressing problems before they occur. And, unlike your car service, the cost is predetermined so there aren’t any surprises!
Most of our competitors claim to offer this service but only deliver what we call “corrective maintenance”- they only turn up at your premises after copy quality deteriorates or a breakdown occurs.
This helps their bottom line, but you’ll almost certainly need to replace the device before it reaches the end of its effective life. This is hardly a desirable outcome!
For managed print services Sydney businesses rely on, get in touch with Axia Office.