10 replies to this topic

[CBuerki]

I continually get email blurbs about becoming a Vistaprint reseller. There are a couple of levels, one is free, and another has some costs involved but the services are at a different level. Since I've not sold paper printing before it intrigues me, but at the same time I see VistaPrint offering free everything to the end user. Anyone have recent experience with them? Thx. Chuck

[PinsonDigital]

I have been reselling print for 3+ years. I generally do not use VP, primarily since their factory is in Canada (that's just me). What I have found is that their paper products generally are one step below in quality. For example, you can get gloss business cards but NOT on their thicker paper. Or they trim their business cards slightly smaller than the industry norm. If you are looking to sell print, you might want to look at 4over.com and zooprinting.com. Both have their pluses and minuses, but both put out a quality product at very reasonable prices.

[CBuerki]

Michael, thanks for your input. I know of 4Over. They require print ready graphics which I'm not set up to do unless I farm it out. One issue I'm interested in is whether they are as easy to work with as say, TradeNet is, where I can throw mud at them and they can read my mind and come back with a solution that pleases my customer. I've not found paper printers that easy to work with, and probably for good reason, to keep people like me out of the mix. Chuck

[dusty]

CBuerki:

found an industry print supplier located in livingston, montana.
ran in to them at the PPAI las vegas show in january.

Printing For Less
web: www.printingforless.com
SAGE # 68674
they will help and assist with art/copy issues.

[go4abpi]

CBuerki

Where are you located? I've been in the printing industry for over 24 years as a print broker. Entering the print broker world is a little tuffer that the ASI/ Ad Spec world simply because the suppliers have not had to deal with building art for dealers as most of us have our own in house art dept. I personally stay away from Vista and won't use them. Let me know if you have any specific questions that I may be able to help you with.

[royster13]

I use www.4printersonly.com , www.partnerprinting.com and www.sinalite.com

[PinsonDigital]

CBuerki

Zooprinting is just getting ready to launch an online design feature. It looks really nice based on the sneak-peaks I have been privy to. If you want a totally hands off design process, you might want to check out http://www.uprinting...gn-service.html You can sign up for a reseller account with Uprinting and get 10% off of their retail prices. They have a design dept that charges very reasonable rates (see link).

Printingforless.com , that Dusty pointed out, is a first class company. I have never used them simply b/c they are so darned expensive relative to other trade suppliers.

[CBuerki]

Thanks guys and gals. I suspect my question has been answered loud and clear about Vista. I'm in an interesting spot here in the boonies of northern California. Been selling ad specialties since 1986 but because business has gone to the dogs the last few years I've taken the last year or so off, but now I'm taking the next six months to just prospect for new business and I really don't care what it is or where it comes from. Several of the local printers have closed their doors, too, and those who are left have added promotional products to their mix. I think I'm now down to one active promotional product distributor in the area so the coast looks clear to me to maybe walk some streets I've not been that familiar with in the past. Chuck

[royster13]

I have just started selling printing and it appears there is work out there.....It is not really a place I wanted to go but an order is an order....And so far it is working......I probably spend more time on set-up that I should but I am still learning.....

[go4abpi]

FYI- The average graphic artist in print design charges $70.00 per hour....but they can get a lot done in 1 hour.

[CBuerki]

Thx for the add'l info. I agree, a good graphics artist can whip out some good stuff in an hour. I've had a great relationship with artboy.com for the last several years and he tells me he can set up the pre-press graphics. I've been following some print publications recently and it looks like a lot of the stuff I will find around here will fit within the new digital printer capabilities -- lower volumes -- quick turn arounds, and probably more simple upfront graphic requirements -- but that's a guess on my part at this point. As Royce indicated above, the work is out there, just go get it and work through it. Chuck