5 replies to this topic

[Promotions Division]

Interested if anyone is willing to share their general "rules of thumb" on print jobs? We have a unique situation in that the few printshops in the area are so very high that we continually seem to come under their prices drastically it seems regardless of our quote. While we've continuously moved margins up, it appears to be whatever the market will bear. We've experienced that there is significantly higher margins in printed items that ad specialty. I know this is very general but is this your general experience also--higher margins in print rather than ad specialty / promotional products?

[benbaker]

All I can say is that you are in a lucky situation. Print margins are usually tighter than promotional.

My attitude is take a fair margin. If you are happy with what you are making, then so be it.

Good luck.

Ben

Promotions Division said:

Interested if anyone is willing to share their general "rules of thumb" on print jobs? We have a unique situation in that the few printshops in the area are so very high that we continually seem to come under their prices drastically it seems regardless of our quote. While we've continuously moved margins up, it appears to be whatever the market will bear. We've experienced that there is significantly higher margins in printed items that ad specialty. I know this is very general but is this your general experience also--higher margins in print rather than ad specialty / promotional products?

[royster13]

My margin on printing YTD is 39.4%..My margin on Promo YTD is 46.3%....I tried for a little higher on printing and my sales fell right off....RCS....

[copy cat]

I usually get a 40 to 50% mark up on wholesale prices.

Best regards,
Russell

[cmroma]

Get what you can.
Our printing margins are FAR below that of our Promotional Products margins.
We seem to have a local printer on every corner, and they are all fighting for the same business. Makes margins tight.
I don't go after print business because of this. I only take print business from current customers that want me to provide this service for them.
(Our current YTD margins on print is right around 30%).

Craig

[lmjumper]

Don't know if you are still noodling this question, but I do a fair amount of print work. Answer is...it really depends.

If you can use a gang run printer and can print with specs that match what they offer, you are comfortable with providing camera ready art, and are confident that what you sent will print as expected...Margins are GREAT vs the local printers.

After that, much depends on what you are printing. I would be interested in knowing what you are printing and how it is being printed to give a more concrete reply...lemme know if you are still wondering...
Lynn