When considering whether to choose a local screen printer for your screen printing project or opt for a national provider, the answer is almost always “choose local.”
Here are five key categories where the benefits of a local provider outweigh those of the national option.
ACCURACY
A local screen printer is better than a national option when you have a complex job with unusual sizes, shapes, substrates, color sequences, or spot colors you need to match to your other marketing pieces.
A national vendor will usually funnel you into one of their preferred sizes and formats, using the materials they want you to use. For a simple job, this might be fine (more about that in a moment), but for a job where accuracy is important, a local screen printer can give the job the attention it deserves and communicate with you promptly when there are questions.
AVOIDING MISSPELLED LOCAL NAMES WITH A LOCAL SCREEN PRINTER
A local screen printer will pay extra attention to spelling and images because they are close to the job. Because they are familiar with your locale, they may notice a typo – say, the correct name of a town – that a national printer would not recognize.
Also, in the accuracy category, a local printer will often spend the time to color match your logo or brand colors precisely.
Finally, a local printer will help you properly set up the job so you avoid common mistakes that customers often make when creating art files for screen printing.
CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY
It may seem obvious that there is a benefit to spending your money locally when you choose a local screen printer over a national option.
The economic reasons to choose local include everything from the payment to the printer, which helps a local business and its employees and vendors, to the sales tax, which goes to support services in your own state.
Sometimes, you may have another printer or fabricator produce the main job, and you need a screen printer to do imprinting, branding, overlays, ID marking, or other specialty work. Having a local screen printer who knows the regional players and is a trusted provider of trade work makes it easier for your primary printer.
A SOURCE OF REFERRALS BACK TO YOU
In addition, your local screen printer may be able to refer business to you, whereas a national printer probably would not.
Often, a local printer can pick up and deliver jobs that are nearby, saving you hassle and time.
Being able to return again and again to do business with a local screen printer offers a long-term benefit to your community.
CREATIVITY
A local screen printer is better than a national option when you need a fresh perspective or a custom solution to a problem. Your local printer can give you the creative, hands-on attention you need.
Experienced screen printers can provide insight into design and production to help you make a better product. Producing a non-standard printed piece is a challenge, so you want help from someone who is responsive, professional, and local.
SAMPLES AND A/B TESTING
Your local screen printer may be available to show you samples and help you choose colors. They may even be able to create prototypes – or a few versions so you can A/B test your marketing ideas.
If you have a rough idea of what you want, your local screen printer can meet or talk over the phone with you to brainstorm how to get the best results. That way, your local printer can handle the entire process for you: consult, design, print, pack, and ship.
Spending a few minutes early in the process on the creative aspects of the project is usually worth it, and makes your local screen printer stand out as an option.
CONVENIENCE
In the long run, using an Oregon screen printer is usually more convenient than a national option.
While it may seem easy to jump online and drop a job in the queue with a national printer, your local provider wins in other ways. For example, your local printer is usually set up to handle modifications, reprints, and updates, such as changes to dates and names.
Having a local point person means you will have continuity on future projects, and you won’t have to get up to speed with a new contact person each time.
LOCAL SCREEN PRINTER KEEPS EYES ON THE FINISHED JOB
Your local screen printer will personally inspect the job before it goes out the door.
While it is not often mentioned, it is helpful to have a printer in your own time zone. There is nothing worse than trying to get a question answered by a provider who is three hours ahead and closed for the day. Being able to talk to a real person during the workday is important. Local wins in this regard by a mile!
If you print many jobs with your local screen printer, you will begin to think he or she is a mind reader – and that’s a huge benefit to working closely with someone who understands your business and how to meet your unique needs.
PRICING
There is a misconception that national printers are cheaper because they are printing at volume. This is not necessarily true. Printers charge what the market will bear, and you will pay the average national price for your project.
In addition, national printers often tier their pricing to reward long runs. If you have a short-run project, your local printer might offer a better price and give you more flexibility in other ways.
QUICK TURNAROUND WITH A LOCAL SCREEN PRINTER SAVES MONEY
Furthermore, your local printer might be able to turn your job around sooner, which has its own financial benefits if you don’t have to pay surcharges for a rush job or overnight shipping.
Because rates and terms vary from area to area for many reasons, it’s always smart to get a bid from your local screen print provider.
Whether for accuracy, contributing to the local economy, creativity, convenience, or pricing, choosing a local screen printer versus a national provider is a great decision
