Over the years many customers have asked me to produce printed business cards, envelopes, letterhead, etc. I have always referred them to one of several local printers and offer to provide them or their printer of choice whatever help they might need with the digital logo files. Now I am considering finding a sub-contractor printer who will fill orders at wholesale prices allowing me a fair margin and thus opening a new profit center. Has anyone experience or comments on such an enterprise!
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
This works great for me. It did take a while to find my supplier. Most printers sub out there thermography { raised letters } you just need to find there supplyer. I use a buisness called buisness card express. Check out there web site you may find some info helpfull. All the local guys were not interrested in wholesale prices.
I know of many sign artists who do just that. First they design a clients logo then have all the other stuff made up accordingly.
You can search the web alot faster and find all sorts of printers who will do full color layouts for business cards at less the $100. per 1000 which you can never find in your home town.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Check out the latest Signcraft magazine for an article on that same concept. I believe it was written by our neighbor Dan Antonelli.
[ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
I've used postcardpress several times with fantastic results. The quality is unbeatable and price too. Check em outpostcardpress Posted by Randy W. Robarge (Member # 2022) on :
I signed on as a Carlson Craft dealer. Great commissions and you can submit everything on-line. They also have greeting cards, wedding cards and accessories, and a few other items.
They are pretty quick, reliable, and have excellent quality.
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
Print brokering can make you a lot of money (i've brokered about $40K in some years, for a net of $8K-$16K. As long as you stick to small projects that you understand, you'll do fine. the problems can occur if you get out of that realm and into high-end printing -- you don't want to get stuck paying for a job your client rejects.
My suggestion for a discount business card place is "BCT" - Business Cards Tomorrow. http://www.bct-net.com
I like BCT because they give you a complete display and ordering package (i think they charge $40 or $50 for the book and display, and they refund it when you've done that much in business). They are fast, easy to work with, and you don't get suprises. They are also very limited -- they only do simple stuff, but they do it well. Oh, and the profit is 40 to 50 percent!
Posted by Tony Lucero (Member # 1470) on :
YOU GUYS ARE GREAT! Many thanks for the replies This was exactly the type of information I was looking for. Merry Christmas to all Tony
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
stick to the simple stuff and you'll be providing a useful service to your customer AND put some spare change in your pocket. just be aware that customers can take just as long to select the paper for their $50 business cards as they take to select the color of their $2500 sign...
also, by keeping it simple you'll be able to communicate effectively with the printer. try to imagine the shoe on the other foot, and having a printer or graphic designer calling you about doing a sign for one of their clients.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I also use postcard press for biz cards and smaller sized print jobs like postcards and mailers.
I am 100% satisfied with their work, it's top notch.
The ONLY thing you have to keep in mind with them is they sell cards at a wholesale price (full color print on front for $60/1000) to ANYONE... so, keep your digital files to yourself and dont let your customers know you are sourcing the work because they can turn around and scan their card then get them produced at $60 instead of the $269 you charged them.
