How To Select a Reputable Paper Supplier

Your product is only as good as the paper you print it on. But while choosing the right paper is hard enough, how do you find the most reliable and consistent dealers who address your business’s specific needs? It’s easier than you think. Reliable and honest paper suppliers often leave a paper trail themselves. All you need to do is look for the clues and information that delineate the best one for you and your company. Here’s how to select a reputable paper supplier and ensure they can do the job right!

Review the Reviews

Fortunately, the Internet has made finding reputable paper suppliers much easier. Almost every company is online today, and they’ve often inspired their clients to leave reviews. Look to social media and review sites that list different businesses and allow customers to offer their opinions on products and services. Search and sift through the chaff to find honest reviews from companies like yours. Look for the ratio of good to bad, and keep the size of the company in mind. It may well be a local supplier with “only” a hundred good reviews may be better for your purposes than a larger international one with thousands. Just make sure there are more happy than unhappy customers.

Investigate!

Pick a handful of companies and contact them for a consultation. Obviously, ensure they have what you’re looking for. Move on if you need 20lb uncoated bond paper but they don’t carry it, or only carry it in one size. Request samples of what they offer so you can test the paper for looks, color, texture, absorbency, durability, and the like. Let them know what you need and see if they can meet your expectations. See how willing and able they are to meet your needs. They might surprise you with a solution you’ve never thought of before.

Is the Price Right?

Naturally, it all comes down to pricing. Find out what working with them is going to cost you. Keep your budget in mind while asking them to deliver their pitch. Research the market and see what others are paying and what they’re getting in return. Shop for deals and suggest to the supplier that you’ll be more open to doing business with them if bulk discounts are an option. Honestly, sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little bit more for a superior product, and the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Just let them come to you and keep an open mind during negotiations.

Keep Communicating

Always remember this if you’re still wondering how to select a reputable paper supplier: a good supplier works for you in a manner of speaking. They’ll keep the lines of communication open and keep in touch with you without overstepping their bounds or delivering the hard sell. Ensure they provide a liaison whom you can contact day or night with any issues. Check with your fellow merchants and see what sort of service they’ve received. Look for a supplier representative who makes doing business a pleasure.