Large format printers go for a pretty penny, so outsourcing this service is a smart idea if you don’t print frequently. However, industry pros such as engineers, architects, and digital artists print a lot, and outsourcing may not be cost-effective. This is especially true if you find yourself going back and forth with your printing service to get the perfect end product. If you’re on the fence about making the switch, let’s take a look at why you should choose in-house large-format printing rather than outsourcing.
No Miscommunications
Whether you’re printing a product or a blueprint, everything should be up to your requirements in terms of quality, sizing, and positioning. No matter how qualified or experienced a printing service is, miscommunication is possible on one or both ends. The last thing you need is to receive a less-than-ideal print and waste more time sending it back and waiting for a new one. When you use an in-house large-format printer, you completely cut out the risk of miscommunication and are guaranteed to get what you design every time.
Total Control of Quality
Some printing services have a limited range of the quality they can provide. The higher quality you want your prints to be, the more you have to pay. You may not always get the same quality and colors when outsourcing, especially if you’re working with multiple vendors. Slight alterations may be acceptable here and there, but everything needs to be perfect, especially when brand building or creating blueprints. When you use an in-house printer, you have complete control over the quality of your prints, and you’ll get excellent results every time.
You Work on Your Schedule
You may find an uptick in demand for your prints during the holidays or run into a time when you need to print something quickly. What happens if your go-to service isn’t open? You can either wait until they reopen or find a new printing service, neither of which is ideal. When you use an in-house printer, you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s schedule but your own. Whether you need to make an after-hours print or have to deal with a Christmas rush, you can print worry-free from your own machine without relying on others to get the job done.
Print From Various Devices
Print shops typically require you to send a specific file type containing your designs. If you don’t prepare that type, you’ll have to find a device that can accommodate you or make the conversion yourself. When you own an in-house printer, you can print from virtually anywhere without uploading a file and filling out a request form. If you need to print from your smartphone or personal laptop, sending and printing your file from various devices is as easy as a click of a button.
Print and Mail on the Same Day
There may come a time when you need to make and mail a print on the same day. You are likely aware that it’s rare for print shops to do that. If they can, you’ll have to pay much more than you ever intended. You shouldn’t have to spend more money on last-minute requests when you’re already rushing to get the job done! If you have an in-house printer, you can print a design and send it on its way in the same day.
Never Miss a Deadline
Even if you create the image, make the order, and send out the file in a timely manner, there’s always a chance that your print may not be ready on time. Deadlines are everything in the business and engineering industries, and you shouldn’t get thrown under the bus for someone else’s untimeliness. If you work on a tight schedule, an in-house printer can make the difference between losing and retaining a client.
No Extra Fees for Changes
Making a change or deletion typically means you have to pay more—especially for last-minute changes. Editing and revising are just parts of the design process, and you shouldn’t have to pay more for it. Not only do you have to pay more when outsourcing a printing service, but you also have to wait longer to see those changes. Using an in-house printer means you never have to worry about the cost of last-minute changes. You make alterations on a dime without going back and forth with your print shop.
You Don’t Have To Worry About Security
When you send a file for printing, your print shop handles that data, and you have to trust them. You shouldn’t have to worry about one of your images getting stolen or a breach of sensitive client information. When you outsource printing, there’s always a chance of ill intentions or mistakes.
By printing in-house, you don’t have to worry about a security breach or the mishandling of files. Your file is solely in your hands. If you constantly work with sensitive information, you should strongly consider using an in-house printer.
Low Long-Term Costs
Outsourcing the job to a printing service comes with risks and unnecessary expenses. You’ll have to pay for the printer, ink, and paper, so you can print more for less over time with an in-house printer. Labor, time, design changes, and last-minute prints add up over time, and the money you save using your own printer will repay those overhead costs. Even if you print a large number of designs, you get a lower price-per-page ratio with your own printer. It also allows you to experiment with quality, sizing, and orientation without spending more money.
If you or your business prints frequently, using an in-house large-format printer over outsourcing is more cost-efficient in the long term and is much easier for everyone involved. When making the switch to in-house printing, let the Plotter Paper Guys be your one-stop shop. We sell everything, from wide format 20lb plotter paper refills to Canon ink cartridges and other consumables, so you never have to search high or low to meet your printing needs.
