Dear print buyers,

 I am new in print buying, please give me some suggestions regarding print buying. Such as cost breakdown etc. Thank you very much.

Hi Yan,

Try Pira International, they run a variety of courses that could help including one on "print fundamentals"

There's a download on 2009 courses here

They also have some publications that may be helpful, including the Print & Production Handbook.

For cost breakdowns you will need to look elsewhere. Webmart has some of the most transparent information available but it really depends upon what you're purchasing, and when.

Hope this is a help for starters, anyway. All the best with it.

Jo

Hi Yan - what kind of print are you buying? There are seven / eight print processes (if you include hot metal) and dozens of product categories. Lots of knowledgeable people on this website who will sell you great quality print at a very reasonable price. Try us!

Hi Jo,

 Thank you very much for your help. They are great information. Thanks again.

Yan

Hi NDCT,

Thanks for your message. I buy brochures, leaflet, POS, stationarery etc. That's why I need to have a good understand about the cost breakdown.

Hi Yan,

How much print experience do you have? Any or none? It is important to know which type of printer would be better suited to the job in hand. If you are producing short run work, but large format such as POS you may be better looking at a digital large format printer (Volaire in Windsor) as opposed to a large format screen/litho printer such as Augustus Martin/Delta Display who would be better suited to high qty's. The same goes with brochures (litho or web). Qty,size, and complexity of job are all factors which influence price if you place it with the wrong printer you could be paying more than you need to. No one can give you advice about cost break down you need to know who to place the work with and bench mark. Print buying is a very diverse and knowledge is key to being able to purchase effectively. If you have sound print production knowledge the commercial knowledge can be gained by doing a couple of purchasing course CIP's is a good start.

Lesley

Good advice as always 'our Les', Yan to buy well it pays to understand what you are buying and build your own rosta. WebMart is not the best way or necessarily that transparent, it may be a quick fix but not the answer.

Can help point you in the right direction if we can understand what you are buying, you can contact us directly by email if you prefer.

Hi. Alderson Print Group are in West London. We have a wider range of print kit in one place that any other company. And we have a seminar facility. So if you wanted a day's course set-up ~ for free ~ to learn about heatset web offset, sheetfed litho, colour digital, super size litho, large format digital, point-of-sale and specialist print finishing, then give me a call.

Seeing all these processes first hand would prove invaluable to your professional future.

In the wider context, business practice, trends, buying methods, ethics, environment and quality standards are as important as simply knowing how to get a job done right, on time and on budget.

Phill 07768 903 140 (phillip.watts@aldersonprintgroup.co.uk)

Shameless plug Phil!!!