Why Graphic Designers Should Leverage a Trade Printer

Design for print is equal parts art and science. The art is in the design detail, while the science is in understanding how print substrates behave, which print processes will produce the design intent, and what enhancing technologies are available to create a dazzling final product. The most effective way to ensure that the design is rendered to a designer’s exact intent is to work with a trade printer that has a range of print options available and years of experience using them.

Trade printers work directly with designers, agencies, and printing companies to offer print at margin-friendly wholesale prices. They are full-service companies that can help designers find the best print solutions for their projects. Most offer an array of print technologies to meet the demands of the clients they serve. You may find options for offset and digital printing, but also flexo for labels, wide format for signage, and solutions for promotional printing.

Trade printers have the advantage of scale. They often have access to the newest technologies because they can invest at the beginning of a trend cycle. For 2022, design for print that includes shine and shimmer, unique shapes and cut-outs, and meeting sustainability standards are on-trend. Keep your design clients visible and on course by working with a printer who can execute the most demanding designs. 

Ask these questions as you consider working with a trade printer:

1. What print technology do you have available?

   You want a print provider who can handle short-run and long-run, offset or digital, and support you with wide format and packaging options as well as coordinated promotional products. The more they offer, the wider the range of projects you can take on from your clients.

2. Can you deliver through different channels?
   You want a print provider who can print and deliver to your designated shipping address—whether it’s to you or drop-shipped to your client—but also one that can work with you on direct mail campaigns. The best providers are adept at postal regulations and can help with design specifications that meet mailing requirements.

   Speed-to-market is a key to great relationships, so ask about turnaround times for different types of work.

3. Do you have a loyalty program?

   You want a print provider who values your business, so look for rewards and loyalty programs that unlock savings, offers, and premiums to benefit your design business. 

Also, be sure to ask what free resources are available to a printer’s customers. Certified templates, pre-written emails, and how-to-sell guides to speed the development of client work and keep your business growing efficiently. From greeting cards to bumper stickers, mounted canvas to window graphics, there are no bounds on your creativity—so find a printer that can work with you no matter what project you take on. 

The good news is that 4over is that printer! With a growing catalog of options, 4over can execute your designs on a wide variety of substrates in sizes from small to extra large. By leveraging our years of experience helping designers, you can easily create and execute client-pleasing projects in any market segment. That experience also means that we speak your language, so you can rely on us to be your partner for any size project in any format on any medium. To get started, just give us a call or register today for a free account on our website. We’re ready and waiting to deliver!

4over is always here to help you grow your business and deliver for your clients. And as a trade-only printer, 4over will never compete with you—the best measure of our success is yours!