Avoiding Disruption
| The printing industry has faced many disruptions within the past year. Troubles with warehousing and shipping, paper shortages, price increases, and an influx in publishing activity have forced many companies to reconsider their plans for upcoming projects. It has become critical to adjust your publishing plan to stay on budget and within your schedule during these challenging times. You may need to consider changing print run quantities, production schedule, trim sizes, or more aspects of your publishing plans. We are urging our customers to take action as soon as possible to help mitigate any potential problems with their printing and publishing plans. With publishers, authors, printers, and distributors all under extra pressure, CHG has compiled a list of recommendations for authors and publishers. Know Your Schedule One of the most important aspects to consider is your schedule for each process within your publishing plan. Having extra time in your schedule is critical, especially if the project requires additional labor-intensive work or a longer schedule. Be sure to reserve production time with your printer as soon as possible and add extra lead time within your internal production cycle. Decide What Print Method Works Best When planning your print runs, we recommend utilizing the advantages of short-run digital printing. Short-run digital printing allows easier inventory management, avoids overbuying, and is faster than offset printing. Whenever possible, avoid special order stocks and select standard trim sizes. Specialty stocks and sizes can increase your production time and cost. If you have more than one print project, prioritize them based on their time sensitivity and release dates. If you are planning multiple reprints, we recommend combining titles with similar trim sizes and print specifications. Ask Questions! Your printer should always have your best interest in mind. It’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your printer. Be sure to start communicating early to reserve production time and ensure material availability. Your printer may also be able to help with inventory management and drop-shipping. In Summary To eliminate any delays or additional costs within your printing and publishing plan, be sure to keep open communication with all your vendors, including your print partner. Establishing a relationship with your vendors will enable you to stay informed and make any necessary adjustments before it’s too late. If you’re looking for a reliable, trusted, and experienced print partner, CHG is here to help. CHG offers digital and offset printing capabilities as well as binding, distribution and fulfillment, and more. We are doing everything in our power to keep our customers informed, on budget, and within timeline – all while producing superior quality print projects. |
Recommended Posts
