When to print overseas
May 5, 2015In a globalised internet-savvy world, Aussies are looking abroad for cost-effective products and services where labour, rent, equipment and overheads are much cheaper.
So when should you take the risk and source printing overseas? We say “risk” because that’s exactly what you’ll be taking when you order internationally.
Unlike mass produced products with specific model numbers, printing jobs are susceptible to miscommunication. And unless you have some kind of consumer protection through eBay, PayPal or an approved industry supplier, you’ll most likely pay for something upfront and hope it turns out how you wanted – or even turns up.
Local printers can speak your own language, get samples, choose colours, provide proofs and give a clear idea of what you’re ordering. And in the unusual event that what you receive is not what you ordered, the mistake can usually be rectified or legal steps can be taken to recover of your money.
The overseas process isn’t always as smooth.
In our experience, ordering from overseas is a case of risk management. If you’re ordering a product that has no room for error, don’t go overseas. On the other hand, if the long-term benefits of price and quality outweigh a few hiccups or dollars lost, you can put it down as a calculated risk.
Everyone’s situation and assessment of risk is different, but if you can start off on a smaller scale, request samples (usually at a small cost) or create a part order to assess quality before jumping straight in, you can mitigate some of the risk.
At the end of the day, you just need to consider your timings, experience, budget and focus.
If you’re looking to print overseas but don’t know where to start, call us on 1800 208 234 and we’ll help you save time and trouble, while you get the same rewards.