When businesses look for printing services, the first (and often only!) aspect considered is the base cost. And in today’s competitive market, trying to save money does make sense. 

But not if it means cutting corners, or when the true costs of low-quality print jobs go beyond that initial dollar amount. What may seem like minor issues, a few smudged documents, slightly faded text, can translate to significant business costs. 

The Financial Impact of Poor Print Quality

When you opt for low-quality print, there are financial effects that will far outweigh the initial project ‘savings’. Let’s start with the direct financial repercussions of using low-quality printing in your business. 

Poor print often requires a second round, a complete reprint from scratch. If you do the job in-house, that’s double the paper and toner consumption. This has a cost multiplier effect. Poor quality leads to multiple reprints of the same document, and staff members need to double and triple check in anticipation of errors. 

Low-quality vendors often require multiple reprints to achieve optimal results. Rush reprint fees can accumulate when you have to switch to another provider when the initial job fails your business quality standard. The time spent coordinating with vendors for corrections and replacements also has a dollar value. 

Labor costs accumulate for document creation, refiling, and communication. These hidden expenses compound over time in an organization, often without management noticing until it has become a serious problem. 

To avoid having to start from scratch, measure print quality before ordering a job, whether it’s a brochure, poster, business card, magazine, or otherwise. If using a third-party company, get exact information (e.g., DPI/PPI), rather than just descriptive terms. 

Business Reputation and Professional Image Damage 

Poor print quality can have a significant effect on how clients perceive your business, not to mention the overall brand impact. Imagine receiving a business card or brochure from a company for the very first time, claiming high-end services, but the print itself is on cheap paper, the text is smudged, and the colors are faded. 

Low-quality print creates a poor first impression. 

Customers associate poor print quality with unprofessional business practices. Your marketing materials will lose all of their effectiveness with poor presentation quality, lowering conversions. 

Potential clients may instead choose competitors based on professional presentation. Not only that, but poor-quality materials can undermine existing customer confidence in the company’s capabilities. You may see reduced trust and credibility in business relationships. 

This long-term damage is far more difficult to repair than to prevent. Once you lose a customer, it’s that much harder to convince them to come back to you. And according to Harvard Business Review, acquiring a new customer costs 5-25 times more than retaining one you already have. 

Choosing the Right Print Company 

When choosing a vendor, go beyond a simple price evaluation. Do sample quality assessments from multiple companies before committing. Check whether customer service is responsive and efficient; can you afford a poor experience from a cheaper company? 

You also want to check references from online reviews, specifically from businesses with similar printing needs. When you commission a project, establish very clear quality standards and what you expect from the job. Don’t be afraid to be very specific in what you’re looking for. 

When you find a print company that matches your standards, go beyond a basic single transaction. Long-term partnerships can create financial benefits, for example, through volume pricing. Companies that know you will continue to order from them will give you superior account management and dedicated support. 

Further, they’ll know exactly what you’re looking for when you next order a print run. This allows for far greater efficiency, streamlining the process, and saving on labor costs. 

Remember, low-quality print jobs tend to go hand-in-hand with poor production timeline reliability and rush order capabilities. Employee technical expertise in file handling and print optimization often matches the low price, resulting in an overall poor product. 

The hidden costs of low-quality printing extend far beyond the initial job. From damaged business relationships and lost opportunities to countless hours of wasted productivity, poor print quality can result in tangible negative effects on your bottom line. 

Smart businesses recognize that investing in high-quality printing, whether it’s in-house or through a third-party supplier, protects business credibility, leads to improved conversions, and maintains operational efficiency.

Featured Image – Freepik

About The Author