Have you heard that in business, printing is going the way of Betamax and CDs? Of course, you have. For decades, tech forecasters have predicted that paper documents would go extinct … but paper is still here.
The fact is, companies still rely on printed work for many different processes, like:
- Paper contracts for less tech-savvy customers
- Backup copies of vital intellectual property kept safely in a fireproof area
- Governmental and legal red tape getting faxed from one agency to another
- Eye-catching advertising brochures and posters
- First drafts of important presentations
In certain fields, a small office may be able to get away with a cheap desktop printer and occasionally run a big job out to a third-party service. However, most companies will find that having round-the-clock access to their own production printer is a real asset to the business. These devices can streamline workflow, improve market reach, and help build a professional brand with real longevity.
What Does a Production Printer Do?
What can production printers do for your business? Let’s start with a quick definition. These devices are very efficient computer printers that can produce printed materials at high speeds. They need to operate at 60-65 ppm and above to be called a production printer. Very high-end models can print at up to 350 ppm.
These printers, which are sometimes called digital presses or commercial printers, are capable of handling a variety of jobs, including:
- Flyers
- Brochures
- Manuals and other books
- Calendars
- Posters
- Seasonal printed decorations
- And much more
They can work with a variety of printing mediums, from standard paper to cardstock, linen, mixed media, various synthetics, etc. Larger sizes of paper, such as A3+, can often be accommodated. This gives your company more flexibility and may make working with international clients and partners easier.
Why Businesses Rely on Production Printers
Production printers are a valuable tool for companies that want to work more efficiently and offer more to their customers. They also enable the office to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and rebound quickly if problems crop up.
Productivity
An in-house production printer can handle many jobs and produces pages very quickly. What does that mean from a practical standpoint? First of all, these devices increase workplace efficiency. Productivity won´t grind to a halt because a big print job has tied up the office’s cheap desktop printer for hours. Instead, the work zips through in just minutes. Employees also won’t need to babysit a small-capacity printer or waste their time on finishing tasks like stapling.
Quality
Speed isn’t everything in the business world. Accuracy matters, especially for technical or legal documents. Production printers are fast but don’t have a trade-off in print quality. They create crisp images in both high-dpi color and black and white. The colors look accurate, and the text is centered without smears. A properly maintained production printer creates quality work, with the last page looking just as good as the first.
Reliability
These solidly built devices can be relied upon for print jobs big and small. They can also help your company build a reputation for reliability. Handling printing in-house means you don’t have to count on a third-party service to get the paper back to you on time. You also don’t need to worry about that external service being fully booked during a busy season. The documents you need can be placed in your hands without extra steps or extra eyes on them.
Flexibility
Production printers have so many more capabilities than a basic desktop unit. They give your business access to a wide variety of advertising strategies through features like poster and paper decor production. You can create custom-branded merchandise, booth banners and more.
These printers can also dramatically ramp up production when needed. Intern dropped coffee on your notes and handouts right before your presentation? Customer interest surging after your company went viral on social media? With an in-house production printer, you can stay ahead of the game.
Should Your SMB Outsource Large-Volume Print Jobs or Bring a Production Printer In-House?
One reason SMBs hesitate to invest in a production printer is the cost. However, outsourcing this work is also expensive. There are the direct expenses, of course. These can rise quickly for large-volume jobs, and you’ll always be paying more than the cost of materials plus labor.
You also need to factor in the time costs. Think about the working hours spent:
- Narrowing down the right third-party print service
- Discussing your options and timelines with them
- Sending information over and getting printed jobs back
- Managing delays from equipment breakdowns, the print service falling behind, etc
- Sending a botched job back to be re-done
In-house printers save you time and money along with eliminating waste. You handle what’s needed when the job is needed. It’s time- and cost-effective, not to mention more secure.
Speaking of security, cybercrime is on the rise worldwide and in every industry. Chances are that your company has been in these hackers’ crosshairs before and will be again. They’re after your corporate data, intellectual property, and customers’ sensitive information.
However, they aren’t necessarily targeting your business. These criminals often look for weak points in the data security chain, such as when valuable digital information is transmitted to an outside service. Your data is only as secure as that print agency’s cybersecurity measures. Handling everything in-house helps you stay in control of where corporate information is going and who sees it.
A Real Workhorse in the Office
Production printers can create a variety of printed media at high speed. These reliable devices boost productivity while still maintaining excellent print quality. In-house production printers are time- and cost-effective, not to mention more secure than handling large jobs through an outside service.
Would you like to learn more about what an in-house production printer can do for your Tulsa business? Contact JD Young today, and one of our sales specialists will be happy to discuss your options.
