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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: chucklesmcgee on August 18, 2015, 10:12:51 PM

Title: Cheapest printing option?
Post by: chucklesmcgee on August 18, 2015, 10:12:51 PM

I'm working for a small Congressional race. We're going to be printing en masse to distribute large cards with the candidate's color logo and a few bullet points of black text with the candidate's platform, then distributing them. We're going to be printing 100,000+ and need a solution for the cheapest option.

Specifications

• Rigid cardstock-type paper, looks professional, holds up if it's tied to a doorknob, won't rip easily
• Printing is on one side only, color and black. There's not an insane amount of color, just the logo
• 4 cards can be printed on a single 8.5x11 page
• We'd like to print in batches of around 1000, week by week, as we'd like to update the text semi-regularly to address topical events

Considering the need to update our printings, I'm imagining in-office printing will be relatively cost efficient. We'll buy the paper in bulk, keeping reams on hand as-needed. We'll then print on a relatively cheap color printer with a large tray using off-brand ink from Amazon.

Thoughts on this? What sort of printer and ink would work well?

Title: Re: Cheapest printing option?
Post by: Daley on August 18, 2015, 10:45:34 PM

I'd use a template to separate out the logo from the content to create a blank, do a massive bulk run of spot color (or full color) ink printing for the logo (ink, not toner) on your card stock from a local print shop, and then use same said local print shop to do more limited run B&W printing onto the blanks for the constantly changing bullet-point content. They'll probably do bulk pricing even for that despite the changing content if they know you'll be burning off the entire run of 100k fliers, and they'll also have access to cutting and punching machines.

The cost of ownership even with a B&W laser printer capable of doing what you need (cheap consumables, straight feed path) for this volume and click count is not going to get near as cheap as what bulk printing at a local print shop from a place that can afford much nicer equipment due to their volume could do. Quality going with a proper print shop will be better than anything you could buy in the "prosumer" camp as well.

Also consider the same tactic as above for using straight-on door hangers, the mini ones will fit three to a letter size sheet. Have your schmancy color template and leave a blank for the changing B&W content. Less manpower than punching and stringing up postcards to hang on doorknobs, too.