Outsourcing Versus In-House Printing: What’s Better for Your Business?
Printed documents continue to serve an important part in the vast majority of industries. This is despite the fact that we have long since entered the age of digital files and communication. Posters, flyers, and brochures are all utilized extensively to help a company grow and compete with the market. Large prints are especially important in the architectural and engineering industries.
Which is why large format printers have made such an impact in these businesses. This is also the reason why many companies are now looking into in-house printing to make their printing processes more seamless.
The cost of outsourcing printing, on the other hand, has many businesses reconsidering their next order. Is it better to outsource these print jobs, or should companies try to bring their printing needs in-house using large format printing equipment?
There are many factors that companies ought to consider. Any business would always consider the cost first, but there’s so much more to the equation than dollars and cents. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. The better a business understands them, the easier it will be to make an informed decision. Here, we have listed some in-depth insights on which printing option is better for your business: outsourcing or in-house printing?
Comparing the Costs
Every business will always look into their budget before making a purchasing decision. From little brick-and-mortar shops to large skyscraping organizations. Money does not grow on trees, which is why capping a budget for printing is also essential.
Outsourced Printing
In the past, outsourcing printing was thought to be the more cost-efficient option. Companies simply have to place an order and they can get a relatively cheap quotation in no time. But this is starting to change as business owners face rising printing pris.
Part of the reason for the increase in the cost of outsourced printing is that printing agencies have raised their own prices. The costs of this price increase are then passed on to customers. This means that printing companies' rates must be adjusted to reflect the new costs that their budgets must absorb.
In-House Printing
Building a printing production facility from the ground up, on the other hand, is an expensive investment. Businesses that lack the capital to buy or lease their own production printing equipment like large format printers may find that outsourcing remains their best option.However, purchasing in-house printing equipment is an investment that will pay dividends in the long run. Companies that want to bring their printing needs in-house may face high upfront costs, but they will save money as they print more materials. Businesses that do not have the capital for this investment or do not believe they will fully utilize the production printers may benefit the most from using an outsourced print provider.The good thing is that suppliers like Canon has a wide range of Large Format Printers suitable with the budget and needs of so many companies.
Comparing the Printing Needs and Capacity
Outsourced Printing
When you go for outsourced printing, you might not have to worry about technicalities like the printing capacity. They are the experts in printing. And all you have to do is send out instructions on how much you need and when you need it. You’ll definitely enjoy the convenience that outsourced printing can bring. As long as you are working with a reliable outsource printing agency, there should be no problem. But what if they have failed you before? What if you can’t find someone reliable?
In-House Printing
Businesses that decide to handle printing in-house must carefully consider what materials will be printed and whether the volume will justify keeping the equipment on hand. Some businesses may be able to print small posters or brochures. Standard office printers can do these tasks well enough. But larger corporations that need larger prints such as big banners or CAD prints, may need specialized equipment. Large format printers can come to the rescue and save them from making a call to another printing agency. As long as the printers will be used frequently enough, then it should be worth it. Businesses may want to consider combining in-house and outsourced printing solutions at times. In-house production printing equipment is capable of handling high-volume jobs, whereas outsourced printing equipment is ideal for more specialized jobs.
Comparing the Printing and Design Management
In-House Printing
In-house designers and managers who focus on the printing needs of the business may be required depending on the needs of the business and the size of the operation. One significant advantage of this arrangement is that the company has complete control over their materials and campaigns from start to finish.
You gain control of the print queue and priorities when you bring printing in-house. Even when deadlines collide, you can respond to last-minute changes faster and reduce overall turnaround times. Logistics are also simplified. There will be no time spent catching up with account representatives or communicating changes to production.
Outsourced Printing
One drawback of going for the in-house route is the cost and effort involved in hiring staff and maintaining the equipment upfront. The outsourced print provider, on the other hand, manages the costs and logistics of outsourced printing. Because they serve multiple clients, the cost of staff is spread out, which may keep printing costs relatively steady.
The ultimate question to ask is whether or not a company wants to take on the responsibility of in-house print production. High-volume printers with specific needs may believe the cost is justified, whereas lower-volume businesses may not be willing to incur such a large expense. Architectural firms, for instance, may benefit more from large format printers that operate in-house since they need large printouts of CAD prints almost round-the-clock. The same can be said for engineering and construction companies.
Comparing the Level of Control
In-House Printing
Bringing printing control in-house versus using outsourced print providers can have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Timelines are an important consideration. With in-house print production, the company has complete control over the turnaround time for a project. This is one of the primary benefits of in-house production over outsourcing. Because there are no other clients to service, the job can be completed on time.
Outsourced Printing
Of course, the risks associated with timelines and schedules can be reduced by placing orders with outsourced print providers well in advance. What a company must consider is how valuable complete control and quick turnaround are to them. Most outsourced providers deliver high-quality work quickly, but nothing beats the scheduling advantages of bringing printing services in-house.
Outsourced or In-House?
It may still be confusing to choose between the two. Just know that there is no such thing as a right or wrong way to print. There are numerous advantages to in-house production, while the cost of outsourcing printing simply cannot be beaten for businesses that print infrequently.
Our recommendation is to invest in in-house printing production if it means getting higher productivity, producing prints with better image quality, and of course, achieving long-term cost-efficiency. In-house printing is perfect for so many industries out there. It is particularly helpful in architectural, engineering, design and advertising enterprises and many others.
Need help in choosing a printer?
If you have come to the conclusion that you want to go for in-house printing, you might want to consider Canon’s latest large format printer models. These beasts take less than a day to set up and install, allowing you to complete your end-to-end print room in no time.
Canon’s large format printers assist companies not only through quality printing, but they also help mitigate data loss, producing 2 A1 CAD Drawing per minute, or around 120 A1 CAD drawing in an hour. If this sounds impressive to you, that’s because it is.
Learn more about our printers and to set up your very own in-house printing station right away. Discover more options at Canon today. Contact us here.
