Many print service providers and marketing solutions specialists struggle to describe what Print Fulfillment actually is so we want to create this article to explain it in a way that everyone can understand by defining what print fulfillment is and to share print fulfillment examples.
As print professionals we describe “print fulfillment” as the comprehensive process of completing and delivering printed materials to clients and end-users (your customers). This involves more than just the actual printing; it encompasses every step from the initial order placement to the final delivery of the finished printed products. Print fulfillment includes tasks such as prepress preparation, printing, quality control, packaging, addressing, and shipping.
We break print fulfillment down in more detail here with the below operational examples.
- Order Placement -This is where the client submits their order for specific printed materials, providing all necessary details such as quantity, specifications, and delivery preferences.
- Prepress Preparation – The artwork, designs, or documents provided by the client undergo necessary adjustments and optimizations for printing. This stage involves tasks like color correction, layout adjustments, and file formatting to ensure optimal results on the chosen printing method and materials.
- Printing – After prepress preparation, the materials are printed using the chosen printing technology (e.g., offset printing, digital printing, screen printing). This stage requires skilled technicians who monitor the printing process for quality and consistency.
- Quality Control – Printed materials are carefully inspected to ensure they meet the established quality standards. Any defects, inconsistencies, or errors are identified and corrected before moving forward.
- Finishing, Packaging & Packing – Depending on the nature of the printed materials, additional finishing processes might be necessary, such as cutting, binding, folding, or laminating. Once these processes are complete, the materials are appropriately packaged to ensure they remain in pristine condition during transit.
- Addressing and Personalization – If the printed materials are being sent to multiple recipients, this step involves adding personalized information, such as addresses or names, to each item. This can be especially important for projects like direct mail campaigns.
- Shipping and Distribution – The finalized and packaged materials are dispatched to their intended destinations. This step requires careful coordination to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.
- Tracking and Reporting – Throughout the fulfillment process, tracking mechanisms are used to monitor the status of orders and shipments. This information is often relayed to clients through regular updates or reports.
- Customer Support – A crucial aspect of print fulfillment is providing customer support to address any questions, concerns, or issues that may arise during the process. Effective communication helps ensure client satisfaction.
Print fulfillment aims to streamline the entire journey of turning an order into tangible printed products, providing clients with a seamless experience from start to finish. This process requires a blend of technical expertise, quality control, efficient logistics, and excellent communication to successfully deliver high-quality printed materials to clients’ hands.
In the next few sections we give case study style examples of print fulfillment that serve as a way to better understand what print fulfillment could mean for you.
Print Fulfillment Example 1
Lamborghini had an event in a city where they were unveiling a new vehicle. For the event they had a guest list with a select number of VIPs who were invited and had RSVP’d. These VIPs were going to be given special VIP Packets that contained a number of items related to the event. But these packets were lost and needed to be remade. They only had 2 days to get them recreated.
The car brand reached out to us in hopes of getting these VIP packets printed and fulfilled.
The job required custom cutting, folding, gluing, stamping, packing (printing and placing VIP lanyards, badges, & tickets) and shipping it out to the event location.
We were able to meet that deadline and meet the strict quality requirements that Lamborghini had set.
Print Fulfillment Example 2
Straumann, a premium solution provider for tooth replacement and oral tissue regeneration, was in need of creating a packaged kit for the speakers who were giving talks and leading workshops at their annual conference. These kits needed to be created in a way that truly represented the quality Straumann provides in their solutions. And is why they chose to work with us in creating and fulfilling the kits.
Our team was able to work with theirs in finalizing a design that resulted in printed custom boxes with QR codes that took the speakers to unique resources specific to the role they were filling as experts in their field. Not only were they printed, our team packed the kits with branded promotional products and event information. We then shipped the boxed kits to each speaker, who were spread across the United States.
In this scenario the customer didn’t have to even think about the logistics of getting these custom kits printed, packed or shipped, Qualprint handled it from start to finish without any issues.
Print Fulfillment Example 3
Another great example is the creation of an NFL Tailgate at home football party kit which was sponsored by Snickers. The brand wanted to infiltrate the homes of football fans on game day by sending out fan kits that included a custom printed box, custom paper plates, printed napkins, branded drink holders, a branded paper football game, Snickers bars, a tailgate trophy, and promotional inserts.
The custom printed box and inserts contained both QR codes and pURLs, the fan kits were packed after receiving all components, which were collated, secured in the box and sealed. They were then shipped nationwide.
This project is an example of a complex multipart print fulfillment project where the packages were created and delivered on-time and on-budget.
While we could share example after example of different print fulfillment executions we think you probably get the picture. So if this type of assistance is what you are looking for then allow us at Qualprint to help you win your moment through print and package fulfillment.
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Phone: (413) 442-4166
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