[PrintOwners] sustainable mark ups

[Scott Balsiger]

Dan,
I couldnt agree more! We are still going to offer 4 color work - 
wholesale and retail. But after meetings with kodak and xerox - digital 
is the way for us. When we can get a 8.5x11 copy done for .025(.049per 
11x17), how can I justify a $25hr press operator? Plus the variable data 
options are very exciting - it really allows your creative ideas to come 
to life.

Scott Balsiger President
USA Color Printing Inc.
www.usacolor.com
791 Manhomen Dr. Bemidji, MN. 56601
218-759-9126
800-759-9126
218-556-5505(Cell)
218-759-2883(fax)



Dan Huntingford wrote:

> ***** This is a PrintOwners List Message *****
>
>
>> Okay -- everyone who is not making a profit at your most heavily
>> discounted prices, please raise your hands. And tell us -- do you make
>> it up on volume?
>
> ==========================
>
> I bid on a job recently, 5000 6x9 post cards.  4/4. Pricing survey 
> says, average price $1200.
> I felt a little foolish but I bid $400.
> But then I didn't get the job, because they can print it on-line for 
> $300.
> I forget the name of the place, printforless.com was at $395  4over 
> $345. But they know an even cheaper place.
>
> Setting your prices at a profitable level is one thing.  Being able to 
> sell at those prices is another. Getting any work in at all even at 
> 25% of "average price" is yet another thing.
>
> We've heard many laments about low ball competitors over the years. 
> Usually some sleazy garage printer. But now the low ballers are 
> $50,000,000 to $100,000,000 dollar gang runners (4over & vistaprint 
> are in that neighborhood) with snazzy web pages that can print better 
> than we can with UV coating, JDF automation, etc.
> Pricing surveys have always shown price variations of 30% to 40%.  But 
> $300 to $1200 is 400%.
>
> I kind of feel like I'm not in the old ball park anymore.  In fact I'm 
> on the bus heading away from the ball park.
> We're fairly busy, actually.  But nothing I can't run on copy 
> machines.  I mean digital printers. And the 2 color QM.
> Anybody want to buy a nice 4 color GTO?
> I've done five full color jobs in the last five weeks and two of those 
> were my own in-house newsletter.
>
> Just a few thoughts at the end of a long day.
>
> Dan Huntingford
> SOS Printing
> 2319 Washington Street
> Port Townsend, WA 98368
> Member NAQP/NAPL/PIA/GATF
> sos at olympus.net
> (360) 385-4194  Fax (360) 385-5860
>
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