Follow up with a map of your workload

A second point to be considered could be understanding the needs of today’s market, which will drive your workload.

Start by looking back over the last 60 to 90 days and grouping what you print into a few clear buckets: targeted mail, transactional communications, and short-run publishing. Then, note the realities that shape your day: volumes, peak, deadlines, the share of personalised print, common substrates and finishes, and where reprints or outsourcing creep in.

Then, the actionable part: turn this snapshot of your production into a regular daily schedule, where you sequence a morning job, a midday changeover and an afternoon rush. Commercial printers should be judged based on how they can factor in those changes.

Unsure how to accurately assess this for your business? We can run a ROI/TCO review so you assess quality on real work, confirm economics, and make an informed call before bringing more jobs in-house.

A simple commercial printing menu customers recognise

A service menu customers buy is a clear, outcome-based set of named offers that make you the best option. Instead of listing machines or paper sizes, have in mind what buyers need—like targeted mail, transactional printing, or short-run publishing/education—and explain each in plain English. What’s included: from inception to delivery.

It is also important to set expectations upfront with a brief intake checklist and proof/approval steps, backing it with two or three sample pieces so clients can see and feel the result.

The effect is less friction at quoting, fewer surprises in production, and a faster “yes” because customers recognize the value and know exactly what they’ll get.

We can help you shape offer menus customers recognise, simplify intake-to-dispatch, and back your team with relevant samples and guidance. If you are looking for a starting point, we recommend exploring the TASKalfa Pro 15000c as a cutsheet inkjet platform for everyday commercial applications.

Inkjet printers, a case study

Outsourcing overflow can save the day, but it chips away at margin and control. Bringing production inside the company can be daunting when compared to simply higher outsourcing costs. But really, it all boils down to targeting what needs to be moved in.

UK providers show that bringing the right work back inside your walls improves quality, tightens timing, and creates headroom for growth, since the schedule starts to work for you again.

Interested in seeing it for yourself? Contact us to learn how we can bring print versatility, cost-effective volumes prints, and high-quality runs in your company!