Best Practice Archives

Why CMYK Reigns Supreme in Commercial Printing

Posted on March 12, 2024March 12, 2024 by Jamie Xuereb

In the vibrant world of commercial printing, colour plays a pivotal role in capturing attention and conveying messages. Yet, the colours you see on your screen don’t always translate directly onto paper.

This discrepancy lies in the fundamental difference between the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour model used by electronic displays and the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) colour model that dominates commercial printing.

Understanding why CMYK is the industry standard over RGB is crucial for anyone looking to produce printed materials that accurately reflect their vision. Whilst much of this will be taken care of thanks to software default settings / your graphic designers – it’s handy to understand why this colour model is used.

The Basis of CMYK in Printing

The CMYK model is essentially a subtractive colour model used in colour printing. Unlike RGB, which adds light to create colours (additive colour model), CMYK works by subtracting brightness from white light, reflecting specific colours back to the eye.

This process is more aligned with the way printed materials are consumed—through the reflection of light rather than the emission of light.

1. CMYK is Complementary to the Printing Process

Commercial printing equipment is designed to apply inks in the CMYK spectrum. This system is a direct descendant of the four-colour printing process, where each colour layer is applied separately to build up the final image.

The use of CMYK inks is tailored to this process, allowing for a wide range of colours to be produced by overlaying these four basic colours in varying intensities.

2. Greater Material Versatility

The CMYK model’s reliance on physical ink makes it highly adaptable to a variety of printing surfaces, whether it’s paper, cardboard, fabric, or even plastic.

This versatility is crucial for commercial printing, where the demand spans across numerous types of materials, each with its own ink absorption and colour reflection properties.

3. Cost-Effectiveness of CMYK

Printing in CMYK is economically more viable for mass production. The RGB model, with its reliance on light to create colours, is not suitable for printing on physical media.

CMYK inks, on the other hand, can be mixed in precise quantities to achieve the desired hues without the need for additional colours, keeping the production costs manageable.

Addressing the Limitations of RGB in Printing

RGB’s primary limitation in the context of printing lies in its design for digital displays, which can produce a broader spectrum of colours by combining light.

When RGB images are converted for printing, for things like (signs, stickers or labels) some colours may appear muted or different because the CMYK colour space is inherently narrower.

This can lead to discrepancies between the on-screen preview and the final printed product, emphasising the importance of designing in CMYK for materials intended for printing.

Navigating Colour Conversion Between CMYK & RGB

The transition from RGB to CMYK can be managed with careful planning and understanding of colour spaces. Designers often work within this colour space when creating materials for print to ensure what they see on their screens closely matches the final output.

So if you or a customer have got a designer creating work for you it’s highly likely this is already taken care of. But it never hurts to double check!

Advanced software and colour management tools can also aid in predicting how colours will change during this conversion, allowing for adjustments before the printing process begins.

7 Considerations of Quality Label Printing

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Jamie Xuereb

We discuss these key considerations for delivering quality label printing services to our clients (and their customers).

Labels play a crucial role in the world of packaging, branding, and product identification. As a result, customers generally demand high quality from any label printing jobs. For printers, this means paying close attention to several important factors that can influence the quality of the final product.

So let’s take a look a the top elements that guide our label and sticker printing offering.

The Foundation of Quality Label Printing: Material Selection

The choice of label material has a significant impact on the overall quality and performance of the final product. Printers must carefully consider factors such as the intended application, environmental conditions, and required durability when selecting the right material.

Common materials include paper, film, foil, and various synthetic substrates, like BOPP. Each has unique properties and advantages that cater to specific labelling needs.

Label Adhesive Choice

Choosing the appropriate adhesive is critical to a label’s performance and longevity. Printers need to consider the surface on which the label will be applied and any environmental factors that may affect the adhesive’s performance, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals.

Permanent, removable, and repositionable adhesives are some common options, each designed to meet different application requirements.

Printing Method: Balancing Quality, Speed, and Cost

Selecting the right printing method is crucial for achieving high-quality labels. Printers must evaluate the specific needs of a project, such as required print resolution, color accuracy, and print speed, to determine the most suitable method.

Flexographic, digital, offset, and screen printing are some of the popular methods, each with its own set of advantages and limitations that cater to various label printing scenarios.

Achieving Consistent Colour In Your Labels

Colour management plays a vital role in maintaining consistency and accuracy in label printing. Printers should calibrate and profile their printing equipment and use standardised colour systems (e.g., Pantone, CMYK) to ensure accurate colour matching.

Effective colour management is essential to maintain brand consistency and produce visually appealing labels that meet client expectations. We pride ourselves on offering consistent and true-to-design colour matching thanks to our use of quality equipment. Plus, our online portal for ordering and proofing enables you to understand the output upfront.

What Finishing Techniques Do Your Labels Require?

Finishing techniques can significantly improve a label’s appearance and functionality. Printers should explore various options such as varnishes, laminates, and specialty coatings to enhance durability, protect labels from environmental factors, or add visual effects (e.g., gloss, matte, holographic). These finishing touches can elevate a label’s aesthetic appeal and provide added value for clients.

For instance, utilising white ink under the CMYK layer can really make colours pop. Check out this example from our range:

Quality label with white ink in outdoor application — *See how the sticker on the left utilises a white ink to make the colours really stand out.*

Quality Label Printing Requires Precise Cutting

Precision matters for creating labels with clean, consistent edges and the desired shape and size. Printers must ensure precise cutting to avoid issues such as misalignment or excess waste material. The converting process, which includes steps like slitting, rewinding, and sheeting, should also be carefully managed to maintain label quality and functionality.

Mediapoint is one of only a few printers that can offer labels laser-cut from the backside. This leads to the most precise finish on labels / stickers. No excess material or white edges to ruin the work you’ve put into design.

Quality Control Processes

To maintain the highest quality in label printing, printers should implement a comprehensive quality control system. This may involve prepress checks, regular equipment maintenance, and thorough inspection of the final product. By identifying and addressing potential issues early in the process, printers can minimise waste, reduce production costs, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Of course, when you outsource printing, production QC is managed by your trade printer. Your main responsibility as a print reseller, or designer if you’re completing in-house, is to proof artwork ahead of submission. As a Lean organisation ourselves, we also recommend reviewing your design processes regularly to eliminate wasted time, effort and avoidable mistakes.

By focusing on these key considerations you can deliver quality labels to your clients. At Mediapoint we’ve taken all of these into account to determine our offerings. This means you can have peace-of-mind that labels and stickers printer with us will be durable, visually appealing, and functional.

We have a commitment to quality, and attention to detail, that will not only enhance customer satisfaction but increase your reputation too.

If you’re a print reseller and yet to register for a Trade Account with Mediapoint – you can sign up here. Access 24/7 live pricing, industry-leading turnaround and a wide range of products.

Setting Up Special Thru-Cut Custom Cut Print and Spot Colours

Posted on February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 by Jamie Xuereb

Looking to order some custom cut print options? Want to ensure artwork is approved and you don’t get delayed by proofing? Jason Xuereb, co-owner and Head of Production, has shared some quick tutorials to show you how to set up your design for hassle-free printing.

Special Thru Cut Custom Cut Print

In the example above Jason utilises a ‘selfie frame’, which involves a rectangle cut on the inside and another on the outside.

For simple cut shapes, it’s crucial to include the full cut data in the file, ensuring the complete shape desired for cutting is present, rather than relying on the trim box.

The critical step is to apply a stroke correctly with the name “Thru-cut” set as a spot color. To do this:

Use a swatch named “Thru cut” which is designated as a spot color.
Verify in the swatch details that it is indeed a spot color named “Thru-Cut”
It is important to use the specific naming convention of capital “T,” lowercase “h, r & u.” Followed by “-cut”

In the example, the rectangle on the outside must also have the “Thru-cut” spot colour applied. This is done by selecting the rectangle tool, applying the shape, and ensuring the “Thru-cut” spot color is applied to this outer rectangle as well.

Setting Up Your Spot Colours for Print

Mediapoint uses five main spot colours for different products and printing purposes:

Thru-cut: To cut fully through the media.
Score: To partially cut through the media.
Crease: To use the creasing wheel for creating a fold line.
Hole: To cut small holes using the POT tool.
White: To print white ink on labels.

Custom cut print makes it essential to correctly set up these colours in your artwork. Here’s a step-by-step based on the video above:

Select and set up the swatches in the design software.
For setting up a spot colour (e.g., Thru-cut), select any colour, go to the swatches palette, and ensure the name is correctly spelled and the colour type is set to spot.
The actual colour of the swatch does not matter as it will be removed by the Mediapoint automated production system during pre-press.
To create the remaining spot colours (score, crease, hole, and white), repeat the process by selecting the new colour, clicking new, typing the specific name, selecting spot, and confirming.

If you’d prefer not to create these spot colours manually, we’ve got you covered. Mediapoint offers a swatch file library on-demand. Just follow these steps:

Email trade@mediapoint.com.au to request the swatch library.
Once received, load it into Illustrator by going to the swatch libraries menu, selecting other library, and locating the swatch file.
This process will make the five spot colours readily available for use in your files.

With these tips in hand, you’ll be able to organise your artwork for seamless custom cut print in no time, saving on double ups, money, and headaches.

Key Considerations For Label Print Quality

Posted on May 27, 2023February 29, 2024 by Jamie Xuereb

We review the elements of label print quality using our new equipment to help you understand, compare and evaluate options.

The quality of label printing significantly influences the overall appeal and effectiveness of the product. For ourselves, and our print resellers, it also has an effect on reputation and customer satisfaction. As such, label print quality should never be an afterthought. Producing high quality stickers and labels, for whatever application a customer requires, can be a real boon for business.

What to Consider When it Comes to Label Print Quality

When considering print quality for labels and stickers, several factors come to play. We’ve addressed some key considerations in a sample print run on our new addition, the Durst Tau 330 RSC E to highlight these for you.

So let’s get into it…

Resolution: The Foundation of Label Print Quality

Perhaps the biggest consideration of any print job is resolution. Stickers and labels are no exception. Getting sharp imagery and legible text means using the right equipment and technology for the application.

When it comes to labels, you generally want a high DPI (Dots Per Inch) count and small drop size. The higher the DPI the more nuance you can give designs, and the smaller drop size the less dot gain occurs – leading to crisp print details.

The Durst Tau 330 RSC E boasts a resolution of 1200dpi and a 2 picoliter drop size. That combination results in a market-leading label print quality. Just check out the quality sheet below. It’s an A4 paper showcasing ‘worst case’ scenarios, pushing a machine to its least effective print mode. Design details still pop and the varying elements don’t bleed into each other.

Legibility of Small Text

Small text has always been a tricky element to print clearly. On par with colour richness and image resolution, text issues are the most noticeable label print quality defects. Naturally, a majority of label and sticker printing jobs require small text. You don’t want packaging and branding details being missed – especially in applications that fall under strict regulations.

The smaller you can print text, the more you can play around with text on a design. Plus, the more peace-of-mind you’ll have of information being accessible to the end audience.

Taking this to the extreme, we’ve been able to print text on the Durst at 1 point size. That’s text that requires a loupe to read. This text is illegible to the naked eye, but the legibility under magnification is a testament to the printer’s precision.

Even better, italicised text also come out beautifully. Even ‘reversed out’ printing still yields good results. See the images below from our test outcomes.

When designing sticker and label printing or evaluating your printer options, these elements really open up the range of applications.

Scannability of QR Codes & Barcodes

The ability to produce legible, scannable QR codes is of great concern to printers. It’s in high demand from the customers of print resellers post-2020. That’s thanks to take up of QR code functionality and how they can be used in packaging or marketing applications.

Again, when it comes to labels, these generally need to be printed at small sizes. The clarity of the code print influences its scannability – you can’t have lines bleeding into each other.

In the above example you can see that under a loupe, the clarity of a 5mm QR code remains impeccable. This is the smallest size QR code that we have seen scan through any of our presses. Whilst not all applications will require such small sizing, it’s a testament to what’s possible using leading-edge tech. It opens up many options too for our print resellers and their customers.

Barcodes in Any Direction

This leads me to a quick note on something often overlooked – directionality of barcodes. Due to the setup of generic label printers, printing barcodes often requires a change in orientation to ensure scannability. That means compromising on design and often extra work for designers. This can lead to lower customer satisfaction and longer lead times.

With the Durst Tau 330 RSC E, we can print barcodes in any direction. That gives our customers the confidence to submit label and sticker designs knowing codes will scan perfectly.

Rich Solid Colours

Colour richness is another instantly obvious aspect of label print quality that can significantly enhance overall appeal. It’s a factor influenced by the printer’s colour reproduction capabilities, ink quality, and the interaction between the ink and the printing medium.

The Durst Tau 330 RSC E, leveraging the advanced inkjet tech we mentions before, excels in this regard. Colours are both rich and vibrant, giving printed labels a high-end, premium look and feel.

Durability and Useful Life

Many of the applications of stickers and labels require the product to maintain quality label printing over a long term. Furthermore, the products are usually regularly handled, exposed to light, and outdoor conditions.

So printing equipment that utilises ink sets specifically for these purposes, in combination with durable stock, can greatly affect useful life. Our stickers and labels are printed with UV resistant ink sets that don’t require lamination and withstand outdoor conditions for up to two years. This, of course, isn’t necessary for every use case but it provides peace-of-mind to the end user.

It also unlocks a wide range of applications in combination with custom size options (stickers of up to 1m in length), a large die library, and the aforementioned label print quality.

Our Aim for Label Print Quality

As you can see there are some clear pillars of label print quality when it comes to stickers and labels. Taking these into consideration when selecting a print partner for jobs can save you money and frustration.

At Mediapoint we’re not just addressing these concerns but pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital label and sticker printing. Whether it’s resolution, colour richness, readability of small text, scannability of QR codes and barcodes, or length of useful life. Our label and sticker solutions provide peace-of-mind and quality customers will love (at prices you’ll love).

We’re not just improving the quality of our customer’s labels; we’re enabling them to elevate their brand and offer an enhanced experience and wider range to customers.

If you’re a business in need, or a print reseller / broker, looking for quality label and sticker printing – put us to the test. Register for a trade account today to access exclusive pricing and online ordering.

Maintaining Relationships With Suppliers

Posted on January 21, 2023February 24, 2023 by admin

Jamie discusses the benefits gained from maintaining relationships with suppliers in the print industry. Read on to learn more.

As a trade printer that specialises in working closely with print resellers and print brokers, we understand the importance a solid customer-supplier relationship. This is why we make it a priority to maintain strong partnerships with several leading equipment manufacturers. One of our longest, and most beneficial, relationships is with Durst. We recently visited their HQ in Europe to learn more about new equipment, print industry trends. It was also another opportunity to experience firsthand the benefits that a solid relationship provides ourselves and our customers alike.

Maintaining Relationships with Suppliers Leads to Savings for All

One of the biggest benefits of having a close relationship with equipment suppliers is the ability to pass on savings. The biggest of these are reduced turnaround time on new equipment, minimised equipment costs, and priority access to efficient equipment.

Thanks to having a good working relationship with our suppliers, we can often negotiate better prices and priority ordering. This allows us to offer our trade printing clients in Australia more competitive pricing per square metre. It also enables them to offer new product SKUs, higher volumes, and better pricing to their own customers ahead of the competition. This is of significant advantage in the fast-paced, competitive print industry.

Print Equipment Suppliers Prefer to Work With Us

It’s not just Australian print resellers and print brokers who prefer to work with us. Another advantage of maintaining relationships with equipment suppliers is that we can leverage our reputation, experience, and size. By partnering with us they benefit from having their equipment showcased in a best practice facility. Plus, they can see how the equipment works in a high-volume environment and get solid feedback. Just as we want be utilising the best equipment, large format equipment suppliers want to work with the best trade printers.

As a reputable trade printer, operating for over 18 years, we’ve become known for our reliability and professionalism. This reputation helps us to secure better deals from suppliers that others can’t match, leading to more savings for our clients.

Our size also allows us to make larger purchases and access equipment that isn’t viable for in-house production. Smaller print shops can then access the products they need through us without the capital outlay for new equipment.

Another key benefit is the sharing of trade printing best practices and trends. We can work closely with our suppliers to stay informed about the latest trends in the industry. This knowledge allows us to provide our clients with the most current and effective solutions. Plus, since we’re maintaining relationships with suppliers in other markets we often see trends well in advance of Australia.

Our suppliers also benefit from our knowledge and experience in the industry,. This enables collaboration on new product development, and sharing of best practices for improved efficiency and quality.

Both parties are able to stay ahead of the curve and offer innovative products / solutions. This is particularly important in a still evolving industry like printing. New technologies and techniques are constantly being developed – early adopters have a distinct advantage.

Maintaining relationships with suppliers is crucial for our business, and it also offers many benefits to our clients. Through the combination of our experience and their knowledge we can secure better equipment and better deals. This all leads to customer value for you and the retail client.

To see just how competitive these relationships make our prices – sign up for a PrintIQ account today.

Trade Printers Can’t Guarantee Shipping Times

Posted on October 15, 2022February 24, 2023 by admin

Jamie Xuereb explains why we can guarantee printing turnaround but not shipping times

Our trade printing process is fast – we can guarantee that. What we can’t guarantee, however, are shipping times. This comes down to a few factors but it boils down to the fact that we don’t control the courier process.

Everything up to the point of dispatch has been designed by us for efficiency. Automation, print modes, human inputs (where necessary), printing equipment placement – it’s all honed and continually reviewed. We’ve previously discussed how printing cut off times underpin our efficiencies – unfortunately couriers don’t operate the same way.

So whilst we can estimate when a pickup run may occur (particularly for couriers who do daily runs) it’s not an exact science.

When ordering with Mediapoint, and any trade printer really, be aware that there may be variance in delivery time. We can guarantee the printing will be done within our allotted timeframe – but not anything past the point of dispatch.

So let’s outline a few things print resellers can do to mitigate delays:

1) Provide all Label Information for Dependable Shipping Times

Shipping information is an often overlooked point of criticality in the production process. How fast an order can be completed and dispatched hinges on having correctly labelled items.

By providing all shipping information and labels when placing an order means no downtime when a print job hits production. Once a job is placed into our printing production line it cannot be changed – neither can dispatch information. For the sake of efficiency and accuracy printers will require this info upfront. It’s up to the customer to confirm all the courier details / requirements – but it’s really not that much of a burden.

Whilst we cannot guarantee shipping times at Mediapoint, we can promise that your print job will be on the production floor within a short time when ordering by the cutoff. It’ll be ready for dispatch the next business day at the latest.

2) Leverage Your Courier Options for Print Jobs

Mediapoint customers have the choice of multiple couriers for delivery of print jobs. We maintain strong relationships with many couriers to limit the impact that delays or unavailability of one courier can have on delivery times.

We have TNT, StarTrack and CouriersPlease completing daily pick ups to maximise distribution and mitigate delays for delivery across the country.

If customers prefer (or require) a bespoke/ or alternative shipping method that’s fine too. They just need to provide the label at ordering and time the pickup for when the job is complete. We encourage print resellers and print brokers to investigate the various delivery options available to them.

3) Use a Dependable Trade Printer

When you utilise a dependable, efficient trade printer you can be sure that the actual print process delay orders. Plus, a reputable printer will general have several options for delivery to give customers the best chance of receiving print jobs ASAP. Our Lean, efficient processes and minimal manual handling or service not only enables us to pass savings onto our customers. It also means we can guarantee printing turnaround times to the point of dispatch.

Our customers love that they can on-sell print with better margins, and peace-of-mind that whilst delivery times can’t be guaranteed they are still likely to receive them within an adequate window

Mediapoint has made the print process easier for all parties by being clear about our requirements and guarantees. If you’d like a dependable, reputable trade printer – set up an account and give us a try.

The Value of Automated Trade Printing Quotes

Posted on October 8, 2022February 24, 2023 by admin

Today we’re delving into what our automated trade printing quotes mean for customers and why we’ve invested in such a system.

Automation underpins the effectiveness (and efficiency) of our printing processes. It enables Mediapoint to deliver on turnaround guarantees for over 150 orders a day. This ability for a trade printer to deliver is critical. Without a slick process in place it would be very hard for teams to achieve targets. That’s not to mention that some trade printing businesses use a manual quoting process as throttle / delay.

Whilst we dictate our own internal processes we always ensure these are centred on delivering value for our trade clients.

At Mediapoint we identified that speed of service and the benefits of automation don’t just start when an order is confirmed. A majority of our customers require a system that allows them to get their print jobs done (including quoting) seamlessly and at speed.

Not only is much of our proofing and production driven by technology – so is our best-in-class self serve print portal.

Everyone Saves Time with Automated Print Quotes

The pricing process can really drag on (and be seriously delayed) without an automated quoting system in place. Think of the emails or phone calls back and forth, the different databases to connect to, and the possibility of human error switching between different systems. These elements are present on both the printer and customer’s side.

With an automated system there is minimal friction, less requirement for human input (meaning we can have our team focus on delivering quality print jobs), and the ability to shift from quoting to printing instantly.

Time is a valuable resource; wasting it costs you and your Trade Printer money. Not to mention lost opportunities to be focusing on more important work.

At Mediapoint any savings made in time and labour are passed on to our customers – through the automated system delivering the quotes!

Automated Trade Printing Quotes Minimise Errors

Through the use of automation we can leverage computing power and integration to ensure that prices are correct in real-time. In combination with our self serve print portal and embedded print pricing model ordering is easy, accurate and fast.

It eliminates the need for our staff members to check over multiple pricing tables, inventory databases, and equipment availability before providing a quote. Plus, any ‘ghosts in the system’ will be flagged for review. This provides us with peace-of-mind that there is a system in place to highlight any issues that do arise.

As a fail-safe we do routine checks to confirm our system for automated trade printing quotes works as intended. Our priority however is for our staff to be on the production floor delivering on print jobs. That is where the real value of a trade printer is delivered and where having our skilled staff is necessary.

Resellers Love Our Self Serve Print Portal

The ability for clients to access live-pricing and get accurate quotes quickly is a significant factor itself. By expediting the ordering process our print resellers and print brokers can confidently estimate turnaround to their own clients. Plus, it eases the burden on their teams when it comes to pricing and project managing jobs.

Speed of communication is important for resellers and print shop managers wanting to establish (and sustain) good relationships with their clients.

Automated trade printing quotes support this from the very outset. After all – wouldn’t you as a customer of any business prefer to deal with those that have prompt and clear responses? Any way we can help our clients in this area is something we take very seriously.

Mediapoint has grown to be one of Australia’s biggest and most experienced trade-only printers over 16+ years. If you’re looking for a printing partner who makes it easier to quote, produce and deliver on print jobs for your clients – sign up today.

Why Do We Need Shipping Information Upfront?

Posted on October 1, 2022February 24, 2023 by admin

Learn more about the Mediapoint ordering process and why we require all shipping information / labels for print orders upfront.

Simply put: our print process is too fast to wait around for shipping information.

We need all info and necessary labels at the start of an order because once it’s confirmed every step of production and dispatch is locked in. We’ve invested time and money into creating a streamlined print process underpinned by leading edge technology. Once a job is placed into the production schedule it cannot be changed.

If you’re ordering any of our products with next-day turnaround guarantees (and order by the 12pm cutoff) it’s highly likely that your order will be on the production floor within a few hours and ready for dispatch the next business day.

Shipping information and labelling is an often overlooked point of criticality in the production process. How fast an order can be completed and dispatched hinges on having correctly labelled items.

Lack of Shipping Information Causes Delays

We run a double shift at Mediapoint and teams work until 10pm to ensure all jobs for the next day’s dispatched are finished, packaged and ready for collection by the various couriers. To have this completed on-time, everyday, we require all shipping information to be ready ahead of job completion.

For other trade printing businesses, who leave this information until last, delays in dispatch are quite common. They need to chase down the required labels, destination and delivery partner while jobs are already in QA or waiting for dispatch. We think this is a particularly wasteful practice and want to ensure the most efficient turnaround for our clients. Any time a job is sitting idle in the facility is wasted time and potentially damaging to the reputation of our resellers.

Courier / Shipping Options from Mediapoint

Mediapoint customers have the option of selecting from a few different options at the point of ordering. There are a couple nuances for each option which we highlight below:

Direct Courier

If a point-to-point courier is requested (and therefore organised by the customer) the shipping information required a diamond label with the address. Simply select this option on our portal when ordering and note the address for shipping.

Road Freight

To ensure that our jobs can be dispatched across the entire country with ease and speed we have multiple carriers doing daily runs from our facility. As of September, 2022 we have TNT, StarTrack and CouriersPlease completing daily pick ups. To be included in these runs you’ll just need to create the label and provide at time of ordering.

Ad-Hoc Carrier / Shipping Method

If you require a bespoke/ or alternative method of shipping you’ll need to provide the label at ordering and time the pickup for when the job is complete. To accurately determine the required shipping information you can ask our team for an estimate of time for a job to be complete, or review our product guides. Most items will be ready for pickup next-day when ordered by the 12pm cutoff.

Clarity for Customers

Our Lean process and minimal manual service on the front end saves time and money. It enables us to price as well as we do and pass savings onto our customers. Being able to on-sell print with better margins, and peace-of-mind around turnaround times, is an appealing tradeoff for having to prepare shipping information at the time of ordering. It just requires a small process change from some customers to access the fastest trade printing turnaround times.

By being clear about our requirements we’ve made the ordering process much simpler for everyone leading to fewer mistakes, faster turnaround, and less time spent on administration.

Using IQ: Getting Quotes & Making Orders

Posted on September 24, 2022February 24, 2023 by admin

Our self-serve trade print portal is PrintIQ. It makes ordering print jobs with Mediapoint quick and easy. Amongst the features within the self-serve print portal you’re able to access live pricing 24/7, get quotes, view your previous / current orders, and submit artwork.

Jamie (Mediapoint Founder) has put together a useful video walkthrough to showcase the PrintIQ workflow. Learn how to view products, put a quote together, confirm your orders and see helpful metrics when you need them.

We’ve developed PrintIQ to cater towards customers that require fast, efficient print at the best-price.

Our trade printing portal enables us to guarantee next-day turnaround on certain products when ordered by cut-off times. High volume resellers love the ability to easily build quotes, submit their artwork and track progress live, in one place.

Want to access the best priced trade printing? Sign up for a PrintIQ account today.

Why We Can’t Change An Order Once It Hits Production

Posted on September 17, 2022February 24, 2023 by admin

In this article we’re taking a further look at the inner-workings of our automated printing system. Jamie explains why we can’t (and don’t) change a job once it hits production.

We’ve previously touched on our automated processes. They bring benefits to efficiency as well as pricing. Today, Jamie delves into why we can’t adjust orders once they hit production. Watch and read on to learn more about our automated print system.

Our Automated Printing System is too Good

Our automated printing systems are extremely efficient – just like the rest of our processes. An order can hit production within 10 minutes of being confirmed. Artwork pre-processing, stock selection and printer setup is all automatic. So there is little opportunity for any manual adjustments to the print run.

Our system and processes are established to deliver on the requirements of high volume resellers. We do not offer bespoke services or undertake any manual processing as this would reduce efficiency, minimise our ability to deliver on customer demands and increase costs.

Changing Orders Changes The Quote

Mediapoint’s ability to deliver quick trade printing quotes is underpinned by scaled volume and inventory calculations. When a job is submitted for quoting on our self serve print portal these calculations are completed and price locked in.

Once the the quote is accepted our automated print system sets printing in motion. If there were adjustments to an order (quantity, product type etc.) quoted prices, batching lots, and dispatch estimates would be incorrect.

Changes to Jobs Impact The Key Benefits of Trade Printing

Our focus is on delivering high volume printing with a quick turnaround as a trade printing partner. That’s why the onus is on clients to deliver finished artwork and confirm their requirements. The tradeoff for this lack bespoke customer service is quick turnaround and low prices. Any changes to orders would impact the key benefits for which Mediapoint is known.

We find that print resellers are more than happy to take the extra time to review and confirm orders. This hasn’t changed in over 16 years of business. Our customers can continue to pass on the best prices and lead-times to their own clients thanks to our automated print system and adjacent processes.

Sign up for a PrintIQ account to view our product pricing and get ordering today if you’re looking for a trade printing partner.