Open Book Relationship
The relationship between print buyers and print vendors has been strained because of a misalignment of needs. On one hand, you want to minimize costs. This typically means RFQs and spreading work among multiple vendors. On the other hand, the printer has this enormous capital investment that requires constant feeding. They operate much like airlines, selling seats cheap when the plane is empty and marking them up when there are only a few left. Our studies on the variance in pricing for simple jobs, such as four color data sheets, show astounding price variances for the same jobs.
So how can these two, seemingly contradictory needs coexist? The answer is in an open dialogue. The historical game where the two parties hold their cards close to the vest has left enormous economic opportunities unclaimed by either one. Most print purchasers are shocked to discover how much savings can be had through an open relationship and collaboration.