How to save on printing

You want to make an impression but hate spending so much money on printing - after all it's just paper! Here are some things to keep in mind for your next print job:

• Size: You'll save money on printing by using standard sizes like 8.5" x 11" or 11"x17" or fractions of those sizes. If you have an odd-size, the printer must order larger paper and then trim down the sheet. You pay for the extra, wasted paper scraps.
  Tip: If you're using an odd size, see if you can use the leftover space for tags, bookmarks, cards for just a bit more.
  
  
• More Quotes: Get at least three quotes for every job. Printers vary wildly with prices because each has different presses with specialties.
  Tip: Contact Xplore to get competitive quotes.
  
  
• Bleed: This is printing that goes to the edge of the paper - it costs more because the item must be printed bigger than the size and trimmed down. Bleeds should be .125" larger than the actual size.
  Tip: Make the actual project a bit smaller so more paper isn't used for the bleed.
  
  
• Color: Use of color makes a great impact on price, but at big quantities you can now get competitive prices for full-color.
  Tip: You can feign color by printing 1-2 colors on a colored paper. Looks great and saves money!
  
  
• Paper:
  Color: If you want white - the whiter the paper the more expensive it is (Do you know why, whiter is more? email me to win a prize). You can also choose from a variety of other colors as well.
  
  Weight: Heavier paper is more expensive too. Paper is rated by a "pound" rating - 50#, 60#, 80# weight. This rating refers to the weight of 500 sheets of that paper. Average sheet is 50# offset.
  
  Coating: Coated paper, like magazines, gives an impressive, but pricey look. Colors however look vibrant and sharper.