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> What I would like to know....has anyone come up with a way to work with
> printers that will allow you
> to spell out the nuances of a job without spending 45 minutes in
explanation
> (for what I thought was a simple job)?
That's why the profession of "Print Broker" came into existence. You explain
your printing needs to a print broker, and s/he will chase around looking
for the best deal, the right paper, a reliable printer, and so on, as well
as solve problems and do all of that lengthy explanation that printers seem
to need even for the simplest jobs.
I have known some great printers over the years, but until we had developed
a relationship over an extended period of time, it was a headache to get
anything printed. The reassuring part of it is, all of us have problems with
printers at some time or other.
Using a print broker isn't any more expensive than dealing directly with the
printer, because the broker strikes a deal with the printer. What it saves
you in lost time is probably worth it. One word of caution, however: the
printing industry has been plagued by kickbacks and some nefarious
practices. Check out your print broker just as carefully as you would any
other professional you deal with. Still, in printing, using a middleman can
certainly smooth out the wrinkles for you.
--Beth
Beth Agnew
Senior Technical Writer, InSystems Technologies Inc.
65 Allstate Parkway, Suite 100 Tel: (905) 513-1400 ext. 280
Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9X1 Fax: (905) 513-1419 mailto:bagnew -at- insystems -dot- com Visit us at: http://www.insystems.com