Mea Culpa — Print Buyers Have Problems Too

Just because you sign the invoice doesn’t mean you’re always right — or does it?

Every print buyer will – sooner or later – be the primary cause of a job that goes bad. Generally, sooner than later, as buyer-initiated mistakes often occur when the people who are in charge of purchasing haven’t completely figured out the in’s and out’s of the printing business. But, whether you’re dealing with a rookie or an experienced buyer, how you handle their mistakes can be the difference between upsetting the client and building a lasting relationship that stands the test of time.

Time’s? They are a Changin’

Don’t take this the wrong way. Nobody loves actually buying print. Sure, some people who buy print absolutely enjoy the challenge of working with printers to help make the ink and paper come together “just right”, but for many print buyers the actual task of purchasing print is only a part of the job. Print buyers, at their core, are experts at solving problems, managing relationships, and ensuring that client projects are delivered on time, with a high level of quality, within the determined budget. That means a good deal of their time is spent talking with their clients, presenting them with options, and consulting on ways that a projects may be accomplished better, faster – and yes – cheaper.