Sound familiar?
- You spend hours getting quotes that aren't like for like
- Your last print run came back the wrong colour
- You approved a proof and found a mistake on 5,000 leaflets
- You don't know whether to ask for silk, gloss or uncoated
- You need print delivered to several branches by a deadline
Key facts
- Quoted per job, with print cost and our time shown clearly
- Printers chosen to suit the job: digital, litho, large format, labels or packaging
- Files preflighted: CMYK, 300 dpi, 3 mm bleed, fonts embedded, PDF/X-1a
- Digital proofs checked, with hard or wet proofs arranged for colour-critical work
- Paper, finish, fold and binding specified in writing before ordering
- Delivery to one address or split across several sites
What print management means
Print management is having someone handle the printing side for you. Instead of finding printers, explaining what you need, comparing quotes and checking proofs yourself, dijitul does it. We write a clear specification, ask suitable printers to quote on the same spec so prices compare fairly, check the files and proofs, and arrange delivery. You approve the quote and the proof; we deal with the rest.
It works whether we designed the artwork or not. If your files come from another designer, we check them before they go to print and flag anything that will cause problems.
It suits businesses that print regularly but don't have a dedicated buyer, and anyone with a one-off job that is more complex than usual, such as packaging, a perfect-bound book or a multi-site launch.
Choosing the right print method
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Digital print | Short runs, personalised print, quick reprints |
| Litho (offset) print | Longer runs, consistent colour, Pantone spot colours, specialist papers |
| Large format | Banners, posters, signs, exhibition graphics |
| Label printing | Roll labels for products, food and drink |
| Packaging conversion | Cartons, boxes and sleeves cut to a dieline |
Digital print has little setup cost, so it suits a few hundred leaflets or brochures. Litho has higher setup cost because printing plates are made, but the price per copy drops as quantities rise, and it handles spot colours and a wider range of papers. The break-even point depends on the job, so we ask for quotes on both where it makes sense.
Specifying the job properly
Most print problems start with a vague brief. A clear specification includes:
- Finished size, and flat size if folded
- Page count and binding (saddle-stitched in multiples of 4, or perfect bound)
- Paper weight in gsm and finish: silk, gloss, uncoated, recycled or FSC-certified
- Print colours: CMYK, Pantone spot colours, one or two sides
- Finishes: lamination, spot UV, foil, embossing, round corners
- Folding style: half fold, roll fold, z-fold, gatefold
- Quantity, delivery addresses and the date it must arrive
With that written down, printers quote on the same thing, and nobody is surprised by what arrives.
File checks and proofs
Before anything prints, we preflight the file: CMYK colour, images at 300 dpi at print size, 3 mm bleed, text inside the safe zone, fonts embedded and an export to PDF/X-1a or the printer's chosen standard. The printer then returns a proof. A digital proof (a PDF from the printer's system) confirms layout, imposition and trim. A hard proof or wet proof shows colour on the actual paper and is worth it when a brand colour or product photo has to be right. We check proofs against the approved artwork and send them to you for final sign-off. Once you approve, mistakes on the proof become your cost, so we check carefully.
Paper, sustainability and cost
Paper is often the biggest single cost in a print job, so small changes add up. Dropping from 170 gsm to 150 gsm on a long brochure run, or choosing a standard size that fits efficiently on the printer's press sheet, can save money without anyone noticing a difference. Odd sizes and bleeds that force a larger sheet cost more. If sustainability matters to you, we can specify FSC-certified or recycled papers and ask printers about vegetable-based inks and their environmental certifications. We also challenge quantities: printing 5,000 leaflets to get a lower unit price is a false saving if 2,000 end up in a skip when your prices change. Smaller digital runs reprinted as needed can work out better overall.
Price and next steps
Print management is quoted per job. You see the printing cost and our time separately, so it is clear what you are paying for. Design is separate: for example, flyers from £95 + VAT and brochures from £295 + VAT; see print design and pricing. Send us what you need printed, the quantity and the delivery date to get a quote.
What you get
- A written print specification for each job
- Comparable quotes and a recommendation
- Preflighted, print-ready files sent to the printer
- Proof check and sign-off with you before production
- Delivery arranged and tracked to your addresses
How it works and what it costs
Logos from £150, brochures from £295, photography from £295 a half day and CAD at £45 an hour, all + VAT. You get a fixed price before we start.
Tell us the brief
What it is for, who will see it, where it will be used and any examples you like. Rough is fine.
Fixed price
We confirm the price and what you get, in writing, before any work starts.
First designs
We design, shoot or model it and share the first version for your comments.
Refine
We make the changes, check every detail, and prepare the files properly for print, web or manufacture.
Final files
You get the finished files in the formats you need, ready for your printer, website, social channels or manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
What does print management cost?
dijitul quotes print management per job, showing the printing cost and our time separately so you can see what you are paying for. Design is priced separately, for example flyers from £95 + VAT and brochures from £295 + VAT.
Can you manage print for artwork we designed ourselves?
Yes. dijitul checks your files before they go to print: colour mode, resolution, bleed, safe zones and fonts. We flag problems and can fix them at £45 an hour + VAT, then send the files to the printer and handle the proof.
Should I choose digital or litho printing?
Digital suits short runs and quick reprints because setup costs are low. Litho suits longer runs, Pantone spot colours and special papers, as the price per copy drops with quantity. dijitul gets quotes for both where the run size is close to the break-even point.
What is a wet proof and do I need one?
A wet proof (or hard proof) is a printed sample on the real paper, used to check colour before the full run. It costs extra, so it is worth it mainly for colour-critical jobs such as packaging or brand launches. dijitul will tell you when it is worth having.
Can you deliver to several of our sites?
Yes. dijitul can arrange split deliveries to multiple branches, shops or event venues, with quantities per address agreed in the specification. Tell us the addresses and the date the print must arrive when you ask for a quote.
Related
Get a fixed price
Send a rough brief. You'll know exactly what it costs before we start.