Print Quality – Does it Matter?

 

How much does quality matter? The Internet provides us the ability to compare “apples to apples” and choose a lesser price or purchase from a trusted vendor. One website (that started by selling books) made searching, comparing and buying items online extremely easy.

There’s nothing wrong with being an educated consumer, that’s not what this article is about, more so it’s about understanding what you’re buying and the quality of the printed product.

We are printers, we print books, magazines, newsletters and most (not all) things paper. We also print “wide-format” which is a roll to roll printing of fabric and vinyl, our capabilities also include printing on a rigid substrate. We own a total of 17 commercial printers that have the capabilities to print a variety of quality levels. For example: our Mimaki JFX200-2513 flatbed printer provides an excellent print quality on a 4’ x 8’ board on average of 12 minutes per board. Our newest printer, VUTEk GS 3250 LX Pro, can produce the exact board in 4 minutes, at better quality resolution and it also prints white ink! Quality level does affect price, a banner to be viewed at 50’ or more has no need for the quality levels of the wall art to be installed on your office wall.

How can you determine the print quality
of the item you are about to purchase online?
You can’t!

That’s when the educated consumer in you surfaces. You can find out what equipment is being used to print your order and research the quality levels of that machine, I read online reviews, but I only trust recent reviews, the last 60 days is as far back as I go. BTW: the absence of recent reviews speaks volumes to me.

When your print must color-match your company colors, how can you be assured your printer can match it? Some printers use the “Pleasing Color” method, which is getting close to your color, but it’s not exact.

We have a 4-Step system to color match:

1. We print a color grid with swatches, that are different shades of the intended color
2. Use the Pantone color-match book to identify the correct swatch, providing the color build, AKA Pantone Color Code
3. Edit the print file in our graphics software to match the code
4. Print a test on the desired substrate, visually compare and adjust if needed to meet exact match

Print quality can be determined using numerous measuring factors, owning an array of printers, empowers us the ability to print your order to the quality level you desire.