Postcard Printing Companies-Measuring the Convenience Factor by Brandon Cornett

Convenient Postcard Printing
When you think about it, there isn't much a postcard printing company does that you couldn't do for yourself. You could probably design a postcard, print it, stamp it and mail it. The question is, do you really want to spend your time doing these things on a regular basis? Probably not, and that's where postcard printing services come into play.
A postcard printing / mailing company can save you a lot of time and energy. In some cases, they can save you money as well. Postcard printing companies are highly efficient at the process of printing and mailing postcards, so it's possible that you could actually spend less with a postcard company than if you handled the process yourself. Add to that the time and energy you would save by outsourcing the logistics, and the convenience factor becomes undeniable.
Postcard Services Vary
It's important to note that all postcard printing services are NOT created equally. Each postcard company will have a different way of doing business, so you'll want to screen them individually (and comparatively) to see how they stack up in the convenience department.
Here are some convenience-related factors you should ask about when researching postcard printing companies:
1. Website - These days, a lot of postcard services have a website that allows their customers to place orders, upload artwork, manage mailing lists and a variety of other postcard-related tasks. But websites are like no snowflakes — no two are exactly alike. Some are easy to use, and others are incredibly frustrating. So if you're going to use a web-based postcard printing service, be sure to check out the usability of their website.
2. Design Support - Do you have a graphic designer to help with your marketing postcards? If not, you may have to rely on the postcard printing company for design support. But not all postcard companies offer design support. Some of the truly "full-service" companies have in-house design talent, and they simply charge an hour rate for the service. But again, it's not a common offering across the board. If you need postcard design support, ask about it up front.
3. Customer Service - Printing and mailing postcards is a technical, multi-part process. So it's likely you'll need some help once in a while. This is where customer service comes into play, and it can make or break a postcard company's convenience "score." When you choose a postcard printing company, try to get a feel for their customer service.
Call the number listed on their website and ask a general question about postcard printing. Do the same thing a day later, but with a different question. Is the person on the other end of the line enthusiastic and helpful, or do they seem as if you're bothering them?
4. Account Reps - Many postcard companies assign account reps (a.k.a. account managers) to their high-volume accounts. This can be a huge convenience factor. If you plan on doing a lot of business with the postcard printer, the last thing you want is to explain your arrangement to a different person each time you call. Be sure to ask about this when reviewing postcard printing companies.
Conclusion
There is a lot of repetition involved with postcard marketing. You will be mailing a lot of postcards over a long period of time. Because of this, the convenience of your chosen postcard company is crucial. Do some homework up front to find a postcard printing service that makes things easy and convenient for you, and you'll be a much happier customer in the months and years to come.

Brandon Cornett