Good print brokers are more important than ever in the printing industry. Although it may seem like businesses have completely focused on their web presence, email, and online marketing, print materials are still critical to the success of any business. Whether ordering business cards, flyers, brochures or pamphlets, successful marketers know that professional print materials can add a unique touch to their information and brand. That’s where a reliable and knowledgeable print broker comes into the picture.

An organization may choose to deal directly with a printing company for these jobs; however, a print broker effectively uses their knowledge base, sales and marketing skills to produce the printed material in a profitable manner. The broker makes a profit by increasing the costs of the printers. Many brokers open their own businesses after years in the printing business, as knowledge of the industry is crucial to the individual’s experience. If you have decided to work in the field of wholesale printing, there are several steps you need to take.

find your niche

The wholesale printing industry is huge, so you may want to find an area of ​​expertise for your brokerage. You may choose to print business cards, labels, envelopes, letterhead, and other office supplies used by almost any business. You may even want to expand into brokering printed packaging for the company’s products to complete your business offerings.

Create your list of printers

A broker soon realizes that relying on just one company for printing can be a poor business choice. Find companies in your area with good reputations for service, quality, and price. Ask to see working samples of the products you’ll need, plus paper and print samples. Request lists of their equipment and find out how their services differ from those of their competitors. Deadlines are also important for any job. Once you’ve contacted several printers, compare their prices and estimated delivery times to find several printers you’ll work with. Working with the best and most trusted companies will help your client list continue to grow, and that is something no broker can do without.

Find your customers

Do you have some potential clients in mind? It’s always a good idea to start a brokerage if you have a few people you can trust to help you get started. Even if you are a family member, your work can be added to your portfolio. There are several steps you need to take for any client. When visiting a potential client, you need to know their business needs and what they will expect from your company. Find out the pros and cons of your current print providers. The best way to find a new customer is to find a company that is not satisfied with their current print providers. Let’s say Perky Printers, Inc. is charging too much for a company’s corporate brochures, but you know your source can provide you with an equal or better product for a lower price. This gives you the information and ability to solve the customer’s problem, and that’s what a print broker’s job is all about. People who work in this profession are not just looking to make money; they really want to help people get the best products their money can buy!

Keep track of your production

Another important trait for a print broker is the willingness to trace your product. If you just want to drop off an order and forget about it until the day it’s due, this may not be the field for you. Once you receive an order from a company, choose your wholesale printing company to fulfill the order. Be sure to monitor the progress of the job using the printer’s projected deadline. By periodically reviewing your work, you can alert the client if any problems or delays occur. Attention to detail is the hallmark of a great broker.

Deliver quality and timely products

Printing brokers do each job with the knowledge that they were probably awarded the contract because the company was not happy with their old printing company. You don’t want to be seen as “that company”, so make sure your products live up to your expectations and are delivered on time. To be successful in the print broker business, you need to be trustworthy, above all else.

Explore new providers

You must be willing to go out and find new providers on a regular basis. Printing technologies, capabilities and requirements are constantly changing, which means you must constantly explore new print providers. Keep up with a few industry trade magazines and take the time to visit a few trade shows. If you’re looking for new vendors or specialty producers, do some research online to find companies that fit all of your printing needs. New business is always coming up, and a print broker should take advantage of the best of the best.

explore new business

A broker in the printing industry must excel at attracting new clients, which means they must be prepared for sales plans and cold calls. Practice your sales technique on friends and family, and take their constructive criticism to perfect your pitch.

Once your sales have improved, you can delegate some of the hard work. Hopefully, you’ll be able to hire an assistant who can answer phones, monitor your jobs, prepare quotes, and cover customer service. Your long-term success depends on continually finding new customers and networking to help your business grow and prosper.

When you decide to start your own printing brokerage business, you are dedicating yourself to finding great deals on quality products for your clients. If you are reliable, love sales, and have excellent communication skills, you can be a success story in the wholesale printing industry.