The End-of-Year Questions You Should Be Asking Your Commercial Print Vendors
As the year winds down and planning cycles ramp up, marketers everywhere are taking stock of what worked, what lagged, and what deserves a full-scale rethink. One area that often gets overlooked—but shouldn’t—is your relationships with your commercial print vendors.
Print partners—that’s us—play an essential role in your brand’s execution and consistency. From direct mail and signage to packaging, promotional items, and high-visibility collateral, the right vendor doesn’t just put ink on paper—they help you scale, strategize, and connect.
As you head into a new year, now is the perfect time to evaluate how well your vendors are supporting your goals. Here are the essential EOY questions to ask your commercial print partners to ensure you’re set up for smarter, more efficient, and more impactful success through 2026.
1. How have our print projects performed this year, and where do you see opportunities for improvement?
A strong print partner should be able to assess your past work with more than a thumbs-up. Ask for an honest evaluation of:
- Production efficiencies
- Potential cost savings
- Paper or format changes
- Missed opportunities for automation or optimization
- Turnaround times
This gives you a clearer picture of how your vendor views your account—and whether they’re actively seeking ways to help you do more with less.
2. What new technologies, capabilities, or equipment have you added this year?
Print evolves fast. If your vendor is investing in new presses, finishing equipment, color management technology, mailing automation, or wide-format capabilities, you should know. These upgrades could unlock:
- Better speed
- Higher quality
- Expanded formats
- Lower runs at affordable pricing
- Personalization or variable data improvements
- Omni-channel integrations—like our Direct Mail Boost
If they haven’t added anything this year, probe why—and what’s coming in the next 12 months.
3. How can we consolidate more of our print, promo, and signage work with you?
Fragmented production creates inconsistencies, extended timelines, and higher costs. This is a great time to ask:
- What are we not currently doing with you that we could?
- Do you offer warehousing, kitting, fulfillment, or promo?
- Can you handle packaging, in-store signage, or vehicle wraps?
- Do you have online storefronts or print portals we can leverage?
Many print partners have far more capabilities than clients realize. We’re almost certain that as you’re reading this, you’re not aware of all the ways we can serve your marketing, HR, sales, and business needs. Consolidation means simplified workflows and stronger brand uniformity.
4. What supply chain or pricing trends should we expect next year?
Your print partner has a front-row seat to price shifts in:
- Paper
- Envelopes
- Postage promotions
- Substrates
- Ink
- Promo goods
- Freight and distribution
Get early insights so you can plan budgets with confidence—and explore alternatives before you’re forced into last-minute decisions.
5. How can we prepare our upcoming year’s campaigns to avoid rush fees and production bottlenecks?
Your vendor can help you backward-plan based on:
- Peak seasons
- Lead times
- Mailing windows
- Finishing queues
- Inventory levels
- Annual conference/event cycles
Ask for recommended timelines for recurring projects—catalogs, benefits packets, enrollment materials, fundraising mailers, event signage, etc. A proactive calendar saves money and reduces stress.
6. What sustainability options can we incorporate into our print strategy?
For many brands, sustainability is no longer optional—it’s expected. Ask about:
- Recycled or FSC-certified stocks
- Energy-efficient production practices
- Low-VOC inks
- Print-on-demand strategies to reduce waste
- Carbon offset programs
Your vendor should have a clear, modern approach to sustainable print solutions.
7. Are there ways we can improve our file prep or workflow to streamline production?
Sometimes small refinements—preflight standards, print-ready practices, proofing processes, or file transfer systems—can significantly reduce turnaround times. Your vendor can identify consistent issues and offer practical solutions.
8. What budget-friendly alternatives should we consider for next year’s projects?
Creative printers are problem-solvers. Ask:
- Are there different stocks that deliver the same look for less?
- Are there smarter finishing choices?
- Can we gain efficiency by adjusting size or format?
- Are there hybrid print-digital solutions we should explore?
9. What value-added services should we be taking advantage of?
Modern commercial printers often offer:
- Marketing portals
- Variable-data print
- Direct mail tracking and analytics
- Kitting and fulfillment
- Promo and branded merchandise
- Wide-format and environmental graphics
- Packaging design support
EOY is the time to ensure you’re using everything they offer. Services you’re not currently utilizing, ask for pricing and more information. Centralizing vendors can not only save you dollars, it can streamline your initiatives.
10. What do you need from us to be a better partner next year?
A great vendor relationship is a two-way street. Ask what you can do differently:
- Better forecasting
- More consolidated POs
- Earlier creative approvals
- Improved communication channels
- More complete specs or project briefs
This simple question often creates the biggest operational wins.
Comments are closed.