How to find a print shop that won't compete
Hi all,
Great site here and forum. Long time lurker finally joined today.
Since I'm new to the world of direct mail, I'm wondering if anyone ever ran into this situation: went to a local mid-size printer to have some flyers made for a non marketing related business and noticed there was a local publication there that they obviously print and mail. We got to talking about printing, marketing, EDDM etc. and then they pitched me on a large size EDDM postcard (everyone's been doing their own version of a 9 x 12 around here for a while). Because I had been toying with the idea of starting a local advertising product, I asked them how they could market products AND do printing for their customers. They said "well, we would never turn down any printing job".
That's not exactly what I expected to hear. They're a PRINTER and not an advertising company. Another printer near me is just a printer. He's cheaper but way to busy to do what I need done. I know if I walk into that first printer and say, "here's my idea, layout" etc., it will be on the street before I can get a mock made.
My idea is pretty complex as to layout, design, distribution etc. and I've learned much from many different sources without giving away too much. I also have initial advertisers interested enough to go ahead with this idea and I know approximately what it should cost; but, I feel like it's going to just be ripped off as soon as I get one area going. I do need some input from a trusted printer and a mock design made, so my thoughts are to either work with an out of state printer through e-mail (which I don't want to do) or maybe have the first one or even a third local printer (the first one's super expensive) sign a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement.
Am I nuts and being paranoid? Maybe this is just a bad first time experience or am I being naive thinking that this isn't going to happen everywhere I go?
Thanks for any suggestions!
WR
Great site here and forum. Long time lurker finally joined today.
Since I'm new to the world of direct mail, I'm wondering if anyone ever ran into this situation: went to a local mid-size printer to have some flyers made for a non marketing related business and noticed there was a local publication there that they obviously print and mail. We got to talking about printing, marketing, EDDM etc. and then they pitched me on a large size EDDM postcard (everyone's been doing their own version of a 9 x 12 around here for a while). Because I had been toying with the idea of starting a local advertising product, I asked them how they could market products AND do printing for their customers. They said "well, we would never turn down any printing job".
That's not exactly what I expected to hear. They're a PRINTER and not an advertising company. Another printer near me is just a printer. He's cheaper but way to busy to do what I need done. I know if I walk into that first printer and say, "here's my idea, layout" etc., it will be on the street before I can get a mock made.
My idea is pretty complex as to layout, design, distribution etc. and I've learned much from many different sources without giving away too much. I also have initial advertisers interested enough to go ahead with this idea and I know approximately what it should cost; but, I feel like it's going to just be ripped off as soon as I get one area going. I do need some input from a trusted printer and a mock design made, so my thoughts are to either work with an out of state printer through e-mail (which I don't want to do) or maybe have the first one or even a third local printer (the first one's super expensive) sign a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement.
Am I nuts and being paranoid? Maybe this is just a bad first time experience or am I being naive thinking that this isn't going to happen everywhere I go?
Thanks for any suggestions!
WR
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