Compare commercial printing quotes in London

Why ask it: This surfaces whether the printer runs a proper prepress operation or simply accepts whatever files arrive and charges for corrections later. A printer with a rigorous prepress process will have a written spec sheet they can send immediately.

Good answer: They send a spec sheet within 24 hours covering file format (PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4), colour mode (CMYK), resolution (300 dpi minimum), bleed settings, and font embedding. They may also offer a free prepress check on submission.

Red flag: "Just send us your PDF and we'll let you know if there's an issue." That means corrections, delays, and potentially additional charges after you have already committed to the job.

Why ask it: This tells you how much protection you actually have before the full quantity goes to press, and what it costs to get a physical proof if the quoted price only includes a PDF. For colour-critical work, this is the difference between catching a problem and paying to reprint.

Good answer: They distinguish clearly between soft and hard proofs, explain what each costs, and state explicitly at which approval stage the job commits to press. A strong answer also tells you their standard colour tolerance and what they will reprint if a hard proof is approved but the print run is outside that tolerance.

Red flag: "We send a PDF and once you approve it we go to print." No mention of hard proofs for colour work, or no clear statement of what point you are committed. That means no physical reference point before thousands of copies are run.

Why ask it: Printers often quote on the stock they have most of in their warehouse, which may not be the best choice for your job. Asking them to recommend an alternative reveals both their knowledge and whether they are acting in your interest or just moving stock.

Good answer: They name the specific stock (weight, finish, and ideally the paper brand), explain why it suits the print method and end use, and offer at least one alternative with a trade-off explained. For example: "We have quoted on 170gsm silk - if you want a premium feel, 200gsm uncoated gives a tactile quality that works well for consultancy brochures, and the cost difference is around 8%."

Red flag: "We've quoted on our standard stock." No specifics, no explanation, no recommendation. That is a printer who will produce what you asked for regardless of whether it is appropriate.

Why ask it: This establishes the cost of urgency before you need it. Knowing the premium upfront lets you decide whether an express charge is worth it or whether the brief can be moved forward to hit a standard turnaround.

Good answer: They give a specific standard turnaround (e.g. "7 working days from approved artwork"), a clear express option and its price premium, and any conditions that affect the express service (e.g. artwork must be approved by 10am for same-day production). For London, a good printer will also tell you whether collection from their site is available and where they are based.

Red flag: "Depends on how busy we are." No commitment on standard turnaround, no clear express price. That makes it impossible to plan around their service.

Why ask it: This tells you what recourse you have if the print run does not match what you approved. Without a clear policy, you are negotiating at the moment of maximum inconvenience - after the job is printed and delivered.

Good answer: They state a specific colour tolerance (Delta E or a descriptive standard), confirm they will reprint at their cost if the job is outside that tolerance against an approved hard proof, and have a process for logging and resolving disputes quickly. The answer should be specific, not reassuring.

Red flag: "We always match the proof, we've never had that issue." Every printer has had it. An answer that denies the possibility is either dishonest or reflects a business that has not thought about how to handle it when it happens.

Why ask it: Packaging for large print quantities is not standard across printers. For anything above 500 copies, poor packaging leads to bent corners, moisture damage, or crushed boxes - which is a reprint conversation, not a courier conversation.

Good answer: They describe their packaging method specifically: wrapped in tissue or interleaved, boxed in appropriate quantities per box, banded or shrink-wrapped pallets for large runs, and tracked delivery as standard. They should also tell you their process if a delivery arrives damaged.

Red flag: "We use a reputable courier." That describes how the job gets from A to B, not how it is protected when it gets there. A printer who has not thought about packaging is a printer who handles damage complaints by pointing at the courier.