The Importance of Being Regular With Variable Data Printing

The life of a commercial printer is filled with uncertainty. When are you going to run the next job on your Xerox 6060, which still has 45 months left on the lease? Who needs a big print run for their political campaign or a new version of glossy menus?

Variable Data Printing offers the possibility for establishing a more regular clientele and steadier workflow. Marketing pieces that are part of an established campaign can give you a predictable timeline for print jobs.

Moreover, direct mailing and newsletters that have been personalized through variable data printing are repeatable. Customers are more likely to bring return business if they are satisfied with the initial run. Often, you can contract for several print jobs at a single time by offering a discount based on bulk.

If you're looking into digital color equipment or want more variable data advice, consider talking to us at JJ Bender.

The Cost Savings Side of Variable Data Printing

Henry Ford figured out fairly early on that an assembly line approach to producing cars could improve his revenue and cut down on production time.

Hundreds of years later, variable data printing might just have the same effect on the graphics industry; bringing about the automation of commercial print shops and driving margins higher.

All deals come down to price and variable data printing might be the difference between losing and winning a deal.

Variable Data Printing allows printers to automate the page creation process by providing content that is set and pages that are already built. It can eliminate a lot of operator error and therefore associated time and costs. The automation of the production cycle will lead to results that can be easily duplicated.

So the next time, you're considering variable data printing or even discussing the possibility with a customer, you can talk beyond the obvious selling point of personalization. You can discuss the very real potential for cost and time savings.

If you want more information on variable data printing or need digital production equipment, please consider JJ Bender.

Offering Color Copies Online

For those looking to offer variable data printing or even just bulk color or black-and-white copies online, it's important to tout the capability of the equipment you are running.

If you have a Xerox iGen 3 or even a Xerox DocuColor 6060, you should stress the ability of your shop to meet the demands of your customers. With glossy examples and a competitive pricing structure, you can create additional revenue for your business by offering copies online.

In addition, you should personalize your site. Show your shop and the equipment you have. Talk about the people in your company and how you approach your customers. Make it a unique experience for your clientele and they'll continue to use your services.

If you're looking for high volume, digital production equipment to help you offer color copies online or need advice, please consider JJ Bender.

Variable Data Printing Primer

If you are not selling variable data printing, you are missing out on a potential goldmine. The introduction of digital color copiers has led to independent copy shops and commercial printers being able to offer variable data printing to customers.

If you have a Xerox 2060 or Canon CLC5000, you should consider the revenue stream of variable data printing. If you're asking what is variable data printing, it's the ability to create customized print pieces to individual customers within a larger print run (ie. including a customer's first name or consumer profile in the given postcard or direct mailer).

Variable Data Printing allows you to offer additional customer service or added value to current clients. It also can generate an additional return on investment by customizing a campaign according to customer's preferences.

If you're looking for advice on providing variable data printing or need a digital color copier, please consider JJ Bender.

Copier Shop Training

If your employees are your most valuable resource, then you need to think about the best ways to utilize their talents and skills. Often, in small copy and print shops, employees have to wear a lot of hats. The best way to make sure those hats fit, is to invest in training. So, wehther that is copier technician training, copier sales training, or management training; consider a subscription to Training Magazine.

It's a low cost entry to the world of training. It is significantly less expensive than training seminars or consultants, and it offers monthly perspectives for people at all levels of management. It might just prove a great jumping off point for discussions with employees about what they want out of the workplace.

Remember, it is your job as an owner to continually improve the skills of your employees because it will continually improve your bottom line. If you're looking for advice on training or equipment, please consider JJ Bender.

Life is About Options

Life is about options. How you use your Xerox copier or Ricoh Copier or Canon equipment is the first option you might have.

Why not give your customers all the options they want? If you walk your clients through the technology that you use; they might just have a stronger sense of ownership in the process and a better idea of what they want when they come to you with their next project. If your shop is running a Xerox 6060 for example, there are options for saddle stitching, laminating, shrink wrapping, scoring, folding, and perforating. While your client may not want a tour of your operation or an explanation of the machine; they might want to know about the benefits and options available for a direct mail or promotional piece. They'll appreciate your time and your bottom line will certainly benefit.

We know you have options, so please consider JJ Bender for your copier needs.

The Power of Networking

Just as human beings use networking to get ahead or find a new job, copiers just want to do the same thing.

Today's copier is akin to Deep Blue, the chess-playing supercomputer, in that is capable of making millions of decisions in moments. The networking of copiers has helped to increase productivity and improved work flow. If you don't have a laptop already, consider it a shrewd investment.

Some of the best workhorses for networked printing are the Xerox 2060 & Xerox 6060. For simple directions on how to set-up a Mac or computer running windows; utilize this site from the BYU Copy Center. It walks you through the relevant folder and driver information for setting up a computer to print to a Xerox 2060.

A networked copier can be the difference in getting the copy job you want. For more information about networking or options, feel free to contact JJ Bender.

Features of a Digital Copier

Just like the customization options on your brand new car; each digital copier has a wealth of possibilities to attach. In this case, however, some of the attachments (like air conditioning) are not only nice to have; they're a necessity.

Feeders

The automatic feeder lets you enter in your copy selection and walk away. Like additional paper trays, it is standard on most high-end machines.

Finishers

If you're business requires you to make reports or multi-page documents; a finisher is the way to go. It can something as simple as an automatic stapler to a three-hole punch, folding, or saddle stich binding. In most cases, a finisher will be extra; but will be well worth the cost.

Front-end

If you want to network your machine, you'll need a front end. The two most popular models are Creo and Fiery. The Fiery is more economical and the Creo tends to be a bit more user friendly. Both are good choices for networking.

Whether you need a no-frills workhorse or the top-of-the-line Xerox iGen 3, we hope you'll consider JJ Bender.

You're not just buying a copier

So, you've found which copier you want, maybe it's the Xerox 2060 or perhaps you decided to go for it and get a Xerox iGen 3. Now, here's a few details to keep in mind and costs which you might not have factored into your decision.

Supplies

Supplies can be expensive. If you're using a lot of supplies, that isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it usually means business is booming. So, look around at supply pricing, there's a lot of competition. You might be able to find a deal that makes a big difference in your bottom line.

Service

Servicing equipment is always expensive, it's part of the reason you want to pick reliable equipment. Make sure the machine you are acquiring is eligible for manufacturer service and consider all of your servicing options.

Payment Options

Is it better to pay a litle now and more later? Or is it easier to pay a lot upfront. You know the cash flow of your business and your current expenses. Be sure to schedule your payments accordingly.

Whatever stage you're at with regard to purchasing machines; consider JJ Bender for your used copier needs.

Choosing the right copier

Choosing the right copier can be the difference between running a successful business and joining the ranks of new companies which fail to celebrate their second anniversary. It's the single largest piece of equipment you'll purchase or lease. You want to make sure the cost is justified by the number of clicks you will run through the machine in a given month. Moreover, improper equipment can lead to losing out on jobs you should have won. Before you select a copier for your shop, keep the following in mind:

What jobs will you be using the copier for?
Break down the percentages of business you expect to do with regard to marketing pieces and commercial work (ie. brochures, posters, or postcards).

How much space do you have available?

What is the volume that you expect to do on a copier, in your lowest month and highest month?

What percentage of your business will be in color and what will be in black and white?

Finally, what is your budget?

Ultimately, let your business dictate the copier you need. Don't try and model your business around the copier you have purchased. For sound advice and a trusted partner, consider JJ Bender for your copier needs.

Branding & Copiers

Branding isn't just for cowboys any more. The buzzword of the advertising industry for the past decade is an important idea to keep in mind as you try and establish new customer relationships and improve on existing networks.

Xerox settled on a rocketship as the new symbol for its color copier business. The cartoon, jet-propelled engine is meant to invoke ideas of progress and speed as well as capture the imagination of a generation that know what it means to go to the moon. With sales of the Xerox 6060 and iGen 3 skyrocketing, it's no wonder Xerox chose a rocket.

We here at JJ Bender have been giving out bagels from H & H Bagels in New York City for over a decade. It's a slice of New York that many people have never had the chance to try. And since food is the fastest way to our heart; we figured it would go a long way towards establishing good partnerships. We've never had a batch sent back, although, we have had a few dozen sequestered at Customs.

See, now that we got you thinking about JJ Bender, feel free to visit us online. Tell us you came by from the Blog, we might just send you some bagels. You'll have to get your own coffee- it keeps ruining the envelopes.

Color copiers as promotional tools

The strength of color copiers is that the end product often sells itself. The quality and precision of copies produced in a Xerox 2060, is something that customers will recognize and ask for. But, did you ever stop and think about your own promotional materials. Why not produce them on the very equipment that you are trying to convince a client to use? It's effective to leave a high quality brochure with a potential customer and be able to tell them it was printed in your shop on your equipment.

Dan Antonelli has a strong piece about his experiences with self promotion and using a color copier at signcraft.com. In his article, he'll walk through what's important to consider in a brochure and how to tie it back to the equipment in your store. Antonelli stress personalization and a small inital copy run to be make sure that your marketing materials are both interesting and timely. The beauty is you can always make more.

If you're considering a color copier, we'd ask you to look at what JJ Bender can offer you. We can probably teach you a bit about promotion through the Bender Marketing Group, the latest addition to the Bender Family of Companies.

Opening a Copy Shop

We remember what it was like to launch JJ Bender in 1980. There are few things you can be certain of as an entrepreneur, except that starting a new business is expensive. We thought we'd give you a few pointers that should help if you're opening your own print shop or copy shop, or expanding your business.

Look to partnerships

Professional associations and membership groups, think Chamber of Commerce or Printer's Assocation, can offer you valuable contacts that help you grow your business. Perhaps a local public relations or marketing firm needs a reliable printer, and could provide you a volume of business in exchange for a price break.

Keep things in house

When starting out, many entrepreneurs have to wear a number of hats. So get ready to become well-versed in marketing, sales, and proper management. There are many useful websites and publications for those who are their own boss. Look at Entrepreneur magazine or Inc. magazine- they're interesting and helpful places to start.

Consider a used/refurbished copier

The technology underlying high volume copiers and printers is consistently being improved, driving down the price and increasing the capabalities of equipment. Purchasing, renting, or leasing used eqiupment offers you access to cutting edge technology at affordable rates.
We understand the difficulties faced by a new business, with regard to managing cash flow and paying off debt. JJ Bender can help by offering leasing terms that take into account seasonal differences in business.