print samples

[AbiJ]

Can anyone let me know what I should be looking out for in print samples (i.e. sample packs that printer send out) I've just been looking at misregistration, obvious ink spots, stock weight/feel and colour quality. Are there criteria or some way of comparing quality betwwen printers?

[PrintDriver]

Send them a sample file (you may have to pay for a print). At least if I'm seriously considering a new print vendor that's what I do. But read sig below.

[AbiJ]

Thanks pd, I'm more looking to understand the characteristic of the print sample they send me, i.e. what things should i be looking for? the reason I ask is that the prices for even simple jobs such as 300gsm A6 flyers very wildly between printers so I'm looking to understand the difference in quality between the cheaper and more expensive printers.

[budafist]

Uh, most printers will only give you a digital proof of your file as a sample. This is entirely different in stock and quality than what is run on the press. A real sample off the press would be quite an expensive exercise just or a sample.

What do you want the samples for? To compare the colour and stock?

It's better to go in and feel all the stocks that you might be considering. Once you have chosen one, it's a good idea to do a presspass to make sure your job is exactly as you intend it.

[longboy]

I believe the OP is talking about comparing previously printed samples from a variety of printers. As in, jobs already printed for other customers to show off the printer's work.

As for things to look for?
-Hickies
-Fine/tight linescreen (or stochastic printing, which I prefer)
-Trapping
-Registration
-Color consistency
-Quality bindery work...

The list goes on.

[AbiJ]

thanks longboy, yes thats what I mean, they send out sample of work they have done in the past to showcase their capabilities. my clients are usually small bars/restaurants whos budget doens't extend to things like special paper, extra finishing techniques or even quality printers.As such I usually have to use online printers that do smallish litho runs or digital. Not a situation I relish.

The reason I asked was because some companies seem rediculously cheap for certain products (ex print carrier.com) and I'd like to know how to judge their samples before I risk sending a job to them and maybe having to foot the bill for a more expensive reprint if it comes back terrible.

[budafist]

I believe the OP is talking about comparing previously printed samples from a variety of printers. As in, jobs already printed for other customers to show off the printer's work.

As for things to look for?
-Hickies
-Fine/tight linescreen (or stochastic printing, which I prefer)
-Trapping
-Registration
-Color consistency
-Quality bindery work...

The list goes on.

What are Hickies in the print world? I'm sure none of my clients have asked me for a hicky...

[longboy]

Must be called something else down there :)

Hickies- in printing, spots or defects caused by foreign matter on the printing plate or blanket. Ink hickies appear as dark specks with a white ring around them; paper hickies appear as white specks.

[budafist]

Oh, I know what you are talking about now. I don't know what we call those. Or if we even have a special name for them.