Sometimes design is part of an in-plant's responsibilities and sometimes not. But for Valdosta State University's in-house print shop, a little help with file design is translating into more business and better turnaround times.
"We do not have the campus design group in our unit," explains Print Manager Drew Burgering, "they are separate." That can slow the production process down if departments send files to design that only need a little tweaking. Often the designers, who receive files that aren't quite right, start from scratch and redesign the whole project which can slow down turnaround time significantly.
Burgering noticed this often led clients to look off campus for a printer, so he started accepting customer-created files and tweaking them to standards. "I would add in what was missing my
self and then get approval from the design group," he explains. How it gets done or who does it is irrelevant to customers. Their only concern is getting the job finished.
The Georgia in-plant's file intervention has led to several more jobs staying on campus. Burgering has learned how to convert publisher files to spot-color and CMYK separations, along with other file basics. "Sure this adds more work to our operation without adding any staff, but it keeps clients satisfied."
When asked for other tips, Burgering smiles, "I am not sure if this is a big secret, but the more you can automate your operation, the better off you are. Anyone still doing a lot of hand work or labor intensive processes can really improve their bottom line by either outsourcing the process or purchasing a machine to handle it and possibly reducing labor cost."
In the last year they lost two positions to budget cuts, requiring them to streamline and automate more. "We upgraded our b/w and color boxes to a Xerox 4112 and a Ricoh Pro C720s respectively, to improve turnaround times and to offer better short-run color that is in high demand." They also upgraded their offline booklet maker with a good used Bourg BST10 with 2 towers and face trim to capture the Athletic Department's game programs and offer better, quicker bindery services. A new wide format printer, an Epson 9880, has also been added to the equipment mix.
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Three-person in-plant generated nearly $250,000
last year year in revenue.
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This relatively tiny in-plant team comprised of 3 full-time and one part-time staff person generated nearly a quarter of a million dollars last year in revenue. Besides the usual stationery items (letterhead, business cards, envelopes and notecards), they produce department brochures, admission materials, foundation materials, as well as wide format posters and banners.
Burgering is always looking for new product offerings. "Recently we have been asked for customized post-it notes and magnets." Never turning away business, Burgering seamlessly accepted the jobs, finding vendors that could deliver the products.
"I think in-plants today have to find the balance between always solving their clients' needs and not doing everything for everyone in-house. Find the things you do well and cost effectively and then send the other items out. This way you still meet your clients' needs and in their eyes you are a miracle worker."
