Why Is Cost Analysis and Wide Format Workflow Important?

There are many factors that go into choosing the right wide format print equipment for your business. Taking the time to understand your workflow and perform a cost analysis will guide you in your selection.

Here at Duncan-Parnell, we carry a generous selection of wide format print solutions that include the latest technology for fast, reliable and affordable printing. Analyzing your print workflow and studying the related costs will allow you to get the most out of your printer and save time and money.

Know Your Workflow

You can't make improvements if you don't know where your inefficiencies are. Take a close look at how you operate today and consider every workflow step, from pre-printing (document creation, preparation, submittal) through the printing stage (processing, printing, scanning, copying) and finally to post-printing (retrieving, collating, archiving).

Also, make note of the factors that improve ROI. In the case of printing, you can do a wide format cost analysis and include ROI factors such as hard costs (printer acquisition, electrical consumption), ink and toner costs (including leased equipment service contracts), print speed factors (volume and capacity) and environmental concerns (recycling, waste).

Dig into the costs related to your printer and balance those against the performance of different models to choose print equipment that gives your business a suitable ROI.

Choosing Equipment With Improvement in Mind

With this detailed workflow laid out, you can determine how your choice in wide format print equipment can help:

• Improve performance: What is most critical to you? Faster print speeds? Advanced sorting and distribution options? Automatic archiving features? The ability to create priorities in your print queue? Consider all of the performance factors that will have an impact on your workflow and choose print equipment that has the performance capabilities and characteristics you require for efficient printing.

• Improve profitability: There is a cost to printing that includes acquiring your equipment (purchase, rental or lease), paper, ink, toner, service and maintenance. To get the most out of your equipment, it needs to deliver benefits that outweigh these costs. Faster and more reliable equipment can help profitability, since you'll spend less time waiting for your print jobs and experience less printer downtime.

The quality of your printed wide format documents can have an effect on your projects, so you need to be sure your equipment is up to the task. Understanding your workflow isn’t difficult, so take the time to do it up front and use that information to guide your choice in wide format print equipment.

At Duncan-Parnell, "Successful Projects Start Here," so contact us today to discuss your wide format print needs and select a printer that delivers the ROI and workflow improvements you've been looking for.