Vendor Approval Process

  1. Location to Boston. Provides an ease of doing business.
  2. Contact person – Knowledgeable in all aspects of print production.
  3. Equipment – Does their equipment fit the needs of the projects, with both digital and oGset presses.
  4. Proofing systems and color management. Do they oGer content and contract proofs along with PDFs?
  5. Quality control. Does the vendor have not only QC stations around the plant, but also makes sure that nothing but the best quality gets delivered to the client and samples to our department.
  6. Plant tour to assess workflow, organization and their Management Information System. Is the plant clean and organized?
  7. Sustainability programs? What organizations do they belong to and how can they help us provide ecological value to our clients.
  8. Financial status. Is their financial situation going to aGect their performance?
  9. Quotes and their price competitive compared to established vendors.
  10. Evaluation at time of delivery. Quality of work, record of delivery and accurate invoice that matches quote.

Ideas for Questions for the Requests

  1. Number of shifts and days of the week of operation.
  2. Number of employees.
  3. FSC Certified Printer
  4. G-7 Certified Printer
  5. FTP Site
  6.  Sheetfed Printer. Number of Units and maximum sheet size.
  7. Web OGset Printer. Number of units, roll size and cutoG.
  8. Digital Printer. Inkjet or toner based.
  9. Can they handle Variable Data.
  10. Large Format-Mounting-Laminating.
  11. In-house Saddle Stitching.
  12. In-house Perfect Binding.
  13. Mailing and Fulfillment.
  14. Management-Ownership-History-Industrial Relations
  15. Quality Management-Procedures-Accreditations.