If all print jobs come out exactly as you hoped when printing services would have long been out of business, and thriving. When working with clients, delays is more the rule than an exception. You never know when Murphy’s Law will strike, and if you follow his logic, it will be on your most important day. Provide a lot of allowance and be prepared with a back up plan.

Under any given circumstance, there’s always a possibility of error. It could be a misspelling on your part, wrong specifications, human error on the part of the printer, or even delays in the postal service.

Here’s a way to safeguard you from all those last minute delays:

1.Take into account other delays.

Most clients don’t understand the printing process and think they can have their marketing materials in a few days as advertised. Being more knowledgeable though, you know that aside from the turn around time, there is still the shipping time and the prepress time where the files are pre-flight, proofs are approved and so on.

2.Get Written Approval.

Some clients are angels and leave you as much discretion you need while others are fickle minded but still want as much involvement with the project. If you have a difficult client, it’s always best to have him sign an approval as soon as you find him agreeing with the design.

He will often insist on thinking about it, but you can prod him gently by reminding him of the deadlines that are set.

3.Prepare your price quotations in advance.

Most printing companies will only print your job when you are fully paid. There are some finance departments on the other hand who only release the funds when you present them with an official receipt. Work out the payment rules well in advance so you can get ahead with printing as soon as your artist finishes with the designs.

4.Save and Editable Design Template:

This always works for last minute printing for whatever product. You already have the color scheme, font styles and design elements like logos at hand. This way, whatever marketing material you need, you already have the basic elements at hand. You simply have to resize your prints, adjust to the desired size of the print material, and input your text.

5.Talk to an Alternate Printer

Always work with an alternate printer for the print job. Look for a rush printing service that offers free proofing. This way you can already have your prints proofed and ready to be printed in as short as two business days instead of seven. If you have problems meeting your timetable, you can have your prints rush printed.