ddp offer an exceptional level of Experience, Service and Quality in Print, Promotions and Post… Dorest Digital Print on the radio.
We are Dorset based digital printers with clients in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Swanage, Wareham, Wimborne and throughout the UK.
Our team are dedicated to getting your message out there and offer practical advice at every step. Print can be confusing with so many options but with our assistance you can be sure you are getting the best quality product, competitive pricing and a service level second to none.
We have over 50 years combined experience in the print industry, follow strict environmental policy and use an intelligent management system to streamline the production process.
Your job will be ‘Right’ and ‘On Time’ Every Time. You have enough to worry about leave your Print to ddp and relax…
Some of the products and services we offer…
We’re confident your experience with ddp will be simple, rewarding and price competitive.
So give us a call or drop us a line and let us prove it to you…
September 2, 2010
Digital printing is generally defined as any type of print reproduction method that utilises electronic files to produce a printed piece from spots and dots of ink, toner, or dye.
Digital printing technology has several advantages over conventional printing methods. The following list of items describes several key points that can be helpful when considering a shift from conventional to digital printing:
Ease in Producing Personalised Applications
When using digital presses, the content on an application can be changed for every document that is printed, if necessary. Changing the content for each document can be useful for personalizing a project such as a direct mail piece or for producing an application such as a brochure in which many different versions are required. This method of printing is known as Variable Data Printing or Publishing (VDP).
Increased Colour Gamut
The colour gamut or range of colour that digital equipment is able to reproduce is much larger than that of traditional offset equipment. This feature of digital printing equipment allows for the best possible colour reproduction.
Wide Range of Application Widths
Digital print applications can be produced in almost any size format. Equipment is available that can print extremely wide images (several meters wide). Large images beyond the width capacity of the equipment can be produced in sections (tiled). After printing, the individual pieces can be assembled to create the entire image. Large banners or images covering walls of buildings are often created with this method.
Cost Effectiveness of Digitally Printed Short Runs
Depending on the application, digital printing costs are often lower than conventional printing for the shortest runs because the digital workflow eliminates many of the manual operations of conventional processes. Time savings can be gained in prepress and the make-ready time on digital output equipment is less than conventional equipment. The time savings for short runs makes digital printing a good alternative to conventional printing.
April 23, 2012
When using conventional printing methods, the primary reason for having a large quantity of printed materials on hand is cost. The cost per printed piece decreases as the volume increases when using conventional printing equipment. Printing a large quantity can be very economical as long as the entire quantity of printed documents are used, but what if the content of the document must be revised while there is still a large quantity of the original print application left in stock? The remaining documents would be of no use and would have to be destroyed, creating waste and making a potentially economical print application much more costly.
Print-on-Demand (POD) digital printing changes the conventional workflow by eliminating the requirement of having large quantities of documents warehoused to ensure a continual flow will occur. Print-on-Demand is a commonly used name for many digitally printed applications.
With a print-on-demand workflow, the printed piece does not have to be produced until a request for the document is initiated. This is due to the ease in which printed items are produced with a fully digital workflow. The expense of producing large inventories and warehousing them is eliminated. The price per printed piece is the same for any quantity when using digital equipment. If the content of a print application must be changed suddenly, there are usually no worries about what to do with vast quantities of obsolete documents that are warehoused and must be destroyed. Print-on-demand reduces waste, reduces inventory, and is very cost effective for short run applications. The digital printing process is such that almost any project printed with digital equipment could be considered an on-demand application.
Print-on-Demand can be used for a
variety of digitally printed applications including:
- Letters
- Business Cards
- Brochures
- Inserts
- Promotional Documents
- Presentation Materials
- Forms
- Self-Mailers
- Report Cards/Transcripts
- Labels
- Rebates
- Coupons
- Manuals
- Books
April 20, 2012
Personalized postcards are less expensive to produce than complex variable data projects. The front end costs are less as are the paper and printing costs and the mailing costs are minimal compared with larger applications.
Although mass emailing and Internet ads may be one of the easier methods of soliciting business, many individuals are leery of such advertisements due to privacy concerns. People are especially concerned about security with the practice of “phishing” from emails that attempt to direct the user to bogus websites. These online privacy issues make digitally printed, direct mail postcards more appealing to many consumers.
A direct mail postcard is usually formatted in one of three ways:
- It may contain all text
- It may be composed largely of an image with very little text
- It may include text and images in varying combinations
A direct mail postcard containing too much information may have a negative impact. The majority of individuals receiving the card will dispose of the card if it is crammed with information. In most cases, a simple message and graphic are all that are necessary in order for a key point to be introduced.
April 19, 2012
The customization that is allowed by variable data printing is often responsible for a markedly noticeable increase in the response rate of various promotional applications. Personalized printing has been proven to yield better results in most direct marketing efforts. Direct mail campaigns that employ personalization and a bold use of colour have experienced as much as a fivefold increase in response rates over static, black and white applications.
Most conventional direct mail programs result in no more than a 1 or 2 percent rate of response, while some personalized variable data marketing programs enjoy a response rate that may be as high as 40 percent. This excellent response rate is directly responsible for increased revenue and a greater market share for a particular product or service.
Success in using variable data printing as a marketing tool depends upon a number of factors including:
- Development of strategies that retain customers and secure new ones.
- Adequate planning to ensure the application is appropriate for its intended use.
- Adequate planning to prevent problems when printing the variable data application.
- Database expertise.
- Proper testing of the application.
- Constant tracking of results to determine the actual success of the application.
- Realistic expectations on overall success and return on investment.
One of the most common applications produced with digital printing equipment is direct mail. Variable data, direct mail marketing is replacing generic forms of mass marketing and is one of the most efficient and cost effective methods for an organization to reach individual clients and groups and obtain a greater market share for their products and services.
Printed direct mail applications are still the one of the best methods for attracting business. Digitally printed, personalized postcard formats are among the most popular of the direct mail applications. The compact size of the postcard has many advantages over larger, more elaborate variable data applications. The postcard has the ability to present a personalized message that is short yet it gets noticed. Variable data technology allows direct mail postcards to be targeted to specific clients. Individuals are more apt to take immediate action due to the postcard’s message or they may save the postcards for future reference due to the easy to store size. The small size also makes it easier to pass the card on to others that may have an interest in the message.
April 19, 2012
I hope you had a relaxing Christmas break, a fun New Year and are now recharged for 2012!
We are now back in the office and available for any quote requests, samples, jobs etc that you may need.
ddp are now offering additional services to compliment the Design & Print side of the business. We have found that by communicating your message in fresh and creative ways your clients are fully engaged and will keep returning.
New services added as follows,
PROMOTIONS – This area of the business will concentrate on promoting clients using multi-media channels. Print is constantly evolving and we have invested in a state of the art Mobile Web & QR Code generating system, this can be used to link your printed items to your online presence. We have also invested in a system to design, create & manage your email marketing. Both systems offer full analytics so you can see what response rates you receive and keep you up to date with changing markets. This is an exciting addition to the business and I will post you further information to read at your leisure.
POST – We have teamed up with local mailing house ‘Postforce’ to offer a full Mailing & Fulfilment service. If you have multiple items to dispatch then we can save you money by using one of our postal discounts or packages. This area of the business will concentrate on Variable Data Print, Direct Mail, Lumpy Mail, Mail Shots & Fulfilment.
By introducing the new areas to the business we have a stronger range of services to help deliver your message to your clients. For further information or assistance feel free to call, click one of the social media links in the side bar or scan the QR Code above to see the Mobile Software in action.
I look forward to working with you in 2012 and supporting your business needs.
Robert McCarthy
January 4, 2012
In November we had the opportunity to get out and help the National Trust, this was great fun. We helped to regenerate an old Orchard at the Kingston Lacy Estate just outside of Wimborne. We first found out about the project reading the Echo and thought it was a great project to get on board with. In 15 – 20 years time the Orchard will be ready to produce its first crop of cider, can’t wait for a glass from our tree!
December 16, 2011
Once thought of as a gimmick QR Codes are now proving a powerful tool in marketing and adding value to the print market. Print, once a static commodity that sat on a desk or coffee table unable to offer more than its sole occupation, can now be the window to many diverse and exciting applications.
More and more, QR Codes are changing the way people view print and they are showing how something like a simple business card can open the door to a multimedia experience.
QR Codes can stream line many day to day activities and with a click of a button help with these tasks. Some of the most common links are to,
- You Tube Videos
- Google Maps
- Social Media sign up
- iTunes downloads
- Direct dial telephone numbers
- SMS Messaging
- Composing automated Emails
- Downloading Contact Details (VCARD)
- Updating Events (VCALENDAR)
- Wifi Login (Android Only)
- Paypal Buy Now Links
The possibilities are endless and with a little imagination can be very eye catching. The image below shows a job that we currently have in production, scan the QR Code with your smart phone (you can scan off the screen) and you will be taken to a promotional video. This is a great way to utilise a business card which only has a small print area. The QR code links the client to an overview of what the company can do, no hard sell required, just a link that the customer can refer to at a convenient time. The beauty of this is that your message is now with the client 24/7 and to hand if they require it.
I am now speaking to clients on a daily basis to inform them how they can add a new dimension to their printed material and gain a greater R.O.I from their print. Give me a call to discuss and see what value you can add to your next print project.
October 11, 2011
It feels like yesterday that we picked up the keys to our office, installed the equipment and opened the doors for business. A year has flown by and we would like to saya big thank you to all who have helped us along the way.
In the past year we have worked with over 250 businesses, produced more than 600 jobs, became part of an FSC certified group, supported local charities with their print, driven 20,000 miles delivering to clients and drank countless cups of tea; the fuel that keeps the wheels of production turning!
We continue to grow month on month and put this down to one key factor, Service. We always go the extra mile to make sure our clients get their print right and on time every time. Each job is important to us and we strive for perfection in all that we do, this is backed up by looking at the stats which shows a large percentage of our business comes from referrals.
The next 12 months promises to be an exciting time at ddp with the introduction of new product lines, continuing to support our loyal customer base and local charities, working with new clients and building our reputation to be Dorset’s top print supplier.
September 6, 2011
http://ymlp.com/zmdvmG
May 16, 2011
Getting something printed should be an easy, stress free experience. When you buy a can of coke you know exactly what you are going to get.
There are many different types of coke and everybody has their favourite, if you ordered a diet coke and got a cherry coke you would not be happy, so why do so many online print companies feel it is acceptable to treat their customers like cash cows and run their businesses behind smoke and mirrors?
If something is printed and delivered and the end result is not what the client is expecting whose fault is it? Is it the clients fault for supplying artwork that is not suitable for printing? Or, as I like to think, is it the companies fault for not informing and educating the client that the artwork may not be suitable.
You should be able to receive the finished printed product exactly as you require without any fuss or confusion.
There is a great saying in the print industry that states there is always time for a reprint, no matter how short the lead time simple steps need to be followed to keep consistent quality and the end user, you the customer fully informed.
Sometimes it can seem like a bit of a lottery trying to find a reliable and cost effective print company who can deliver what you want when you need it. There are so many options out there that it can seem a little daunting sometimes.
When you are looking for a printer what are you looking for? Quality, price, lead time, range of products, knowledge in the industry, environmental factors, the list goes on and on but the key factor for me is that your job should be delivered on time, on budget and exactly as you have ordered every time.
There are many factors to consider when using a print company or any company, saving a few pounds today will not guarantee what’s delivered is what you are looking for. In these times of economic hardship surely it is better to look at the bigger picture and support a local company than a corporate giant? One that is just round the corner, knows who you are and what you do rather than just looking at the pound signs over your head. One that can employ local people, and be active in your local community.
In the UK there are over 12,000 print companies all offering varying products and services, how do you know which one to use? How do you know what you are ordering and what is being delivered will be the same?
Each print job produced is bespoke and individual to a customer so needs to have the due care and attention it deserves, can this really be achieved by using an online print company and the production process that they use?
There are many online print companies offering print for bargain basement prices or sometimes offering free items, but how do they do that? Have you ever thought about the environmental or social impacts of this? Do you care or do you just want cheap print?
As an example I am going to give you some details of 3 real online print companies and let you into some of the tricks of the trade that they use to give you a very cheap product.
The first company is a multi-national print company and have a massive online presence. They have many different items for sale and many items for free but what is the true cost of printing in this way?
Firstly all of the work that is printed for the UK market is printed in Holland or Canada and shipped to the UK. So far this year their website is telling me that they have produced over 9 million jobs for their customers,
What is the carbon footprint for these deliveries?
Why do they not have any environmental accreditations on their website?
They state that they recycle their paper and plates but every print company I know of do this, surely being a large multi-national company they should contribute more and look at ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Where does their paper come from? With no certifying body looking at how they purchase it could come from illegally logged sources? I am not saying it does but where is the transparency and duty of care in the company?
Why can’t you speak to a person in the company, I can’t even see a phone number?
If I have a problem with something I like to talk to somebody not send and email which gives me an automated response that somebody will contact me in due course to fob me off and not give me a useable product.
A couple of exerts from their website to show their level of customer service as follows,
How do we offer such cheap pricing?
“In a word – technology. Graphic design and custom printing have historically been a hands-on, laborious process, for both the supplier and the customer. Proprietary technologies fully automate the manufacturing of printing, as well as the way orders are created and submitted”
Sounds great, but what does it actually mean to you the customer? Bad news I am afraid…
It means that from when you place the order online to when the job is delivered to your door there has been very minimal human interaction with you product.
Who has checked your file to see if it will print well?
Who is looking at the colour of your job?
Who is looking at the trimming or finishing of your job?
The truth is your job will be printed on a large sheet with lots of other jobs and nobody will actually quality check it? Nobody will look at you job and say “I think that would look better if we increased the yellow by 2%” Nobody will look at the trimming and say “if we adjust by 2mm the job will look much better”
The sad fact is that it is all fully automated and nobody cares what is being produced, how it will be finished or when it will be delivered.
By the time your job is delivered and you open the pack to see it is not quite what you wanted it is too late, they have your money and don’t really care about your business. You could email them and let them know how disappointed you are with the job but will anybody really care or do anything about it?
A proof should always be run if you are in doubt of how the job will look. One of the benefits of how DDP work is that the job will be proofed on the machine and on the stock that it will actually be printed on, thus what you see is what the end result will be.
Another online print company that I know is based in the local area but all of their printing is produced in India?
Again what is the carbon footprint of their deliveries?
Where does their paper come from? They display the FSC logo on their website but are not certified which is unethical and illegal to promote this.
Last but not least in my case study is another large company that is UK based and has offices up and down the country, they offer another online print solution, again all jobs are run together on a big sheet at a central processing plant.
How can they guarantee quality?
What is the carbon footprint of their deliveries?
Where is their environmental policy or accreditations?
This company is franchise based and anybody with a bit of cash can buy into the company, yes anybody. You could be a butcher today and the face of a national print company tomorrow! What a scary thought. Again you are herded through the website or you may visit a shop but are tied to the lead times and products offered by unskilled staff members. What happened to customer service, why is it acceptable for this to vanish when you are an online print company?
You cannot gain experience from a manual or a short training programme so why do we put our hopes of a quality job with these companies? Why are we deceived to think that we are ordering from industry experts when in fact we are buying in to a cheap product?
I have worked in the print industry for over 16 years and have seen many changes in the industry. From when I started as a 17 year old apprentice I have learnt a set of skills that take time to develop, I still learn things on a daily basis and absorb as much as possible so I can be the best in my field and give my clients what they need.
Print is an industry that has a steep learning curve and is constantly developing but one thing we cannot replace with the advancement of technology is the fundamental process of guiding a customer though the complex world of print. It is our duty as professionals to do this and not rely on an automated process and blame the customer when things go wrong.
DDP was formed in September 2010 and we have over 50 years experience in the print industry. My father and I who are the partners of the company have both completed apprenticeships in graphic arts and printing. We understand the science and technology that makes print work. Back when my father did his apprenticeship it took 6 years to complete, you do less than that to be a doctor now!
In the last 7 months we have had to reprint 1 job, this was due to human error and was printed on a 350gsm rather than a 400gsm stock, we reprinted and delivered back to the happy customer, no ifs or buts just fixed the problem with no fuss. Can the online companies match a reprint % like this, I think not. We have no robots, no gimmicks just good old fashion service, years of experience and the latest print equipment operated by professionals not a butcher who fancied a change of scenery!
So next time you order a print job ask yourself a couple of questions before going for the cheapest price, buy local and use master craftsmen who cares about what they deliver to you.
April 13, 2011
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