Best Advice to Choose a Print on Demand Fulfillment Provider

You can have the best product in the world, but it won’t mean much if you can’t get it to your customers safely and on time. As a result, selecting a print on demand fulfillment company for your eCommerce business is critical. If you choose wisely, your fulfillment partner can significantly contribute to the success of your brand. However, make the wrong choice, and you risk ruining your customer experience and losing future revenue from repeat customers. With so many print on demand companies to choose from, it is essential to choose the right one for you.

TIPS WHEN FINDING THE BEST PRINT ON DEMAND FULFILLMENT PROVIDER FOR YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS

1. Conduct some research.

The first thing you should do is look for available print on demand fulfillment companies. There are a thousand of them, and the internet is the quickest way to find them. Conducting research is one of the best ways to determine what each company offers, how their corporate culture operates, and whether or not they provide fulfillment solutions aligned with your needs.

2. Reduce the number of companies on your list.

In theory, you could send your Request for Proposals (RFPs) to dozens of potential print on demand fulfillment partners, but this isn’t practical in reality. Moreover, you don’t want to become overwhelmed while reading, analyzing, and comparing numerous proposals. Make a shortlist of four or five companies that you believe will meet your needs and send the RFP to them. Send out Requests for Information or ask questions directly to the companies. In addition, if you have specific restrictions or requirements regarding who you do business with, ensure that they meet these requirements. For example, if your company has a strict environmental policy, you may only want to work with companies that share your values.

3. Establish your goals.

To receive a proposal that meets your requirements, you must provide potential partners with as much information as possible. In addition, it’s tempting to withhold much of the necessary information because it’s susceptible. Your potential partners must be aware of your company’s goals, objectives, and history. Furthermore, they need complex data on fulfilled products, maximum order times, customer support policies, and quantity information. In addition, they will also need to know whether you want to outsource only your fulfillment business or if you need additional professional services such as customer service or eCommerce hosting. Because this information is so sensitive, your RFP should include a nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement.

4. Define your needs.

Define your needs and overall goals, but resist the urge to limit how print on demand providers respond. Some businesses require that proposals adhere to strict formatting guidelines. It reduces their ability to respond to your needs. Allow them to present their proposal in any way they see fit. It gives them the freedom to comment on your current processes or propose solutions you haven’t thought of. It also allows you to learn how the vendor operates, how future materials may be presented, and whether or not the company’s personality aligns with your own corporate culture.

5. Maintain open communication.

Maintain contact with the potential print on demand partners throughout the proposal process. They’ll have questions for you, and how well they communicate with you will help you decide if they’re a good fit for your needs and work style. Open lines of communication result in more detailed and specific proposals, allowing you to make better service decisions.

6. Take your time.

You don’t want to have to change companies three months later. Check them out, talk to them, make sure they’re competent, and make sure you’re a good fit for each other. Examine the claims made by the company and speak with customers and trade references to ensure they are true. Before deciding on a company to work with, as a potential customer, you have the right to ask a lot of questions. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to walk away.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST PRINT ON DEMAND SERVICES WITH FULFILLPLEX

You can choose from various fulfillment companies, but in an increasingly competitive online market, eCommerce order fulfillment must move as quickly as your eCommerce business. Fulfillplex is a top eCommerce fulfillment company specializing in designing eCommerce solutions that boost your online business. Our cutting-edge, proprietary order fulfillment software is revolutionizing fulfillment and meeting the demands of modern online businesses. Are you ready to learn how we can help your company increase efficiency and improve user experience? We’re ready to be your end-to-end fulfillment partner. Contact us today!