1) reduce size of paper – we did this for a client and result was that slicing a tiny bit off each side we reduced the weight so made the mailings fall into first class postage rates. 2) by printing directly to press using variable data there is no need to use a mail house, attach mailing labels etc. as the addresses are printed on the fly.

cheers,

Rebecca
ps – enjoy your blog

Another angle for non-profits to consider with regards to printing needs is to look at a social enterprise. We often promote the values of community, giving back and learning but do we always live those values as an organization? At Framework, we support the “Community Print Club”, which is encouraging 50 non-profits to join a print-club initiative (In Canada -with Phoenix Printshop, a budding Toronto social purpose enterprise). For those who might be interested, there is lots of information on the Community Print Club Facebook Fan page http://bit.ly/oJdec

I am the Director of Communications for a decent size United Way in North Carolina. I have had first-hand experience with this recently as we have looked at how to cut costs. All of our surveys and research locally have showed that almost 75% percent of our target populations prefer to receive information though either a website or email as opposed to print or mail. The world is going digital and if the print world can’t figure out how to cut costs and offer new and innovative services they will be left behind. Keep the articles coming.

No hard feelings at all! I’m thrilled that a printer is taking the time to actually talk to nonprofits about these issues and to supply your point of view, so kudos!

On your points, the cold reality is that nonprofits ARE dropping their print newsletters left and right because of the expense. So my suggestion that they tell the printer that isn’t about throwing anyone under the bus, it’s the reality. If someone who normally prints a 12-page newsletter with you says they can’t do it anymore, I assume you’d want the chance to talk about doing something less than that, rather than doing nothing at all. That’s all I’m suggesting.

As for your statements about older people preferring print, you are treading in dangerous waters on that one. It really, really depends who you are talking about. I admit I’m treading in equally dangerous waters by advocating email without getting specific, but I don’t think anyone can argue with the overall demographics trend. The best advice is for nonprofits to know THEIR lists and to ASK their folks whether they want email or print, and to do some testing. Older people use email! Of course, direct mail fundraisers can make their case too, no doubt.

On the paper pricing, thanks for sharing your more current perspectives on that. My last big print buying experiences were about three years ago, and without a doubt I can tell you that our printer made the suggestions I’m passing on here. That very well may have been specific to our situation, so if I’m generalizing my experience where I shouldn’t be, my bad on that one (we did have some quirks given that particular client with recycled content, etc.).

Thanks David!

Here is the direct link to David’s response

I hope you understand. Printing currently is a “nonprofit” business. But I still enjoy working on projects for Boy Scouts, Memory Walk, and Boys & Girls Clubs at reduced pricing. Sometimes reduces down to zero.