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As a printer, making sure your work is high-quality is only half the job – delivering to the customer on time and intact is just as important. Reliable courier services are vital for your business reputation, so here’s what to look for in a delivery partner, and why automation may be one way you can boost your business.

As a printer, your reputation can hinge not only on the quality of the work you produce but also on how it arrives in your customer’s hands. You can design and produce the perfect marketing brochure, batch of business cards or branded packaging, but if it arrives late, damaged or – even worse – it doesn’t turn up, the entire customer experience can be negatively impacted. For time-sensitive print jobs such as trade show materials or campaign flyers, timely and secure delivery is imperative.

The days of simply sticking a parcel in a post box and crossing your fingers are long gone. Today, choosing the right courier is as vital as your choice of ink or substrate. The number of courier services can be overwhelming, and it’s no longer enough to rely on the most convenient option. If you don’t take control of your delivery process, your customers will hold you accountable – not the delivery driver.

Why delivery is as important as print quality

Delivery is the final step in your product’s journey. A pristine set of posters arriving crumpled, torn or late is a failed job in the customer’s eyes, regardless of your production effort.

Customer expectations have changed. Next-day delivery, live tracking and proof of delivery are no longer optional extras, but the norm. And with small businesses increasingly offering national or even international delivery through online platforms, it’s vital to match this level of service if you really want to remain competitive.

Safe, timely delivery isn’t just about keeping promises – it protects your business’s reputation and makes customers come back again and again.

The blame often falls on you, not the courier

It’s worth repeating: your customers don’t differentiate between the print process and the delivery process. If something goes wrong en route, it’s your brand’s reputation that is affected. Negative reviews, refund demands or complaints don’t usually mention third-party couriers – they focus on you. A quick browse of online product reviews where the 1* ratings are about delivery issues and not the actual product proves this. The…

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