Why can large fulfillment companies offer better prices than printing yourself or using local printers?

Large fulfillment companies achieve massive economies of scale. They buy ink by the barrel, media types in huge bulk quantities, negotiate the lowest shipping rates with carriers, and buy packaging materials in volume - down to the tape used to close boxes. They service multiple printers with single technicians and have optimized workflows that eliminate waste. A small operation or individual artist pays retail prices for everything - shipping, ink cartridges, media - and can’t possibly compete with those costs. Additionally, whatever you think you’re saving on printing, you’re giving up on shipping rates since you pay retail while large fulfillment companies get deeply discounted commercial rates.

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Asked by general audience · Answered by Nick Friend · art-marketing-podcast · 2022-02-27