Print: often overlooked, regularly misunderstood, rarely top of the agenda.
In every organisation, precious marketing budget and time are invested in procuring printed materials, representing spend which can run into the £millions.
Print can be considered a simpler, transactional part of marketing spend in comparison to media buying or content production.
However you are procuring the range of print you invest in, it makes sense to work closely with a regulated supply chain to buy print in the most cost effective and efficient way. In a sector which is multi-spec in every facet; size, substrate, finishing, logistics, processes… this can be easier said than done.
Our 5 step approach helps guide every print tender for better outcomes for you – and your supply chain.
A successful tender is not simply about changing supplier or reducing cost. It is about understanding requirements, engaging stakeholders, selecting the right partner and creating a process which delivers measurable value over time.
#1 Approach: Understand what you buy before you tender
#2 Advise: Engage stakeholders early
#3 Assess: Focus on value, not just price
#4 Apply: Make the tender easy to evaluate
#5 Administrate: Plan implementation before awarding the contract
Our top five essentials guide a tender to suit the buyer and not the supply chain, choose the right partners, regulate the outcomes, improve effectiveness & efficiency and realise savings.
A tender is only as good as the information that goes into it.
Before approaching the market, analyse and baseline at least 12 months of spend, identifying what products and services are purchased, when they are required and where costs are concentrated. Understanding demand patterns, volumes and specifications provides the foundation for meaningful supplier comparisons and measurable savings.
Potential best-fit models and the appropriate supply chain then match the outcome – not vice-versa.
Outcome: A clear view of current costs, commercial requirements and potential opportunities for improvement.
The best tenders are driven by business requirements, not procurement requirements.
Engage key stakeholders from marketing, procurement, operations and existing suppliers to understand what currently works, what doesn’t and what future requirements look like.
Successful tenders focus on solving real operational challenges rather than simply comparing supplier responses.
Stakeholder engagement also creates ownership of the process and significantly improves the likelihood of successful implementation.
Outcome: Clear requirements, engaged stakeholders and greater confidence in the final decision.
Lowest cost rarely delivers best value.
The most successful organisations evaluate suppliers against a balanced set of criteria including service, capability, technology, sustainability, innovation, continuity of supply and commercial competitiveness.
Clients consistently tell us they value proactive service, transparency, process improvement and suppliers who act as an extension of their team.
A supplier who saves time, reduces risk and improves process efficiency often delivers significantly greater value than one who simply offers the lowest price.
Outcome: Sustainable savings and a solution that supports wider business objectives.
Complex tenders often produce complex answers.
Develop concise, relevant Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quote (RFQ) documents that focus on the products, services and challenges that matter most to the business.
Ensure suppliers are pricing the same requirements and have sufficient opportunity to ask questions and understand expectations.
A structured and transparent evaluation process enables like-for-like comparisons and reduces the risk of selecting an unsuitable supplier.
Outcome: Comparable submissions, easier decision-making and reduced procurement risk.
Complex tenders often produce complex answers.
Develop concise, relevant Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quote (RFQ) documents that focus on the products, services and challenges that matter most to the business.
Ensure suppliers are pricing the same requirements and have sufficient opportunity to ask questions and understand expectations.
A structured and transparent evaluation process enables like-for-like comparisons and reduces the risk of selecting an unsuitable supplier.
Outcome: Comparable submissions, easier decision-making and reduced procurement risk.
We’re all seeking maximum operational efficiency and effectiveness when it comes to marketing production costs – even the transactional ones.
By reviewing and clarifying your supply chain, we will optimise the way your contracts perform and minimise overspend.
Saving your business money. Saving you time. Improving outcomes.
Reviewing your next print tender? Looking for further advice?
Book in an exploratory call with partners Steve Baynes and Mike Newman for an expert view on how you can review and regulate your supply partners – and how to save money.
From complimentary benchmarking across global markets, to contract reviews, tenders and more, theSPC start with a discussion to help you decide best fit for your business.
Get in touch today to arrange a call.
