I would like to receive printing cost quotes from six separate
printing houses for 300,000 printed copies of a 336 page catalog with
two separate price quotes, one for four color & one for two color
pages (black & blue ink) with a 4 color cover . I am not familiar with
the technical aspects of catalog printing (paper weight, stitching,
etc.) but do know that I would like a catalog with the same (or close
to it) attributes as the Global Industrial Supply catalog . Of the six
quotes I would like for two of them to be from overseas printers.

	To clarify - I would like six separate printing cost quotes with two
of the six coming from overseas printers. The item to be quoted is
300,000 copies of  a 336 page catalog with the same attributes as the
Global Industrial Supply catalog (free catalog available from link
below). The final weight of each catalog must be under a pound. Each
printer will need to provide two price quotes - The first quote will
show a price for a 336 page catalog using the same attributes as the
Global catalog - The second quote will show a price for a catalog with
the same attributes as the Global catalog, except that instead of
color pages it will use two color printing (4 color cover) on an
economical stock. All quotes must be accompanied with the estimated
final weight of the finished catalog as well as contact information
for the printer.  It should also be noted that while Global provides a
few different versions of their catalog, they all have the same
dimensions & paper types.

To receive a copy of the Global Industrial Supply catalog go to:
http://www.globalindustrial.com

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 10 Aug 2004 14:30 PDT

Hello -

Are you in America?  By "overseas," I assume you mean in a locale that
has a weaker currency (for less expensive printing)?

jbf777

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 10 Aug 2004 15:28 PDT

Yes, that is correct. I am located in the U.S. .

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 10 Aug 2004 19:10 PDT

Will you be providing everything camera-ready to the printer?

jbf777

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 10 Aug 2004 20:09 PDT

Also, would you describe the catalog type you're looking for as
essentially a "very thick magazine?"  I.e., it's glossy paper with a
typical magazine binding -- only much thicker?

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 11 Aug 2004 07:14 PDT

To further clarify. All artwork would be delivered as a camera ready
Quark file. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Global
Industrial Supply catalog is that rather than a standard size of 8.5?
x 11? they use a smaller lighter size of 7.5?x 9.5?. The Global
catalog comes in at a weight of only 13 oz which is pretty amazing for
a 3366 page catalog. While I would prefer an answer that uses the
exact paper types of the Global catalog, I will except one that uses
the following general specifications for paper type; Paper for the
body stock should be chosen with respect to economy for both the 4
color & 2 color quotes. Paper for the cover stock should be of an
economical grade e of gloss cover stock. While it would be great if
the included quotes were for 13 ouncee catalogs, so long as it is
under 16 ounces I will be happy. Thank you for interest.t

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 11 Aug 2004 07:16 PDT

Sorry, I do of course mean 336 page rather than  3366 page.

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 11 Aug 2004 08:50 PDT

336 + cover, correct?

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 11 Aug 2004 08:55 PDT

Correct.

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 11 Aug 2004 09:45 PDT

Any bleeding?  This would refer to printing going to the very edge.  Thanks.

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 11 Aug 2004 12:11 PDT

Yes,  bleeding would be needed as the smaller paper size would
necessitate the full use of the page.

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 13 Aug 2004 11:29 PDT

I have a couple quotes back, and am awaiting the rest.  Thanks for your patience.

jbf777

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 16 Aug 2004 09:27 PDT

Hello again -

Just wanted to run something by you.  When working with these
printers, I've specified "most economical" for the paper type.  This
can mean different things to each printer, so each quote might have a
different paper type.  Is this OK, or must each printer return with a
quote of the exact same paper type?

jbf777

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 16 Aug 2004 11:39 PDT

Also, can you tell me what state you're in?

Thanks,

jbf777

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 17 Aug 2004 07:09 PDT

Still there?

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 17 Aug 2004 16:57 PDT

You can scratch that request regarding different paper types.  In
order to get a "lowest bid" comparison quote, which is what you're
doing, all things must be equal.  I'll be providing quotes with all
the same specs.

With regard to the "state" question, this isn't completely necessary,
but would be helpful in estimating shipping charges.

Thank you,

jbf777

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Clarification of Question by gizmobl4-ga on 20 Aug 2004 07:55 PDT

I am located in Upstate, New York.

Hello -

Thank you for your question.  Please do not hesitate to ask for any
additional clarification on this answer.

These are the specifications I used for the quotes below:

  Number of copies: 300,000 
             Spine: Perfect bound (glued)
              Size: 7.5?x 9.5?
   Number of pages: 336 pages
    Catalog weight: Between 13 and 14.5 ounces
             Cover: 100 lb coated gloss text
          Interior: 30 lb newsprint

You'll want to discuss these figures with the printer of your choice,
as you may opt to go with different parameters than what I've
specified above; for example, a weightier interior paper for process
color may be appropriate (one printer highly advises this).  You'll
probably want to send a copy of the Global Industrial Supply catalog
to the printer of your choice so they can replicate what you're
looking for.  In general, I looked for printers that use what are
called "web offset" printing presses, as these are generally less
expensive for these types of jobs.  If any of these printers have an
issue with the prices below, please let me know within 14 days.  I
will hold on to the quote documentation they gave me for proof of the
price they quoted.  Please reference "Google Answers" when calling, as
the quotes will be under that name.

Also, there may be a +/- $1000-$2000 on total cost based on paper
grade level for the 100 lb. cover.

For overseas quotes, please be aware that shipping will be extremely
expensive, as seen in the Shao Creative & Printing quote.  As I have
personally found, and as verified by one of the companies below (who
checked with a few different countries on quotes), overseas prices are
not really competitive for this type of job.

Below are quotes from seven companies, two of which are overseas:

Quad Graphics
http://www.quadgraphics.com
3 Times Sq. 14th floor
NY, NY 10036
212-672-1315
Contact: Patrick Wille

2 color: $220,000
4 color: $235,000

Note: Quad Graphics is in the top 3 printers in the nation, and they
handle printing for Time and People Magazine, National Geographic, and
other high profile clients.

---

Advanced Web Offset  
http://www.awoink.com/
2260 Oak Ridge Way 
Vista, CA 92083
760-727-1700x107
Contact: Cindy

2 color quote: $253,990
4 color quote: $299,070

---

Shao Creative & Printing (China)
http://www.shaocreative.com
P.O.Box 612192
San Jose, CA 95131
Phone 408-655-9533, 
Contact Sherry Zhou, Email sherry@shaocreative.com

2 color quote: $309,658 + $32,000 shipped ocean        
4 color quote: $365,872 + $32,000 shipped ocean

---

Artful Dragon
http://www.artfuldragon.com
22113 NE 28th Place
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 836-3659
1-800-630-1117 
Fax: (206) 374-2116
E-mail: info@artfuldragon.com
Contact: Soyoung Koob

2 color quote: $267,056
4 color quote: $296,147

(price includes estimated delivery cost)

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Image Printers (India)
http://www.imageprinters.net/ 
4F-2, Court Chambers,
New Marine Lines,
Mumbai - 400 020. India
Tel: +91 22 200 6469 or
      +91 22 200 8507
Fax: +91 22 208 0404
e-mail: image1@vsnl.com
        sales@imageprinters.net
            
2 color quote: $.70 - $210,000
4 color quote: $.88 - $264,000

(shipping will probably be in the ballpark of China's cost above)

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Central Print Service
501-834-4587
311 Ann Ave
Sherwood, AR 72120
Contact: Kathie Sherrod

2 color quote: $288,000
4 color quote: $312,000

(if you decide to go with them, they will fly out to meet you to discuss job)

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LICP Graphics and Printing
http://licpgraphics.com
147 Prince Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855 5300
Contact: Jim

Verified to beat anyone's price quote by 5% (talk to Jim).  This is
most likely valid with prices in the states only.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Select search strategy:
  Search terms similar to: 
    web offset catalog
    "catalog printing"
    catalog printing web offset
  called various printers

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Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 25 Aug 2004 17:12 PDT

Hello -

Just received one more quote from another printer:

Printing Source, Inc.
http://www.1printingsource.com
8616 La Tijera Blvd. #511
310-417-9585
Contact: Ira Blacker

2 color: $182,998
4 color: $204,995

Answer was very well researched. Answer was also provided using the
format I had asked for. I particularly appreciated the effort that was
made to clarify the specifics of the question. Requests for
clarification helped to further my understanding of some of the
specific aspects of catalog printing. Thank you.

See www.PrintEasy.com, the website for midwestern printing for
marketers on both coasts

Thank you for the kind words, rating and tip.  Please stop by again!

jbf777