New print jobs could be just an email away with www.bidforprinting.com. Owner Janice Reinke has created a website where print buyers can submit job specs on a wide variety of print jobs — from banners, coffee mugs, and trade show graphics to business forms, books, and decals. In moments, print shops are emailed the job specifications and then contact the print buyer to submit a bid.
Bid For Printing does not get involved with bid negotiations or even track the number of jobs generated by the website. However, the site does provide a set of guidelines or best practices, written by Printing Industries of America (PIA).
Bid For Printing does provide a venue for interested buyers of printing services together with print companies whose specialties and capabilities best meet their needs. Printing companies pay $14.95 per month to receive job quote requests from potential print buyers; print buyers pay nothing for the service.
Reinke hopes to reach print buyers through email lists and direct mail campaigns. By year's end, Reinke anticipates that 150 print companies will be signed up for the service. (Bid For Printing: www.bidforprinting.com)