Printbuyer: The Dutch Printing Test
Yesterday I visited the Print Buyer Market in Leiden. This trade fair of Dutch paper suppliers and printers promised a full program and one prominent headline: The conclusion of ‘The National Printing Test’.
Fifteen Internet(!)Printers were given the job of printing a flyer. To review the results, all flyers were exhibited annotated with pricing, delivery time and other comments (certification, service, etc.).
It soon became clear that the term “conclusion” was premature in character. The audience was asked to determine the winner/looser by means of colored pushpins, what turned out to be a difficult job. Whereas ‘analogue’ professionals seem to opt for quality and craftmanship, consumers are most interested in price and service.
