Xcaliba's Services

Why use Xcaliba's services?

Print remains a critical part of the marketing and communications mix. Contrary to popular assumptions, the global printing market is expected to grow from $750 billion in 2021 to $796 billion by 2027. As well as growth in advertising print, where it is being used to create a physical experience in retail, print is still the only medium that can be relied on to reach almost everyone in their homes. It was a printed letter that the Government relied upon in 2020 to tell the nation about the seriousness of Covid 19.

However, print production and the sourcing of print products is a specialist activity. In-house print rooms and disconnected print buying strategies can drain resources, particularly as demand increases. This can negatively impact the cost and quality of print and, therefore, end-user engagement. Xcaliba combined in-house production capability with outsourced, professional print management to offer a scalable solution with multiple benefits.

What are the differences between print management, print buying and print production?

Print management definition

Print management creates business value by making organisations more efficient, removing costs, reducing risk to brand and reputation and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Executing a communications strategy to reach the right people in the correct format and the right context becomes easier. Internal resources are freed up to focus on core business by removing the burden of dealing with the process, production, and delivery of printed materials.

Working with a professional print management partner decreases the risk in your business through access to a fully managed and strategically sourced supply chain. This then ensures transparency and confidence around areas such as CO2 impact and compliance with regulations such as those around modern slavery.

Print production definition

Print production refers to the manufacturing of print and is a critical component. It includes creating printed content, from planning, preparing files, merging multiple data points, monitoring quality and delivering the printed output.

Xcaliba has a purpose-built secure unit in Bracknell that provides print production for projects requiring quick turnaround and print-on-demand services. Xcaliba also provides warehousing, stock control and fulfilment services with an option to add online ordering of call-off and catalogue items.

Print buying definition

In contrast, print buying is much narrower and more tactical in focus. Print buyers, whether internal or external, are only responsible for scheduling, pricing and selecting printers and managing the production of printed products

What are the benefits of print management?

Outsourcing print management removes the non-essential involvement of employees from print-related tasks and streamlines workflows within your organisation.

Advantages include cost and process efficiencies, the potential for significant savings, and access to technological advancements and the latest innovations. The best print management companies are multi-channel specialists that can help your organisation with digital transformation.

Having the right print management systems in place is crucial, but one of the key differentiating factors between print management companies is people. You will want to work with a team of highly experienced, customer-focused individuals who will help you meet your key objectives.

Their ability to deliver a good customer experience, offer expert advice, efficiency, and relentless pursuit of value for money, with a collaborative, flexible approach, can transform how your organisation communicates with its audiences. In addition, at Xcaliba, we add an extra specialism in a strong focus on inclusive and accessible design, helping to ensure you reach the broadest possible audience and that everyone understands your communication.

Print management companies will have systems to manage every stage of the print process and provide transparent, insightful reporting and management information.

What systems do Xcaliba offer?

Secure, user-friendly systems are essential for good print management.

At Xcaliba, we use several in-house software solutions to offer web-to-print, stock management, digital asset management and online ordering. Unique user IDs/passwords provide defined levels of access. The system manages the end-to-end process for both ad hoc (bespoke) work and stock requirements, including:

Registering enquiries
Request for quote
Registering design jobs
Logging hours spent on jobs
Market testing
Issuing quotations and estimates
Receiving and assigning purchase orders
Online design
Placing an order and attaching artwork
Issuing proofs for review and signing off

Job management
Job tracking through to delivery and distribution
Stock management and online ordering of catalogue items
Tracking delivery and distribution
Invoicing
Customer feedback
Audit trail and archive of every job
Benchmarking
Comprehensive management information, including historical data

How is the supply chain managed?

Print managers should proactively manage their supply chain to provide the capacity, quality and expertise required to fulfil and deliver the contract.

At Xcaliba we offer

A strategic sourcing team to vet and regularly re-vet suppliers. Print experts in the client services team should monitor supplier performance on a job-by-job basis.
A supplier management system to manage financials (credit checks), legal (insurances) and compliance (BSI certifications) relevant to the work undertaken.
A supplier code of conduct and back-to-back contracts mirror client contract call-off terms and conditions.
The strategic sourcing team will carefully select suppliers, using criteria such as location and ability to compete for projects and ensuring the suppliers' strengths meet the customer's needs and sensitivities.