Melbourne stationery company The Paper Stop has launched a new paper on demand service for smaller printers and franchises to order pre-cut speciality sheets.
The Paper Stop has become a distributor for KW Doggett and Spicers paper, stepping into what it says is a void to cater to smaller printers around the country.
This latest diversification comes on the heels of the company entering the finishing trade market with its new Digifold Pro.
Owner Steve Miller says smaller printers and franchise stores will be able to order pre-cut uncoated and specialty stocks in the quantities they need, saving themselves and their clients money.
“It is a win-win for everyone. The merchants now have an avenue to distribute their products to the smaller end of town, the printers will not get slugged with broken pack rates and cutting charges and ultimately, the consumer can purchase the finished product at a more affordable price,” he says.
“A couple of weeks ago I had a print franchise contact me wanting to purchase 350 A4 sheets of a particular specialty stock.
“He told me he was quoted around $300 to have the order filled by the paper merchant. He bought the stock from us at half this price, including a modest freight charge.
“We aim to make it more economical to buy the paper through us. We can deliver small quantities of pre-cut paper to anywhere in Australia.
“We are here to allow the printer to buy the 50 sheets they need to print the 500 business cards for their client.”
Miller says the on-demand ordering model will help cut the risk of waste, and not tie up a printer’s money in large quantities of paper stock sitting on their shelves – which a smaller print shop may not have room for anyway.
The Paper Stop is already in touch with Melbourne’s Kwik Kopy and Snap franchises, as well as Minuteman Press and some of the smaller independents.
Miller says he aims to expand the business around Australia, having established relationships with Snap shops in Sydney and Gosford as a starting point.
“The potential is there to cater to the whole country. Speaking to a lot of printers, there is a need out there for small quantities of specialty and uncoated stocks, so we will gear ourselves towards supplying those,” he says.
The 20 year-old business started off supplying invitation papers, card stock, envelopes and social stationery to retailers, designers and corporate businesses, and has worked with printers for its invitation business in the past.
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