Printing materials in China seems like a great option: low prices, large production capacity and promises of fast turnaround. However, as in many cases, the devil is in the details. Working with Chinese printers, while initially attractive, can bring a host of unexpected problems that often offset the savings. So before you decide to print abroad, it’s worth considering whether printing in Poland has an advantage. Working with an experienced domestic partner gives you greater control over quality, eliminates delivery time issues and avoids many cost surprises.
Here are five of the most common pitfalls that await companies choosing to print in China.
1. Printing in China, and the hidden costs that can surprise you
The cost of printing is one of the key arguments that attracts companies to Chinese printers. In fact, the prices offered by Chinese suppliers can be significantly lower compared to local printers. Unfortunately, companies often forget that pricing only includes production costs, not the entire import operation.
One of the most common problems is customs fees, which can be much higher than expected. First thing to remember is that different products have different duty rates, which can significantly increase the final cost. In the second place is transportation costs, especially for ocean freight, which is a popular method of shipping goods from China. Charges for containers, storage or transportation insurance can be a heavy burden.
Don’t forget additional charges, such as VAT taxes. Moreover as well as possible fees related to customs clearance, storage of goods or other unforeseen logistics costs. The final price of an order can be much higher than initially expected, making an attractive offer much less favorable.
2. Long lead time – what’s cheap is not always fast
Chinese printers can offer competitive prices, but not necessarily fast lead times. Even though production goes according to schedule, however, shipping goods from China to Europe or North America can take much longer than expected.
Sea freight, which is the cheapest transportation option, can take from several weeks to as long as two months. It’s also worth remembering that unforeseen delays – such as port congestion, customs inspections or weather-related problems – can extend that time. In turn, air transportation, while faster, is definitely more expensive. It often offsets the savings achieved on the low cost of production.
These delays can be disastrous for companies, especially if the printed materials are needed for a specific marketing campaign or event. Often companies assume an optimistic scenario, forgetting about the risks associated with international transportation. In practice, delivery times from China can not only be longer, but also more unpredictable than when working with local printers.
3. Quality problems – you don’t always get what you pay for
Many customers choose to print in China, expecting to save money, but unfortunately, often the quality of the product does not meet their expectations. Printers in China may use lower quality materials, which affects the final appearance and durability of products.
Companies often order samples before placing a large order, but it happens that the final product deviates from the samples in terms of quality. Color problems, inconsistencies with ordered specifications, poor finishing or the use of cheaper raw materials are some of the most common complaints of companies ordering printing in China. This is especially problematic when marketing materials are printed, where quality plays a key role in branding.
What’s more, the lack of direct production supervision makes quality control more difficult. Many companies make the mistake of assuming that a lower price will not affect quality. Later are disappointed when the product does not meet expectations.
4. Language and cultural barriers – communication can be more difficult than you think
Communication with printers in China is another important issue that can affect the final success of a project. Many Chinese companies have limited English language skills, which can lead to misunderstandings about order specifications. Even if the printer’s representative speaks English, cultural differences and the specifics of the technical language can make mutual understanding difficult.
Misunderstandings about technical details, such as colors, formats or materials, are common. They can lead to mistakes that will be costly to correct. Working together at a distance, with time differences and lack of direct contact, further complicates the process.
Cultural differences can also affect how negotiations and cooperation are conducted. Business standards in China differ from those in Europe or the United States. This can lead to misunderstandings if one is not familiar with local customs. Even minor differences in communication can result in problems at the order processing stage.
5. Printing in China means no control over production – what if something goes wrong?
When you print locally, you have more control over the entire process. You can monitor progress, visit the printer, check samples as you go, and make changes if something needs improvement. With a printer in China, you lose that ability.
Printing remotely means that, in practice, you have to trust the printer to complete your order according to your expectations. If problems arise, such as printing errors, incorrect material or other surprises, corrections can be difficult to make. Transporting returns to China or reprinting materials can be time-consuming and expensive.
Lack of control over production is one of the biggest pitfalls companies fall into when outsourcing printing to China. Waiting for shipments, the inability to respond quickly to errors, and difficulties in communication make fixing any problems a challenge. Finally, this can mean losses in time and money that were not anticipated at the planning stage.
As shown above, printing in China, while attractive at first glance, comes with many risks. Companies that choose to do so face hidden costs. In addition, with quality problems, long delivery times, communication difficulties and lack of control over production. Therefore, it is worth carefully weighing all the pros and cons before deciding to cooperate with foreign printers.