Our Expertise
paper to Graphic Communications has helped many customers elevate
their brands, become more efficient, and save significant money.
Here are just a few examples.
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Customer
A global specialty retailer
Industry
Catalogs Retailers
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
This large global specialty retailer produces massive volumes of newspaper inserts and catalogs. The retailer became dissatisfied with the dynamics of the relationship with their existing paper supplier. So, they reached out to GC seeking alternative paper solutions.
Solution
GC was able to source competitively priced paper—saving the retailer money and delivering excellent customer service. This earned us their paper business for all of their catalog needs and half of their insert needs.
Given our ability to meet their needs for paper, and because of their familiarity with our capabilities and print management software, the customer approached us to craft a print purchasing solution. They wanted competitively priced, quality sources for their $10MM in annual print purchases—above and beyond their core catalog and insert programs. We introduced our proprietary print management system, through which customers can source their print.
Result
Our exclusive print management tool saved this customer more than 15% on their print costs.
With a track record of delivering savings and serving them with excellence, our relationship has expanded over the last eight years. We now source 100% of their catalog paper and 85% of their insert paper over a multi-year contract.
Customer
A national sporting goods retailer
Industry
Catalogs Direct Mail Retailers
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
Initially, this sporting goods company turned to us to source paper for their retail inserts. But they were also struggling with day-to-day program management and wanted their programs to be more efficient. So, they asked us to assist in managing print programs for all their departments and sourcing paper for all their core marketing programs.
Solution
By leveraging our expansive network of mill partners, we provided the sporting goods retailer with a quality, competitively priced product they could use for their retail inserts.
On the print management side, we introduced our proprietary web based software to help with the ongoing management of print programs across the company. As part of our print management services, we take on the daily tasks of managing programs, such as handling sample requests, so customers can focus on their own business.
Result
Our proprietary software platform provided this retailer with complete visibility into their print programs and further organized the group, while saving them money.
Over the last six years, our relationship has grown as this customer continues to be impressed with our customer service and the fact that we value true partnership. We now source paper for all of their programs inclusive of inserts, direct mail, in-store signage, business cards, etc.
Customer
A national apparel retailer
Industry
Catalogs Retailers
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
This national apparel company had been sourcing their paper through their printers. But when they requested a specialty paper, issues cropped up. Given our extensive partnerships with various paper mills, this national retailer turned to Graphic Communications for assistance.
Solution
We worked with the customer to understand their vision for a direct mail campaign that required specialty paper. We presented a variety of solutions that could meet their needs—and they found an ideal match.
Result
We were able to source this technical specialty paper at a competitive price by leveraging our strong mill partnerships, which ultimately saved them money. Given our ability to deliver on this customer’s unique needs, decrease their costs, and provide excellent customer service, this relationship is now 12 years strong—and growing.
When they couldn’t find a partner to deliver on the look and feel they wanted for their in-store signage, they turned to us for a custom design. By working with our extensive network of suppliers, we were able to deliver a unique solution that met their needs. The specific paper they wanted was only produced in rolls, so we went a step further and found a solution that involved converting the rolls to sheets for the printer.
Graphic Communications now sources all the paper used for in-store signage in all 1,000+ locations for this apparel company. We also supply the paper used in their distribution centers for invoices, bill of ladens, etc.
Customer
A large, regionally based department store located in the Southeast
Industry
Retailers
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
Newspaper inserts are one of this customer’s primary advertising channels—but significant paper quality issues with their printer-supplied paper was compromising their brand. So this customer turned to Graphic Communications. They sought a consistent paper supplier who could minimize quality issues and offer a consistent experience to support their brand.
Solution
Graphic Communications’ paper experts evaluated their quality issues and recommended that they source their own paper—separating paper costs from printing costs. We worked with our customer to identify the paper that met their quality requirements and saved significant costs. When paper prices spiked, this customer still had the paper they needed, because we were able to find alternative sources through the vast number of mills we work with.
Result
Over time we earned the trust of this regionally based department store, because they experienced the value we brought to their organization. Eventually, internal staffing issues arose, and resources were stretched thin. Given our rapport—and our ability to deliver on paper—they knew they could count on us to take over management of their print contracts. At a time when prices were increasing, we were able to save them money.
It’s been seven years since we started working together. Our relationship continues to strengthen as we manage both paper and print programs for this department store.
Customer
Regionally based printer located in the Southeast
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
This printer, with whom we already had a relationship, needed additional print suppliers. We frequently turned to them to print jobs for our other customers, and had an excellent relationship. So we jumped at the opportunity.
Solution
Because of their range of paper needs, we worked through our extensive mill network to find high quality, competitively priced paper for this printer to use.
Result
This printer saved significant money. And after five years, this relationship continues to benefit us both. We now source over 40% of their total paper needs and are continually working with them on opportunities to grow the relationship.
Customer
A national retailer of home décor and furnishings, with a dual channel focus, including a catalog business and retail outlets.
Industry
Catalogs Direct Mail
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
After receiving negative publicity attributed to their “loose” environmental policies around paper sourcing, this organization turned to Graphic Communications for help. They needed a fast response to the negative publicity they had received and wanted to preserve their brand in the market. They were familiar with our expertise in the environmental arena and looked to us to provide environmental information that they could use to develop a robust environmental paper purchasing policy.
Solution
By leveraging our in-house proficiency around environmentally preferable paper procurement and the criteria involved in paper being being “Chain of Custody Certified”, we were able to partner with this customer and provide them with environmental information that they could use in developing their environmental policy. In addition to turning to us for expertise on the environment, they also wanted assistance in supplying paper for their catalogs.
Result
Within four months of them completing their environmental policy and getting public recognition for their work in this space, this retailer made us the primary supplier of the paper needed for their catalog business. Given our extensive supplier relationships, we were able to save them more than 20 percent on their paper costs over the last several years by streamlining their paper supply to drive competitive pricing.
Another challenge arose. Two years into this partnership, the customer then turned to us for guidance on managing their print RFP. Having worked with us, they were familiar with our vast experience in the print arena and wanted to leverage this expertise. By taking over the print discussions, we were able to negotiate significant print savings. Not only did we consult for them during the RFP process, we then helped implement the decisions they had made. We engaged with the printer, the plant and customer service at the plant to ensure a smooth transition. From press checks, to monitoring quality of paper, to ensuring the paper was delivered on time, we were there for this customer every step of the way. We now source all of their catalog paper needs and have continued to grow this partnership over the last six years.