33. Designer Q&A Quickie: Managing Production

Production management can be quite the organisational beast for designers...liaising with printers, arranging print quotes for clients, dealing with payment, sending off projects to print (to name a few). Here are our top tips for remaining in control of projects that require production: Avoid quoting on production until after the design concept has been resolved AND keep it separate from the main design cost. Communicate extensively with the printer Every printer is different, so even if you have sent similar projects to print before, ask your supplier for their preferred specifications and requirements Ensure that you are getting paid for your valuable production management time (it can be time-consuming!) Decide if you are going to get the supplier to invoice the client directly or invoice the client for production costs yourself (Pro Tip: if you receive wholesale prices from your supplier, you can add a percentage markup to the quote) Make sure you get full payment prior to production going ahead. Having systems ready to go will collapse time for you and ensure you are asking all the right questions so that there are no crazy surprises that may cost you and your client time and money! As part of the Design and Prosper Academy—our 12 week group learning experience, one of our special bonuses is our PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT KIT where you'll receive: - A production checklist - An email template for requesting quotes - An email template for placing orders Join the Design & Prosper Academy! We are thrilled to be offering a 12 week group learning experience for graphic, brand and web designers in business. In The Academy you'll have the blueprint for creating an in-demand brand design studio without the business fatigue, client problems and money worries. For all the details and to sign up, head to: https://www.designandprosper.co/theacademy Doors close 7pm AEST May 13 2021 🤗 If you miss out on our founder's round, be sure to follow us on socials to find out when we launch round 2 later this year! Follow us on Instagram @designandprosper__