Print Media

What is single sourcing?

If you have a project that is mostly being mailed, then you can avoid VAT on some parts by having it all 'single sourced' by one company. So they issue the invoices and co-ordinate it all, and the print and design is then seen as being integral to the mailing costs.
This is a legal minefield, so check out the facts with your supplier, but it is definitely worth knowing about.

What are reasonable design costs?

Design costs vary massively. A recent informal survey on facebook revealed that most charities were paying £30 - £40 an hour for services. Agencies provide a wider service and can be very expensive, so if you want something simple, then you may be better off with a freelancer or even doing it yourself. Publisher is very easy to use.

Or for something like a newsletter, you may find a designer who is happy to design a template that you can then adapt yourself for future use.

How do we make sure what we do is sustainable?

Sometimes the cost-effective solution is not the greenest one! Plastic wrapped mail can be much cheaper in a bulk mailing. So look at various solutions, and don't assume that was availble last year is all that is available this year. Technology and materials are developing all the time.

Permissions

It is much simpler to mail people if you have a legitimate interest to do so, than email or phone them. But make sure that your privacy policy is clear and that there is an easy way for them to opt-out of further communication. There should be an opt-out notice on every piece of addressed fundraising mail.

Variable text

Each page of variable text needs a plate change, so if you can keep it to one side, you'll save money. This is the text that gets printed on every page, like a source code. Addresses get printed over the top with a different printer (often a laser printer).