{"id":4136,"date":"2019-05-17T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sinalite.com\/printersuccess\/?p=4136"},"modified":"2025-05-28T12:29:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T16:29:25","slug":"a-printers-guide-to-product-development-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sinalite.com\/printersuccess\/a-printers-guide-to-product-development-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Printer\u2019s Guide to Product Development: Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you\u2019re a print business owner who\u2019s ready to expand your product selection and earn more print profits. We\u2019ve prepared a product development guide for you that covers everything from initial research to reviewing your product launch. <\/p>\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t already done so, read Part 1 here<\/a>. It covers the first 4 steps of print product development:<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Research<\/p>\n\n\n

2. Generate Idea<\/p>\n\n\n

3. Evaluate Production<\/p>\n\n\n

4. Test Prototype<\/p>\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s Part 2 of our guide.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

5. Prepare for Production<\/h2>\n\n\n

Order Materials<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Based on your tests and your cost-benefit analysis, order the most suitable raw materials for your new product. You don\u2019t want to order too much initially even if your supplier sells them cheaper in bulk, since it\u2019s impossible to be 100% sure of how well your new product will do.<\/p>\n\n\n

Prepare Equipment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Next, prepare your equipment with the right settings to print your new product. Whether you\u2019re setting up a new printing press or just reconfiguring an existing one, make sure that you\u2019ve run your prototype test on it.<\/p>\n\n\n

Train Personnel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Additionally, you will need to train your employees so that they know how to process and produce this new type of product. Each department needs to know what to do when they encounter an order for this new product, from prepress (preflighting the file) to packaging<\/a> (packing the product in the right boxes). Once your employees know what to do, you can set this procedure into a standardized workflow and start finding ways to increase efficiency through automation.<\/p>\n\n\n

6. Develop Analytics<\/h2>\n\n\n

Choose What to Measure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Before your release the product to the public, it\u2019s important to know how you\u2019ll tell whether the product is successful or not. You need specific things to measure that indicate success or failure. Choose KPIs to measure, set methods to track them regularly, and decide on when your post-launch review will be.<\/p>\n\n\n

Develop Backend<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Referring again to your research, finalize your pricing and markup structure for your new product. Prepare the logistics required for quoting clients and taking orders. Develop the backend of your website and internal dashboard so that the process is smooth for both your clients and your employees. <\/p>\n\n\n

7. Soft Launch<\/h2>\n\n\n

Market Test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

You are finally ready to release your new product! But don\u2019t get ahead of yourself\u2014your first launch should be a test. The last thing you want is to have hundreds of clients trying to order, only to encounter a major glitch or quality issue on every order. So start with a soft launch by releasing the product to a segment of your clients.<\/p>\n\n\n

Get Feedback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Take your first orders and keep track of what happens to them. Monitor sales and production, and most important, get user feedback. This is essential to understanding how your clients respond to the new product. You may even want to offer some of your best customers a discount on the new product just so that they can provide their feedback. Some ways you can get feedback are:<\/p>\n\n\n