With ongoing discussions and new rounds of proposed tariffs on imports, there’s growing uncertainty across many industries—including printing. While the full impact remains unclear, these changes will affect pricing and supply chains, ultimately impacting you, the print buyer.

For any business and marketers buying printed media like catalogs, signage, promo items, and direct mail materials, there are a few things you should know and consider so that these changes have a minimal effect on your budget, planning, and goals.

Print Products Produced Overseas & How They Affect You

Supply Chain Delays

Printed materials shipped internationally may experience delays in getting to the U.S., resulting in potentially limited paper options and delays in production. This can ultimately affect print buyers' ability to get custom products on time.

With these delays, turnaround times may need to be extended, making it incredibly important for businesses that rely on imported printed materials to order them with a longer lead time.

Longer Shipping Times & Higher Freight Costs

The global shipping industry is facing higher freight costs because of supply chain disruptions, which are causing shipping container shortages and higher fuel prices. Shipping printed materials overseas significantly raises the costs that are passed down to the end print buyer.

International shipping delays caused by crowded ports and limited container availability lead to longer delivery times. This affects the turnaround time for printing projects and potential delays for the end buyer, especially for businesses ordering products with a tight deadline.

Quality Control Concerns

Quality control issues may increase with longer shipping times and potential damage during transit.

Businesses that order custom products, such as catalogs, brochures, apparel, and other branded items overseas, may experience damaged items, inconsistent prints, and delays in getting the quantity of products they ordered.

Increased Costs on Printed Materials

Many raw materials for print media, such as paper, ink, and plastics, are shipped internationally. The U.S. imposing tariffs on these imports raises the cost for printers who rely on these imported materials, and those increased costs are passed down to the end buyer.

Tariffs also reduce the amount of low-cost foreign competition, meaning U.S. businesses face higher prices because of reduced supply and less pressure to keep costs competitive.

In addition, because of supply chain disruptions, domestic suppliers may raise prices due to increased demand.

Overall, printed materials costs are higher, not just because of higher material costs but also because tariffs have a ripple effect throughout the entire production and distribution process.

How Can Print Buyers Adjust?

Plan for Longer Lead Times

It is essential to plan ahead and order your printed marketing materials earlier than you think you need them, especially if you are ordering your custom items directly from overseas.

If you do not order your materials earlier, you may experience missed deadlines or have to pay rush fees.

American-Made Printing Options

To avoid the negative impact of tariffs as much as possible, print buyers can buy their print media, promo items, signs, and direct mail in the U.S. rather than overseas. By ordering these materials domestically, you can avoid higher shipping costs, lessen the impact of supply chain issues, and experience lower costs and faster turnaround times overall.

Advantages of Buying Printed Materials Domestically

Shorter Turnaround Times

When you buy your printed marketing materials, such as custom promo items, event signage, or handouts, in the U.S., you gain faster turnaround times and more predictable delivery. This is because there are no overseas shipping delays. Even if your American printer gets some of its paper and other materials overseas, it orders them in bulk, meaning they are already in its facility and ready to produce your order.

This is especially important to consider when timing is critical, such as if you need materials for an upcoming event or items in hand for a specific promotion.

Predictable Costs

Imports from other countries like China and Canada, which are hit with tariffs on materials like printing equipment, paper, and ink, make goods more expensive. When you order custom-printed materials in the U.S., you avoid those added costs, and your money goes directly toward production.

In addition, when you purchase print media overseas, you're subject to prices fluctuating as global prices change. U.S. printers offer more consistent and transparent pricing, which makes budgeting and planning your long-term marketing goals easier.

Better Quality Control & Communication

Working with an American printer offers some advantages in terms of communication and quality control. For example, if something goes wrong, you can resolve it quickly without worrying about different time zones. Even during the proofing process, if you need to make changes to your artwork before it gets printed, you can quickly contact your printer for assistance.

There is also better care and attention to detail, as U.S. printers often adhere to strict quality control measures. While American printers work quickly to produce orders on time, unlike many overseas printers, quality outweighs quantity.

Economic Growth & Sustainability

Buying your print marketing assets in the U.S. keeps money in America while supporting manufacturing, shipping, design, and customer service jobs. In addition, the U.S. workforce ensures fair labor practices for each employee, meaning that when you buy your print in the U.S., it is produced by a team of individuals who are treated right.

Buying your custom print in America also reduces your carbon footprint. When you order overseas, you are contributing to long-distance transportation, which can affect not only the planet but also your image if your brand is eco-conscious.

Conclusion: Avoid The Headache & Print in The USA

From rising costs and quality concerns to unpredictable shipping delays, overseas printing may lead to risks that can mess up your deadlines, cause you to overspend, and harm your brand's image.

Luckily, you can avoid many of these challenges by working with a U.S. printer. Domestic printing offers faster turnaround times, lower shipping costs, more consistent pricing, better communication and quality control, and it's better for our workforce and planet.

If you're interested in working with an American printer, we're happy to help. Kingston Printing proudly prints every job in the U.S.. Give us a call or click below to request a quote for American-printed products today.