For your convenience, you may submit print purchasing jobs online with our Offset Print Purchasing Job Submission Form.
Printing & Mailing Bid Terms and Conditions
With Printing & Mailing Services, you can spend your time on the substance of what you have to communicate, not on the details of how your document will be printed and delivered. Our print buyers are saving as much as 10% to 35% over jobs bid independently, by leveraging OSU’s total print volume to obtain the best prices and quality possible. If you are buying your printing on your own, you potentially are paying more than you need to. It’s as simple as that. We save you time too, freeing you up to devote your time to your primary job responsibilities.
Production Specifications – Whether you are printing a simple one-page flyer or a 16-page full color brochure, a procurement specialist is available to work with you in determining the most cost-effective method of production. Consultation and guidance is provided in developing final size specifications, paper selection, and determining finishing and mailing requirements. Procurement specialists within our department work closely with designers to understand their creative goals and recommend production methods that enhance design and complement the communication intent of the finished piece.
Competitive Bidding – Working with a core group of previously qualified print vendors, our printing procurement specialists have a thorough knowledge of each vendor’s equipment and capabilities. All printing projects are bid to a select group of vendors, carefully matched to most cost-effectively meet your project requirements. All print procurement handled through Printing & Mailing Services will automatically meet the University’s competitive bidding requirements. We will review all print orders to ensure compliance with University and State of Oregon purchasing policy.
Production Planning – A printing procurement specialist will oversee your project throughout the entire production process to make sure that your deadline and quality expectations are met. For larger, more complex projects we facilitate a meeting at Cascade Hall with the print provider and designer/customer so that all parties have a full understanding of the scope of the project. Digitally submitted files will be "preflighted," as necessary, to prevent problems with any elements that could be missing. We require bluelines and color proofs from our print providers to make certain your finished piece meets the specifications of your design. Where necessary "on-press inspections" are conducted to guarantee accurate color fidelity and composition.
Mailing Services – Printed pieces often need to be mailed. A printing procurement specialist will review the production specifications to verify that your piece meets applicable mailing regulations and can be mailed in the most cost-effective manner. A printing procurement specialist will also work with our Mailing Services staff to coordinate and oversee all aspects of the mailing process, from collating and inserting mailing components, to labeling, sorting, metering, and mailing. Coordinated mailing services assure that you don’t waste time or money getting your document to its intended audience.
Current paper samples, Pantone Matching System color swatches, and samples of a wide variety of printing jobs are available at our office to assist you in designing your projects.
Contracts have been awarded for OSU stationery, including letterhead and envelopes, as well as business cards. This enables you to save money by buying directly from the vendor. Information on ordering and pricing is available through our OSU Stationery web pages.
If you have Offset Print Purchasing questions, please call Norene Collins at 737-3977.
