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Fastprint Digital Printing Services Logo Green Horizontal

FastPrint is Now a Unit of the Departments of Central Receiving

Beginning April 1, 2024, the Departments of Central Receiving has assumed management of all FastPrint operations including Administration, Accounting, Information Technology, and all print services.  We continue to offer Digital Printing solutions for Colorado State University from our location at 216 E. Lake Street in the UCA East Annex on the main campus.

Continuing to Insource Our Print Shop is the Best Option

Insourcing

Insourcing refers to the practice of handling printing needs internally rather than outsourcing them to external printing services. This means that instead of contracting with third-party printing companies, the university’s print shop manages all printing tasks and services in-house.

Insourcing typically involves the university print shop owning and operating the necessary printing equipment, such as printers, copiers, and other machinery. It also involves employing staff, such as printing technicians and operators, to manage the printing process efficiently.

By insourcing printing services, the university can have more control over the quality, timing, and cost of printing projects. It can also ensure that printing services align with the specific needs and requirements of the university community, including students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, insourcing printing services may provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and employment within the print shop, enhancing their educational experience.

Insourcing also keep the marketing and brand management standards adhered to, ensuring that our messaging is consistent and on-brand. In-house management ensures brand integrity and reputation, critical for large organizations like Colorado State University.  Employee training emphasizes brand protection and integrity in daily tasks.  Internal communication facilitates staying informed about industry trends and adjusting strategies effectively.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing refers to the practice of contracting out certain tasks, processes, or services to external third-party companies or individuals rather than handling them internally within an organization. Outsourcing printing services would involve hiring an external printing company to handle printing needs rather than managing them within the university’s own print shop.

Outsourcing involves transferring the responsibility for specific functions or operations to an outside vendor or service provider. This can include various activities such as printing, IT services, customer support, manufacturing, and many others.

Outsourcing is often pursued for several reasons, including cost reduction, access to specialized expertise, scalability, and focusing internal resources on core business activities. It allows organizations to leverage the capabilities and efficiencies of external providers, potentially leading to cost savings and improved operational efficiency. However, outsourcing also involves risks such as loss of control, quality concerns, and potential challenges in communication and coordination with external partners and getting the product delivered on time and properly.

Outsourcing poses significant risks, including loss of control, quality issues, escalating costs, and difficulties in communication and coordination with external partners, potentially leading to delays and inaccuracies in product delivery.


Current Staffing

3 Production Coordinators


Equipment

3 High-Speed Color Digital Presses
1 Large Format Industrial Paper Cutter
1 Large Format Plotter Printer
1 Heat Shrink Machine
2 Folding Machines
1 Large Capacity Hole Drilling Machine
1 Saddle Stitcher Machine
Several Small Format Laminators
1 Large Format Foam Board Cutting Tool


Vehicles

2 Delivery Vans

9 of 13 Peer Institutions are Insourced - That's 70%!

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Top 10 Reasons to Insource Your Print Shop

  1. Convenient Location: On-site presence ensures accessibility.

  2. Confidentiality: Ensuring proprietary documents remain within the organization for security.

  3. Efficient Service: Ability to produce proprietary documents promptly.

  4. Institutional Loyalty: Avoiding immediate refusal, exploring all options first.

  5. Dependability and Familiarity: Understanding institutional needs for tailored services.

  6. Shared Interest in Success: Alignment with university goals fosters teamwork.

  7. Cost-Saving Efforts: Actively seeking savings, minimizing unnecessary printing.

  8. Institutional Control: Prioritizing work and offering exceptional service without additional charges.

  9. Expertise On-Site: Proficiency in printing technology and composition.

  10. Quality Assurance: Adherence to university identity standards reduces errors and costs.

Top 10 Reasons Not to Outsource Your Print Shop

  1. Loss of Control: Outsourcing reduces control over quality, service reliability, distribution, and disaster recovery.

  2. Deadline Dependency: Reliance on outsourced partners can jeopardize meeting scheduled deadlines.

  3. Resource-Intensive Oversight: Regular review of outsource partners can be a time-consuming and costly task.

  4. Lack of Understanding: Outsourcing partners may not grasp the sensitive nature of the university, leading to inefficiencies.

  5. Technological Limitations: Limits ability to leverage modern technology.

  6. Restriction on Improvement Initiatives: Hinders implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) and continuous process improvement.

  7. Manpower Flexibility: Reduced flexibility in utilizing resources for tasks.

  8. Resource Expenditure: Outsourcing can drain resources instead of managing them effectively.

  9. Need for Oversight: Requires retaining knowledgeable resources to oversee the outsourcing process.

  10. Cost Escalation and Uncertainty: Incremental increases in service costs and lack of control over cost escalation.

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Peer Universities That Insource Their Print Shop

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Compelling Reasons to Keep the Print Shop Insourced

Keeping the print shop insourced within the university offers several compelling advantages that align with our institution’s goals and priorities:

  1. Control Over Quality and Confidentiality: By managing printing services internally, we maintain control over the quality of printed materials and ensure the confidentiality of sensitive documents. This helps uphold the university’s reputation for excellence and protects proprietary information.

  2. Tailored Service and Dependability: Our in-house print shop is familiar with the unique needs of the university community, allowing us to provide tailored services and ensure dependable support for various departments and projects. This familiarity enhances efficiency and customer satisfaction.

  3. Cost-Effectiveness and Savings: Insourcing printing services can lead to cost savings in the long run. While initial investment in equipment and resources may be required, avoiding outsourcing fees and maintaining control over expenses ultimately contributes to financial sustainability.

  4. Support for Student Engagement and Learning: Keeping the print shop within the university provides opportunities for student involvement and experiential learning. Students can gain valuable hands-on experience in printing technologies and business operations, contributing to their academic and professional development.

  5. Institutional Control and Flexibility: With an in-house print shop, we retain full control over prioritization, scheduling, and resource allocation. This flexibility allows us to adapt quickly to changing needs and priorities within the university community, ensuring efficient workflow management.

Maintaining an insourced print shop aligns with our commitment to quality, confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, student engagement, and institutional control. By keeping printing services internal, we can continue to provide excellent support to our university community while promoting financial sustainability and student development.

The Departments of Central Receiving has a long history and engaged relationship with the  In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), In-Plant Impressions, and the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP+).  Our director is in contact with most of the board members and Executive Director of ACUP+, as well as many staff at In-Plant and IPMA.

Synergy Options for Combining Print Shop and Mail Services

The synergies between a university print shop and mail services create a seamless and efficient ecosystem that enhances the overall productivity and convenience for the university community. By integrating these services, printed materials can be produced and distributed seamlessly, reducing turnaround times and streamlining communication processes.

For instance, printed documents can be directly transferred to mail services for distribution, ensuring timely delivery to intended recipients. Additionally, collaboration between these departments allows for cost-effective solutions, such as bulk printing and mailing discounts, benefiting both the university and its stakeholders.

Overall, the synergy between the print shop and mail services optimizes resource utilization, enhances service quality, and fosters a cohesive and responsive environment within the university.

Universities that have a combined Print Shop and Mail Services:  Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, UC Davis, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Washington State University.

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List of Association of College & University Printers (ACUP+) Members

Amherst College
Beaufort County Community College
Belton ISD
Bucknell University
Buffalo State University
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Sacramento
California State Univesity Fullerton
Carleton College
Central Ohio Technical College/Ohio State University Newark
Central Piedmont Comm College (R )
Colorado State University
Columbia College
Community College of Philadelphia
Cornell University
Eastern Kentucky University
Elon University
Fayetteville State University
Ferris State University
Fitchburg State University
Florida Tech

Georgia State University
Harper College
Hillsdale College
Hood College
Hope College
Iowa State University
James Madison University
Kellogg Community College
Kilgore College
Kishwaukee College
Lafayette College
Loyola University Maryland
Marist College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology -Retired
Meredith College
Messiah University
Middle Tennessee State University
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Morgan State University
Oklahoma City Community College
Oregon State University

Penn State University
Pittsburg State University
Region 4 Education Service Center
Richardson Independent School District
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Sacred Heart University
Salem Keizer Public Schools
San Bernardino Community College District
San Diego County Office of Education
San Jose State University
State University of New York at New Paltz
SUNY Brockport
Swarthmore College
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Texas Tech University
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of the South
Toledo Public Schools
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of California Davis

University of California San Francisco
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Houston
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Nebraska Lincoln
University of New Hampshire
University of Pittsburgh
University of Puget Sound
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Vanderbilt University
Washburn University
West Texas A&M University
Wichita State University
Yale University
Yavapai College
Youngstown State University

Additional Resources & Articles

2024 Trends at College and University In-Plants

2024 The Largest In-Plants Sales Per Employee