Most printers do not plan to outsource work. They build pressrooms to run jobs in-house. They invest in people, equipment, and space because control matters. Customers trust them to deliver, and that trust is hard-earned.

Outsourcing usually enters the conversation when something changes. Not because the printer is failing, but because the work no longer fits neatly into their existing operation or current circumstances.

In those moments, outsourcing is a valuable solution to solve short-term challenges.

1. Capacity Overflow When the Schedule Is Full

Production schedules rarely stay flat.

Workloads spike seasonally or build up quickly when customers move deadlines forward. Even the most successful printers experience moments where capacity is full, but the phone keeps ringing. Resources are often stretched thin as growth outpaces capacity. 

Missing deadlines damages your reputation. And you can’t risk your customer relationships by turning away jobs.

Outsourcing a limited number of overflow jobs can relieve pressure without disrupting your core operation. It allows you to keep in-house projects on track while still saying yes to customers who rely on you to deliver.

Used this way, outsourcing acts as a release valve, keeping jobs moving and customers confident during busy periods or growth phases.

2. Jobs That Do Not Fit Your Wheelhouse

Some jobs fall outside the sweet spot of your pressroom.

They may be too large, too small, or just awkward enough that they disrupt efficiency. You do not see them often enough to justify new equipment, but you see them often enough that turning them away feels risky.

When you decline that work, the customer still needs it printed. Once they look elsewhere, they may not come back.

Outsourcing occasional jobs lets you keep those projects under your umbrella. Your customer’s needs are met, while the work stays on your books.

Over time, this also gives you clarity. You can see whether these jobs represent a trend worth investing in or simply an occasional need best handled by a trade partner.

3. Specialized Capabilities You Do Not Have In-House

Some work requires capabilities or equipment that some printers cannot justify having in-house.

Specialized finishing. Unique coatings. Converting. Mailing. Complex bindery. These processes demand space, expertise, and capital. They also require steady volume to make sense financially.

Outsourcing specialized work solves two problems at once.

In the short term, it lets you deliver complete solutions without stretching your operation beyond its limits. In the long term, it gives you time to build a portfolio of work before committing to major investments.

For some printers, outsourcing these capabilities remains a permanent strategy. For others, it becomes a bridge toward future expansion. In both cases, the customer relationship stays intact.

Where Three Z Comes In

Three Z Printing Company understands this perspective because it has lived it.

For more than 45 years, Three Z faced the same production pressures that every printer faces. Overflow schedules. Capacity limits. Decisions about when to invest and when to partner. Outsourcing played a role in keeping work moving and customers satisfied during those periods.

That experience shaped how Three Z operates today. We understand what a valuable trade partner looks like because we have leaned on those resources ourselves. 

Over the years, Three Z has always been known for capacity. But more recently, we have invested heavily in expanding our capabilities, from digital printing, specialized finishing, mail processing, and data security systems. These investments not only allow us to provide true end-to-end solutions for our customers but also position us to support other printers as a trade partner and outsourcing resource.

Three Z approaches trade work the same way it once approached outsourcing itself – prioritizing quality, dependability, and value, while protecting your reputation and client relationships.
If you are looking for a trade partner to help manage overflow work, handle occasional jobs, or support specialized needs, contact us to find out how we can help.