What Information Do You Need to Quote a Multi-Location Print Rollout?

Sending printed materials to hundreds—or even thousands—of locations involves more than determining how many pieces to print.

To build an accurate quote, your print and fulfillment partner needs to understand what you're producing, who gets what, where it's going, and when it needs to arrive.

The good news? You don't need every detail figured out before starting the conversation.

Here are the key things we need to know.

1. How many locations are involved?

An estimate is enough to start.

There's a big difference between shipping one bulk order and preparing 1,500 individual location kits. Knowing the approximate number of destinations helps determine the scope of the fulfillment program.

2. What are you sending?

Tell us what the campaign includes.

That might be:

• Signs and signage

• Posters

• Brochures or flyers

• Counter cards

• Promotional materials

• Labels

• Instruction sheets

• 
  

If you have specifications, great. If not, a previous sample, photo, or description of how the piece will be used can help us get started.

3. Does every location receive the same thing?

This is where multi-location fulfillment gets interesting.

Maybe every store receives the same kit.

Or maybe Store A needs 100 flyers and two signs while Store B needs 250 flyers and four signs.

There may also be different versions based on region, store size, promotion, language, or market.

At 50 locations, those differences are manageable.

At 500, 1,000, or 3,000 locations, having a clear plan for quantities and versions becomes critical.

4. What goes into each kit?

If we're kitting the materials, we need to know what each location should receive.

For example:

2 signs + 4 counter cards + 100 flyers + 1 instruction sheet

If different types of locations receive different kits, those variations should be identified as well.

And if you're supplying non-print items that need to go into the box, those can be incorporated into the fulfillment plan too.

5. When and where does everything need to arrive?

For a rollout, the in-hand date is often more important than the ship date.

If a promotion launches November 1, stores may need their materials several days beforehand.

We'll also eventually need a location file containing shipping addresses and any information that determines which kit or quantity goes to each destination.

6. Will you need storage or ongoing fulfillment?

Not every program ships all at once.

Some materials may need to be warehoused and released later. Locations may need replenishment throughout the year. A rollout may happen in several waves instead of one national launch.

Knowing that upfront helps us plan production and inventory around the entire program—not just the first shipment.

What if you don't have all of this figured out?

That's okay.

Start with four questions:

What are we sending?How many locations are involved?Does everyone receive the same thing?When does it need to arrive?

Those answers are usually enough to start a productive conversation.

The important thing is to think about fulfillment before everything is printed.

When a project involves hundreds or thousands of destinations, production, kitting, packing, and shipping aren't really separate jobs. They're parts of the same process.

Planning a multi-location rollout?

EM Printing provides commercial printing, kitting, warehousing, pick-and-pack fulfillment, and national distribution from our Bartlett, Tennessee facility.

Whether you're shipping to 50 locations or coordinating a rollout to thousands, we can help you determine the best way to produce, organize, and distribute the materials.

Have a spreadsheet, previous sample, or just an idea? That's enough to start.

Email sales@emprinting.com to talk through your project.