Contributed to EO by Vladimir Gendelman, an EO Detroit member and founder and CEO of Company Folders, Inc., an award-winning online printing company that has helped over 5,000 businesses print more than 20 million presentation folders. The company made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for three consecutive years. Vladimir shared his expertise to help entrepreneurs get the most for your printing budget:

People like to say that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and to an extent, that’s true. But as designers, we know that the way something looks has a huge effect on the way others perceive it. A high-quality look rarely comes cheap, especially considering the materials and craftsmanship required for printed collateral.

With more than 20 million folders printed for over 5,000 clients, Company Folders, Inc. is a leader in the folder printing field. They are well-versed in helping savvy designers increase our margins or save money for our clients. These helpful techniques will allow you to lower the cost of your custom pocket folders without skimping on quality.

1. Get wholesale pricing

If you provide design or printing services to a large number of clients, consider asking for a wholesale discount. Typically, this is somewhere in the ballpark of 20 percent, provided you buy a large enough quantity.

Pro tip: Ask about becoming a reseller

Many printers don’t list a “wholesale” feature on their site, but they do offer a reseller program that comes with a similar discount. There are often certain limitations involved, but this will often give you the best price when buying a large quantity.