A small business owner needs flyers for a local event. She messages a print shop: "How much for some flyers?" The printer needs to know how many, what size, what paper, single or double sided, glossy or matt, whether artwork is ready and when she needs them. That is seven questions. By the time they have been asked and answered by email, two days have passed.
Print enquiries are often missing most of the details. Capturing them first time speeds up quotes and wins more jobs.
Step 1: ask what they need printed
Flyers, business cards, banners, brochures and signs are priced very differently. Start with the product.
Step 2: ask for quantity
Quantity has the biggest effect on unit price. Customers often do not realise how much cheaper larger runs can be per item, so it helps to explain this when they choose.
Step 3: ask for size and stock
Size and paper stock, such as thickness and finish, affect price and feel. Customers who are unsure can be offered common options.
Step 4: ask about sides, colour and finish
Single or double sided, full colour or not, and finishes like gloss, matt or lamination all matter.
Step 5: ask about artwork
Is artwork ready, or does the customer need design help? Print-ready files save time. Design services add cost.
Step 6: ask about the deadline
Many print jobs are urgent. Knowing the deadline helps the printer decide whether it can be done and whether rush charges apply.
Step 7: capture it in conversation
SpideyChat for printing and signage companies asks these questions at any hour, shares your price guides from your own pages and captures the spec. Service quotes are covered more broadly in AI assistant service quotes.
Customer: How much for some flyers? Assistant: The flyers page shows prices by quantity and size. So the team can quote exactly, could you share how many you need, the size, whether they're single or double sided, whether your artwork is ready and when you need them?
Step 8: quote fast
With the full spec, the printer can quote quickly, often the same day. Missing specs slow many trades down, as described in freight quote requests missing weights and dimensions and how moving companies qualify quote requests with a chatbot.
Stock and availability
Some customers ask whether particular paper stocks or materials are in stock. Answering availability questions well matters, as described in is it in stock, the question retail websites fumble.
Artwork guidance
Many delays come from artwork that is not print-ready. Publishing simple artwork guidelines, such as file types and bleed, and letting the assistant point customers to them, reduces back and forth.
Reorders
Many print customers come back for the same job, such as business cards for a new employee or the next batch of menus. Making reorders easy, by keeping the previous spec on file and capturing only what has changed, saves time for both sides. Customers who can reorder in a minute rarely shop around.
Proofs and approval
Customers often ask whether they will see a proof before printing and how long approval takes. Explaining the proofing process sets expectations and avoids costly reprints.
Signage and large format
Signage jobs often need a site visit or measurements. Capturing the location and rough size helps the team plan.
Setting it up
Publish price guides and artwork guidelines, and set the assistant to capture print specs. The guides to installing the widget and training your bot explain how.