What a different a day makes ...

So lately I've been working on quite a few custom print jobs ... and all I can say is the print industry is completely nutz!

I've had the same job quoted by 5 different companies now.  They were all provided with the Optimum Specs as well as a Proof File and example image of what I am going for (my poor client is still on hold for printing due to all this).

I've had bids come in from all 5 companies and the prices vary by almost $800 from high to low.  Now for a larger company they might not even notice the difference if I was to just choose one of the companies.  My clients on the other hand are mostly start up businesses and custom print jobs with limited funding. 

So I've spent most of the day today trying to figure out WHY there is such a discrepancy.  

Hopefully tomorrow, with a clear head, I'll be able to make the most informed and beneficial choice for my clients.

Quality is worth spending the extra money for ... but with each company having the same print specs there has to be something going on in the background.