When you need a good 3PL partner, there are certain things that you’ll want to look for and consider in your search. It doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. However, it can be worth taking the time to find a reputable, dedicated 3PL (third-party logistics) partner. Ultimately, a 3PL is meant to help your business thrive by handling almost all your needs; such as improving your supply chain.

In the past, third-party logistics were mostly dedicated to warehousing and transporting goods. Today, these companies are known for specializing in various integrated supply chain operations. This can include anything from transportation to warehousing and the various steps in between. 

To choose the right match for your needs, you’ll need to fully understand the types of 3PL partners that are out there and what each offers. If you have multiple products it’s best to have a partner that can handle all of your; printing, sourcing, design, and distribution needs in one place than outsource to multiple providers or try to handle things in-house. 

Read on to learn more about the 3PL process; as well as what you should look for when you want to outsource your logistics. 

The 3PL Process

The process of third-party logistics is simple. There are several different services available for general needs and for specialty solutions, such as what we do here at Print Bind Ship. 

We are a leading 3PL partner for those who need printing, packaging, and global fulfillment. Essentially, we act as your total solution for eCommerce needs, providing all of the services that you need in a single place.

Production

At Print Bind Ship, we have the most advanced, high-quality printing machines and methods to ensure that your materials come out looking perfectly professional every single time. We can handle small runs and large runs, and even print-on-demand orders. 

We are able to offer our customers:

• Custom box printing
• Book printing and binding
• Large format printing
• Pamphlets
• Promotional materials

At Print Bind Ship we are always pushing the envelope to create a unique experience or product for our customers. 

Picking and Packing

If we’re not printing on demand, we’ll pick orders from inventory and pack them for shipping as soon as they come in. We keep your inventory organized and have a dedicated picking process to ensure that all orders meet our high-quality standards and arrive at their destination looking as good as when they left. 

Inventory Management

Anything that we’re keeping stocked will be tracked and managed so inventory levels never run too low. Whether you have a designated stock in mind or you want our help figuring out what you should have available, we can discuss your needs and find the right solution. Plus, our integrated technology will make it easy to integrate with eCommerce and track your orders and inventory levels. 

Warehousing

We’ll keep your inventory in our warehouse so it’s not taking up your space or requiring extra shipping steps. We have dedicated storage solutions that are highly organized and set up for efficient picking, packing, stocking, and shipping. Our trained team is dedicated to warehousing, yet again taking the hassle off of your hands. 

Shipping and Receiving

We can handle all of your order shipping, materials receiving, and anything else that you need. With 60+ years in the industry, we formed relationships with the biggest providers and can pass our savings on to you. Today’s customers expect free or cheap shipping on everything; when you work with us, you can afford to give it to them. 

Reverse logistics and freight shipping (LTL and FTL)

As your 3PL partner, we will also take care of finding the best freight rates and making sure that whether you need FTL or LTL transport, we find the right option. We can process reverse logistics, shipment returns, and other transport, as well. This will ensure that your products get to the right place right on time. Also, this can all be done with little to no effort on your part. 

What to Look for in a 3PL Provider

While you could hire one logistics partner and a different production company, it can be even more cost-efficient to choose someone that can do it all. That’s exactly what you get when you choose to partner with the team at Print Bind Ship. Now that you understand more about the value of finding the right 3PL partner, here’s what you should be looking for from the best. 

Experience

Print Bind Ship has over 60 years of experience in the printing and fulfillment business. We know how we can help your business grow through fulfillment and additional products, and know what to do if a problem arises. We take a proactive approach to every client and order and make sure that we’re always working with your best intentions in mind. 

Fast Shipping

We offer faster, more efficient shipping by doing everything in one place. Instead of having to wait for your orders to go from the printer to the warehouse and then onto shipping, it’s all done right here and we can ensure that all of your shipping and freight transport is done as affordably and efficiently as possible. 

Cost-Effective

Speaking of affordable, having the ability to handle so many of your logistics by working with one 3PL partner like Print Bind Ship gives you the cost-effective solution that you’ve been looking for. We’ll work with you to create a custom solution and you’ll only pay for what you need. Plus, you’ll get the best rates and when we find savings, we’ll pass them on to you. 

Integrated Technology

The modern world of order fulfillment cannot function without virtual integration. Our integrated technology solutions will allow you to connect to your eCommerce platforms and other sites so that you can consistently; monitor your inventory, provide accurate stock levels to customers, and keep everything streamlined for easy order and inventory tracking. 

Additional Services

Does the provider offer any additional services? Sure, they might be able to warehouse and deliver your goods, or even produce and ship them on demand, but what else can they do for you? The more parts of your supply chain you can assign to one person or partner, the more streamlined your operations will be. At Print Bind Ship, we offer:

• Hardcover and Softcover Book Printing
• Spiral Bound Books
• Package Design
• Custom Printed Boxes
• Subscription Box Fulfillment
• FBA Provider
• Warehouse Storage
• Next Day Air Service
• Large Format Printing
• Product Launch Kits
• Kitting Services

And all of this is in addition to our full-service logistics solutions that will save your business time and money in so many ways! 

Partner With Print Bind Ship for 3PL Success Every Time 

If you are ready to expand your operations at a fraction of the cost and get a lot of the work off of your plate, Print Bind Ship is ready to help. We can handle everything from printing small and large runs, to printing on demand, warehousing, shipping and distribution, and even assisting with marketing and other fulfillment solutions. Our professional teams understand what it takes to deliver efficient service with high-quality results and we’re ready to get started so call us today.

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