It’s one of those issues that just doesn’t seem to go away, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s something that is unique to print.

The chances are it’s not, but that doesn’t make it any less grating.

Nobody likes overpaying, but let’s be honest the chances of that happening in print are pretty slim.

Only the greenest of buyers doesn’t benchmark their suppliers’ prices, so if the quote was checked, benchmarked, accepted, the job approved and the invoice paid, why then would a customer, a year later when the printer’s financial results are released, accuse them of being too expensive because they make a healthy profit?

Profitability should be a source of pride not shame, and call me naive, but shouldn’t customers be proud to work with suppliers that make a margin that enables them to employ happy and well-rewarded staff, invest in the latest technology and still make a decent return? Because isn’t that what any business owner wants to do?

Forget the spectre of the web, the bigger threat to print is fiscal sustainability. In a market blighted by overcapacity, rather than at best tease a supplier for making a profit or at worst demand a price reduction, simply congratulate them – especially if your own business makes a respectable profit too.

Because success breeds success. So if your print suppliers are profitable that should be as much a source of pride for you, as a customer, as it is for the printer.