Print Direct Mail Estimator

PrintComm Inc; Flint (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PrintComm Inc. in Flint, MI is seeking an experienced Print & Direct Mail Estimator to develop accurate, competitive, and production-ready estimates for a wide variety of printing and direct mail projects.

The ideal candidate has hands-on estimating experience in printing, a solid understanding of production processes, materials, finishing, mailing, and the ability to analyze options using spreadsheets to select cost-efficient methods. This is an on-site role.

Qualifications

• Experience in printing industry estimating required.
• Strong grasp of print production processes, materials, finishing, and mailing.
• Proficient with Excel and pricing models.
• Ability to read and translate customer specs into production requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate estimates for direct mail and print projects.
• Analyze customer specs, RFQs, artwork, and production instructions.
• Determine efficient production methods by quantity, format, materials, and equipment.
• Estimate digital, offset, variable-data printing, finishing, mailing, and fulfillment.
• Calculate paper, labor, machine time, waste, and outside services costs.
• Develop estimates for direct mail including data processing and postal prep.
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, Production, Mailing, and Operations.
• Maintain estimating data and assist with cost variance analysis.

Skills

Print estimation

Excel

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Read specifications

Tools

PACE

MIS systems

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Print & Direct Mail Estimator to join our team. This position is responsible for developing accurate, competitive, and production-ready estimates for a wide variety of commercial printing and direct mail projects.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience estimating within the printing industry and a strong understanding of print production, materials, equipment capabilities, finishing, mailing, and outside services. This individual must also be highly proficient with spreadsheets and comfortable analyzing multiple production options to determine the most efficient and cost‑effective way to manufacture a project.

This is an on-site position. Remote work is not available.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and timely estimates for direct mail and print projects.
• Review customer specifications, RFQs, artwork requirements, and production instructions to identify all components required to produce a job.
• Determine the most efficient production method based on quantity, format, materials, equipment capabilities, finishing requirements, turnaround time, and other job specifications.
• Estimate projects involving digital and inkjet printing, conventional printing, variable-data printing, personalization, finishing, inserting, mailing, and fulfillment.
• Calculate paper and material requirements, production speeds, labor, machine time, spoilage/waste, outside services, freight, and other costs.
• Develop estimates for direct mail projects including printing, personalization, addressing, inserting, finishing, data processing, and postal preparation.
• Compare alternative production methods and recommend the most cost‑effective manufacturing approach.
• Solicit and evaluate pricing from outside vendors when projects require outsourced materials or services.
• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Purchasing, Production, Mailing, and Operations to ensure estimates accurately reflect production requirements and capabilities.
• Review specifications for potential production challenges, missing information, or opportunities to reduce cost.
• Maintain estimating standards, equipment rates, material costs, production assumptions, and other estimating data.
• Assist with analysis of estimated versus actual job costs and identify opportunities to improve estimating accuracy.
• Create and maintain spreadsheets used for pricing, cost analysis, production comparisons, and customer‑specific pricing programs.
• Support pricing for large opportunities, RFPs, and complex or recurring customer programs.

Qualifications

• Previous printing industry estimating experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of print manufacturing processes.
• Experience estimating direct mail projects.
• Understanding of paper, substrates, inks, finishing, bindery, inserting, personalization, and mailing operations.
• Ability to understand equipment capabilities, production speeds, spoilage factors, setup requirements, and manufacturing workflows.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and spreadsheets, including formulas, calculations, data analysis, and pricing models.
• Experience working with print estimating / MIS systems. Experience with PACE preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret customer specifications and translate them into accurate production requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple estimates and priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to investigate alternative production approaches rather than simply pricing a job one way.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with sales and production teams.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be more than someone who can enter specifications into an estimating system. We are looking for someone who understands how print is manufactured and can think through the best way to produce a job.

You should be comfortable looking at a project and asking:

• What is the most efficient way to manufacture this?
• Which equipment and production path make the most sense?
• Are there alternative formats, materials, or production methods that could reduce cost?
• Are all of the necessary production steps included in the estimate?
• Does the pricing make sense based on the complexity and requirements of the project?

The ability to combine print manufacturing knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong spreadsheet skills is important to success in this role.

Work Environment

This position works closely with our estimating, sales, customer service, and manufacturing teams and requires regular interaction with production personnel and equipment.

This is a full‑time, on‑site position. Remote work is not available.

Company Description

PrintComm is a national direct mail, print and integrated media firm with more than 50 years of experience across multiple industries. PrintComm was recently named the fifth fastest growing printing firm in the US by Printing Impressions magazine.