Election campaign boosts sales of printing companies in Cebu

THE elections in May mean good business for printing companies in Cebu.

But competition also becomes stiffer during election season and print orders have declined as observed by officials of two printing companies.

Girly Eparwa, general manager of Red Tag Graphics and Digital Printing (RTGDP) on Archbishop Reyes Ave. in Cebu City, said campaign materials account for 30 to 40 percent of their sales during election season.

But RTGDP’s margin on campaign materials is small because printing companies try to outdo each other by bringing down their rates.

Eparwa said they get orders from election candidates and their supporters but they cannot join the competition for the lowest price because they cannot sacrifice quality or the business.

RTGDP has been accepting small and large format print jobs for four years. But it started with events organizing.

Eparwa said RTGDP’s printing arm supplements the income of Red Tag Events & Productions, which also provides marketing support services.

Standards

RTGDP prints campaign stickers, tarpaulins and posters.

Eparwa said they adhere to standard specifications for campaign materials set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Under Comelec Resolution 9615, election propaganda—such as pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials—should not exceed 8.5 inches in width and 14 inches in length.

Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any other material, whether framed or posted must not be more than 2x3 feet while streamers should not exceed 3x8 feet in size.

Janice Atenter of Mandaue Print Shop in Banilad, Mandaue City said election campaign materials account for about five percent of their sales.

She noted that this election season brought in fewer orders than in previous elections.

Mandaue Print Shop has been in the industry for 19 years and has been accepting election-related materials for 10 years.

Atenter said they have political clients in Cebu and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental Province.

The printing company also prints flyers, magazines and yearbook for hotels and universities, among others.

She said the printing cost of campaign materials is lowered for bulk orders. Minimum order for flyers, for instance, is 5,000 pieces.