What to Look for in an External Retouching Team

So, you’re considering working with an external retouching team? Smart move! We think you’ve made an excellent decision. 

(A quick side note: If you haven’t decided whether an external retouching team is right for you, jump over to this article comparing in-house vs outsourced retouching first. Make sure to come back here once you’ve made your decision, of course! 😉)

You’re probably working through a couple of options for external retouchers. Of course, technical expertise and resources are vital. But beyond that, what’s their setup like? Aside from delivering assets, what does their team structure look like? Do they feel like a real partner or just another vendor?

We’ve put together a list of green flags when it comes to a successful business/external vendor partnership. If your options aren’t offering these upfront, you might find yourself with more headaches than if you had taken on the tasks in-house.

Our Green Flags for External Vendors

1. A Single Point of Contact

One person should oversee all day-to-day aspects of your brand’s workflow. No more questions getting passed around or wondering who’s responsible for what. Your go-to person is there to answer questions, provide updates and keep things running smoothly.

2. An Actual Human Being

A real person, not a helpdesk, chatbot, or email address. Think of them as your personal retouching concierge. You know their name and contact details, and you can reach them directly. Need a quick chat or a video call to iron out some details? No problem.

3. Senior-Level Expertise

Your point of contact should be a senior-level retoucher with strong management and communication skills. They understand the technicalities of your work and speak the same visual language as you. No more middlemen or endless iterations – you’re talking to someone who gets it.

4. Round-the-Clock Coverage

A team operating across different time zones can handle both day and night shifts, allowing for continuous progress and faster turnarounds. Briefing in work at the end of your day and seeing it completed by morning is one of the benefits of an offshore team, but make sure they also have teams available during your work day for real-time collaboration and those inevitable back-and-forths on complex projects.

5. In-Market, Local Support

Even with a fantastic remote team, having local support that understands your specific market and business needs is invaluable. An additional in-market team with expertise in creative services, operations and account management will allow for full accountability, a deeper level of support, and clear communication with in-person meetings to strategize, refine best practices, and build a strong, long-term relationship.

The Ideal Partnership

By combining these factors, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: local support from industry experts and the cost-effectiveness of an offshore team. It’s a win-win – a best-in-class, white-glove partnership that’s customized to your business and delivers exceptional results.

At VMG Premedia, we believe that true value and successful outcomes come from building genuine partnerships with people who are invested in your success. And we’re set up to deliver that level of service to you. With teams in Chennai, Manila, and New York, we offer the perfect blend of global resources, specialized skills and localized expertise to provide outsourced retouching support that seamlessly integrates into your workflows.

Contact us to learn more about the VMG difference and how we can work together to achieve great things.