Apr

How To Find a Good Postcard Printer

By emily

Finding a good postcard printer is a necessity whether you want to make business postcards, or just stock up on some customized personal postcards that you can use for routine correspondence at home.

Here are a few things to look for when you’re selecting the postcard printer you want to work with:

Quality of the end product – The age and type of equipment that a printer uses can affect the quality of his output, whether it is color postcards, glossy or matte finish, or even whether he is able to use embellishments like foil. Sometimes your options are more limited when you use the mom-and-pop shop around the corner, if they have not been able to invest in the latest and greatest equipment to do the printing.
Production Time – How long will it take to create the print job? If you go to a place where they don’t have a ton of business, or you decide to make your own postcards, you can have your postcards printed on the same day you decide to get them. If you need a larger print run, or order your postcards from an online postcard printer, you may find that it will take longer to have them in your hands. If you can, it’s good to plan ahead so you can order your postcards several weeks in advance of when you’ll need them.
Price – Although it’s nice when price isn’t your primary concern, it’s ALWAYS a factor on my list when I make a business decision. Ask your postcard printer if there are any price breaks if you order a certain quantity of the postcards. Compare the cost of various features – for example – full color on one side and a black and white or 2-color printing on the other side. Also if you work with an online printer, be sure to factor in the cost of shipping and any "rush" on your order, to understand the true cost of having your postcards printed.
Layout Support – One of the biggest impediments to many small business owners coming away from their print shop with postcards they are happy with, is having a good graphical design layout. It can be expensive to hire someone to design your postcards. Unless you are using a text-only postcard, or have a photo that you’re going to use for one side, chances are you’ll need some graphic design done for the elements of your post card. If you’re working on a budget, having a good template to work from can save you a lot of time and money. Even if you’re proficient at Photoshop or Publisher, consider starting with a template that will work for your postcard, and then adding embellishments like your photo or logo. My postcard printer, for example, has thousands of templates that you can use, you can also make your own in their postcard designer online, or upload images or graphics that you’ve created on your own software.

I have had thousands of postcards made… some I’ve printed myself on my computer, some I’ve printed at the local copy shop (Staples) and some I’ve outsourced to an online printer. If you have time to order through an online company, I would highly recommend it.

I found that they offered the best quality product at an unbelievable price. The slow turn around time was the only disadvantage.

Find out who my online postcard printer is.