These days, there are a lot of options available for high-quality printing. Whether you’re working on a personal project or you need materials for your business, it can be tough to choose between a local brick-and-mortar print shop and an online printing provider.
While online options offer convenience, there are downsides you might not be aware of. Working with a local print shop promises the best chance at getting your job done correctly and giving you a smooth and easy experience.
Check out these four reasons to work with a local printer on your next project.
Online printing services don’t offer much in the way of assistance when it comes to perfecting your print project. This could result in wasted time and money on an imperfect product. If you have a partially completed project but need a little help getting it over the finish line, it’s best to turn to the experts at your local print shop.
PostNet team members will work with you to fully understand your needs and project goals. We make recommendations and steer you in the right direction to ensure your project turns out perfectly the first time.
This is particularly important for projects you might be unfamiliar with. Certain print products, like postcards and brochures, have specific parameters that must be followed for the piece to be printed effectively. You don’t want to accidentally print a postcard on flimsy paper or choose too small a brochure size! During your project consultation, a print shop like PostNet will catch any errors in your layout or paper choices and correct them.
Most people don’t realize how many options there are for paper type, weight, and finishes. Paper looks and feels different in person, especially if you plan to add premium finishes like metallic foil or spot gloss. You might be able to guess at your choices online, but nothing compares to being able to actually see and feel them yourself!
By working with a local print provider, you’ll be able to browse paper samples and choose the one that fits your project the best. Having this in-person review guided by an expert will ensure you know what to expect from the finished project, so you don’t run into any unpleasant surprises later.
Sending a print project off to a printer and getting it back weeks later can be unnerving, especially if your provider doesn’t communicate along the way. If you’re investing in print, you deserve the right to retain control over the creative process and make sure the end product matches your vision. Working with a local print shop lets you do this.
Just one example of this is seeing project proofs before the final print. Did you know that colors are created differently on paper versus on screen? Digital colors utilize RGB color (a mix of red, green, and blue), but print colors use CMYK (a mix of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink). Therefore, what you see on your computer might not look exactly like the printed page. A local print provider will give you a physical proof of your project so you can verify that the colors look correct before the entire process is complete.
Take the Design and Print Quiz to see how much you know and where your local print shop can help!
The process of uploading and purchasing a print job from an online provider often feels more like a transaction than an experience. Local print shops like PostNet don’t see their projects as just another job. We got into the printing business to be creative and form relationships with our customers! This means you’ll enjoy a pleasant, personalized experience, from ideation to completion.
Local print shops offer greater flexibility, too. If you need a fast turnaround, we’re able to accommodate your needs. Plus, you won’t waste time waiting for shipping and delivery (or pay tremendous costs to have your project expedited). If something changes in the middle of the print process, there’s a good chance your local PostNet can handle that, too! You’ll have a more direct line of communication with the people handling your project and can make adjustments as needed.
Do you need professional-quality print products for your home or business? PostNet’s local print providers care about your project and will ensure you’re fully satisfied with the results.
Get started on your next print project today by finding your nearest PostNet center.
Scheduling, quoting, approvals, payments, customer communication, automation and more. With Printavo, you’ll work smarter–not harder.
Printavo is simple shop management software. We help you streamline your business, keep jobs moving forward and your team on the same page.
When we started building Printavo Merch, our online stores platform, the idea was simple.
What if online stores were part of your print shop’s management software?
What if your quotes could become online stores, and your customers could place their orders online?
What we never anticipated is how important Printavo Merch has become for print shops across the US during this crisis.
This is a great time to use online stores to generate sales.
In fact, it’s the only outlet for sales right now. While that will change as time passes, the screen printing industry has rapidly shifted to online sales in just a month.
We’ve seen custom bulk orders (the traditional backbone of any screen print shop’s revenue) drop more than 50% for thousands of screen print shops in less than a month.
That’s why we wanted to share some awesome tips we’ve learned from Printavo’s customers as they’ve ran thousands of online stores and collected millions of dollars in revenue through Printavo Merch.
Printavo Merch lets you manage your shop and create stores in one simple platform.
Learn More – Free Trial
They’re adding value to their community through online store fundraisers.
Even The Wall Street Journal noticed that print shops are printing t-shirts for good.
Can T-Shirt Sales Save America’s Restaurants?
With Covid-19 forcing many American restaurants to close, the food and beverage industry is hoping sales of shirts and hats can provide a much needed revenue stream
Online commerce is not going away. It’s growing stronger and stronger. The convenience and security of online shopping is here to stay.
Think of online stores as another tool for your shop to use. And they help you get paid up-front at a time when cash is more important than ever.
We think that online stores are a key component for the future of the screen printing industry.
Why? Because you set the terms and conditions, you decide what could be printed, you pick the shirts, you pick the pricing, and you pick the customers that get stores.
Online stores are the fastest way for screen print shops to reach more customers, sell shirts, and help their community in a time of need.
In that spirit, we wanted to share some awesome tips we’ve learned from Printavo’s customers while they’ve ran thousands of online stores and collected millions of dollars in revenue through Printavo Merch.
Strong artwork is great marketing.
Just ask Justin Moore from Barrel Maker Printing what he’d do with $5,000: “I’d work with friends that are artists to buy drawings and illustrations.”
But there’s also no need to overthink this. Designs that are easy to print, with just 1 or 2 colors and simple line work, are more than enough.
Do you already know some artists? Get their help. Maybe raise money for them, if they’re out of work!
Eye-catching, topical, easy-to-understand art sells more. We’ve seen it over and over.
There are simple rules to follow if you’d like to make stores profitable and easy to fulfill with Printavo Merch.
The goal here is simple: make this easy.
Since you’re in the driver’s seat with Merch, you can control the choices customers have and the way you actually get them their order.
Note: we’ve got tons of tips and tricks for running successful online stores (including sample Terms & Conditions you can use) in our online stores guide. It’s awesome!
Noreast Apparel grabbed logos from local businesses and sent online store fundraising proposals through a simple online form.
They generated $20,000 in sales in just a week through Printavo Merch stores, splitting it with the Lowell, MA business community.
Is it a blank check? No. But it generates money to keep the businesses your community loves open – or at least open down the road.
They key here? Keep your value proposition simple.
Something like: $10 per shirt sold! And we’ve already mocked up your shirts here: (include link to a quick logo mockup here).
Here’s an amazing statistic: 85% of Merch stores that made more than $10,000 in sales had fewer than 9 items for sale.
A simpler choice means customers feel better about their purchase.
It’s the paradox of choice. It’s why Apple doesn’t release 18 different iPhone options every year.
Customers just don’t want that many decisions!
Depending on how crafty you are, you may consider writing unique social media posts for each business you offer stores to.
This doesn’t have to be anything complicated!
Many of your existing customers have large followings and deep roots in their community. Use their social media and email lists as much as possible.
Lean on their existing goodwill to help market the stores. Tell them that it won’t be successful without their active participation.
People miss their local businesses and want to help!
If you think you can sell $100,000…go for it.
But why not start small and work your way up? Unless you’re a pro at building viral online stores, you may not want to get in over your head right off the bat.
As you work through your online store workflow, you’ll want to give yourself room to grow.
Fulfilling orders will take time to perfect. Getting into the “flow” of online stores will take a few practice runs to get just right.
Also keep in mind that (right now, at least) you may have somewhat limited staff. A gangbusters store sale is great, but make sure you can actually fulfill anything you promise people.
Online stores are a giant list-building opportunity.
During checkout, customers need to enter their email address. You can collect this information and, when the time is right, do targeted advertising with it!
Email marketing shines when you contact people you’ve already had interactions with.
“Thanks so much for purchasing a shirt to support local business! We’ve raised nearly $30,000 for restaurants and organizations in our community affected by this crisis.
If your business needs help (or you know a business that does), fill out this form: (form URL).”
A simple Google Form with contact info can generate more contacts for you.
We’ve been blown away by how shops have used Printavo Merch to help out in a time of need and keep their doors open.
Check out the Merch stores from these amazing print shops across the US:
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