Print Guides & Resources
Before you place your next print order, it helps to know a few basics. These short guides cover the questions we hear most often at the counter.
Ordering & Production
How Long Does Printing Take?
What turnaround time means, the factors that affect it, typical timelines by product, and how to speed up your order when you're on a deadline.
Read guide → File SetupBest File Formats for Printing
PDF, JPG, PNG, or vector? Understand which format works best for printing, when each is appropriate, and which common mistakes cause blurry or incorrect prints.
Read guide → OrderingPrint Proofing & Approval
What a print proof is, what to check before approving, why color looks different on screen vs. print, and how to avoid the most common approval mistakes.
Read guide → OrderingSame-Day Printing Guide
What can realistically be printed same-day, what file conditions are required, cutoff times, common reasons rush jobs fail, and how to pick up fast.
Read guide → OrderingWhat Affects Turnaround Time
Why some jobs take longer than others — quantity, finishing, file issues, proofing delays, specialty materials, and what you can do to speed things up.
Read guide → Product SelectionHow to Choose the Right Print Product
Flyer, brochure, postcard, booklet, banner, poster, or sign? Map your goal to the right product with a decision framework and side-by-side comparison.
Read guide → Event PlanningEvent Printing Checklist
Plan the print materials you need for events — banners, flyers, programs, name tags, directional signs, and more. Includes a deadline timeline.
Read guide → OrderingPrint Quantity Guide
How many business cards, flyers, postcards, or brochures should you order? Quantity estimates by product, event planning examples, and overorder vs underorder tradeoffs.
Read guide → Marketing PrintPostcard Design Tips
What makes a postcard effective — headline hierarchy, image usage, CTA placement, front and back layout, mailing considerations, and common design mistakes to avoid.
Read guide →File Setup
File Setup for Printing
File format, resolution, color mode, bleed, safe zone, and fonts — everything you need to submit artwork that prints correctly the first time.
Read guide → File SetupPrint File Checklist
A quick interactive checklist to run through before you submit your file. Check off each item and catch problems before they reach the press.
Open checklist → File SetupWhat Is Print Bleed?
Bleed, trim line, and safe zone explained clearly — including common mistakes and how to set bleed up in Illustrator, InDesign, Canva, and Photoshop.
Read guide → File SetupDPI & Print Resolution Guide
Why 300 DPI is the standard, how to check your image resolution, and what happens when images are too low-res to print well.
Read guide → File SetupPaper Types Explained
Gloss vs matte vs uncoated — what each looks and feels like, and which paper type to use for business cards, flyers, brochures, and postcards.
Read guide → File SetupRGB vs CMYK — Color Modes Explained
Why colors look different on screen vs in print. What RGB and CMYK mean, which colors shift the most, and how to set up your file in the right color mode.
Read guide → File SetupCommon Printing File Mistakes
The most common file setup mistakes that cause print problems — low resolution, missing bleed, wrong color mode, and more — with how to prevent each one.
Read guide → File SetupHow to Export a Press-Ready PDF
Step-by-step PDF export instructions for Canva, Illustrator, InDesign, and Word — bleed, CMYK, resolution, and font embedding settings.
Read guide → File SetupPrint Safe Area & Margins
How trim lines, bleed, and safe margins work together. How far text and logos should be from the edge on business cards, flyers, postcards, and banners.
Read guide →Print Sizes & Formats
Business Card Sizes & File Setup
The standard US business card is 3.5" × 2" — plus common variations, what to include, and how to set up your file correctly for print.
Read guide → Business CardsBusiness Card Paper & Finish Guide
Matte vs gloss vs uncoated, stock weight explained, soft-touch laminate, and which finish fits realtors, contractors, luxury brands, restaurants, and more.
Read guide → Business CardsBusiness Card Sizes, Shapes & Bleed
Standard, vertical, square, slim, and folded business card sizes — with bleed, safe zone, and file setup specs for each format.
Read guide → FlyersFlyer Size Guide
Full sheet, half sheet, and tabloid — which flyer size is right for your event, promotion, or restaurant? Includes bleed specs and file tips.
Read guide → Marketing PrintPostcard Size Guide
Common postcard sizes (4×6, 5×7, 6×9, 6×11) explained — with USPS mailing specs, bleed requirements, and which size works best for your campaign.
Read guide → Marketing PrintPostcard Paper & Finish Guide
Matte vs gloss vs UV coating, stock weight explained, what works for mailers vs handouts vs premium pieces, and common postcard paper mistakes.
Read guide → Marketing PrintDirect Mail & EDDM Guide
How direct mail and Every Door Direct Mail work, which postcard sizes qualify, mailing list vs carrier route, postage basics, and common mistakes.
Read guide → Marketing PrintUSPS Postcard Mailing Requirements
USPS postcard size limits, paper thickness minimums, mailing side layout, barcode clear zones, and EDDM rules for direct mail postcards.
Read guide → Marketing PrintEnvelope Size Guide
#10, A7, 6×9, 9×12 and more — which envelope fits your letter, brochure, invitation, or flat document? Sizes, use cases, and postage considerations.
Read guide → Product GuidesMenu Printing Guide
Menu formats, paper, lamination, and design tips for restaurants, cafés, bars, and food businesses. Covers dine-in, takeout, and seasonal menus.
Read guide → BrochuresBrochure Fold Types
Tri-fold, half-fold, z-fold, and gate fold explained — with panel dimensions, common use cases, and how to set up your file for each.
Read guide → BrochuresBrochure Paper & Finish Guide
How to choose brochure paper stock and finish — matte vs gloss, text weight vs cover weight, fold cracking, and what works for handouts, menus, and premium pieces.
Read guide → Print FinishingBooklet Binding Options
Saddle stitch, perfect binding, spiral, and comb — which binding method is right for your booklet, manual, catalog, or training document?
Read guide → Booklets & CatalogsBooklet Page Count Guide
How booklet pages are counted, why saddle stitch needs multiples of 4, how covers are included, and practical planning tips for programs, catalogs, and manuals.
Read guide → Booklets & CatalogsBooklet Size Guide
Common booklet sizes — 5.5×8.5, 6×9, 8.5×11 and more. Which size works for programs, catalogs, manuals, and magazines, plus how size affects layout and binding.
Read guide → Print FinishingLamination Guide
Matte vs gloss vs soft-touch lamination — what each does, when lamination is worth it, and which print products benefit most from a laminated finish.
Read guide → Paper & FinishingMatte vs Gloss vs Uncoated
Compare the three main paper finishes side by side — color vibrancy, texture, glare, writeability, and which finish works best for each product type.
Read guide → Paper & FinishingPaper Weight Guide
Text weight vs cover weight, point thickness, GSM — what paper weight means and which to choose for business cards, postcards, flyers, brochures, and more.
Read guide → Print FinishingPrint Finishing Options
Folding, scoring, perforation, lamination, binding, cutting, rounded corners, mounting, and grommets — what each finishing option does and when to use it.
Read guide → Large FormatLarge-Format Printing Guide
What counts as large-format — posters, banners, signs, backdrops, and displays. Resolution by viewing distance, indoor vs outdoor, and mounting options.
Read guide → Signs & BannersBanner Size Guide
From 2×4 to 4×12 and retractable pull-ups — common sizes explained with use case guidance and file setup tips for large-format printing.
Read guide → Signs & BannersVinyl Banner vs Retractable vs Feather Flag
Not sure which format fits your situation? This guide explains each option and when it makes the most sense to use it.
Read guide → Signs & BannersBanner Materials Guide
Standard vinyl vs mesh vs fabric — which banner material for indoor or outdoor use? Includes grommets, hems, pole pockets, and weather guidance.
Read guide → Signs & BannersIndoor vs. Outdoor Signage
Foam board, coroplast, PVC, aluminum, vinyl decals, and banners — which material fits your use case? Durability, mounting, and lifespan compared.
Read guide → Signs & BannersYard Sign Guide
Common yard sign sizes, corrugated plastic material, wire stakes, durability, and design tips for real estate, events, campaigns, and business signage.
Read guide → Signs & BannersFoam Board vs. Corrugated Plastic
What each material is, how they compare on durability, weight, print quality, and indoor/outdoor suitability — with a decision guide for choosing the right one.
Read guide → Signs & BannersWindow Cling vs. Window Perforation
Static cling vinyl vs perforated one-way vision film — visibility, removability, privacy, and which to choose for storefronts, promotions, and vehicles.
Read guide → Large FormatMounted Poster vs. Foam Board
Foam board, gator board, and PVC compared — display quality, durability, portability, and which to use for presentations, events, retail, and trade shows.
Read guide → Large FormatPoster Size Guide
Common poster sizes from 11×17 to 36×48 — what each size is best for, how viewing distance affects your choice, and when to consider large-format signage instead.
Read guide → Signs & BannersRetractable Banner Stand Guide
What retractable banner stands are, common sizes, trade show and lobby use cases, portability, artwork setup tips, and how they compare to other display options.
Read guide → MaterialsSticker & Label Materials Guide
Paper vs vinyl, matte vs gloss, indoor vs outdoor — which sticker or label material is right for your product labels, packaging, promotions, or branding?
Read guide →Print Glossary & Reference