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| © 2002 Don Arday. |
When it comes to online printing, there are many choices on the web. The printing
companies featured here were selected based on their effectiveness in producing
quality promotional materials for
illustrators. Companies whose specialty is producing fine gallery-quality artifact
prints are not represented here, even though they also offer online printing services.
Links to other helpful resources such as the USPS are provided though. This is
most definitely an abridged list. There are new companies emerging every year
that are producing high-quality printing and services that will serve
illustrators well.
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| © 2002 Don Arday. |
A word of
caution. When preparing files for any of the services below you should
carefully review their specifications. Use the resources each respective
company provides, such as templates. There are subtle variances of size, file
resolution, and even acceptable file formats between one provider and another.
For example, one vendor’s postcard may be 4.25” x 6”, while another’s is 3.85”
x 5.85”, and a third’s may be 4” x 6”. And one vendor may accept jpeg and tiff
files, while another only accepts PDF files. To receive the highest quality
print materials always follow a vendors directions.
USPS: The Final Word
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| © 2002 Don Arday. |
Mailpieces are classified by shape and by the way they are prepared. These classifications are based on how efficiently mail pieces can be processed on Postal Service equipment. The Postal Service classifies letters and cards into one of three categories: machinable, nonmachinable, and automation. If you prepare your letters and cards so that they have an accurate address and can be processed on Postal Service equipment, your mail is “machinable” and eligible for “presort” prices. Machinable mailpieces must meet specific standards, including size, shape, and weight.
Machinable
For postcards the minimum length is 5 inches, and the maximum is 6 inches. The minimum height is 3-1/2 inches, and the maximum is 4-1/4 inches. The minimum paper stock thickness is 0.007 inch, and the maximum is 0.016 inch.
For Letters and other cards the maximum is 11-1/2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, and 1/4 inch thick, rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides. Letter-size, card-type mailpieces made of cardstock may have finished rounded corners that do not exceed a radius of 1/8 inch.
Non-Machineable
If a postcard or envelope has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 (a square envelope has an aspect ratio of 1, making it non-machinable). It is more than 4-1/4 inches high or more than 6 inches long and is less than 0.009 inch thick. It has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices. It is too rigid. It has a delivery address parallel to the shorter side of the mailpiece. It uses non-paper surfaces.
Automated
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| © 2014 Don Arday. |
If your letter-size mailpiece is machinable and displays the correct delivery point barcode or Intelligent Mail bar-code, it may qualify for lower, “automation” prices. A letter or card meets automation standards and qualifies for automation prices if it meets the specific addressing, bar-coding, and design standards. Automated minimum dimensions are 3-1/2 inches high, 5 inches long, and either 0.007 inch thick. not more than 4-1/4 inches high and 6 inches long; or 0.009 inch thick if more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long, or both. The maximum dimensions for First-Class Mail card prices are 4-1/4 inches high, 6 inches long, and 0.016 inch thick. And the maximum for letters and other cards: 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, and 1/4 inch thick.
The USPS Business Mail 101 link for postcards is:
The Quick Service Guide 201 for letters and postcards link is:
Online Paper Form Printing
Overnight Prints
To illustrators
and graphic designers who demand perfection, Overnight Prints is an excellent
resource for business cards, postcards, brochures, and other printed materials.
Launched by founder Brett Heap in 2003, Overnight Prints has risen from a
twenty-man operation set in an office to one of the largest online printing
companies in the world. The secret is a simple formula; combine high quality
products with eco-friendly practices; and make sure it's all delivered to you
exactly when you need it...even if it's tomorrow.
Overnight
Prints delivers top-notch printing quality while observing environmentally
conscious practices. Waterless presses provide better image definition and a
broader color spectrum when compared to standard offset presses. Further, it is
a chemical-free process that requires less paper waste, so it is much better
for the environment. All the paper used comes from trees harvested under the
Sustainable Forest Initiative and is Green Seal™ Certified.
Overnight
Prints also excels when it comes to delivery. You are guaranteed to receive
your order when you are supposed to, if not sooner. With B.I.T.G.I.T. (Buy It
Today, Get It Tomorrow), you can place your order by 8:00pm EST today and have
it in your hands tomorrow. After all, "overnight" is in our name.
Product
selection, pricing, delivery, ordering guides are available online through the
link below. Overnight provides pre-designed templates or you can upload your
own custom design using their software specific templates. A spot varnish can
be added to the prints by uploading a separate template.
Images may
be uploaded online for custom postcards by accessing the Overnight Uploader.
File format, dimensions and file resolution requirements are all listed.
Very useful
to customers, Overnight provides USPS postcard-mailing restrictions, which are
available on the site through the link below.
Modern Postcard
Modern
provides expert direct marketing services, direct mail, and printed promotions.
All printing, mailing and shipping is managed in-house from a state-of-the-art
75,000 square foot facility located in Carlsbad, California.
Modern
attempts to always exceed customer expectations by delivering the highest
quality product with a fast turnaround time. Each customer receives true
one-on-one service from a specialist committed to serving their needs and
achieving their goals.
Modern has
helped over 250,000 clients grow their businesses, making us an industry leader
in high quality postcard printing and effective direct marketing solutions.
Modern’s uncompromising dedication to quality is backed by its state-of-the-art
equipment, and an experienced crew of press, color and mailing services
professionals. They use Komori Lithrone and Hewlett-Packard printing presses and state of the art
binding, trimming, and finishing equipment.
If you need
it, Modern can also serve as a distribution center for you by mailing your
materials to your distribution list.
Product
selection, pricing, delivery, ordering guides are available online through the
link below including pre-designed templates. You can also download a software
specific template to use as a guide to create and upload your own custom
design.
Template
guides for over 50 products are available for download for the link below. This
allows you to prepare your images ahead of time.
The USPS
postcard and folded self-mailer restrictions on Modern’s website are available
on the through the link below.
Moo
As you
become more familiar with Moo, you’ll lean about “Printfinity”. It's one of the
things that make Moo different, a unique touch to help customers stand out from
the crowd. Printfinity is a conversation starter, a promotional tool, and the
ideal way to showcase your illustrations. Printfinity is Moo's option of
printing a different image on every postcard, business card, etc. in the pack. It
can be used to show off your portfolio, a collection of images, and more. Moo
cards help people to remember you, and your business.
All the
materials Moo uses are of first-class in quality, from the premium weight,
museum quality surface card stocks themselves to the containers they come in. Moo
“Classic” paper is crisp white paper in a choice of smooth matte laminate, or a
high gloss coating. The paper is sourced from sustainable forests and is
Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). It's thicker than most business cards, at 16pt.
Moo “Green” is white, un-flecked and without a laminate. It's made in a sustainable
energy factory, is 100% recycled, and free of harmful chemicals At 16pt, this is
the thickest 100% recycled paper we could find. Moo “Luxe” is
their top-of-the-line paper stock. It's 32pt stock, surfaced with Mohawk's
renowned Superfine paper. Luxe is a white, un-laminated paper, with a rich
grain and luxurious feel. Produced using windpower in the same factory as our Moo Green. Moo delivers
their printed products in special functional and aesthetically pleasing
containers. Moo custom designs its packaging for re-use, resale and recycling.
If you'd
like to try before you buy, order a sample pack. It's completely free! We'll
send you a pre-printed sample of every product. Moo also offers an exclusive
20% discount for students.
Moo postcards
are printed in full color, on both sides of the card. There is no extra charge
for this. Each Postcard has the option to print a different image or design
with Printfinity technology. Images are uploaded online for custom postcards by
accessing Moo’s Design Your Own Widget. File format, dimensions and file
resolution requirements are all provided.
UPrinting
UPrinting is
a socially responsible online printing, marketing and technology firm. It
serves thousands of on-demand customers online daily, using high-quality
press printing and a simple and easy-to-use online ordering system to provide high-end
printing services and reliable color printing at discount printing costs.
With its signature easy-to-use website interface, UPrinting has earned customer loyalty by offering more customizable offset printing, digital printing, and large format printing options than other online printers. The company is popular for its Free File Review, a complimentary proofing service that requires no upfront payment. UPrinting also offers support such as print design services and direct mailing to help the small business prosper.
With its signature easy-to-use website interface, UPrinting has earned customer loyalty by offering more customizable offset printing, digital printing, and large format printing options than other online printers. The company is popular for its Free File Review, a complimentary proofing service that requires no upfront payment. UPrinting also offers support such as print design services and direct mailing to help the small business prosper.
UPrinting
offers several card and paper stocks to choose from. You can get free samples
of stocks used for offset and large format
printing. The bound Offset Sample Kit and Large Format Sample Kit
Get to see and feel the stock selection to aid your online ordering experience.
Online
coupon codes are available for additional savings on their already competitive
pricing.
Template
guides for over 100+ products are available for download for the link below.
This allows you to prepare your images ahead of time.
Got Print
Got Print, utilizes
the most modern and innovative equipment and products in the printing industry
including state-of-the-art Heidelberg Offset presses, producing the highest
quality, finished products that are also environmentally conscious. As an
entirely web-based company - yet one with a personal touch – Got Print focuses
on assisting consumers with their promotional needs. Ordering online, with the
help of friendly and knowledgeable customer service reps, has never been
easier.
High
standards, excellent customer service and high-quality products are there to
assisting you with all your printing, design, and marketing needs. High quality
full color offset printing
on multiple premium paper options with UV Coating on both sides of 14pt Gloss
Coated Cover stock is available with color both sides, unless no UV Coating on the
back is desired.
Got Print
offers the Advanced Design widget to format and design cards online or you can
download templates to create your own design for later uploading. More than two hundred templates are
available for all kinds of printed forms including business cards, tent cards,
hang tags, roll labels, post cards and even banners. Got Print also offers
special “Stand Out” shaped business cards including circle, leaf, oval, half
circle, and others.
Turn around
times is listed for all of the types of the printing services provided. Samples
are available and can be viewed online or a free sample kit can be sent to you
by request. A mailing service is also available.
Just Press Print
Located in
Rochester, New York Just Press Print offers an online printing service solution. They
specialize in professional online printing of the best brochures, club flyers, postcards,
business cards, event tickets, bookmarks, greeting cards, and books. Just Press
Print understands the need for high-quality printed materials that reflect your
business or personal identity. Their printing team combines more than fifty
years of experience in the Rochester printing services industry that will
ensure that your orders, no matter how large or small, receive the attention
and quality processes for top printing results.
Select a
print product from the online list, use their pricing calculator, and add the
product to your shopping cart, choose your delivery method, upload your files
and Just Press Print! They also offer local pickups for Rochestarians.
Just Press
Print provides instructions on how to prepare your files and even provides a
video tutorial that walks you through the process of placing an order. They
provide an easy to navigate fly-out menu that allows you to customize your
order with paper stock selection, colors, coatings, etc. Files are uploaded at
the end when an order has been placed. A PDF proof can be emailed for your
approval, or you can have a hard copy mailed to you via USPS.
In addition
to a variety of other products, Just Press Print offers shaped business cards
including rounded corners, leaf, half circle, and standard.
Online Specialized Printing and Business Services
Vistaprint
Perhaps the
largest online printing organization in the world, Vistaprint has over 25
localized websites that serve various markets around the world, over 4,100
employees, three state of art manufacturing facilities and 13 offices,
including its corporate headquarters in Venlo, the Netherlands. Vistaprint is
focused on giving the 50 million micro businesses around the world a chance to
make an impression and stand out with professional marketing products and
services at an affordable price.
Vistaprint
offers a wide-range of products including business cards, postcards,
stationery, labels and stickers, signs and banners, calendars, stamps and ink,
magnets, finance products, clothing and accessories, holiday products, and
specialized promotional products like pens, mugs, phone cases, and much much
more. They also offer business and design services and can even help you build
a website, incorporate your business, create an email marketing campaign, etc.
You can
choose pre-designed layouts or upload your own illustrations and designs. Prices are
very competitive and special offers are frequently made available. Prices,
printing and uploading specifications are available for each product though a
pop-up window. Files are uploaded through an easy to use upload manager.
Zazzle
Zazzle provides
is custom, on-demand product creation and distribution on their online
platform. Zazzle’s, The Make Engine™, allows you to create items and products for
anything you can imagine that can be used for self-promotion or sold by way of
their online marketplace.
In addition
to having promotional materials produced for your own private use, you can Make
money online by selling your designs on hundreds of retail-quality products! An
online store can be easily created for free on Zazzle. You will be able to sell
t-shirts or posters online featuring your illustrations. You can make even more
money when you join Zazzle's Associate program and refer buyers to Zazzle.
Zazzle's provides the online tools to make it possible to sell your art on
t-shirts, stamps, posters, mugs, business cards, skateboards, calendars, tote
bags, hats, posters, and more. There's absolutely no cost.
Zazzle
allows you to set your own royalty rate on every product, choose hundreds of
retail-quality products to design, and reach more than 25 million monthly online
shoppers. Opening a store for free. Zazzle also provides many tutorials
and guides on how to produce merchandise and market it online.
Other
printing services usually limit the maximum number of colors in a design to
six, and charge more for additional colors in a design. Zazzle uses an
innovative digital technology that imprints our products with as many colors as
the image contains — at no extra cost. The result is a vivid, maximum-quality
image at a great price.
Zazzle uses
exceptional quality apparel, papers and materials and exceptional quality
digital printing techniques. Your artwork is infused into the product it is
printed on. Regarding apparel products, this means that the printed design is
as soft and supple as the rest of the shirt. Traditional printed materials
display an unusually vibrant image that will radiate a professional look.
Café Press
Café Press
offers a unique concept where you can create print materials and products with
you identity for yourself or to sell online through Café Press’ shopping service.
They can produce traditional marketing materials such as business cards, postcards
(which Café Press calls invitations), mailers, etc., or you can have your
illustrations applied to T–shirts, pajamas, flip flops, tanks & hats, phone
cases, tote bags, drink ware, and other gear. You can have illustrations on
(just about) anything you can think of! Add your identity or illustrations to
everyday items like bags and water bottles, or take it up a notch and
custom–create jewelry, keepsake boxes and home accessories. Just start with
your own logo, an illustration or a slogan, and have it added it to any product
you choose. This is one great way to put your personal stamp on specialized
promotional materials.
On the sales
side, customers can choose from over 300 million products on every subject
imaginable — many available on over 600 product SKUs, from apparel and drink ware
to posters, electronic accessories and more. Plus users can make their own
designs with our easy online design tools, then buy them, share them or sell
them in their own online shops. CafePress.com today ships over 6 million
products annually, and has over 11 million unique visitors to our website each
month.
Other Resources
Designers Toolbox
Designers
Toolbox is an outstanding resource for print dimensions and templates. The site
provides thorough data on postcard, business card, envelope and folder sizes,
as well as standards for paper sizes and other useful information. International
size standards broken down by country are provided for business cards.
