A couple of weeks ago I was approached by an online printer with the possibility of doing a free giveaway of their product via In Search of Design. Unfortunately, I wasn't familiar with the company in question, "NextDayFlyers.com" so I explained that without first hand knowledge of their product quality I wouldn't feel comfortable introducing my readers to their company.

The sales rep that I had spoken to set me up with a free order of these cards as well, so that I could see their quality first hand, no strings attached. If I liked the cards, we could do the giveaway, if not, no problem. All that to say, when the cards arrived last week, I was very pleased with the results! The card stock and gloss quality are as good as any I've seen and what I've dealt with from a customer service angle thus far has been great. Next Day Flyers specializes in quick turnaround on everything from business cards to brochures.

For a graphic designer faced with the decision of getting things printed, dealing with print houses can seem like a daunting task. There are so many to choose from and tons of things to take into account, when selecting a good one.

What should you look for in a printer?

1. Request Samples. If you've never used the company before or seen their work elsewhere, request samples of their printing. This is fairly common and shouldn't cost you anything. Nearly every day I get sample printing, papers or packaging in the mail from companies that are competing for my business, and you should too!

2. Check the weight. Make sure the printing will be done on a nice weight paper. Not to heavy and not too light for the job. If you are getting business cards printed, you don't want a lightweight card that will be easily crumpled. Instead, you want a sturdy card stock that will stick with your customer for at least a couple of years.

3. Color matching. Does your printer have a disclaimer on their color matching? If they do, be wary. Printing in color is a tricky process, so be sure your printer will back up their products. If their ink comes out the wrong color, you and your clients should NOT be left holding the bag!

4. Logos. Some printers, especially the cheap ones, give you a cheaper rate if you allow them to print their logo on the backside of your piece. Depending on your client, your job, or your budget, this may or may not be an option for you. But, it should be a question you ask as you are getting quotes and selecting printers!

5. Finishes. Ask whether or not your printed pieces will have an UV coating on them, a gloss or other finish. This addition will drastically change the way your final print turns out, so you need to be ready for anything!

My favorite printer?

I love OvernightPrints.com. They are fast and affordable for excellent quality.

I always have people ask me about using online printers. Well, here's what I know: There are tons of online printers out there. I've checked in with several of them regarding prices etc. 4Over is a big one, as is Vistaprint. I've seen some samples of their work. My personal favorite and the one I use most frequently is OvernightPrints.com. I've used them for countless projects ranging from letterhead and business cards to postcards and brochures.

I can also speak for their customer service. During the time that I've been using them, I suffered a hard drive failure (more details about that in another post). While trying desperately to recover my files, I made a call to Overnight and they sent me copies of every file I had ever sent them. No questions asked, no fees. They were friendly and very helpful and understanding.

The company will definitely keep my business in the future!