Thinking about buying a printer....

[Addicted2Bling]

One of those cheap $100 ones that I can put some good quality paper in and start making my own brochures and flyers. With the kind of prices that sign companies charge around here it just seems like a better option to just do it myself. Does anyone else do this or know about this?

[Old Pirate]

With the price of ink these days, check around the internet in your area for specials on cards and flyers. some of the Print Shops offer 500 cards in gloss finish on both sides for under 30 bucks and for a extra charge of 20 bucks you can get around a 1000 flyers too. Shop around is what I would do.

[Mr. Clean]

zoom-zoom touched on the topic above, but allow me to expand on it. Manufacturers draw you in with cheap initial purchase prices on the printers but get you and get you on the back end with high priced ink. Typically, you can check and verify, but the cheaper printers often require ink supplies that are above average in cost. So do your homework in advance of making that purchase.

Secondly, don`t automatically bet that a cheap printer will provide a product that will reflect the professionalism you want to put forth. Again do your homework.

Price and evaluate all of you options.

[ernman]

One way to save money on ink is to purchase a printer that has one separate color cart for each color like certain Canon models. Most HP`s all of the colors are in one cart.

[Iomcamaro]

I would say go for it if you go through a lot of cards. The businesses usually just give you a cheap price to get your business then they end up jacking the price up over time.

[C. Charles Hahn]

To be honest, I`ve been using the ink-jet and/or color laser printed cards and such for a long time, but I`ve never been happy with the quality -- they just don`t look all that professional.

I just recently made the decision to have Tony Moore (AF member "YNOT") work on designing and printing a professional logo and card to revamp my branding. It`s not that expensive in the long run when you consider what it costs to produce materials in-house in mass quantities.

[smitty5150]

I recently downloaded a pretty sweet program. I don`t know if pluggin is frowned upon, but it is called GIMP. Similar to photoshop, but totally free. I designed a business card and flyer. I am lucky enough to work for a digital imaging machine dealer that happens to have a copy center. The graphic designer is tweaking my design and sending things out for pro prints. 1000 biz cards for 14 bucks and brochures for, well, I could get killed for revealing that. It is good to know the right people.


But to answer, cannon and HP are ok. The problem is that standard printers can only handle regular paper. Biz cards and brochures are generally made of special finish and thicker papers, which are only available on commercial levels. IMHO, the small investment to get the professional results will be worth it, as the quality of advertising reflects the quality of work.

[Concours.John]

One thing I would suggest is invest in a high quality business card. Its the one thing people hang onto. If your layout and card stand out people hang onto it.
Use the thicker card stock and get UV coating.
It makes a difference.
You can do a layout to let the shop have some idea to save on cost. Just keep track of your fonts. Try not to use too many different or rare ones. Try and find someone who will work with you on final layout included.

Another option check with any junior colleges or adult vocational schools doing graphic design. Give them some idea of what your looking for. They sometimes take on this with little to no cost. The work can be outstanding because they are being graded on it.

As far ass printer I think most have covered that.

[C. Charles Hahn]

As far ass printer I think most have covered that.

Umm.... a subliminal message hidden here?

[Concours.John]

Umm.... a subliminal message hidden here?

It think that falls under operator error. Didn`t catch that

[Addicted2Bling]

Secondly, don`t automatically bet that a cheap printer will provide a product that will reflect the professionalism you want to put forth. Again do your homework.

This is so true, I saw another guy passing out flyers that looked like he must have had a million of. Black and white on normal printing paper, the thing was ugly and worse it even had a picture on it. I think eye candy is the only way to go here...

the small investment to get the professional results will be worth it, as the quality of advertising reflects the quality of work.

I couldn`t agree more...

One thing I would suggest is invest in a high quality business card. Its the one thing people hang onto. If your layout and card stand out people hang onto it.
Use the thicker card stock and get UV coating.
It makes a difference.
You can do a layout to let the shop have some idea to save on cost. Just keep track of your fonts. Try not to use too many different or rare ones. Try and find someone who will work with you on final layout included.

Got em...



I agree with you on having the UV coating, cause when people see that they think of a freshly waxed car



Thanks for the imput everyone, you have successfully talked me into just purchasing professional brouchures from now on. I do not want to give the impression that my business is anywhere near "cheap".

[vitalcarcare]

VistaPrint.com : cheap and good quality as long as you supply a good image

Ive been using Office Depot for most of our flyers and have been satisfied with the quality. I wouldnt say completely happy but for one time flyers a good deal. Having the little member card saves a TON

Going with a print shop you can get a LOT of fancy stuff done. and the more you get the cheaper typically. raised letters, foiled characters, textures, various stock, two sided printing...etc

Vistaprint has a NUMBER of options as well, but their shipping time is POO! at least last could things ive ordered...