Tips for Choosing the Right Print Vendor

We’ve been in the printing business for more than 25 years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that finding the right print vendor isn’t just about who has the lowest price or the fastest turnaround. It’s about finding a partner—someone who understands your goals, works with your timeline, and delivers the kind of quality that reflects your brand.

Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit, startup, or creative professional, your printed materials are often the first touchpoint your audience has with your brand. So choosing a vendor who understands how much is riding on every piece—whether it’s a business card, brochure, or product label—is essential.

In this post, we’re sharing some of the most important things to look for when selecting a print vendor, based on what we’ve learned by working with hundreds of clients throughout Central Oregon and beyond.

Start with What You Need

Before you contact a printer, it’s helpful to have a general idea of your goals. Are you creating something for an event? Launching a new product? Updating your business materials?

We work with clients on all kinds of projects—everything from business cards and brochures to custom labels, event signage, and large-format printing. Some folks come to us with a fully designed file, and others need help from square one. Whatever your situation, knowing your timeline, budget, and intended use makes it easier for us (or any printer) to guide you in the right direction.

You can see a full list of our printing services here.

Print Quality Matters (and Not All Vendors Are Equal)

One of the most common reasons new clients come to us is because they’ve had a bad experience elsewhere—fuzzy images, misaligned cuts, colors that looked fine on screen but printed way off.

Print is tactile. You can feel the difference between a flimsy flyer and a high-quality brochure. We always recommend asking to see samples when evaluating a new vendor. You want to know what kind of paper they use, how vibrant the ink looks, and how clean the finishing work is.

Even better? Check out what other customers have to say. Our Google Reviews can give you a feel for the experience other businesses in our community have had working with us.

Communication and Customer Support Should Be a Priority

In printing, timelines can be tight and details matter. Clear, responsive communication from your print vendor isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity.

When you call or email us, we do our best to respond quickly and clearly. We know it’s frustrating to wait days for an answer when you’re trying to meet a deadline. Our team walks clients through file setup, scheduling, and production timelines, and we don’t leave you guessing. If something comes up mid-project, you’ll hear from us right away.

Not Everyone Has a Designer—And That’s Okay

We’ve worked with plenty of clients who aren’t sure how to build a print-ready file. If you’re not a designer or you’re not sure how to convert RGB to CMYK or add bleed to your layout, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for.

Our in-house team can help prepare your file for production or even build your project from scratch. We also review every file before printing to catch common issues that could result in a poor outcome—and we’ll let you know if something looks off. You can read more about our design services here.

Timelines Are Everything

We’ve seen firsthand how much stress a missed deadline can cause. Whether you’re preparing for a trade show, hosting an event, or rolling out new packaging, print delays aren’t just frustrating—they can throw off an entire campaign.

That’s why we’re transparent about turnaround times from the beginning. We’ll let you know what’s possible based on your timeline, and if you need something on a rush basis, we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.

Look for Clarity on Pricing

Every print job is a little different—materials, quantities, finishes, and labor can vary. We believe pricing should be straightforward, with no hidden fees or vague estimates.

When you request a quote from us, we’ll break everything down so you know what to expect. If you’re not sure how to keep your project within budget, we’ll talk you through your options—whether that means adjusting your paper stock or sizing down your quantity.

File Prep Shouldn’t Be a Guessing Game

There’s a lot that goes into preparing a file for print: CMYK color mode, bleed settings, image resolution, safe zones, text outlines… we could go on. If your vendor doesn’t offer help with file prep—or worse, prints your job without reviewing your files—it can lead to disappointing results.

We take file setup seriously. We’ll check your file, give you guidance if something needs to be adjusted, and make sure everything is ready to go before it hits the press.

If you’ve never prepped a file before, don’t worry. We can walk you through it—or handle it for you if needed.

Customization Options Make a Difference

Your print materials should feel like an extension of your brand—not an off-the-shelf solution. Ask your vendor about options for custom sizes, unique finishes, specialty papers, embossing, and other design features that elevate your final product.

We offer a wide range of custom options, and we’re happy to show you samples or help brainstorm ways to make your piece stand out.

Local Support Has Real Advantages

As a local business based in Bend, we understand the needs of other Central Oregon organizations. You’re welcome to stop by our shop, meet with our team in person, or pick up your project to save on shipping time and costs.

We’ve built long-standing relationships with clients in our area—many of whom we’ve worked with for years. If you value face-to-face communication and the ability to work with a real person (not just a help desk or email thread), working with a local print partner might be the right choice for you.

The Right Vendor Becomes a Long-Term Partner

Printing isn’t always a one-and-done situation. If your business is growing, you’ll likely have future needs—new signage, updated packaging, a seasonal catalog, or additional marketing pieces.

We aim to make every client feel like they have a reliable, go-to partner for all things print. That means we’ll remember your specs, keep your files on hand, and be ready for the next project when you are.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right print vendor isn’t just about who can do the job—it’s about who can do it well, communicate clearly, and help you get the results you’re looking for. Whether you need help with design, have questions about materials, or just want to make sure your marketing materials look polished and professional, we’re here to help.

If you’re starting a project, we invite you to:

Request a quote to see how we can support your next print job
Explore our printing services to get a better idea of what we offer
Reach out to our team if you have questions or need guidance
Or check out our Google reviews to hear what other local businesses are saying

We’re proud to be a part of the Central Oregon business community, and we’d love the opportunity to work with you.

Explore The Possibilities of Print

Premier Printing Solutions has been Central Oregon’s local printing partner since 1999. Our expert team works with you to ensure that every aspect of your business card design is optimized for impact. With high-quality materials, fast turnaround times, and customizable options, we help you create a card that reflects your brand and stands out from the competition.