Small Press and Specialty Printers come in a variety of kinds. A small local printing firm, celebrating more than 50 years in business, now has a website with customers all across the country. Others begin when art students buy an old letterpress and a catalog of antique lead type and open a small printing shop. One specialty printing firm prints messages on balloons, while another prints corporate logos and slogans on paper and plastic bags.

Find the following types of printing firms online:

1. Small printing presses that specialize in small quantities and use old-fashioned printing presses or modern digital printing equipment;

2. Printers that print custom folders, binders and product packaging;

3. And printers offering specialty printing on all kinds of non-paper items.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Order printing from small press printers for short-run print jobs

Design and create your document and upload it to a custom online printer using digital printing techniques. Use a template or follow their online instructions for file formatting.

I recommend: Get an instant quote from CatPrint for high-quality, short-run printing in full color for many kinds of documents, including invitations, post cards, flyers, promotional materials, posters, banners, and business cards. Order custom short-run printing from ShortRun.us and have them mail your promotional material for you.

Use the design services from a small business printing press

Order printing from a vendor who also provides design services, if you don't have the time or skills to design it yourself. View samples of the vendors' work before choosing the best one for your situation.

I recommend: ACF Consulting Inc. provides design for websites, advertising, business cards and promotional items. Copy Craft Printers, Inc. can design your brochure, banner, letterhead or postcard.

Buy printed products from a traditional small printing press

Small printers who use more traditional methods still produce unique and eye-catching products. For many years, letterpress equipment was the traditional printing press. Small printing firms sometimes still use these older printers.

I recommend: Order stationery, invitations, business cards, letterhead and many other types of products online from PAPYRUS. Purchase invitations and envelopes from LCI Paper Co., where you can shop by color, size or event. Upload your artwork for custom envelopes at the Envelope Printing Store at The Paper Mill Store, Inc. Find a small printer using old-fashioned letterpress equipment in your area using the directory at Briar Press by One Art New York, Inc.

Establish your corporate image with folders and packages from specialty printing firms

Hand out custom folders to potential customers. Catch their attention with specialty report covers. Communicate the benefits of your product with specialty packaging.

I recommend: Obtain custom printed folders, binders and product packaging from Volpe & Associates. Order printed presentation folders, report covers and specialty product packages from Hagadone Printing Company.

Order special items custom printed by a specialty printer

These printers specialize in printing on specific items. Promote your business using printed items,for samples, sales incentives or for special events.

I recommend: Give your customers custom-printed loyalty cards printed by Connecticut Laminating Company, Inc., where they make a card in a custom shape with a bar code or magnetic strip. Put your logo or slogan on a balloon for promotions or special events using the services of BalloonPlace.com by A Little Bit of Something, Inc. Hand out custom-printed candy as a special promotion or gift using the services of CandyFavorites.com by Selavy Ltd. Order paper or plastic bags printed with your logo or a special greeting from Aplasticbag.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use a different printing firm for each different kind of specialty print services.