Before anything else, get clear on what you’re printing. Is it a stack of flyers? A batch of brochures? A set of business cards or a huge batch of stickers? Different projects come with different needs, and the more precise you are upfront, the smoother the whole thing runs. Think about sizes, quantities, paper types, finishes, and whether you need things folded, bound, or cut. The clearer your brief, the less back-and-forth you’ll deal with later.
Sort Your Design Files Early
Leaving your design until the last minute is a recipe for chaos. Start working on your files as early as you can. If you’re handling the design yourself, make sure you’re working with proper dimensions, bleeds, and resolution. CMYK color mode is a must for print. If you’re using a designer, give them a solid brief and time to do it right. You don’t want to be scrambling the night before your deadline, fixing pixelated logos or crop marks that mysteriously disappeared.
Ask Questions Before You Order
Not sure what finish will suit your flyers best? Wondering if you can mix paper types in a single order? Just ask. Good print providers expect questions and will happily talk through your options. Whether you’re curious about turnaround times or how thick 300 gsm actually feels, asking upfront saves time and prevents surprises. Especially for things like custom jobs or tight deadlines, a quick chat can keep your timeline on track.
Give Yourself Buffer Time — Always
Even if your print provider promises a fast turnaround, build in some breathing room. There might be proofing delays, delivery hiccups, or last-minute edits. If your event is on Friday, don’t make your print deadline Thursday. Aim to have things done at least a few days ahead so you’re not biting your nails watching the courier tracker at 2 p.m.
Proof It Like Your Reputation Depends On It
Once you get a proof — whether it’s digital or printed — don’t just skim it. Zoom in. Double-check spelling, contact details, and alignment. Check that the colors look as you expect. If it’s a folded brochure, print it on your own printer and fold it yourself to make sure everything lines up. One missed typo can ruin hundreds of copies and waste your budget.
Know What Affects Turnaround Time
Turnaround isn’t just about how fast a printer can hit the button. It depends on how complex your job is. Fancy finishes like foiling or spot UV? Those take longer. The same goes for large quantities or anything that needs binding. Public holidays, weekends, and delivery zones all play a role, too. So when you’re figuring out how long you really need, don’t just count working days — think about everything that goes into it.
Stay Local When Deadlines Are Tight
If your deadline is breathing down your neck, working with a local print shop can save the day. You can pick things up in person or arrange a same-day courier. It’s way less stressful than waiting on interstate or international shipping when time’s already short. Services like custom printing in Perth often offer fast turnaround for local orders, which can be a lifesaver when you’re up against a tight schedule.
Plan For Reprints Or Extras
Need 1,000 flyers? Order 1,100. Small extras barely increase your total cost, and they can be handy for last-minute events, errors, or keeping some on hand for future use. And if you know you’ll need a reprint later, ask the printer to keep your files on record. That way, you won’t need to resend everything or risk miscommunication down the track.
Shipping Can Take Longer Than You Think
Once your job is printed, delivery still needs time. Standard shipping might take a few days, longer if you’re in a regional area or if the courier’s having a backlog. If you’re working to a hard deadline, see if express or tracked options are worth the cost. And always check the shipping address twice — it’s amazing how often the wrong suburb or missing unit number causes delays.
Get To Know How To Prep For Print
If you’re new to printing, it helps to get familiar with how to prepare files for professional printing. That includes knowing about file formats, resolution, bleed, trim, color modes, and font embedding. A little upfront learning saves you a ton of time fixing things later. Some print shops even offer templates or guides — it’s worth asking for one if you’re unsure.
Final Thoughts
Print jobs go smoother when you plan ahead, ask the right questions, and build in extra time. Whether you’re printing something simple or a full suite of branded materials, a little preparation makes a big difference. And once you’ve gone through the process a couple of times, you’ll be faster, more confident, and way less likely to get caught out by the little things that can throw a deadline off course.
