My Favorite Vendors: Smartpress.com

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Last week we talked about the different options for printing invitations when you work with an independent designer. To refresh your memory, there are three options: 

1. Using an online printer
2. Going to a local copy shop such as Staples
3. Printing at home

I do print some smaller batch items at home, especially those for parties: banners, food tent cards, party favor tags, party signs.

I find that I don’t need many of these at a time so it isn’t worth sending to a printer. I buy a pack of white cardstock to keep on hand. I also have cardstock in fun colors if I want to layer my white cardstock on top of colored stock. 

For the types of printing where quality really matters, or I have a higher quantity, I always send it out to an online professional printer. These items tend to be invitations, holiday cards, birth announcements, and business card orders. 

Why send your pieces to an online printer like Smartpress.com? 

Because the prices are reasonable, the card stock is high-quality, and it saves me time from fighting with my printer and trimming to the final size.

My online go-to printer is Smartpress.com. I have been a loyal fan of theirs since 2011 when I printed my own wedding invitations. It was a lucky find! They offer so many products, have tons of paper samples to choose from, and are fast!

My favorite papers at Smartpress.com: 

• Uncoated Smooth: This paper is great for invitations and announcements. 
• Premium Matte: Another good one for invitations. There is a slight gloss to the paper and I tend to choose it for more informal party invitations or depending on the style of the invite.
• Metallic in ice silver or ice gold: This is premium! I used the ice metallic silver paper for my wedding invitations and they turned out stunning!

Smartpress also offers some fun add-ons including rounded corners, unique folds, and even perforation.

Back when I printed my boarding pass wedding invitations with tear off response card, they were just getting started with offering this as a service and so it wasn’t as cost-effective as it is now.

I ended up using a paper cutter that had a perforating blade. For 150 invite, it adds about $20 to your order, and you know these will turn out great.

Printing through an online printer is easier than you think, especially when you set up your file correctly and go through the ordering process.