Buyer's guide · Downtown Denver
How to Choose the Right Print Partner in Denver
Whether you print with us or someone else, these are the questions worth asking before you place an order. No sales pitch, just what we would want to know if we were the customer.
Start with the job, not the printer
Most printing problems are not about equipment. They come from a mismatch between what you needed and what was agreed to: a date that was optimistic, a proof that was never seen, a paper that looked different in person, a color that drifted on the reorder. The fastest way to avoid all of that is to know what you need before you ask for a price, and to ask every printer the same short list of questions.
Write down the finished size, the quantity, when you actually need it in hand, and what it is for. A trade-show banner, a stack of business cards for a new hire, and a set of menus for a restaurant opening all have different tolerances for time, color, and cost. Once that is clear, the questions below will get you a straight answer from any printer in Denver.
Ten questions to ask any printer
You do not need to ask all ten on every job. Pick the ones that match what matters most for this order.
01Turnaround
Ask for a realistic date, not a best case. A good printer will tell you what is possible today, what needs a day or two, and what is worth scheduling ahead. Ask whether the date they quote is when the job is finished or when it is in your hands.
02Proofing
Will you see a proof before anything is printed? A PDF proof catches typos and layout issues; a printed proof is the only way to judge color, paper, and finish on a job that matters. Ask which one you get and whether there is a charge.
03Paper stocks and materials
Ask to see and touch samples. The same design reads very differently on a 14 pt matte card, a 16 pt gloss card, or an uncoated linen. For signs and banners, ask about indoor versus outdoor materials and how long they are expected to hold up.
04Color consistency
If you reorder in three months, will the color match the first run? Ask how the printer checks color, whether they keep records of your previous jobs, and how they handle brand colors that need to look the same across cards, brochures, and signage.
05Finishing
Folding, scoring, cutting, laminating, binding, grommets, mounting, and drilling are often where jobs slip. Ask what is done in the building and what is sent out, because anything sent out adds time and one more set of hands.
06File prep help
Ask what happens when your file is not print-ready: wrong size, missing bleed, low-resolution images, RGB instead of CMYK. Some printers fix it for you, some charge for it, and some print exactly what you send. Know which before you upload.
07Pickup and delivery
Ask about pickup hours, parking or a loading zone, and whether local delivery or shipping is available. For an event or a deadline, ask what happens if you need something after hours.
08Minimums
Some printers only make sense at 500 or 1,000 pieces. If you need 50 flyers or a single poster, ask whether small runs are welcome and whether the unit price changes dramatically at low quantities.
09Rush policy
Ask how rush jobs are handled and what they cost. A clear answer up front is better than a surprise on the invoice, and it tells you how the printer manages its schedule.
10Who you talk to
When something needs a decision, will you reach the same person who saw your job, or a ticket queue? Ask how questions are handled after you place the order and who you can call if something changes.
Local center or online ordering?
Both are legitimate choices. The right one depends on the job, and plenty of businesses use each for different things.
A local center is usually the better fit when
- You need it today or tomorrow and cannot absorb shipping time.
- Color has to match something you already have: a previous run, a brand standard, a sample in your hand.
- The job involves finishing, mounting, or odd sizes that are easier to get right in person.
- You want to look at paper and material samples before committing.
- Your file might need work and you would rather have someone fix it than guess.
- You are printing for an event and want a person to call if plans change.
Online ordering is perfectly fine when
- You have a print-ready file, a standard product, and a week or more of lead time.
- The job is simple and repeatable, and you have already approved a physical sample.
- You are shipping to several cities and the printer's own fulfillment is convenient.
- Cost per piece matters more than turnaround or hands-on review.
A useful middle path: order the first run locally, approve a physical sample, and keep it. Whether you reorder locally or online later, you will have something real to compare against.
Before-you-order checklist
Eight items. If every one has a clear answer, the job is very likely to come out the way you expect.
- Confirm the finished size, quantity, and paper or material in writing.
- Ask for a PDF proof, and a printed proof if color matters.
- Confirm the turnaround date and whether it includes finishing.
- Ask what happens if your file is not print-ready.
- Ask what is produced in the building and what is sent out.
- Confirm pickup hours, delivery options, and rush pricing.
- Get the name and direct contact of the person handling the job.
- Keep the approved proof and the invoice so a reorder matches.
How we answer these questions at PostNet Denver
We are a locally owned print center at 1312 17th Street in downtown Denver, open Monday through Friday. Every file is reviewed by a team member before it prints, you can see paper and material samples in person, and most everyday products are produced in the building. Same-day pickup is available on many weekday orders, and when you call (303) 595-0500 you reach the people who will handle your job. Our customers have left 500+ five-star Google reviews, and we would rather earn yours by answering these questions well than by telling you who to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to ask a printer?
Ask for a proof and a firm turnaround date. Those two answers tell you how the printer works: whether you will see the job before it runs, and whether the schedule is realistic. Everything else (paper, finishing, price) is easier to sort out once those are clear.
Is a local print center more expensive than ordering online?
Not necessarily. On small and medium runs the prices are often close once shipping is included, and a local center can save money by catching file problems before they are printed. Very large runs of simple products are sometimes cheaper online if you have the lead time.
How do I make sure my colors come out right?
Send print-ready files in CMYK, ask for a printed proof on the actual stock, and keep that proof for future reorders. If your brand has specific colors, share the values (Pantone, CMYK, or a physical sample) and ask how the printer will match them.
Do I need a print-ready file?
It helps, but it is not always required. Ask whether the printer will check your file and fix common issues such as missing bleed, low resolution, or wrong dimensions. At PostNet Denver we review every file before it prints and let you know if something needs attention.
How far ahead should I order for an event or conference?
For standard items like flyers, business cards, and posters, a few business days is comfortable. For banners, signs with hardware, booklets, or anything with special finishing, a week or more gives room for proofs and adjustments. Same-day options exist for many products, but planning ahead avoids rush pricing.
What does PostNet Denver offer?
PostNet Denver at 1312 17th Street is a locally owned print center in downtown Denver offering design services, full-service printing, packing and shipping, and mailbox rentals. Same-day pickup is available on many weekday orders, every file is reviewed before it prints, and you can call (303) 595-0500 to talk to a team member about your job.
Ready to ask us these questions?
Send us the details of your job and we will come back with a proof plan, a realistic date, and a price. Or call and talk it through with a team member.