How to Choose the Best Custom Postcard Printing Service for Your Business Needs

In 2022, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) found that the best return on interest (ROI) for "house" lists was postcards. In such a digital age, it's still helpful to use physical mailing efforts, and postcards are definitely the way to go.

What's great is that there are plenty of business postcard services that can help you create stunning solutions. But how can you sort through them all to pick the right company to assist you?

Read on for a helpful guide on how to choose the right custom postcard printing service for your business.

Determine Your Needs and Goals

First, define the primary purpose of your postcards. What are they being used for? Examples include:

• Marketing
• Event invitations
• Exclusive promotions
• Thank-you notes

Now that you've established what you're using the postcards for, then you can determine what quantity you need. Some services are better for bulk orders, while others excel at small quantities, so keep this in mind.

You should also decide the level of customization you'll want on your postcards. For instance, if you want to have unique designs or finishes, then the companies that excel at small quantities should shine here.

Evaluate Design Capabilities

Branding is vital to your company's success, so you want to avoid printing postcards that are cookie-cutter and the same as everyone else's. You want to stand out from the crowd and make a fantastic impression on your recipients, so custom designs are a must.

Check if the service allows you to upload your own design. And templates aren't always a bad thing; if they have professional design templates, this is a good sign too.

If you're looking into online platforms, you should check if the design tools are user-friendly. After all, you want your experience to be smooth and positive!

Check the Service's Printing Quality

When you're doing direct mail marketing, your recipients will get a first impression of your company based on what you send them. You'll want to dazzle them with your postcard mailing, meaning that the print service you use should have impeccable color accuracy and sharpness.

The quality and feel of the paper matter too. See if they offer a variety of paper types in addition to thickness options, such as:

• Matte
• Glossy
• Textured

As for finishing options, look for the following:

• Embossing
• Foil stamping
• Spot UV
• Rounded corners

Compare Pricing and Packages

According to Small Business Trends, you should spend between 7% to 10% of your gross revenue on marketing. For a small business, this may not be much, so you want to get the most bang for your buck.

Compare prices across different companies, and don't look at just the postcard prices themselves either. Factor in other costs, such as setup fees and bulk order discounts. There may also be hidden charges for things like proofing and shipping, so watch out for those as well.

Some printing services offer mailing services, helping you to directly distribute postcards to your list of addresses. So while you might pay more, you'll save time and effort, which is definitely worth it.

The most important thing is to get value for money. Ensure that the price reflects the print quality and service provided, so that you can get affordable custom postcards without compromising. For example, it may be worth it to spend a little more if you get added benefits like design assistance or fast shipping.

Assess the Turnaround Time

On that note, you should also assess the turnaround time. When you were determining the purpose of your printed postcards, you should've figured out a rough timeline of when you'd need them too.

If you need a rush order, then opt for a service that specializes in fast turnaround times. You'll probably have to pay extra though, so have room in your budget for rush orders if necessary.

Are you more flexible with when you receive your postcards? Then verify the available shipping methods and costs. Choose a service that can deliver within your required timeframe without compromising quality.

Check Customer Service and Support

Of course, the company you choose should have flawless custom printing solutions. But things happen, and if they do, you want to have the best care possible.

Look for a service with reliable and responsive customer support. They should assist with things like design issues and order tracking. Plus, they should be able to accommodate changes in your order, whether it's adjusting the design or changing quantities.

In addition, the company should be able to scale with your needs. While you might only need small quantities now, you never know if you'll want to print larger volumes later.

Read Reviews and Testimonials

One of the best ways to find out if a business has great service is to see what their previous customers have to say. Luckily, it's easy to do this; all you need is Google.

Type in the business name and you should see its Google My Business listing. You'll see an overall rating, and you can read each review as well. Sort by parameters like "newest" or "highest" to get a good mix of reviews.

Whichever sorting method you pick, pay attention to consistent issues, such as:

• Delayed shipping
• Poor print quality
• Unsatisfactory customer service

You can also ask for recommendations from your social network. Personal testimonials about specific companies are always excellent since you'll get honest opinions.

Get Custom Postcard Printing With Taradel

If you want to attract new customers to your business, then an outstanding way to do so is through custom postcard printing. You have to carefully weigh your options though, as results can vary drastically.

By carefully assessing the above factors, you can choose a postcard mailer company that meets all of your expectations. Not only that, but you'll be able to get the high-quality postcards you deserve without having to spend a fortune.

Are you ready to explore marketing postcard printing? Then start designing now with our free templates! We at Taradel have a team of seasoned marketing experts who are more than happy to help you meet your marketing goals.