Process

How a job moves through our shop.

From the first phone call to a postcard sitting on someone's kitchen counter — usually six to ten business days.

1

The first call

You tell us what you want to send and to whom. We ask about quantity, timing, budget, and whether you have a list. Usually fifteen minutes on the phone.

2

Written quote

Within one business day you get a quote by email that breaks out paper, ink, finishing, postage, and labour. No surprises later.

3

Design or file check

If you have artwork, Joaquin opens it and confirms it will print. If you do not, our design rate is a flat $85 an hour with a soft cap.

4

Printed proof

We print a real proof on the real paper and either mail it to you, email a photo, or hand it to you if you are nearby. Nothing goes on the press without your sign-off.

5

Print, finish, address

Press runs in the morning, finishing in the afternoon, addressing the next day. Every piece is sampled by hand at the end of each stage.

6

Mail drop

Wendell loads the trays and drives the mailing to the Saint Louis Bulk Mail Entry Unit himself. We send you a copy of the postal receipt the same afternoon.

Questions we get

Things people usually ask before they hire a printer.

Do you have a minimum order?

For digital print, no — we have run jobs as small as 50 cards. For offset, the minimum is usually around 1,000 pieces because that is where offset starts to make economic sense.

Can you print and not mail?

Yes. About a third of what we print leaves the shop on a pallet for the client to distribute themselves. We do not pressure you into using our mail services.

Do you work with nonprofits?

Often. We are familiar with USPS nonprofit authorisation and can advise on whether your organisation qualifies. We also offer a 5% nonprofit discount on our labour line.

What file formats do you accept?

Print-ready PDF/X-1a is best. We also accept InDesign packages, Illustrator AI, and Photoshop PSD at 300 DPI with a 0.125" bleed. We will check files before quoting.

How do you handle data privacy?

Mailing lists are stored on a local server with no off-site backup of client data. We delete lists 90 days after the mail date unless you ask us to keep them.

Can you ship to me?

Yes, we ship via UPS and USPS anywhere in the lower 48. Most of our work is mailed directly, but printed-and-shipped is straightforward.