8 Steps to Printing Your First Marketing Materials

8 Simple Steps to Print Marketing 

Starting a business comes with a long to-do list. At some point, you'll need something printed. That might be business cards, flyers, roller banners, packaging or signage.

If you've never ordered commercial print before, the process can feel surprisingly technical.

The good news is that it doesn't have to be.

Here's how to go from idea to finished print with confidence.

1. Decide What You're Actually Trying to Achieve

Don't start by choosing a product.

Start by asking what problem you're trying to solve.

For example:

• Meeting potential customers? Business cards may be your first priority.
• Opening a new shop? Window vinyls, flyers and pavement signs could have a bigger impact.
• Exhibiting at a trade show? Roller banners and promotional literature are often essential.
• Sending online orders? Thank you cards, stickers or branded packaging may add more value than another social media advert.

The product should always support the objective, not the other way around.

2. Choose the Right Product Before Thinking About Paper

Commercial printing isn't one-size-fits-all.

A flyer designed for a door drop has different requirements from a restaurant menu.

A business card handled hundreds of times needs a different finish from an appointment card that customers write on.

Before choosing paper weight or lamination, make sure you've selected the product that's best suited to how it will be used.

3. Prepare Your Artwork for Print

This is where many first-time buyers become nervous, but as a commercial printer, we provide templates and artwork guides to make the process much simpler.

As a general rule:

• Export your artwork as a PDF.
• Design in CMYK rather than RGB.
• Use 300 dpi images.
• Include 3mm bleed. 
• Keep important text inside the safe area.
• Embed or outline your fonts.

These small technical details help ensure your printed product looks the way you intended.  However, if you use an online design tool such as the one on our website, these details are taken care of for you.

4. Don't Panic if Your File Isn't Perfect

Not everyone has access to professional design software.

If your artwork isn't print-ready, you don't necessarily need to start again.

We offer different levels of artwork support, from simple pre-flight checks for print-ready PDFs to file checking, artwork assistance and full design services, depending on how much help you need. There's also an online design tool for many products if you're creating artwork from scratch.

5. Think About Quantity Before Price

Ordering more usually reduces the cost per item.

That doesn't always mean you should buy more.

Ask yourself:

• How quickly will my information become outdated?
• Am I likely to change prices?
• Could my branding change soon?
• Will I actually use 10,000 flyers?

Buying the right quantity is often more economical than chasing the lowest unit cost.

6. Upload Your Artwork Carefully

Before approving your order, take a final look at your files.

For double-sided products, both sides should normally be supplied together in the correct order within the same PDF. If you're ordering products with multiple pages, upload all pages at once to avoid delays.

A two-minute check before submitting can save days of waiting for a reprint.

7. Choose the Right Level of Artwork Checking

Professional printers don't all offer the same service.

If you're confident your file is production-ready, you may only need a basic pre-flight check.

If you're unsure about bleed, resolution or file setup, choosing an artwork checking service can provide extra reassurance before printing begins. We offer this free online 24/7 file pre-check service for peace of mind.

Understanding what's included helps you choose the level of support that matches your experience.

8. Treat Print as Part of Your Marketing, Not the End of It

Receiving your printed products isn't the finish line.

Think about how they'll be used.

Will your business card include a QR code?  How will you track that?

Should your flyer send customers to a dedicated landing page? Have you made it and tested the link?

Will your roller banner be visible from the entrance to your exhibition stand?

The businesses that get the best return from print usually plan how every piece fits into the wider customer journey.

Printing Doesn't Need to Be Complicated

Commercial printing can seem intimidating the first time you order, but the process is surprisingly straightforward once you understand the basics.

Choose the right product for the job, prepare your artwork carefully, ask for help if you need it and think about how your printed materials will support your wider marketing.

The result is marketing that's ready to be picked up, displayed, shared and remembered.