Hi,

I'm thinking about printing my own in-house brochures and was wondering if it should be on high quality brochure paper or could I use traditional copy paper? I'm looking for advice because I plan on sending to local area businesses...

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Nekiwa Smith, OAVS
5 Keys to Profits

I would definitely use a better quality paper. I used a lesser grade once for fliers for my Chamber of Commerce and after just a short period of time they were all limp and funny looking. I switched to a better grade and they hold up just fine.

Also, a better grade of paper implies YOU value quality and therefore your work will be quality work.

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Pam
www.adminetcetera.com

I would definitely use a higher-grade paper. As Pam said, it will imply that YOU value quality and I think it looks more professional. I picked a 'marble-looking' paper for Goddess and use that as part of my branding. Everything is done on that same design paper (letterhead, brochures, envelopes, biz cards, etc.). If you have a specific color that you use to brand your biz, I recommend finding a high-quality paper in that color (or at least a pastel version ) to use for YOUR printing.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I would definitely use a higher-grade paper. As Pam said, it will imply that YOU value quality and I think it looks more professional. I picked a 'marble-looking' paper for Goddess and use that as part of my branding. Everything is done on that same design paper (letterhead, brochures, envelopes, biz cards, etc.). If you have a specific color that you use to brand your biz, I recommend finding a high-quality paper in that color (or at least a pastel version ) to use for YOUR printing.

Do you do your own in-house printing or do you go to an outside printer? I'm trying to see if its even worth my time to print myself or should I just outsource to a local printer or vista print, etc.....I do want my items to be quality items so I'm wondering if it would be cheaper for me to go and buy the stock paper and print myself or pay for an outside print shop to do them, what do you think?

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Nekiwa Smith, OAVS
5 Keys to Profits

Maybe you can check out prices at nearby stores and online and compare because if you do it yourself you'll have to pay for paper and ink yourself which could be costly. If you do go ahead and do it yourself, I agree with other comments and you should definitely use good quality paper as for many it will be their first impression of you and your business.

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

Originally Posted by nekiwa07

Do you do your own in-house printing or do you go to an outside printer? I'm trying to see if its even worth my time to print myself or should I just outsource to a local printer or vista print, etc.....I do want my items to be quality items so I'm wondering if it would be cheaper for me to go and buy the stock paper and print myself or pay for an outside print shop to do them, what do you think?

I have a good laser printer, so I print my own. I take the cards (printed on cardstock weight, of course) to OfficeMax to be cut up. It only costs a few bucks and they can do a really precise cut. I purchased the paper/envelopes at a local stationary store.

The paper I use is here and it looks great! It IS a little pricey by the ream, but it's also a specialized pattern and, as I said, it's part of my brand. Since I am primarily virtual, the ream of paper, ream of cardstock, and envelopes I bought 5 years ago has barely been touched (I have about 60% left of the card stock and approx 90% of the paper/envelopes). I use the card stock for over-size postcards, as well as the biz cards.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thanks so much. I'm not sure if my printer is laser, its a hp officejet 4500.....

Originally Posted by nekiwa07

Thanks so much. I'm not sure if my printer is laser, its a hp officejet 4500.....

Nope, officejet means inkjet. You may consider setting up your docs and taking them to an office supply with your paper to have them printed on a laserjet (for a small fee, of course) or purchasing a laserjet printer. The printers are dirt-cheap now. The toner can be a bit pricey but, if you only use it for your marketing materials and use your inkjet for everything else you can minimize the toner costs.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"