I see a lot of people posting about getting things printed at Kinkos and Staples, I would recommend creating a relationship with a local printer to get greater discounts on printed materials. I understand that you can get a discount by setting up an account with such companies, also good for rush projects but by creating a relationship with local business owners and entrepreneurs you can find greater deals. Here are a few resources I have found to be amazing and willing to adjust their prices, especially for frequent customers.

Let me know if you are in a specific area and I can see I have someone to help you. Working with an international company for almost 3 years, I have acquired AMAZING resources that I am willing to share. Here are a few...

Printed/promo materials http://www.minutemanpress.com/ - international franchise that has been amazing for me in Chicago.

Print and Promo (CA) Next day flyers

Production - booklets/brochures and such Jamie (FL) at Fulfillment Central

For fulfillment/DVD/CD production: Sheldon (LA), owner of Multi-Media Publishing & Packaging

Cassandra,

I agree that working with a local printer can have its benefits. I found one that not only takes projects via uploads but will then deliver your finished project to you. This is great when you are working on a project and do not want to stop to pick up your materials.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Lots of good advice. Definitely something to check into. Thanks!

I have two minds about this. One, I really encourage everyone to support small/ local businesses. I love to support a small business, you can't beat them usually for quality and service. Two, sometimes you just need the reliability of have having a business with a presence in multiple areas. A larger company can handle larger requests faster and there is some assurances about what happens if things aren't quite right.

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Charlotte

I agree on using local businesses. But, if you want to use Kinkos (they did a fine job printing a brochure for me recently), etc., be sure to Google for coupons or promo codes. You can find some really good discounts that way which can make the cost much cheaper!

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YourTrustyGirlFriday

I agree, they can work in a pinch but aren't the best choice overall. I save a ton by doing my printing at a local shop.

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Amanda Mock
My Virtual Little Helper

I like to support local businesses (versus chains) as much as possible, so this is a great idea. Lucky for me, my husband works for a printing company!

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Chela Lucia
www.LucentAdminSolutions.com The Bright Choice for Virtual Assistance!

I work with printers all the time in my day job. I choose printers depending on what the situation.

If I need a large number of professional prints and time in not an issue, I go to printplace.com. It takes longer because they are printed in Texas and then shipped to me. I have found that online print ordering is cost effective. I also like using them when it is something out of the usual.

If I need a quick turnaround I use a local printer at Sir Speedy. My local guy has good pricing and you do start a relationship with local owners. This really helps when you need help with printing questions.

The only time I use Kinkos is if I need to get something done very quickly and price is not a concern. They are great to use when you need something printed and picked up in another city. This happens when we have trade shows in other cities and printing has to be done NOW. I would have to say they are not cost effective. When I see the cost, compared to other vendors, I am always shocked.

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Shannon Caldwell
Caldwell Marketing Communications

We have had a bad experience with Kinkos. Big corporation.

I use Kinkos and other big name print shops the way that Sionnan uses them. However, I use my local printer for the majority of my print jobs. I have built up a relationship with them which has enabled me to receive discounts (they recently printed up a great sign for me which I was able to use at our networking event table!).

The attitudes between Kinkos and a local print shop are night and day. Every Kinkos place I have gone to (I have definitely had my fair share of them) seems to act like they are doing you a favor by waiting on you. My local print shop greets you and genuinely cares about how your day is going. I don't mind paying a little more if I know the quality and service will be better.

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LaTosha Johnson
http://www.targetstars.com