Resources
You’ve come to right place for deep dives into some of our products and online printing services. Get all you need to know with these helpful resources, from direct mail details to how to hang a banner, brochure folding ideas and more.
About Direct Mail
Our online printing experts, along with the information on these pages, ensure the accuracy and success of your direct mail print jobs. Please keep in mind that all delivery dates are estimates and not guarantees. Smartpress.com is not liable for performance failures by the USPS. As an online printer, our responsibility ends when we deliver […]
Read more›Mailing Design Guidelines
Though many of the standards for each type of mailing piece are similar, there are mailing design guidelines and diagrams below for creating direct mail online. You’ll find direct mail postcards, envelopes, folded self-mailers and brochures, plus stapled pieces (like booklets). Following the design guidelines below when creating your mailing pieces will ensure the USPS […]
Read more›Mailing and Addressing Services
Smartpress offers a variety of mailing and addressing services. We conveniently offer mail fulfillment services like addressing your direct mail pieces, delivering your completed mailing to our local post office and more. Simply select the online printing service desired when obtaining an instant quote for your project. Please note, for orders containing addressing and mailing […]
Read more›Mailing Permits
As you prepare your online printing piece for mailing, you’ll need to decide on which permit to use. Mailing permits give you permission to use a specific payment method for postage. As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers convenient permit options to suit your mailing. If you have questions about mailing permits or any of […]
Read more›List Processing
As an online printer, Smartpress makes list processing easy. We can use your existing mailing lists or we can help you purchase a custom list to reach the customer base that’s best for your business.
Read more›Mailing Lists – NCOA & PAF
When preparing your list for a mailing with an online printer, there are many things to consider. One thing in particular is who it’s for. The answer to this question will determine if National Change of Address (NCOA) is right for the mailing list. The type of mailing will affect who you are trying to […]
Read more›Purchasing a Mailing List
Purchasing a mailing list is a great way to find new customers who fall within your target demographic. When preparing your list for an online printing project like a direct mail campaign, we can help you: Determine the type of list that will best fit your marketing needs Determine the quantity that fits your budget […]
Read more›Know Your Mailing Audience
When creating a direct mail piece with our online printing services, it’s important to consider your mailing audience. Whether you design a direct mail postcard, booklet, self-mailer or newsletter, people are much more likely to respond to a mail piece if it applies to them. Plus, narrowing down who you’d like to target can help […]
Read more›The Return of Direct Mail
Is it really the return of direct mail if it never went anywhere? No matter how much the world adapts with every new technology, one longtime staple in print marketing and advertising has stayed strong: direct mail. Even with the rapid changes and an evolving workforce, direct mail printing remains a versatile and reliable strategy […]
Read more›Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
Ideal for business owners and marketing campaigns, Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM) helps you get your message to your neighbors and local community. Whether you have an upcoming sale or new products and events to promote, Every Door Direct Mail streamlines the process and helps you stick to your budget. Using EDDM with Smartpress can […]
Read more›Dealing with Return Mail
Picture this: You’ve worked with Smartpress to create a direct mail campaign. You’ve designed custom mailers for online printing and had them sent out to target audiences and your distribution lists. A few days pass and suddenly you start receiving return mail of your own mailer! So what happened? If you’re wondering why you’re getting […]
Read more›Postcard Marks, Smudges & Scratches
Have you ever received a postcard in the mail with marks, smudges or scratches? These postcard marks aren’t online printing errors or defects, they’re actually an occasional reminder of the incredible journey that direct mail pieces take as they travel through the postal system to your mailbox. On its journey, your mailer passes through rollers, […]
Read more›Booklet Printing
For small business and corporations alike, booklet printing can be a huge marketing strategy. Whether you need product catalogs, want to showcase seasonal services, provide employees with training manuals, design your own menus and more, Smartpress has the booklet options that suit your needs – and the basics to set them up below. Learn more: […]
Read more›How to Choose the Right Book Binding
Custom booklets with the right book binding are one of the best marketing tools you can use to blend important information with eye-catching images and impressive design elements for your audience. Choosing the right book binding can engage your reader both visually and at an instructional level. Wondering how to choose the right book binding […]
Read more›Business Card Printing
Business cards are an important means of communication, especially when it comes to making first impressions. They offer insight into your company and brand, as well as personal contact information for prospective vendors and clients. With business card printing, you want something that will get noticed and stay top of mind. With Smartpress’ online printing […]
Read more›How to Hang Your Banner
How you plan to use Hanging Banners determines how best to install them. Will you be hanging your custom banners on stands? From the ceiling? Inside or outside? As you design yours for online printing, these are important questions to consider before you learn how to hang your banner. As part of our online printing […]
Read more›How to Set Up a Step and Repeat Banner
Step and Repeat Banner printing is easy with a few simple steps. In order for you to learn how to set up a Step and Repeat Banner correctly, please consider the following recommendations: Use InDesign for file set-up and design For vertical logos, each logo should be a minimum size of 8″ to 10″ high […]
Read more›Retractable Banner Stand Graphics Guidelines
Custom Retractable Banners help you promote products and services, advertise events and display marketing messages with vibrant print and a setup that’s so easy. Since pop-up banners come pre-assembled with the vinyl banner rolled in the stand, it’s important to follow our retractable banner stand graphics guidelines so they display correctly. For other hardware, explore […]
Read more›Feather Flag Bases
Feather flags are a multi-purpose signage solution for any occasion. Whether you need advertising flags or directional signage, feather flag bases ensure your message gets noticed indoors or out. When placing your order for one- or two-sided Razor Feather Flags, Sabre Feather Flags or Teardrop Feather Flags, you can customize your pole and base for […]
Read more›Sticker Printing
Creating and printing stickers is so fun and easy with Smartpress’ customizable, cost-effective options. There are multiple sticker printing substrates for almost any need, and when you add digital laser cutting, they can be produced for online printing in any shape you like. Variable data printing, sequential numbering, rounded corners and shrink wrapping can all […]
Read more›Understanding Envelope Sizes
Whether you’re sending custom invitations, letters to donors or corporate communications, understanding envelope sizes can be a big help. After all, envelopes are part of your marketing package, making that all-important first impression. As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers more than just standard envelope sizes, so you can conveniently mail anything with the right […]
Read more›How to Choose Tuck Boxes for Playing Cards
Tuck Boxes and Playing Cards When determining tuck boxes for playing cards, it’s important to consider a few things: Paper stock Paper weight Finish of your cards Box size you’d like to use You can compare all of these things to find the right box for your cards with this handy chart: Card Paper […]
Read more›Brochure Folding Ideas
Order of Brochure Panels and Calculating Their Sizes We offer a variety of brochure folding ideas and can easily accommodate custom folds so you always get the right fold for the right project. No matter which one you choose, it’s important to remember the first page of your brochure file must host your front cover […]
Read more›Overlap Seams and Flush Seams for Decals
Designing Vinyl Wall Decals or custom Floor Graphics with multiple pieces? As you submit your print-ready files for online printing, you’ll need to decide what kind of seam you’d like. As a premium online printer, Smartpress offers overlap seams and flush seams. An important element of floor and wall decal installation, the right seam creates […]
Read more›Graphic Design Tips for Beginners
Designing greeting cards, custom booklets and direct mail for online printing can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re new to design, begin here with our graphic design tips for beginners. No matter your project or level of experience, Smartpress simplifies the process with our easy online ordering platform and a team […]
Read more›Common Print Problems & How to Solve Them
Designing projects with an online printer can be challenging, so we’ve put together a list of common print problems customers and clients have come across and tips on how to resolve them. If you have questions about print problems or any of our services, please contact customer service.
Read more›Installation Instructions
Check out these installation instructions to display your online printing products properly. How to Install Floor Graphics How to Install Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) How to Install Tension Fabric Displays How to Install Wall Decals How to Install Window Clings
Read more›How to Install Floor Graphics
Whether you design them for promotion, decor or directional signage, custom Floor Graphics make great marketing assets for any business or industry. Adhesive-backed, our floor decals can be applied to commercial-grade tile, sealed concrete, linoleum, asphalt, other similar non-porous flooring and even carpet. After you’ve finished online printing and are ready to apply your vinyl […]
Read more›How to Install Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG)
Silicone edge graphics (SEG) add stunning imagery to your office, work-from-home space, retail environment and trade show booths. Once you’ve designed yours with our online printing services, installation takes no time at all. Follow these simple steps to learn how to install silicone edge graphics or download the instructions here. If you have any additional […]
Read more›How to Install Tension Fabric Displays
Perfect for trade shows, conferences, events and virtual meeting backdrops, Tension Fabric Displays create a professional look as they promote your brand and products. After you’ve placed your online printing order, follow these simple instructions for how to install tension fabric displays in any space. If you have any questions about how to install tension […]
Read more›How to Install Wall Decals
Whether you design them for promotion, decor or directional signage, custom Wall Decals make great marketing assets for any business or industry. Adhesive-backed, our vinyl decals can be applied to smooth interior walls and glass surfaces. After you’ve finished online printing and are ready to apply your vinyl stickers, follow the instructions for how to […]
Read more›How to Install Window Clings
Installing your window graphics doesn’t need to be difficult. Once you’ve created your design for online printing and received your decals or clings, simply follow our instructions for how to install window clings hassle-free. The instructions below are for how to install window graphics, decals and clings that are one-sided or two-sided and are 18″ […]
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