Calendar printing

**Marc Sabatella** · 10-19-2009, 10:56 AM

[ I don't know that there is a more appropriate forum for this; I'll be happy to move this if someone has a better idea ]

[ EDIT: OK, I've moved it from general to Pro ]

Every year around this time, I put together a calendar. Usually of my paintings, but this time I think it will be photography. I've used several service in the past, and while none were terrible, none were so great that I don't keep looking.

I'm talking about standard flip-a-month-at-a-time wall calendars (some companies offer only whole-year-on-a-single-page calendars). I'm not talking about doing high volume offset printing here - small batches or single orders.

I don't have any special requirements - just decent quality at a good price. Last time out I used Lulu, which was the cheapest I had seen ($9.99 in quantities of just 5), but quality and customization options seemed a notch below what I was expecting. I'd use them again if no better options presented themselves, though, as the other options were generally close to twice as expensive.

Looking around, I see what looks like a similar deal at Vistaprint, although I have no idea how long their current advertised sale prices last. I have heard of them of them primarily because I know a lot of people use them for business cards. Not sure how their photo storage fee structure works out long term if I were to use them more often.

*Wheatfield* · 10-19-2009, 12:49 PM

One of the regulars on the PDML uses Cafepress for her calendars. I've seen one of them, the quality was quite good.
Perhaps if you didn't sue them you might be happier

*skinja* · 10-19-2009, 01:04 PM

Hi Marc, Last year I used apple to print my calenders, I think I printed 10. I was very impressed with the quality, but not so much the price. I think I paid about 23$ ea.

This year I will be a little more cost conscious for my calender, I am looking to do a couple coffee table books also. I have been looking at VioVio, They received some good reviews.

It will be interesting to see what company's some of the other members use.

Thanks for starting this thread.

John

flyer · 10-19-2009, 04:11 PM

How many thousands do you want and when do you need them?

You should not ask that type of question when there is a printer lurking in the background.

**Damn Brit** · 10-19-2009, 04:16 PM

I don't see a calendar as style or technique Marc. Perhaps Pro and Business or PP, Software and Printing?

*skinja* · 10-19-2009, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by flyer

How many thousands do you want and when do you need them?

You should not ask that type of question when there is a printer lurking in the background.

I'm looking for small quantities maybe a dozen of each. do you do such small orders?

flyer · 10-19-2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by skinja

I'm looking for small quantities maybe a dozen of each. do you do such small orders?

Read the first line of my answer.

I could do it, but the cost would be prohibitive with the equipment I have. Try to find a printer having digital output, more like a copy center. This is their field of operation. Mine is more like you need 5000, I'm there. You need five, you loose your shirt, and then some...

**Marc Sabatella** · 10-19-2009, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the typo - fixed (for the record, I initially wrote that I had "sued" instead of "used" several services.

Cafepress is a company I have used - quality indeed was fine, but calendar pricing is on the high side.

As for placement of this thread, my concern with placing it in the "pro" forum is that this is the sort of thing non-pro's are more likely to be concerned with (pros might be doing the full offset printing thing). And I'm not looking for helping printing things myself - been there, done that - which is why the printing forum didn't feel right, either.

As I see it, this question is the equivalent of a question like, "what's a good hosting services if I want to share my pictures" - discussion of Flickr, Zenfolio, etc. Where would that go?

And yes, as a moderator, I should know how to make these calls - but sometimes it just isn't clear. "Everything Else", maybe?

*graphicgr8s* · 10-19-2009, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by flyer

Read the first line of my answer.

I could do it, but the cost would be prohibitive with the equipment I have. Try to find a printer having digital output, more like a copy center. This is their field of operation. Mine is more like you need 5000, I'm there. You need five, you loose your shirt, and then some...

You're not the only printer Yves.

Marc find a shop that has a NexPress or IGen. Quality is good and its all digital. The NexPress has the ability to coat the paper after output. Shops have a ton of money in them and they need to keep them running pretty much around the clock to make that payment.

**Damn Brit** · 10-19-2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Marc Sabatella

And yes, as a moderator, I should know how to make these calls - but sometimes it just isn't clear. "Everything Else", maybe?

If in doubt, 'Everything Else' is the place to be.

Just to clarify my suggestion that it be put in 'Business'. If you're selling it Marc, then I would say that is the place to put it.
It's also an underutilised forum so it would help the thread count as well.

*NaClH2O* · 10-20-2009, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

You're not the only printer Yves.

Marc find a shop that has a NexPress or IGen. Quality is good and its all digital. The NexPress has the ability to coat the paper after output. Shops have a ton of money in them and they need to keep them running pretty much around the clock to make that payment.

Good to know graphicgra8s, but how do you find such shops? Do they advertise "we use NexPress"? Can you google it? Not trying to be a smart ass or anything I want to know too.
BTW Marc, I think 'general photography' is the best place for this. I too would like to produce a calendar this year.

NaCl(and I found in in the General Photography forum not the "Pro")H2O

*graphicgr8s* · 10-20-2009, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by NaClH2O

Good to know graphicgra8s, but how do you find such shops? Do they advertise "we use NexPress"? Can you google it? Not trying to be a smart ass or anything I want to know too.
BTW Marc, I think 'general photography' is the best place for this. I too would like to produce a calendar this year.

NaCl(and I found in in the General Photography forum not the "Pro")H2O

Yeah we are doing a calendar also with pictures of the baby. I am running it in house since I only need 10-15. But I am putting it on a Xerox Doc 12. The Nexpress's are way better but it doesn't cost me to run them on the Doc 12, so.....

Try a google search.

*skinja* · 10-20-2009, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the help, I appreciate the info.

John

*graphicgr8s* · 10-20-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by skinja

Thanks for the help, I appreciate the info.

John

John you could also go try your local print shop. Most these days have color digital output at reasonable pricing. And most have decent quality if the machines are maintained. The only thing I don't like about the Doc12 is the fuser oil leaves a slight bar. But the color is really good.

Might recommend a PIP Printing. Tell them I sent you.