When to Use a Local Print Shop Instead of VistaPrint

marketing printing consistency

Braden East

March 25th, 2025

Every church does some printing in house, but who do you pick for professional printing services?

I’m a big proponent of using a local vendor, but not just for the typical “shop local” reasons.

This will save your church time and money and give you better results.

So, here are my top three reasons to choose a local vendor:

1. The Value of Physical Proofs

In my years as a graphic designer and art director, the importance of getting a physical printed proof from a vendor has become more and more apparent to me.

If you’re printing anything with brand colors or photography, you have a lot riding on color accuracy.

Here are the cases I recommend asking for a printed proof (sometimes called a “match print”):

Prominent interior displays
Something you’re printing a lot of
Semi-permanent banners or signs

2. Access to Experience

If someone is running a successful print shop, you can bet they have technical knowledge of how to get their customers the best results.

What type of paper to print your bulletin on, how to set up your artwork for a vinyl banner, or which bumper stickers are the easiest to apply?

Most local print shops will be more than happy to answer your questions, if you just ask!

3. Cost Savings

VistaPrint and other online print services may be easy to use, but they charge a premium price for that convenience.

Between shipping costs and upcharges for every add-on, they’re often the more expensive option for churches looking to print materials on a budget.

These are just three of the reasons I recommend churches use a local print shop whenever possible.

If those weren’t enough, other reasons include investing in your community, getting consistent quality, maintaining a relationship with a local business, and having someone who can help if a print job goes wrong.

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