We review print services the way most customers experience them: you upload files, you choose options, you pay, and a box shows up. Our methodology is designed to measure what matters: how the final product looks and feels, how consistent the vendor is, and whether the total value matches the marketing.
Last updated: January 8, 2026
What we test (high level)
Depending on the product category, we evaluate:
- Print quality: sharpness, fine detail, coverage, banding/artifacts, solid fills
- Color handling: contrast, neutrals, “near-black” behavior, gradients, skin tones (when relevant)
- Materials: stock feel, thickness/rigidity, surface texture, opacity, adhesive (for stickers/labels)
- Finishing: corners/cuts, coating consistency, foil alignment, spot UV execution, edge quality
- Consistency: whether reorders match, defect rates, and QC reliability
- Turnaround + shipping: production time, shipping speed, and tracking reliability
- Packaging: protection, scuffing prevention, bend resistance
- Support + policies: proofing, reprints, refunds, dispute handling
- Value: realistic cart total (not just the headline price)
How we place orders
When possible, we place orders that represent common buyer choices (popular sizes, typical quantities, standard options). We may also place a “stress test” order that includes:
- tricky colors (deep neutrals, gradients)
- thin lines and small text
- large solid areas (where banding/coverage issues show up)
We document:
- options selected
- price breakdown (base + shipping + upgrades)
- stated production time and delivery estimate
- what arrived and when
File prep standards
To keep comparisons fair:
- We follow each vendor’s bleed/safe area requirements
- We use print-ready exports (PDF where appropriate) and standard color practices for the category
- We avoid “cheating” with overly forgiving designs that make every printer look good
If a vendor requires a specific template, we follow it. If a vendor provides unclear guidance, we note that as part of the usability score.
Scoring rubric (how ratings are built)
We use a weighted rubric so the final score reflects real buyer priorities.
Overall score = weighted total across these categories:
- Print Quality (30%) – clarity, coverage, detail, consistency of ink/toner
- Materials & Finish (20%) – stock/adhesive quality, coatings, durability, finishing execution
- Consistency & QC (15%) – defect rate, repeat-order consistency, alignment/cutting accuracy
- Price & Value (15%) – realistic cart total, upgrade pricing, what you get for the money
- Turnaround & Delivery Reliability (10%) – production speed, tracking quality, on-time delivery
- Support & Policies (10%) – proofing, reprint handling, returns/refunds clarity, responsiveness
Rating scale (internal):
- 9–10: Excellent (would reorder confidently)
- 7–8: Good (solid choice; minor caveats)
- 5–6: Mixed (usable, but notable compromises)
- 3–4: Poor (quality or experience issues are hard to ignore)
- 1–2: Unacceptable (we would not recommend)
“Best for” recommendations (how we decide)
Our “Best for” callouts are not just the top score. They’re based on:
- who the product fits (designers, small businesses, event planners, bulk buyers)
- where the vendor is strong (finish quality, consistency, speed, price)
- where the vendor is risky (color control, corners/cuts, upgrades that disappoint)
Retesting policy (when we rerun a vendor)
We retest when:
- the vendor changes materials, finishes, or production methods
- shipping/turnaround policies change meaningfully
- pricing structure changes materially (especially upgrade pricing)
- we receive credible, repeated reports of a new issue pattern
- a post is aging and the category has shifted
When we retest, we update the review and adjust recommendations accordingly.
Limitations (because printing is manufacturing)
Batch variation exists. A vendor can ship a great run one month and a slightly off run the next. Our goal isn’t to claim perfection—it’s to identify:
- which vendors are most consistently good
- which options perform reliably
- which upgrades look premium vs. look cheap fast