ParcelPedia Podcast

From PDFs to Plexiglass: The Process Behind Professional Printing

• James Banks • Episode 38

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What Is The Full Process When It Comes To Print Orders?  

Printing at ParcelPedia goes far beyond simply putting ink on paper. As owner James Banks reveals in this fascinating episode, professional printing is a precise science with endless possibilities that many customers never discover.

The printing process revolves around three essential elements: image files, materials, and turnaround times. While many assume JPEGs are sufficient for printing, James explains why PDFs and TIFF files deliver superior results by preserving color richness and detail. "The idea is you always want the print to really look how the screen looks," James notes, highlighting how file selection dramatically impacts quality.

Most surprising is the vast array of printable materials available beyond standard paper. From corrugated plastic and cardboard to aluminum, acrylic, and specialized adhesives, the options allow for creative customization based on specific needs. Whether you're producing weatherproof signage for outdoor events or creating distinctive business materials, the medium can be tailored to your exact requirements.

For businesses on tight deadlines, ParcelPedia offers remarkably quick turnaround times—as fast as two days for business cards and simple flyers. Even for complex specialty materials that typically require longer production schedules, James personally contacts printers to explore rush options. "Don't feel like, oh, it's too late, it's not even worth my email," he advises, "because you may be surprised that deadline that you thought you definitely missed may be right there within your grasp."

What truly sets ParcelPedia apart is their consultative approach. Many customers arrive with only a vague concept, yet leave with professionally designed materials perfectly suited to their needs. From full design services to technical file conversion, the team handles every aspect of the printing process with expertise and care.

Ready to transform your printing projects? Visit ParcelPedia at 8992 Preston Road in Frisco or call 972-335-1450. Mention this podcast for 10% off select shipping services and discover how the right printing partner can elevate your business materials from ordinary to extraordinary.

To learn more about ParcelPedia visit:
https://www.ParcelPedia.com
ParcelPedia
8992 Preston Road, Suite 110
Frisco, Texas
972- 335-1450

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Parcelpedia podcast, the ultimate guide to all things shipping and business services in Frisco, texas, from US mail and FedEx to private mailboxes and packing supplies. We've got you covered. Stay tuned for a special discount code to save on your next order. And now delivering expert tips and insider insights with a smile, here's your host, james Banks. Owner of Parcelpedia.

Speaker 2:

From flyers to forms. Printing at Parcelpedia is more than just ink on paper. It's a streamlined service that saves you time and sanity. Today, we're diving into how it works, what you can expect and why it's one of the most underrated offerings. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host and producer. Back in the studio with owner of Parcelpedia, james Banks. James, how are you today?

Speaker 3:

Hey Sophia, I'm doing well. How are you?

Speaker 2:

I'm doing well, just trying to stay out of this heat, James.

Speaker 3:

Likewise.

Speaker 2:

I know you've got the print game down to a science and I can't wait to hear how it all flows behind the counter. Let's get into it today. What's the full process when it comes to print orders? How long is the turnaround time and what materials do you typically print out?

Speaker 3:

Awesome, awesome, great series of questions right there, Sophia, and I'm happy to dive into that for you. So, starting out what type of printing materials we offer is how the full process works. It's very simple, very user-friendly, very customer-friendly. Starts out with what you want, or maybe even coming to us and saying that you have an idea and we can help you figure out what you want. But as far as printing, we always have basically our three core issues or three core things ingredients we have the file, the image file, we have the print material and then, of course, as you mentioned, the turnaround time. So those are the three things I'm gonna really focus on today, just to give you more details about them. So we can start with the image file.

Speaker 3:

A lot of times when you hear image file, you think of, if you're a computer person, like bitmap files, you think of JPEG files, anything that comes across on your phone as like a photo, right, but in printing, actually, a lot of times, a better file format to use would be PDF, which a lot of people are also familiar with, but I feel like most people associate PDF with like documents oh, I got to sign this lease or I got to send this document over to my lawyer or I got something coming in from my brother to fill out and people think of it as more like just business and just documents, just letters, but actually PDF, the way that they interlay the layers of the image on the file create a very good print. So PDF is very popular in printing and very welcomed, and it's something that I know a lot of people are familiar with. So I like to always recommend PDF files for people when they're creating their images or if they're asking hey, how should I send this to you? Pdf is always a great one. If you're a little bit more versed in the digital world or as far as like art and digital art and things of that nature, you may be familiar with TIFF or tagged image file format. That one is really good for printing. It's just a little bit more rare as it's a file type that is typically only found in a little bit higher end processing or editors like Photoshop, adobe Illustrator Not necessarily can, but that one's a little bit easier for the user. But when you get into more detailed, really tricky jobs, that TIFF or TIFF file is really great for printing. It brings out the richness and the color really great, and, of course, at Parcelpedia, we take that off your hands. If you've never even heard of a TIFF file in your life, don't worry about it. I can convert your file into that for you and no extra charge. I'll just be part of getting the best out of your print. And so that's just a little bit as far as the image files that we're looking for when we're sending these off to the printer. Because the idea is you always want the print to really look how the screen looks, and a lot of times printers are not able to do that because of the file type. It just does not have enough information to produce what's on the screen. So that's why we always recommend those two, PDF or TIFF. And if you don't have access to make those, or you don't even know what that is, we'll do it for you, and you just got to get it in our hands.

Speaker 3:

We also offer the image creation. If you were like hey, I have a, for example, I have a barber business, I'm just getting started, I want some flyers, but I don't have anything. I just have my name, I have my location and that's it. We can do full service. Drop a design for you, get you a logo, whatever you need, if you have your own things and you just need to my printer that I used to use. They just went out of business, but I have all my files. It was image, it was material and it was the turnaround time, so I will go next to the materials Printing.

Speaker 3:

I know first thing that comes to mind is paper. Of course, it's one of the most popular things to print on. But that is not the limit. You have a lot of options when it comes to printing materials. What we can offer you are printing on paper. Of course. We could print on corrugated plastic, we can print on cardboard, we can print on aluminum, we can print on acrylic, which is like a plexiglass, which most people are familiar with calling it. We can print on high-tech or low-tech stickers. High-tech would be very strong adhesive, for like floor graphics sometimes you see them in grocery stores highlighting different deals and stuff or low-tech, meaning it's meant to be moved around, so you may want to move it to this side of the store or that side. Or a magnet on your car this side or that side, from this vehicle to that vehicle. So really, there's a sky's a limit when it comes to what we can print on and what we can offer you.

Speaker 3:

And a lot of times it may come down to what you're doing. Hey, I just need some flyers. Flyers in a mud event sounds really good. You may want something laminated. It may be something like that, something simple, where you realize, oh, you're right, yeah, if I would have ordered that it would have been a waste. Or I'm glad I didn't even know I could get plastic, or I didn't even know I could get aluminum. That's perfect. I'm making these for a welding shop. Making them out of metal would be perfect, things of that nature. So we love having that broad variety of options for y'all and for the customers so that they can really fine tune their printing to what they need.

Speaker 3:

And then, of course, the last thing, probably the most important thing for most print jobs is turnaround time. Everyone wants to know, and one of my very first questions to ask because I need to know that I can help you before I dive in and really attempt to help Our quickest turnaround is two days. It is for select things. The faster, easier things to print like business cards 80 pound or like a lightweight flyer, just a flat, no fold, no punch flyer. So if you need something in a hurry, something to pass out your name on it, that's a great option. It's very low price and it's super fast. They make it right here in Arlington Texas so it gets here to Frisco in two days.

Speaker 3:

So I love doing those jobs because a lot of times customers come and they almost are expecting to know hey, I need this by Friday and it's a Wednesday or Tuesday afternoon. You probably can't do it, but just let me know. I'm like oh no, I don't know I can't do it. We can do it, You'll be fine, we'll have it for you. We'll call you when it's in and it's really cool to see that frown turn upside down Whoa, I can make this deadline. Yes, you can make it.

Speaker 3:

Some of the more complex prints, like printing on the acrylic, printing on the metal, they come from facilities out of state. So of course I always ask that if you come with me with a job and it's something that it's just you need it, and if it's typically not within that range, I will personally contact the printer to see what can be done. A lot of times they will rush a job. They'll just add a fee If it's something where I can try to eat the fee for the customer. I will do that just to get their business, just get them in the door.

Speaker 3:

If it's something that they're okay with paying, of course, I'll bring that up to them, let them know. Hey, we can get this very quickly, but your budget may get stretched a little bit. We, at least we always take that step. I just let my customers know, don't be scared, don't feel like, oh, it's too late, it's not even worth by email us, because you may be surprised that deadline that you thought you definitely missed may be right there within the grasp. Just a few things between our printing as far as how it works, what we have to offer and how easy it really can be for you. You can literally just walk in, tell us what you need. You may not even know what you need and still walk out satisfied and happy and know that your job is in the works and on the way.

Speaker 2:

Wow, James, thank you so much for breaking that down for us today. I certainly did not know there was so many things you can print on.

Speaker 3:

Yes, I feel like every year there's like a new thing that comes out. Oh, we're printing on rope now, Like oh, okay.

Speaker 2:

Oh, wow, find a.

Speaker 3:

CrossFit gym. See if they need their brand on some rope.

Speaker 2:

Yes, Well, you certainly never know, and it sounds like you've got printing covered from A to Z. We will catch you in the next episode. Have a fantastic rest of your day. All right, you too, thanks.

Speaker 3:

Sophia.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for joining us on the Parcelpedia podcast. Thanks for joining us on the Parcelpedia podcast. Don't forget mention podcast at our store to snag 10% off select shipping services. Stop by at 8992 Preston Road, suite 110, frisco, texas, or give us a ring at 972-335-1450. We're here to make your shipping a breeze. Until next time, keep shipping and smiling.