The best printers in Canberra

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Mail Boxes ETC Manuka recommended, as one of the best printing specialists in Canberra. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.

If you’ve ever needed something professionally printed, whether for personal or business use, you’ll understand that choosing the right printer isn’t always a snap.

Not all printers offer the same services. Some specialise in short print runs and some large. Some offer digital printing services, some offset and some both. Many printers handle business cards, flyers, brochures, stationery, banners and reports, some don’t have the equipment to print specialised items, including in large format.

In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a professional printing services, and share where to find the best in Canberra.

What makes a great printer?

Choosing the right printer can give you confidence you’ll get your printed product by deadline and at the right price.

It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a professional printing service.

  • Reputation. Research the printer’s reputation, including through online reviews. Ask the printer if you can talk to clients who have had the same printing needs. Check other facts online like the time they’ve been in business and if they’ve won awards.
  • Pricing. It’s wise to get more than one quote so you pay the right price. When asking a printer to quote, do so by providing the same specifications to each one so you can confidently compare apples-to-apples.
  • Service. Not all print jobs are urgent, but if yours is you’ll need to flag this with the printer upfront. Also ask about their service levels are and about their guarantees.
  • Quality. You’ll want a printer who provides quality printing services, including colour matching, trimming and delivery. Check the printer’s website for the calibre of their clients and look at their gallery of work. You can also visit the printer to see printed samples.
  • Advice. Printing can be confusing for the layperson with so many factors to consider, like paper stock and printing techniques. Choose a printer who gives easy-to-understand advice about how best to meet your printing needs within your budget.

The best printers in Canberra

Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Mailboxes Etc Manuka

Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) Canberra provides companies and individuals with quality printing, mailing, courier and graphic design solutions, at affordable prices, saving clients time and money. Friendly and professional, owners Arthur and Marilyn Gray have been in the industry for over 70 years, handling any printing requirement.

A full-service, local print shop with the latest printing equipment, MBE offers urgent services and next-day dispatch. This includes with sustainable printing.

MBE printing services include business cards, brochures, catalogues, manuals, flyers, banners, posters, books, signage and labels. Large format printing, and binding and lamination services are available.

Express courier services cover the ACT, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

MBE also offers virtual office support, rents private mailboxes (physical and digital) and sells office supplies and packaging materials.

Oliver Raymond wrote, I've been very happy to have my printing done by MBE Manuka for umpteen years which is a testament to MBE's service. Fine quality printing at a good price. Very responsive and co-operative.”

Impress Printers

Impress Printers is family owned and operated and has been providing printing services since 1980. Specialising in short-run digital through to large-run offset printing, Impress Printing’s production staff are fully qualified professionals on hand to help clients get the best product for their needs.

On Google, Frances Dinn wrote, “Great service, very efficient. Good value. Unbelievably quick delivery. Very happy with the finished product. Will definitely use again for future jobs.”

Elect Printing

Elect Printing has been providing expert digital and offset printing for more than 30 years. Services include finishing, embellishment, binding and pre-press. Canberra’s largest locally owned printing house, Elect Printing follows environmentally friendly practices, maximising quality of printing and minimising impact on the environment.

Michael Ison wrote on Google, “Our business has been using Elect Printing for years. Regardless of the size of the jobfrom annual reports to business cardsthe quality and service has been top notch.”

Snap Print & Design Fyshwick

A “go-to” destination for a wide range of print and design needs, Snap provides cost-effective solutions for all business marketing needs, including corporate printing, promotional materials and business stationery. Clients receive high-quality service and professional, expert advice. Graphic designer services are tailored for small to medium businesses.

On Google, Melissa Janssen wrote, “Snap provide incredible and fast service. They are always willing to provide the best of service and certainly deliver on quality and time.”

Instant Colour Press

Established in 1982, Instant Colour Press is locally owned and provides quality, efficient services for government departments, small businesses, large corporations, not-for-profits, schools and other organisations. Expert staff advise on all types of printing needs. Graphic design services are available. Instant Colour Press prints ‘green’.

Edmund Walker wrote on Google, “The service was excellent, and the production was of the highest standard. Staff were competent and friendly. Highly recommended!”

Printing by Tank – Design Print Canberra

Printing by Tank – Design Print Canberra has over 10 years’ experience in supplying quality, affordable graphic design, printing, sign production and promotional products solutions for private and corporate entities. Expert printers handle existing artwork or talented graphic designers can create wide format and sign products. All jobs are assessed for suitability and quality standards.

On Facebook, Kristen Hogarth wrote, “I’ve had Printing By Tank do several recent projects ... I’ve found Jason to be affordable, quick and thorough.”

If you’re looking for more information on professional printing services in Canberra, you might like our article on the best offset printers Canberra has to offer. You might also be interested in reading our articles on the best billboards and digital signage, the best signwriters and the best web designers in Canberra.

Your experience with printers in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with any of the printers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what printer to use?

This is a good question and the answer depends on your printing needs. You’ll want a printer that has the right services and price for your job. Some printers specialise in short print runs and speedy turnaround; others in large print runs that might take more time. Head to websites and do some research or call the printer direct.

Do printers have to be qualified?

It’s best to choose a printer who has proven experience in print production. Ask about their education, training, technical expertise and how long they’ve been in the industry.

Isn’t it cheaper to have my printing done overseas?

Printing overseas isn’t always cheaper. Before you go overseas, assess all risks. Check that the company is ‘real’, that they can communicate clearly to you in English, how they intend to deliver and what happens if you don’t get what you expect. Remember that using local not only supports local, it guarantees you can meet someone in person if a problem arises.

How much does it cost to have something printed?

This varies on factors like what you need printed, quantities and your deadline. You might want to get more than one quote to get a feel for the market and ensure a competitive, fair price. When asking a printer to quote, provide the same specs to each so you can compare apples-to-apples.

Do printers follow environmentally friendly practices?

Today, more and more printers operate to protect the environment, including through choice of paper stock, ink and printing techniques. Some printers are more ‘green’ than others, so if environmentally responsible printing practices are important, ask the printer how they print to protect the environment.

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Tender Edge is very good. The bonus is that they do stickers, vehicle signage, corflute signs and heap of other stuff. Off the radar but economical, and quick.

Printing & More Manuka offers reliable services and really high quality printing. If you are looking for a copy or print shop in Canberra, this is the right place. They will assist you if you need document printing, business cards, flyers, booklets, brochures, posters, or banners.
http://manukaprinting.com.au/

Holden Caulfield2:59 pm 02 Nov 12

EvanJames said :

A year on… I was doing a google search for canberra print/copy places, and this topic popped up.

I actually need a copyshop. We are using a printer (not in any of the recommendations here, I notice) for a monthly newsletter. It’s a simple job, at present 540 copies of a 20 page/10 leaf b&W corner-stapled A4 newsletter from an emailed PDF file. We’re currently paying $448.00 for this, but the turnaround times are annoying, to say the least.

I want to know if we can do a bit better! Anyone know a business that is good at cheap, simple copying/collating?

Haven’t used them for years but Snap Fyshwick were very good.

EvanJames said :

A year on… I was doing a google search for canberra print/copy places, and this topic popped up.

I actually need a copyshop. We are using a printer (not in any of the recommendations here, I notice) for a monthly newsletter. It’s a simple job, at present 540 copies of a 20 page/10 leaf b&W corner-stapled A4 newsletter from an emailed PDF file. We’re currently paying $448.00 for this, but the turnaround times are annoying, to say the least.

I want to know if we can do a bit better! Anyone know a business that is good at cheap, simple copying/collating?

Any printer will do photocopying jobs – Elect Printing in Fyshwick are brilliant, friendly, local small business & warrant support.

A year on… I was doing a google search for canberra print/copy places, and this topic popped up.

I actually need a copyshop. We are using a printer (not in any of the recommendations here, I notice) for a monthly newsletter. It’s a simple job, at present 540 copies of a 20 page/10 leaf b&W corner-stapled A4 newsletter from an emailed PDF file. We’re currently paying $448.00 for this, but the turnaround times are annoying, to say the least.

I want to know if we can do a bit better! Anyone know a business that is good at cheap, simple copying/collating?

PrintingQuotes11:35 pm 25 Oct 11

Hey Ace,

I run a free service that compares Printing companies Australia wide. http://www.printerboy.com.au

If you get a chance I would love to hear what you have to say about the site also.

Cheers

Ben

Printing Quotes – Print Service – Flyers – Brochures

Hi All,
I run a printing company, Instant Colour Press, in belconnen. We are a locally owned small business that provides service such as small offset printing, wide format printing and we specialise in digital on demand printing. We offer fast turnaround and have just installed new digital machines so we can provide better quality and service at very competitve prices.

B Pulickattu9:27 pm 06 Jan 22

Hi
We are looking for our brochure (three fold On a A4 size sheet )and business card to get printed out.
We have the PDF and CORALDRAW format ready .
If you are interested to take orders please let us know.
info@irislifecare.com

Phil_the_Printer9:29 pm 13 Sep 11

Thanks for the kind words, my apologies for bombing our name on here but I just wanted to say that the expression “Printer of the Future” on our logo represents our philosophy on the printing… Traditional printers seem to want to make digital print fit into traditional printing mould. I wanted to do it the other way around; to bring traditional attitude and tradesmanship to digital print. Sadly, when Goanna Print closed, Canberra lost a valuable resource, so I wanted to carry its famous client service to the digital world in my own business.
So we are using new technology with traditional values, and actually fitting our products and methods to what today’s print buyers need. We are definitely not a ‘copy shop’ but a proud Printery in the tradition of Goanna. I miss that place :^(

The best priced and best service printer is http://www.prinstant.com.au
They offer very fast turnaround times and Phil is great when it comes to problem solving. I found both Phil and Rick very helpful, give the boys ago 🙂

my name is Rick Tarrant.. Phils son 😛

yeh we are currently working on fixing the website as that was put up before we really knew how to make on.. done alot of study since and have been to busy yet.. new website coming soon trust me 😛

but thanks for the feedback

Holden Caulfield said :

Nice to find out where Phil Tarrant ended up. Rick, did you work at Goanna too?

dad wants to know who you are 😛

Holden Caulfield2:03 pm 13 Sep 11

Nice to find out where Phil Tarrant ended up. Rick, did you work at Goanna too?

I don’t mean any offence, but I found it amusing that Prinstant, “The printer of the future” have a website that looks like it came straight out of 1995. The irony tickled me, intentional or not!

Great to see that there are still local printers around though, and I hope they get good local support.

The best printer in Canberra by far is http://www.prinstant.com.au

Fast turnaround (not weeks like you would wait for other printers), high quality and the pricing is considerably cheaper than the competition. They have only been around a few months but are a family owned and operated business with over 20 years industry experience.

laureah21 said :

Well I have just today used
http://www.prinstant.com.au/home.html
They did a fabulous job printing and binding some training manuals I needed done quickly, they also delivered in the cost of there quote. The quote was substantially cheaper then any others I recieved. Small local business I believe. Thoroughly recommend from my first experience.

Hi Guys,
This is Rick from Prinstant
thanks for the words laura.
We are a family run business my dad Phil Tarrant has been in printing for 30 years and has worked at some of the best including Goanna Print for a long time.

as much as i hate to sound like and add we try to be the best value and the best quality in canberra when it comes to printing.

we also try to provide great service and we like to be seen as humans that you can come in and chat to.. not a big company that you have to work through channels to get in touch with.

🙂

I previously worked for not-for-profit organisation (where price is always a deciding factor) and would most definitely recommend Paul from Union Offset Printers both in terms of value for money, customer service and quality of work. I found that a lot of the larger printing companies can be rather disinterested when it comes to requests for smaller/less expensive printing jobs. Paul not only came in with the most competitive quote but also delivered a high quality product.

Well I have just today used
http://www.prinstant.com.au/home.html
They did a fabulous job printing and binding some training manuals I needed done quickly, they also delivered in the cost of there quote. The quote was substantially cheaper then any others I recieved. Small local business I believe. Thoroughly recommend from my first experience.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I’m really keen to support local business here in the ACT (that’s a major part of my business) and will be checking out your recommendations.

Agree that New Millennium are good, and whatever you do, get quotes from Elect Printing in Fyshwick … electprinting.com.au, manager John K 6280 6925

They specialise in short runs and have been consistently the cheapest quote but still coming up with equivalent quality products to the larger firms. Super friendly, really professional.

A couple of months ago their quote on a job was literally HALF the “cheapest quote” that one of the major design companies around town, ahem, pretended they had got for us. I had to check with Elect whether they were cutting corners to get the job! Nope … perfectly in order, design company was attempting to rip us off blind.

I would certainly recommend Vivid Print at Fyshwick.
http://www.vividprint.com.au/
Talk to Mark about your printing requirements – they’re very helpful and provide a great service.

The Printing Factory Group at Fyshwick are pretty good. Good quality product, good price and friendly staff. KwikKopy are quite competitive too.

+1 for New Milennium print in Fyshwick. Great service and excellent product – I’ve used them on and off for over a decade in both a professional and personal capacity and never had any problems.

If you only need small runs and want to support local business then try AddColour. They have a quick turnaround and do very good work.

Of course there are many cheaper printers around if you look interstate.

I know this doesn’t support local businesses (which we do as much as we can) but we use VistaPrint.

Their prices are generally pretty good, the website is easy to use as far as making/uploading your own designs go and their customer support is pretty amazing. We had a few problems with printing and one shipment went missing, they replaces both free of charge (the missing shipment arrived a few days later so we got a bonus lot of business cards for free).

They often have specials and sales for free stuff but don’t fall for it, they make their money from those by charging for shipping. On the surface the prices can seem a bit high but if you sign up as a customer they will send out coupons which will save you a percentage on the total of your order as well as various other offers (or just search the web for them).

For example, our last order was 2 lots of 1500 business cards (3000 total, custom design, colour, double sided, shiny on one side) for $160 with free shipping.

Holden Caulfield11:39 am 09 Sep 11

http://www.nmprint.com.au/
http://www.impressprinters.net.au/

Both of the printers above are well priced and offer excellent/flexible/fast service.

Although http://www.heroprint.com.au/ (based in WA) is hard to beat on cards/stationery if you’re happy to stick with their limited paper selections.

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