Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Where can I find UK printers offering fast turnaround times for small promotional print jobs like A5 leaflets and branded items?
Members recommend several London-based printers specialising in quick turnarounds for small promotional items and leaflets: - **Minuteman Press** — multiple locations (not all central), praised for speed and reliability - **East End Printers** (eastendprinters.co.uk) — described as cost-effective and quick - **Kall Kwik St James** (www.kallkwikstjames.london, Kay@kkstjames.london) — reliable same-day option - **First Point Print** (firstpointprint.co.uk, +44 20 7828 0515, contact Graham) — recommended for quick jobs - **Arch 5 Design** (London Bridge location) — suggested for A5 leaflets Members note these are primarily London-focused options. No specific turnaround times or pricing were shared in the discussion, so contact directly for your requirements.
What's the best way to produce a large seamless graphic (3m wide) for exhibition display?
Producing a seamless 3m-wide exhibition graphic is challenging but possible. Members shared these practical approaches: - **The Printhouse Notting Hill** — A recommended local printer (135 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3LB; 020 7229 1171; info@phnh.com; printhousenhg@gmail.com). Members have used them for banners and signage, though they may struggle with the full 3m width. - **3 x 2.2m paper prints** — One member found a supplier offering this size, which gets close to 3m but requires careful hanging to avoid tearing. - **Printing on fabric and stretching to wooden frame** — The most reliable approach for a truly seamless look: print the graphic on material and stretch it across a wooden frame, screwing the edges together. This avoids visible joins. - **Rolling for transport** — Most large prints are rolled in tubes for delivery to site, which simplifies logistics but requires careful unrolling and hanging. **Caveats:** Achieving a full 3m width without a visible break is "pretty difficult" according to members' experience. Plain paper posters can be hung with velcro, but large single pieces are prone to tearing during installation and transport. The fabric-and-frame approach requires more setup but delivers the most professional seamless result.
Where can I source low MOQ aluminium can printing trials?
Members recommend **NoMOQ** (https://www.nomoq.com) for aluminium can print trials with no minimum order quantity. You can order as few as 1–2 cans to test how colours and designs appear on aluminium before committing to a full production run. Orders can be placed via their website and are described as very affordable.
Can duty stamps be incorporated into back label artwork, and do you need to use freestanding labels, or can you switch between both options?
Yes, duty stamps can be incorporated directly into your back label artwork. Here's what members reported: **Setup process:** - Incorporation into the label design is possible, but requires HMRC to send you a disc with your registered duty stamp codes - Once HMRC approves and provides the disc, label printers can typically turn around incorporated-stamp labels within 10 days of receiving artwork - The initial setup takes some time to coordinate with HMRC **Recommended label printers (duty stamp capable):** - **Labelapeel** (Leicester) — speedy turnaround, competitively priced; ask for Craig Goodman. Multiple members confirmed they use them and praised the team. - **Labmak** (Label Makers) — excellent quality, though members noted they're not the fastest option - **Quality Labels** — noted for best pricing **Note on switching between formats:** The excerpts confirm members have incorporated stamps into labels, but don't explicitly address whether you can easily switch back to freestanding labels once set up with incorporated stamps. This may be worth clarifying directly with your label printer and HMRC during setup.
What printing services do members recommend for cost-effective, high-quality flyers?
Members recommend several online printing services that balance quality, price and turnaround time for flyer production: - **Solopress** — praised for being well priced, good quality, and fast turnaround - **Digitalprinting.co.uk** — recommended as a cost-effective option - **Vista Print** — noted as a reliable choice For exhibition stands and display materials (shell scheme), members also suggested: - **WTTB** (wttb.co.uk) — described as quick, cheap, and good quality for exhibition panels - **Fresco** (fresco.co.uk) — reported to consistently deliver decent results For design and marketing support around print materials, members mentioned **Iconic BM** (iconicbm.com, Instagram: @iconic.bm) as a reasonably priced marketing agency option, with a contact named Aly who owns the company.
Which suppliers offer quick turnaround and reasonable pricing for exhibition shell scheme design and printing?
Members recommend a handful of reliable UK providers for shell scheme printing with fast delivery and competitive pricing: - **WTTB** (https://wttb.co.uk/products/display/exhibition-panels) — praised as quick, cheap, and good quality. - **Fresco** (www.fresco.co.uk) — consistently reliable for exhibition work. - **Sitruna** — recommended for global reach, though noted as less aggressive in approach; suits those managing tight margins. Members also mentioned running full agency services via vendor central for shell scheme support, though this appears to be an internal capability rather than a third-party vendor recommendation.
Which printer suppliers in London can handle correx boards and paper assets with reliable turnaround?
Members in the London area recommend **Form Graphics** for reliable printing work including correx boards and general paper assets. The contact is Peter Stead at peter@formgraphics.co.uk. Members also mention **Petes** as a good option for general printing needs. Shoreditch-based members found these suppliers offer helpful systems and reasonable turnaround for London-based orders. Note: one member's experience with a printer (details unclear from the discussion) was poor on the buying side, so vetting individual suppliers against your specific needs is advisable.
Which print suppliers can handle non-standard custom dimensions and flexible sizing requirements?
Members recommend two key suppliers for custom-sized printing work: - **Colourpoint** (Bermondsey Square) — praised for flexibility with non-standard dimensions - **Digital Printing** — offers instant quotes when you input custom measurements; note that they have minimum constraints (74mm width, 100mm height), so very narrow formats may still be outside their range If your required dimensions fall outside a supplier's minimums, members suggest exploring design workarounds—for example, rotating a landscape design if the constraint is only slightly below the minimum (e.g., 0.4mm difference). However, the core takeaway is that Colourpoint and Digital Printing are the community's go-to names for flexible, non-standard sizes. If neither can accommodate your spec, it may signal the need for a specialist secondary packaging or bespoke print supplier.
What are reasonable pricing and minimum order quantities for bespoke paper cup printing, and who are good suppliers?
Paper cup printing quotes can vary significantly, and it's worth shopping around if initial quotes seem high. **Fluid Branding** is recommended by members for flexibility on minimum order quantities (MOQ), making them a good option if you're looking to avoid large initial orders. When approaching suppliers, be clear about your volume needs—20,000 units is a common reference point members discuss, though Fluid Branding's willingness to negotiate MOQ suggests smaller quantities may be possible depending on your requirements.