PostNet

A thin white line along the edge of a printed piece has one cause, and it isn't the printer.

It's artwork that stops exactly at the trim line. Commercial cutting is accurate but not perfect to the thousandth, so a hair of variation leaves a sliver of white showing.

An eighth of an inch of extra artwork past the trim absorbs it completely.

Two minutes in the file. Or a reprint after.

Prevent the thin white edge before your file reaches production. See how bleed works in our latest blog: https://www.postnet.com/blog/what-is-a-bleed-in-printing/

Designed it in Canva? It can absolutely be printed.

A few settings just have to be right before you export:

Set the document to your finished size, not close enough.

Add bleed in setup, then turn on crop marks and bleed when you export.

Export as PDF Print — not PNG, not Standard PDF.

Keep important text away from the edges.

Upload images at full size. Anything pulled from a website will print soft.

Same principle as Tuesday's bleed guide: a minute before printing, or a reprint after.

Ask us which export setting your project needs.

Does your file include bleed?

It's the question that stops most people the first time they hear it. It's simpler than it sounds.

Bleed is artwork that extends past the trim line, so when the piece is cut, color runs cleanly off the edge instead of leaving a thin white border.

Standard is 1/8 inch on each side. The guide covers when you need it, when you don't, and what the safe area protects.

Or send us the file and we'll check it before it prints.

Bleed sounds technical, but it’s easier to understand once you see where each boundary belongs. Our latest blog breaks it down. https://www.postnet.com/blog/what-is-a-bleed-in-printing/

Six things that get a printed piece ignored:

Too much text.

Fonts that are hard to read.

Low-resolution images.

Three offers competing for the same space.

No clear call to action.

Branding that changes from piece to piece.

Any one of them can undo an otherwise good print run. All six are fixable before anything goes to press, and we flag them when we look at your file.

Not sure whether your design is ready to print? Stop by for a second opinion, and find all six checks in our latest blog.

Same design. Four papers. Four different results.

Uncoated is matte and easy to write on — letterhead, forms, anything someone fills out.

Gloss makes color pop and photos look sharp — flyers, brochures, postcards that have to sell.

Matte coated is the middle ground: rich color without glare under store lighting.

Heavier stock is the one people notice by feel, before they read a word — business cards, invitations, menus.

People react to paper before they read anything on it. It's the difference between a piece that gets set down and one that gets kept.

Ask us for the sample pack. It's easier to feel than to describe.

Wind. Crowds. Folding tables. Six events in eight weeks.

A retractable banner works harder than almost anything else you print, and it’s often the piece most likely to still say “Summer Hours” in November.

Fall calendars fill quickly with vendor fairs, school nights, open houses and community markets. Ordering early gives you more room to choose the right finish, review a second proof if needed and create one banner that works throughout the season.

If your event is coming up sooner, tell us anyway. We’ll work with the timeline you have.

Fall does not arrive slowly.

Community events come back. School starts. Holiday shopping starts earlier every year.

And the printed pieces that carry all of it — cards, flyers, banners, window graphics — are usually the last thing anyone looks at.

Ten pieces are worth reviewing before October. The checklist covers all of them, plus a month-by-month timeline so nothing lands late.

Read the blog, then bring your fall print list to us and we’ll help you prioritize what needs to be updated first.

https://www.postnet.com/blog/small-business-print-checklist-fall/

The Ultimate Small Business Print Checklist for Fall | PostNet Prepare your business for a successful fall season with this complete print checklist covering marketing materials, signage, and customer essentials.

It might still feel like summer, but fall will be here before you know it. 🍂

September brings fall events, seasonal promotions, and the start of Q4 planning—and the businesses that feel prepared are usually the ones that started printing early.

If business cards, brochures, banners, signage, or other marketing materials are on your to-do list, now is a great time to get ahead of the rush.

What's the first fall project your business is working on this year?

August is right around the corner — and it's one of our busiest months.

If you've got a college student heading to a dorm, or you're a teacher prepping for a new school year, we are ready.

Here's what we handle for back-to-school season:
— Care packages (fragile, heavy, bulky — we pack it all)
— Dorm ship-ahead: send the stuff that won't fit in the car before move-in
— Classroom printing: worksheets, syllabi, activity packets
— Document copies for move-in paperwork and leases

Start planning now. We work best with a week of lead time — and move-in weekends fill up fast.

Stop by or give us a call.

One brochure.
Three completely different ways to tell the story.

Tri-fold helps organize lots of information.

Half-fold gives your message room to breathe.

Gate-fold creates a memorable reveal that feels more premium.

The fold isn't just about appearance,it changes how someone experiences your message.

Not sure which one fits your project? Check out our blog 👇
https://www.postnet.com/blog/tri-fold-vs-half-fold-vs-gate-fold

Running a market booth or pop-up this summer?

There's one thing we see people overlook all the time.

They spend weeks getting ready for the event—but forget to plan what happens after someone discovers their business.

Think beyond the table.
• Brochures people actually take home
• QR cards that lead directly to your website
• Branded thank-you inserts that turn first-time buyers into repeat customers
• A shipping plan for online orders while you're busy selling in person

A little planning now makes the entire event work harder for your business.
Stop by or check out out blog to start your planning
www.postnet.com/blog/tri-fold-vs-half-fold-vs-gate-fold/

Tri-Fold vs. Half-Fold vs. Gate-Fold Brochures | PostNet Picking the wrong fold crowds your message or leaves panels empty. Compare tri-fold, half-fold, and gate-fold layouts by panel count and reveal style.

Choosing a brochure isn't just about what you want to say—it's about how you want people to experience it.

Some messages are best organized into sections. Others deserve big visuals and plenty of breathing room. And sometimes, you want to create a memorable first impression before someone even opens the brochure.

That's why there isn't one "best" brochure fold.

Whether you're creating service guides, event handouts, product brochures, or marketing materials, we'll help you choose the format that works best for your message.

Stop by and take a look at our sample brochures—we're always happy to help.
Learn more on our blog 👇
https://www.postnet.com/blog/tri-fold-vs-half-fold-vs-gate-fold/

Every box has a story.
Some are birthday gifts headed across the country. Others are products for customers, business documents, or travel gear on its way to a vacation destination.

That's one of the things we love most about working at PostNet—no two shipping days are exactly alike.

So we're curious...

What's usually in the box you're shipping?
📦 Gifts
🛍️ Online orders
💼 Business materials
🎒 Travel gear

Or something else? Tell us in the comments!

Instead of checking oversized bags, consider shipping ahead:
• Golf clubs
• Strollers and car seats
• Extra luggage for longer trips
• Outdoor and sports equipment

We'll professionally pack your items, compare rates across multiple carriers, and help you choose the shipping option that gets everything there before you arrive.

Travel lighter. We'll take care of the rest.
Learn more on our blog:
https://www.postnet.com/blog/ups-fedex-usps-dhl-shipping-times/

One question we hear almost every day:
"Which carrier should I use?"

The honest answer?
It depends.

A package headed across town has different needs than one headed overseas. Timing, destination, package size, and cost all play a role.

That's why we compare UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL for you—so you don't have to figure it out on your own.

Bring in your package, tell us when it needs to arrive, and we'll help you find the best option. Learn more on our blog:
https://www.postnet.com/blog/ups-fedex-usps-dhl-shipping-times/

A mailbox isn't just a place for your mail.

For many small business owners, it's a professional business address, added privacy, and one less reason to share a home address with customers.

Whether you're opening a new business or simply ready for a more professional setup, we're here to help you find the mailbox option that fits your needs.

Stop by anytime—we're always happy to answer questions.

https://www.postnet.com/blog/private-mailbox-vs-virtual-mailbox-for-home-businesses/

Private vs. Virtual Mailbox for Home Businesses | PostNet Working from home or traveling? Compare private and virtual mailboxes to secure a real street address, accept packages, and manage mail your way.

PostNet was lending a helping hand and helping us fill the truck for Children’s Home of Lubbock LUBBOCK, Texas—PostNet was lending a helping hand and helping us fill the truck for Children’s Home of Lubbock. Plus, the signs they made for us caught the attention of the community. …

Private Mailbox or Virtual Mailbox?
"Wait... what's the difference?"

We hear that question all the time.
The answer is pretty simple.

A Private Mailbox gives you a secure street address where you pick up your mail in person.
A Virtual Mailbox gives you that same professional address, but lets you securely manage your mail from anywhere.

Neither is better. It just depends on how you work. Learn more on our blog.

Private vs. Virtual Mailbox for Home Businesses | PostNet Working from home or traveling? Compare private and virtual mailboxes to secure a real street address, accept packages, and manage mail your way.