Best Printing Services in Washington DC

FAQs

• Where can I print my documents?

  There are many places where individuals can print small items, such as a letter or a single document. Larger jobs typically require a trip to a dedicated print shop or service. Some options to consider include:

  • Print shops

  • Office supply stores

  • Libraries

  • Business centers

  • Banks

  • Shipping centers

• How does a printer work?

  The two primary types of printers are inkjet and laser. Inkjet printers, which are typically smaller than laser printers, use pigment-based inks or dyes that are put directly on the paper as droplets. These printers are often preferred for home use and situations that require high-resolution images, photos, and graphics.

  
  

  Laser printers, which are widely preferred for use in businesses that require rapid and high-quality printing, use toner to create the printed areas of the document. The toner is attracted to dots that are electrostatically charged on a drum. A specialized heat process sets the toner on the paper to produce crisp text and images.

• Should I buy a printer or go to a print shop?

  Individuals who have only simple documents to print might be able to use a home printer. For specialized projects and higher-volume printing, as well as anything that needs a professional appearance, working with a print shop is usually the best option. Print shops utilize printers and print supplies that produce higher-quality products than home printers can achieve.

  
  

• What types of services can I find at a print shop?

  Print shops may offer more than just basic document printing. Some of these services include:

  • Graphic design: Creating documents, including the placement of words, logos, and pictures

  • Desktop publishing: Printing basic documents, such as letters, reports, and resumes

  • Copy and scan services: Making copies of documents already printed or scanning them for digital use

  • Offset printing: Specialized printing of business cards, brochures, tags, pamphlets, medical forms, flyers, invitations, letterheads, handbooks, and similar projects

• Can a print shop make copies of my wedding photos?

  A print shop can make copies of wedding photos if the photos were taken by the person requesting the print job. Individuals who hire a photographer will need a copyright release if they want the print shop to produce copies of the photos. Some photographers won’t provide a release, so be sure to ask about this prior to hiring the photographer if reprints will be necessary.

  
  

• What are the different printing methods?

  The best printing method depends on the type of project. Some of the most common options include:

  • Digital printing: Uses digital controls to produce images on stationery, paper, or photo paper

  • Flexography: Uses flexible plates to produce letters, labels, packaging, and similar items

  • Letterpress: Uses raised letter stencils to transfer ink onto paper, greeting cards, business cards, and posters

  • Screen printing: Uses a silkscreen and squeegee to push paint through stenciled holes onto posters and textiles

  • Lino: Uses a scored template to produce mirror images for fine art printmaking

  • Gravure: Uses etched copper plates to print directly onto the paper to produce ultra-high-quality prints like magazine pages

• What\'s the difference between RGB and CMYK?

  RGB and CMYK are specialized color codes. RGB is used for digital media, and CMYK is used for printed media. The initials represent the primary colors used to produce other colors. RGB stands for red, green, and blue. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Digital CMYK renderings produce the closest result to what the project will look like when printed.

• Why do printed colors look different from what I saw on my screen?

  The variances between monitors and monitor settings can produce a slightly different color on the screen than what the project will look like once it’s printed. The most efficient way to combat this is to order a proof of the project. This is a one-off printed version of the project that enables you to see exactly what it will look like when it’s completed.

  
  

• What should I look for when choosing a print shop?

  One of the primary factors to consider when choosing a print shop is the type of project you need to complete. Some shops only do basic printing jobs, while others offer graphic design services to help clients develop the printed material they need. Some print shops specialize in a certain type of project, such as large-format documents, so this is also a consideration.