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THE VOQADO PRINT JOURNAL

Good print starts
with good questions.

Know what to ask. See what to check. Make something worth keeping.

Browse 14 topicsHow we research
341 PRACTICAL GUIDES / 14 COLLECTIONS
Colorful cobalt poster, coral postcard, plum business cards and flower stickers arranged on peach and lilac studio platforms.
Color, paper and possibility. Original editorial design concepts.
THE GOOD PRINT EDIT

Ideas you can hold.

Find your spark. Learn the details. Make it yours.

FROM RESEARCH TO PRINT

Choose a product, collect the details and prepare your artwork in three clear steps.

  1. 01 / CHOOSE

    Find the right product

    Compare formats and finishes for the job you have in mind.

    Business card printingBusiness check printingCustom postcardsCustom posters
  2. 02 / PREPARE

    Collect the order details

    Bring your finished size, quantity, stock preference, delivery needs and artwork status.

    Use the printing quote checklistCalculate your print requirementsUse a poster or postcard project worksheet
  3. 03 / CONFIGURE

    Make the project specific

    Choose the product options and prepare artwork. Review available pricing and fulfillment details before ordering.

    Configure product & artwork
A USEFUL PLACE TO BEGIN

Practical decisions.
A clearer way forward.

Start with a topic overview, then go deeper with a focused guide. Open any topic to see every guide in it.

33 GUIDES

Postcards, envelopes and mailing

Postcard sizes and campaigns, envelopes, letterhead and the USPS rules that change postage: machinable letters, square envelopes, windows and paper weight.

Vivid postcards in two sizes, front and address back, with blank demonstration address zones, with orange, electric violet, acid yellow artwork for a fictional independent bookstore.

START HERE · 6 MIN READ

Postcard sizes for mailing: USPS limits and file dimensions

USPS postcard pricing covers cards from 3.5 x 5 to 4.25 x 6 inches. See which sizes mail as letters or flats, the ratio rule, thickness and file sizes.

5 MIN READ

4x6 vs 5x7 postcards: size, postage and which to choose

5 MIN READ

6 × 9 postcard printing: size, postage rules and file setup

5 MIN READ

Best cardstock for postcards: thickness, weight and finish

5 MIN READ

Can you write on glossy postcards? Choosing a writable surface

6 MIN READ

Postcard bleed template: file sizes, safe area and setup

All 33 postcards, envelopes and mailing guides
28 GUIDES

Business card paper, finishes and cost

Compare business card papers, thickness and finishes, then plan the order: 14 pt or 16 pt, matte or gloss, foil or spot gloss, cost, quantity and reorders.

Tactile business cards and paper swatches showing a restrained mix of distinct visual textures and contrasting colors, with tangerine orange, royal purple, mint green artwork for a fictional yoga and movement studio.

START HERE · 5 MIN READ

Business card paper stock guide: finishes, thickness and uses

Compare business card paper stocks by finish, thickness and use: matte, glossy, uncoated, soft touch, linen and recycled, with 14pt, 18pt and 32pt thickness.

5 MIN READ

Business card printing: how to choose size, paper, file and quantity

5 MIN READ

Business card printing cost: what 100 cards cost by paper

5 MIN READ

Business card proof checklist: 12 checks before you order

6 MIN READ

How to build a business card reorder system for your team

5 MIN READ

Local vs online business card printing: how to choose

All 28 business card paper, finishes and cost guides
25 GUIDES

Business card design and wording

What to put on a business card and how to lay it out: details, type size, logo placement, contrast, orientation, plus the questions people ask afterwards.

Business cards with strong type hierarchy, bold playful symbols and interesting front and back layouts, with seafoam green, poppy red, cornflower blue artwork for a fictional urban gardening service.

START HERE · 5 MIN READ

What to put on a business card: the essential details and layout

A business card needs your name, title, company, one or two contact routes and a website. See what to add, what to cut and how to lay out both sides.

5 MIN READ

Business card font size: the right size for every line

5 MIN READ

Minimalist business cards: make every element earn its space

5 MIN READ

Business card color contrast: how to keep text readable

5 MIN READ

Business card back ideas with a clear purpose

5 MIN READ

Vertical vs horizontal business cards: layout tradeoffs

All 25 business card design and wording guides
29 GUIDES

Print artwork and files

Prepare print files that print the way they look: bleed and safe area, resolution, vector or raster, RGB or CMYK, fonts and PDF export for cards and posters.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with electric blue, hot pink, lemon yellow artwork for a fictional artisan bakery.

START HERE · 6 MIN READ

How to convert pixels to print size

Convert pixels to print size by dividing pixel count by PPI. Tables show print sizes for common images and the pixels needed for cards, flyers and posters.

5 MIN READ

Poster print file checklist: size, bleed, resolution and fonts

5 MIN READ

Poster resolution: how many pixels each poster size needs

5 MIN READ

Poster bleed and trim: file sizes, safe area and frame allowance

5 MIN READ

Poster font size: how big text must be to read from a distance

5 MIN READ

Poster color proofing: why prints look darker than your screen

All 29 print artwork and files guides
14 GUIDES

QR codes for print

Print QR codes that scan: minimum size on cards, scan distance on signs, quiet zone, contrast, error correction, tracking links, and when to skip the code.

Bold graphic business cards beside a smartphone with a simple abstract contact screen, with bright turquoise, watermelon pink, sunflower yellow artwork for a fictional neighborhood produce market.

START HERE · 5 MIN READ

QR code business cards: how to make the scan worth it

Plan a QR code business card that works: choose a maintained destination, keep the four module quiet zone, add a readable URL and test the printed size.

5 MIN READ

What size should a QR code be on a business card

5 MIN READ

QR vCard business cards: how to put contact details in a QR code

5 MIN READ

QR code menu signs: design for the whole visit

5 MIN READ

QR codes on packaging: plan for the surface, size and lifespan

5 MIN READ

UTM links for print campaigns: a naming system that holds up

All 14 QR codes for print guides
20 GUIDES

Check basics, writing and records

Order and write checks with confidence: what a check needs, routing and account numbers, MICR, ordering online or from a bank, voiding and deposits.

Abstract illustrated business check stationery clearly marked SAMPLE VOID with a colorful ledger and pen, with magenta, apricot orange, aqua blue artwork for a fictional independent bicycle shop.

START HERE · 6 MIN READ

Check printing: a complete guide for small businesses

Check printing explained for small businesses: formats, the MICR line, bank data, security features, software fit, proofs, costs and when to reorder.

6 MIN READ

How to order business checks: a step by step walkthrough

6 MIN READ

What information do you need to order checks?

6 MIN READ

Ordering checks online vs from your bank: cost, speed and safety

5 MIN READ

Check sizes and dimensions: personal, business and voucher

5 MIN READ

Parts of a check: every line and number explained

All 20 check basics, writing and records guides
18 GUIDES

Check formats, software and security

Wallet, laser or three per page checks, voucher layouts and printing from accounting software, plus the security steps that stop check fraud.

Loose sample check sheets and a small bound checkbook clearly marked SAMPLE VOID beside a desktop printer, with magenta, apricot orange, aqua blue artwork for a fictional urban gardening service.

START HERE · 7 MIN READ

Laser checks vs wallet checks: which format fits your business?

Laser checks print from accounting software; wallet checks are written by hand. Compare size, cost per check, records and software fit before you order.

6 MIN READ

Three per page business checks: how the binder format works

5 MIN READ

Voucher checks: when a check needs a detachable stub

5 MIN READ

Check on top, middle or bottom: choosing a laser check layout

5 MIN READ

How to print checks from QuickBooks without alignment problems

5 MIN READ

Can you print your own checks at home? What is legal and what works

All 18 check formats, software and security guides
22 GUIDES

Business cards by trade

Business card ideas by trade: license and disclosure lines for regulated work, appointment and loyalty backs, and wording for salons and home services.

Distinct business cards customized to the featured fictional trade with memorable graphic motifs, with electric blue, hot pink, lemon yellow artwork for a fictional fresh flower shop.

START HERE · 15 MIN READ

Business card ideas by industry: what each profession needs

Business card ideas by industry: the one job each card must do, the paper that suits it, and the title, license or cottage food rules your trade must follow.

5 MIN READ

Real estate business cards: what to include and how to design

5 MIN READ

Contractor business cards: license numbers, layout and stock

5 MIN READ

Photographer business cards: what to print and how to prep the photo

5 MIN READ

Salon appointment cards: layout, paper and what to include

5 MIN READ

Small business insert cards: message, fit and print order

All 22 business cards by trade guides
24 GUIDES

Signs, banners and trade shows

Banner sizes and materials, yard signs, flags, A frames, decals and car magnets, plus trade show booth plans for 10 × 10 and 10 × 20 spaces.

An eye catching business sign or banner in a storefront or event vignette, with legible short fictional brand typography, with electric blue, hot pink, lemon yellow artwork for a fictional artisan bakery.

START HERE · 7 MIN READ

Vinyl banner sizes: how to pick the right size for any spot

Common vinyl banner sizes and where each fits, plus letter height by viewing distance, hem and grommet allowances, wind tips and a worked storefront example.

5 MIN READ

Table tent printing: check stability and sightlines

7 MIN READ

13 oz vs 18 oz vinyl banner: which weight do you need?

7 MIN READ

Retractable banner design: layout rules that work at events

7 MIN READ

Yard sign printing: sizes, materials, design and placement

7 MIN READ

A frame sign ideas: 14 messages and layouts that stop walkers

All 24 signs, banners and trade shows guides
24 GUIDES

Flyers, posters, brochures and paper sizes

Flyer and poster sizes, US and ISO paper formats, folds, brochures, booklets, door hangers and rack cards, with paper weight and what a run costs.

Printed flyers or folded brochures with bold graphic artwork, expressive large typography and tactile paper edges, with tangerine orange, royal purple, mint green artwork for a fictional event planning business.

START HERE · 8 MIN READ

Flyer size guide: standard dimensions and when to use each

Compare standard flyer sizes from 4 × 6 in to 11 × 17 in, with bleed and safe area specs, distribution fit, and a simple rule for picking the right one.

6 MIN READ

Poster sizes: standard dimensions and how to choose one

5 MIN READ

11x17 vs 18x24 posters: size, viewing distance and cost

5 MIN READ

24 × 36 poster printing: file size, layout and viewing distance

5 MIN READ

Matte vs glossy posters: how to choose the right finish

5 MIN READ

Window poster printing: materials, mounting and visibility

All 24 flyers, posters, brochures and paper sizes guides
16 GUIDES

Small business print planning

Plan the print a small business needs: new business and rebrand checklists, an annual budget, a seasonal calendar, ordering online, menus and tickets.

A colorful coordinated business identity comprising a menu or flyer, small card, sticker and paper packaging, with magenta, apricot orange, aqua blue artwork for a fictional modern ramen restaurant.

START HERE · 8 MIN READ

Print marketing for small business: a practical playbook

Learn which print pieces earn their cost, how to match each one to a moment in the customer journey, and how to track results with codes and offers.

5 MIN READ

Event print planning from the floor plan

5 MIN READ

Local print campaigns: match the place and the offer

5 MIN READ

Print waste reduction through better planning

6 MIN READ

Restaurant menu printing: sizes, paper, layout and reprints

6 MIN READ

Gift certificate printing: design, security and legal terms

All 16 small business print planning guides
27 GUIDES

Apparel and bags

Screen printing, heat transfer and embroidery compared, print placement, fabric weight and wash care, plus tote bag fabrics, handles and print areas.

Decorated cotton clothing with bold simple printed graphic motifs and seams, styled with a matching garment tag, with lime green, cobalt blue, bubblegum pink artwork for a fictional home renovation company.

START HERE · 5 MIN READ

How to order custom T shirts: garment, sizes, color, decoration

Order custom T shirts in five decisions: garment, size run, garment color, decoration method and artwork. What each one locks in, and what is confirmed later.

6 MIN READ

DTG vs screen printing: which method fits your custom shirts

5 MIN READ

Embroidery vs screen printing: cost, detail and which garment

5 MIN READ

Heat transfer vs screen printing: color count, runs and feel

5 MIN READ

Embroidery minimum text size: why small letters fill in

5 MIN READ

T shirt print placement: left chest, full front and back sizes

All 27 apparel and bags guides
27 GUIDES

Drinkware and promotional gifts

Printing on mugs, tumblers, glassware and cups, dishwasher and food safety, plus choosing promotional gifts people keep and planning client thank you gifts.

A colorful insulated tumbler with a simple graphic brand and fitting lid, with seafoam green, poppy red, cornflower blue artwork for a fictional urban gardening service.

START HERE · 6 MIN READ

Can you put a logo on a tumbler? What happens to your artwork

Yes, a logo goes on a tumbler by laser engraving or digital inkjet. How the curve, the lid and the seam limit the artwork, and what to send us.

6 MIN READ

Engraving vs printing on drinkware: how to choose the method

5 MIN READ

Is sublimation dishwasher safe? What the method can and cannot do

5 MIN READ

Are custom mugs dishwasher and microwave safe? Read the mug

5 MIN READ

Printing on a curved surface: what a flat file cannot tell you

5 MIN READ

Mug handle and lid: how hardware eats your print area

All 27 drinkware and promotional gifts guides
34 GUIDES

Packaging, labels and stickers

Boxes, dielines and shipping, plus stickers and product labels: die cut or kiss cut, vinyl or paper, rolls or sheets, finishes and what a label must say.

A colorful folding carton or mailer box with illustrated branding, a matching sticker and tissue paper, with ultramarine blue, bright coral, lilac artwork for a fictional ice cream shop.

START HERE · 5 MIN READ

What is a dieline, and why a rectangle cannot represent a box

A dieline is the flat blueprint of a folded package showing cut, crease and glue tab lines. Learn how to read one, what the line colors mean and how to set up artwork.

5 MIN READ

Sticker and label size planning for jars and boxes

6 MIN READ

Water resistant labels: define the exposure before the material

6 MIN READ

Stickers vs labels: what is the difference?

5 MIN READ

Custom sticker sizes: how to choose for laptops, bottles and packaging

7 MIN READ

What to put on a product label: a checklist by product type

All 34 packaging, labels and stickers guides