Where to get things professionally made

[Sylvie]

I'm thinking about starting my business, so at the moment figuring out what I can make and I can design to be produced professionally.

I have a link for t-shirts and a few other bits and bobs, but others I'm struggling with. Does anyone know where you can get stationary sets made up? That includes custom designed paper or cards and envelopes.

[Sootyzilla]

a local printer will be able to help. pick them carefully though. some are geared up to bigger jobs than yours and won't be interested, and don't go to a 'high street' printer like kall kwik/prontaprint etc -- they're more expensive as they have to make more profit to pay the franchise licensing (and high st rent).

they can do the technical bits of your artwork for you if you don't know what you're doing, but expect them to charge extra for it.

you probably already know that the unit costs of printing things like this drop dramatically the more you print, so choose designs you can hope to sell hundreds or thousands of.

on the other hand, if you only want a few, make them up by hand and label them as such -- hand made cards can command a surprisingly large premium in shops.

[Sylvie]

There is a local printer a few minutes walk away, so I might see what they can do and what they charge.

I remembered earlier that I know someone in America who sells stationery sets, so I might ask her where she gets them made. I could possibly design and print them at home, although it would probably mean compromising the design on envelopes. I also have this fear that stuff can look 'crafty' if it's made at home. I absolutely can't stand craft, it's just one step away from hippy.

[janglyjan]

Any suggestions of good places that will print T-shirts (in England)?
I've been given this task. Any help is much appreciated!