The custom printing journey at Double River Printing is far more collaborative and detail-oriented than many people realize. While online templates and instant quotes are great for standard orders, true custom work — the kind that perfectly matches your vision — involves a thoughtful, step-by-step process designed to eliminate surprises and deliver exceptional results.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we turn your ideas into stunning printed pieces at doubleriverprinting.com, plus a few things customers often don’t expect.
1. The Spark: Initial Consultation & Needs Discovery
It all starts with you. When you contact us (via phone at (866) 40PRINT, or (866) 407-7468, email at info@doubleriverprinting.com, or our website contact form), we don’t jump straight to templates. Instead, we ask questions:
- What’s the purpose of this piece? (Branding, event, marketing, personal project?)
- Who’s the audience?
- What feeling or message do you want to convey?
- Any size, quantity, timeline, or budget constraints?
Many customers are surprised by how much we listen upfront. This conversation helps us spot potential pitfalls early — like choosing the wrong paper for an outdoor sign or overlooking postal regulations for direct mail — saving time and money later.
2. Concept & Design Collaboration
Next comes the creative phase. If you already have artwork, we review it for print-readiness (resolution, color mode, bleeds, etc.). If not — or if you want something completely fresh — our team steps in to design from scratch or refine your ideas.
We’ll share digital mockups, color proofs, or even physical samples if needed. Revisions are part of the process; we iterate until you love what you see. A little-known fact: the best custom prints often come from this back-and-forth. A small tweak to spacing, font weight, or color can transform “good” into “wow.”
3. Prepress: Where the Magic (and Precision) Happens
Once the design is approved, files move to prepress — the critical preparation stage most people never see. We:
- Convert colors to the correct print profiles (CMYK vs. RGB surprises are common!)
- Check for trapping, imposition, and bleeds
- Create proofs (digital or hard-copy) for your final sign-off
Customers frequently don’t realize that skipping or rushing proof approval is the #1 cause of “it doesn’t look like I expected.” We insist on your okay before pressing “print” — it protects everyone.
4. Printing: Bringing It to Life
Whether digital for short runs/quick turnarounds or offset for larger volumes and premium quality, the press run is where your project takes physical form. We use high-end equipment to ensure sharp details, accurate colors, and consistent results across every sheet.
Fun fact many don’t know: Paper behaves differently under ink. Humidity, grain direction, and even time of year can affect registration and drying. Our experienced operators adjust on the fly to keep quality rock-solid.
5. Finishing: The Details That Elevate
This is where custom really shines. Die-cutting, foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, scoring, folding, binding, perforating, laminating — if you can dream it (and it’s practical), we can usually do it. These touches turn ordinary prints into memorable, high-end pieces.
Customers are often amazed at how much these “extras” impact perceived value — a simple rounded corner or soft-touch coating can make business cards feel luxurious.
6. Quality Control & Packaging
Before anything leaves our shop in Arkansas City, Kansas, every job goes through rigorous checks: color matching, alignment, count accuracy, and overall appearance. We package carefully to prevent damage in transit — another detail that’s easy to overlook until you’ve received bent corners or scuffed covers.
7. Delivery: On Time, Every Time
We ship nationwide (or arrange local pickup) with tracking when applicable. Rush options are available for tight deadlines, and we communicate proactively if anything could affect timing.
What Customers Often Don’t Know (But Should)
- Proofs are your best friend — Always review them carefully; they’re the last chance to catch issues before ink hits paper.
- Paper and finishes change everything — The same design on glossy vs. matte, 80# vs. 110#, or with/without coating looks and feels dramatically different.
- Custom doesn’t always mean expensive — Smart material choices and efficient run sizes can keep costs reasonable, especially compared to generic off-the-shelf options that don’t quite fit.
- We handle the headaches — Postal specs, color consistency across multiple pieces, file conversion issues — we catch these so you don’t have to.
- It’s collaborative, not cookie-cutter — The more we know about your goals, the better we can suggest options you might not have considered.
Ready to start your custom printing project the right way? Visit doubleriverprinting.com to browse our standard offerings or reach out directly for that fully bespoke creation. Let’s discuss your vision — we can’t wait to make it real.
Your project. Our process. Flawless results.
See you at Double River Printing!