Over the past few years I have put together a list of some places I consider awesome for getting various things produced. I know what a pain in the ass it is to pick through the places that suck and the ones that actually produce AND do a good job~ so I thought I would share some info with the art forum since some "Where to I go" and "Who is best?" questions come up a lot.

Silkscreens and such
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I find that the best places to get silkscreen good from, are the places that produce gig/band posters. These places seem to be run always by cool guys that love art and making quality products~ not about pumping out custom sports jersey names for the local softball team.

(!)Good shirt brands for comfort and style are American Apparel and Alternative Apparel.

[link] Blue Collar Press These guys are awesome for beginners because they have LOW mins and offer a large variety of services. I have used them for tote bags, shirts, vinyl stickers, and for an art print silkscreen~ all great quality, great selections of options, and fast turnaround. If you want something done or used that you dont see on the main page, just give them a mail and they will do the best they can to make it work for you.

[link] Iron Forge Press These guys require a little larger project budget, but are the one of the best places (in my opinion) to get your shirts made. The work is outstanding and they are also a great crew that will help you get the job done if you have something wild in mind. I have not orders art prints or posters from them, but my friend Odd did and they came out smashing.

[link] Diesel Fuel Prints If you need an art silkscreen done (or band poster) these guys are the kings. Amazing quality and worth every penny. I have not placed any orders with them personally (My silk screens are way too many layers, so working with them would kill my account at the moment) but I have seen them at various places I work and show with...just awesome.

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Stickers
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[link] Blue Collar Press again if you need a simple single color sticker or something done using the sizes they have in stock.

[link] Sticker Robot Kings of silkscreen vinyl sticker production, you cant beat the rates they have. Only downside is they do gang runs, so you may have a bit of a wait for your stickers to get shipped back. I am using them right now and cant think of anyplace better to get a full color, custom diecut, and custom back imprint for the amount they are asking. These stickers will hold up great outside, so they are good to use if you plan on sticker bombing something.

[link] Paper-Forest If you need small run and custom cut stickers, I highly recommend paper forest. They are not vinyl, but a coated polyester~ so the color is vivid and they are better at taking abuse on folders and such in my opinion. I ordered a set of stickers from them and find they are a great alternative to vinyl stickers of you have a lower budjet. They to other things at smaller runs, and the samples of those look great as well if you dont want 1000 buisness cards

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Buttons
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[link] Pure Buttons are awesome! The rates are great, quality is great, and they offer good rates on custom button packaging that makes your buttons retail ready! They dont have many packaging options, but what they do have gets the job done. Turn around time varies because they are a busy place, but they have a meter on the site that gives you a heads up on turnaround time.

[link] One Inch Round is another great place for getting buttons as well as packaging taken care of. This place offers heat sealed packs, with is as professional as you can go I think~ but the min orders may sting a bit so its best to order in bulk!

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Prints/cards
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[link] Overnight Press used them for the first time on some postcards, I highly recommend them for that! Not so sure about business cards, but they are great and very low rates for full color postcards on both sides. They also offer rounded corners for only $2 extra and free spot UV coating~ free! I used this on my order and it makes the postcards look extra fancy without extra cost

[link] Acid Fliers for business cards and bookmarks I HIGHLY recommend this place. They have a lightning fast turnaround and awesome rates that get even more awesome by the fast they they seem to always be running a "buy 500, get 500 free" deal. They will do custom size prints if you ask them, and have a lightning fast turnaround.

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Fancy things
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[link] Clear Bags for art packaging is great if you buy in bulk. I get my clear bags as well as backing boards (acid free) from them all cut down and ready to go! Using them has saved me a ton of money in the end.

[link] Promo Key chains Custom key chains of any style and make, this place is pretty sweet. min orders start about about 500 pieces plus set up, but I have seen samples and they do a fine job if you can swing the bill

[link] ColorHQ for fine art printer paper, they sell in sheets or rolls if you have a roll feed. I HIGHLY recommend buying the paper swatch book (its for cannon brand papers) its only a few bucks from them and helps a lot when placing expensive paper orders.
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ok, I cant think of another other places off the top of my head! I'm sure I will after this posts though hope its of some help to someone!

Again these are only my opinion from working with them or having friends work with them over the past few years. Its a pain and such a waste of money to order through a crappy print or whatever company! I know first hand, lol.

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