I’ll be honest with you. The first time I needed to print 200 business cards for my little side hustle, I nearly gave up before I even started. The local print shop quoted me an eye-watering price, wanted the file in a format I’d never heard of, and said it’d take two weeks. Two weeks. I remember sitting at my kitchen table, thinking: there has to be a better way.
That’s when I stumbled onto Printely – online printing made simple – and honestly, it changed how I approach printing altogether. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or just someone who wants a few personalised birthday banners, Printely is the kind of platform that actually does what it says on the tin.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what Printely is, how it works, why it’s genuinely worth your time, and a few tips to get the most out of it. Let’s get into it.
What Is Printely and Why Should You Care?
Printely is an online printing platform that lets you order custom-printed materials from your laptop, tablet, or phone – without ever setting foot in a print shop. We’re talking business cards, flyers, brochures, posters, banners, and a whole lot more.
What sets it apart from the old-school local printer? A few things, actually.
For starters, the pricing is genuinely transparent. You see what you’re paying before you commit. No hidden fees, no “oh by the way, that colour costs extra” surprises at the checkout. I appreciate that more than I can say.
Second, it’s fast. In most cases, you can go from uploading your design to having prints in your hands in just a few days. That’s a game-changer when you’ve got a market stall on Saturday and it’s already Wednesday.
How Online Printing with Printely Actually Works
One of my favourite things about Printely is how genuinely straightforward the process is. Here’s the basic flow:
- Choose your product – Pick what you need: business cards, flyers, leaflets, roller banners, you name it.
- Select your specs – Size, paper stock, finish (glossy, matte, silk), quantity. It all happens right there on the screen.
- Upload your design – Got a PDF, PNG, or AI file? Upload it. If you don’t have a design yet, Printely has templates you can customise.
- Preview and approve – You get a digital proof before anything goes to print. This step has saved me from a few embarrassing typos, I won’t lie.
- Checkout and wait – Pay, choose your delivery option, and let Printely handle the rest.
It really is that simple. I timed myself once – from opening the website to completing an order for 500 flyers, it took me under 12 minutes. Try doing that at your local high street printer.
Why Printely Stands Out from the Crowd
Affordable Pricing That Doesn’t Cut Corners
Let me put some real context around “affordable.” When I compare Printely’s prices to what I used to pay at my local printer, I’m typically saving 30–50%. And the quality? Genuinely comparable, sometimes better.
The platform offers bulk discounts too, which is brilliant if you’re ordering larger quantities. The more you print, the more you save – it’s a model that actually rewards loyal customers rather than punishing them.
Fast Turnaround Times
Standard delivery is usually 3–5 business days, but express options are available if you’re in a pinch. I’ve used the express service twice, and both times my order arrived within 48 hours. That kind of reliability matters when you’re running a real business.
For more tips on choosing the right printing service for your business, check out our guide: Top 5 Online Printing Services Compared in 2024.
A Huge Range of Products
Printely isn’t just business cards. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s available:
- Business stationery – cards, letterheads, compliment slips
- Marketing materials – flyers, leaflets, brochures, postcards
- Large format – posters, banners, PVC signs, roller banners
- Packaging – stickers, labels, tissue paper
- Promotional items – mugs, tote bags, branded merchandise
That breadth of choice means you’re not juggling five different suppliers. Everything comes from one place, which keeps life simple.
Print Quality You Can Actually Be Proud Of
Here’s the thing about cheap printing – it often looks cheap. Pixelated images, washed-out colours, paper that feels flimsy. That’s not what you’re getting with Printely.
They use professional-grade printing equipment and a range of quality paper stocks. Whether you want a luxurious 450gsm business card or a crisp, lightweight leaflet, the output looks and feels professional. I handed out cards at a networking event last year and got three genuine compliments on them. That doesn’t happen with bad printing.
A Personal Moment I’ll Never Forget
I want to share something quick, because I think it sums up why I keep coming back to Printely.
Last spring, my mum decided at the last minute to open a little cake stall at a local market. She needed flyers – like, the next day. I jumped onto Printely at 9pm, helped her put together a simple design using one of their templates, and we had 100 flyers ordered by 10pm. They arrived by courier the following afternoon.
She sold out of cakes by noon. Were the flyers the reason? Probably not entirely – her lemon drizzle speaks for itself. But having those flyers absolutely helped people find her stall. That experience made me a Printely believer. It’s not just a printing platform. For small businesses and first-timers especially, it’s a bit of a lifeline.
For more ideas on how print materials can support your brand, read our post: Why Your Small Business Needs Branded Print Materials.
Tips for Getting the Best Results from Printely
You don’t need to be a graphic designer to get great prints. But a few small things make a big difference:
Set Up Your File Correctly
- Use CMYK colour mode, not RGB. RGB is for screens; CMYK is for print. The colours will look more accurate.
- Include a 3mm bleed around your design so nothing important gets cut off at the edges.
- Keep text and logos at least 5mm from the trim edge to avoid anything looking cramped.
- Export your final file as a high-resolution PDF (300 DPI minimum).
If that all sounds like gibberish, don’t stress. Printely has a handy artwork guidelines page that walks you through it step by step. And their customer support team is genuinely helpful if you get stuck.
Use Their Templates
If you don’t have a designer and Canva feels overwhelming, Printely’s built-in templates are a great starting point. They’re set up with the correct dimensions and bleed already included, so you just drop in your text and logo and you’re good to go.
Order a Sample First
If you’re placing a large order – say, 1,000 brochures – consider ordering a smaller quantity first to check the colours and finish in person. What looks great on a monitor doesn’t always translate perfectly to print, and it’s much cheaper to spot an issue with 25 copies than 1,000.
Who Is Printely Best For?
Honestly? It’s pretty versatile. But here’s where I think it really shines:
Small business owners who need professional marketing materials without agency-level budgets. Event planners who need signage and programmes at short notice. Freelancers and creatives who want to present themselves professionally without spending a fortune. Side hustlers (like my mum with her cake stall) who are just getting started and need something quick and affordable.
If you’re a huge corporation ordering millions of units with hyper-specific requirements, you might want a dedicated commercial printer. But for the vast majority of everyday printing needs? Printely absolutely delivers.
You can also learn more about designing your materials effectively in our post: How to Design the Perfect Business Card for Your Brand.
Final Thoughts – Is Printely Worth It?
Short answer: yes, genuinely.
I’ve been using Printely on and off for a couple of years now, and it’s become my go-to for anything print-related. The platform is easy to navigate, the prices are fair, the quality is solid, and the turnaround times are legitimately fast. It hits the brief every single time.
If you’ve been putting off getting proper printed materials for your business because it all seemed too complicated or expensive, I’d really encourage you to give Printely a try. Start small – order a box of business cards or a pack of flyers. See how it goes. I’d be surprised if you weren’t impressed.
And if you’ve already used Printely, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. What did you order? How did it turn out? Drop a note – let’s talk printing.
If you found this helpful, share it with someone who could use a simpler, more affordable printing solution. And don’t forget to subscribe for more practical tips for small businesses and side hustlers.
FAQ
Is Printely suitable for first-time users?
Absolutely. The platform is designed with beginners in mind. The ordering process is straightforward, templates are available, and their support team is responsive.
How fast is Printely’s delivery?
Standard delivery is typically 3–5 business days. Express options are available for urgent orders, often arriving within 48 hours.
What file formats does Printely accept?
Printely accepts PDF, PNG, JPG, and AI files. PDF at 300 DPI is generally recommended for the best print quality.
Can I track my order?
Yes. Once your order is dispatched, you receive a tracking number so you can follow your delivery in real time.
