Printing
That depends entirely on the type of project you’ve submitted. Single print items such as business cards and door signs can be delivered within 1-3 business days of submission, but large quantity requests and complex projects that require custom trimming, binding, and/or folding may take upwards of 2 weeks.
The same applies for vendor orders. While all the printers we work with are locally based, items can take anywhere from 3-21 business days for delivery, and often require extra time for design, estimate, and proof approvals. Please keep these timelines in mind when planning your project deadlines.
Though our system will provide a static window for delivery, unforeseen circumstances (labour, machinery, shipping delays, etc) can and will sometimes come into play. We will do our utmost to communicate with you quickly and clearly throughout the process whenever delays occur, and strive always to deliver within reasonable deadlines.
Should you have any questions or concerns about timelines, you can reach out through our Contact Us link or by emailing bcit_print_services@bcit.ca
Pricing
For items available directly through the Digital Storefront, pricing estimates are given throughout the setup and checkout process. Some pricing variables include page count, quantity, finishing options (i.e. binding, stapling, etc.), and print type (colour or black & white). In cases where print files must be uploaded, accurate pricing may not appear until said file is submitted.
With vendor items, the pricing process takes time. Once an order request is placed, we contact the vendor for a cost estimate and then bring it to you for approval. We aspire to reply within 24 hours of submission, but unforeseen circumstances can cause delays. Be aware that vendor items are subject to taxes, shipping costs, labour markups, and minimum quantity requirements.
Products
All printers have what’s called a “non-printable area”, or a safety border roughly .25” wide that prevents toner from spreading onto the machine. When you see a poster or book that has colour to the paper edge, that effect has been achieved using bleeds – an area between .125” to .25” of print that extends beyond the desired finishing size so that it can then be trimmed off to gain that full colour look.
If your project requires colour to touch the paper edge, we request that you add bleeds & crop marks from your design software to your submission file, as this is a much easier process than attempting to edit them into an existing PDF. It will also ensure that your images and alignment come out as desired. You’ll find how-to instructions for common software programs in the visual aid below:
We list most of the papers on our website by stock type and weight. While each product has a specific list of papers suited to its print type & needs, here’s a quick legend to help you choose the best option for your project:
Text
Typically a lighter thickness and less rigid, intended for book bodies and handouts. Please note that some exclusions will apply depending on print type selected (colour vs. black & white)
- 20# Text (Light): lowest price stock, most frequent in black & white print materials
- 60# Text (Medium): preferred option for coloured text with single side print and/or minimal photos
- 70# Text (Heavy): best for densely coloured/double-sided text and image prints
- 80# Text (Medium): suitable for lightly coloured brochures/pamphlets and thin posters
- 100# Text (Heavy): best for image heavy brochures/pamphlets and thick posters
Cover
Thicker, more rigid, preferred for book covers and marketing items (posters, postcards, etc.)
- 80# Cover (Medium): common cover stock, ideal for info sheets, rack cards, etc.
- 100# Cover (Heavy): good durability, best for outdoor posters, postcards, and low page count booklets
- 130# Cover (Extra Heavy): used exclusively for business cards
Colour
We carry stock for both cover (60#) and text (20#) in the following 12 colours: Blue, Chartreuse, Coral, Cream, Cyan, Fuschia, Gray, Green, Goldenrod, Orange, Pink, and Yellow.