Alternatives to Mixam for zine printing

[viewfromthenorth]

For my zines in the three zine swaps I've done to date, I've used Mixam for printing. However for the most recent one, it's been one problem after another - the first lot had a weird purple band around the full bleed images so they reprinted them all free of charge. But some of the replacements had roller marks on - I found 4 but I might already have sent some out to recipients (apologies if you've received one). So I asked them for credit for those four but they said, it's OK we'll reprint them free of charge. Very nice of you, I said, thanks. They arrived yesterday and these exhibit the same purple banding problem as the original batch:banghead::banghead::banghead:

So while I can't fault their customer service in terms of replacing them, I'm losing faith in their quality control.

Who else would people recommend to use for zine printing?

 

[Harlequin565]

@Ed Sutton has recommended Dox Direct in the past.

 

[Ed Sutton]

@Ed Sutton has recommended Dox Direct in the past.

They're OK but I think only do A sizes.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

Thanks gents, I’ll take a look at them as an option.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I've seen this lot recommended. Not used myself and haven't done a price check as they email it. https://exwhyzed.co.uk/printed-project-builder

 

[viewfromthenorth]

I've seen this lot recommended. Not used myself and haven't done a price check as they email it. https://exwhyzed.co.uk/printed-project-builder

Nice one, they look competent enough. There’s a printers in town who do short run stuff, I might pop in and speak to them in person to see what they can do.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

My wife has used Solopress before for some printing, items came back fine, but she didn't have any zines made.

Stapled Booklet Printing - Saddle Stitched Brochures

Stapled Brochures give you a neat, practical design to showcase your skills and highlight your expertise. Every order receives free mainland UK delivery.

www.solopress.com

 

[Ed Sutton]

Nice one, they look competent enough. There’s a printers in town who do short run stuff, I might pop in and speak to them in person to see what they can do.

If you do, it's definitely worth haggling over the first price they quote. I've mentioned before that I got a quote for a catalogue I used to produce halved from one printer! If they think you haven't a clue they'll take the p***.

 

[viewfromthenorth]

If you do, it's definitely worth haggling over the first price they quote. I've mentioned before that I got a quote for a catalogue I used to produce halved from one printer! If they think you haven't a clue they'll take the p***.

That’s worth knowing, when I go to the local printer I will take a copy of a previous zine and ask them for a quote to do a like for like version and see how it compares to Mixam’s. At least I wouldn’t have to pay for postage.

 

[cargo]

Hi.

@Ed Sutton " Thanks again" Recommended Dox to me before Christmas along with lots of helpful advice on how to compile a Zine.
Never heard of a Zine before reading the threads on here.

I was delighted with the Zine. So was the recipient.

Gaz

 

[Mr Perceptive]

I've bought a couple of zines from Julie Cumming https://juliecreatedthis.co.uk/, she has used the Sustainable Print Company https://sustainableprint.co.uk/product/booklets/

There are quite a few paper options (including mottled covers), though you can tell the paper is recycled but its still very good. It makes a nice tactile zine.