What kind of printing services do you offer?

A Small Boat Press is a one-person screen printing operation specializing in printing on bottles, jars, tubes, and other cylindrical objects, typically made of glass, metal, or ceramic. I also print apparel, textiles, paper products, and containers that are not cylindrical.

I offer the following production printing services:

• Pre-Press / Set-Up

This covers everything required to create and set up a screen on press, ready to print, and may include (but is not limited to): Confirming Print Ready Artwork, creating film positive(s), processing screens, setting up the screen and workpiece on press, and registration of additional colors.
*Some container surfaces may incur additional pre-treatment costs.
Set-up fees do not include sampling, color matching or artwork/design changes.

• COLOR MATCHING

Color matching refers to mixing ink to match a specific Pantone Matching System number. I work with Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated. Codes or colors from any other matching system will be converted into the closest Pantone Solid Coated/Uncoated color. All colors are mixed by hand and as such I cannot guarantee an exact match.

• ARTWORK / DESIGN CHANGES

If your artwork is not print ready and you or your designer is not able or available to make the necessary preparations, additional charges may apply for me to prep your artwork.

WHAT is print ready artwork?

Please see ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS for full details.

WHAT is your Standard Turnaround Time?

Production Printing will be processed in 2-3 weeks upon receiving:

• Print Ready Artwork that is approved for production by the client

• 50% deposit

• Blank goods on location at A Small Boat Press

Production runs exceeding 1500 total pieces may be subject to a longer turnaround time.

Payment in full is due before or upon receipt of completed Project. Projects due sooner than 2 weeks may be subject to a rush fee. The rush fee will be determined by the timeline, quantity and complexity of the project.

where can I find pricing?

All quotes are custom due to the limitless combinations of factors inherent in printing on any substrate. Please complete a QUOTE REQUEST with as much information about your project as possible and I will respond with a quote.

Per-piece printing costs are always custom quoted. Below is a schedule of associated services and fees.

Our current project minimum is $250 which does not include the cost of any blanks.

• SET UP: ($100 cylindrical, $45 apparel, custom $ for specialty objects) includes reviewing the client’s Print-Ready Artwork, printing film positive(s), creation of screen, set-up of blank piece on press, placement and registration - also includes a film positive mock-up photo (this is best for assuring sizing and placement on cylindrical objects) when requested. Additional colors/screens/types of piece will increase the fee.

• FILE PREP: ($30 per hour, 1 hour minimum) file alterations for NON Print Ready Artwork and/or for color separations

• COLOR MATCHING: ($35 per color) based on Pantone Matching System, Solid series, coated or uncoated.

• INK CHANGE: ($20 per color) color changes made for same blank piece, artwork, and placement.

• SAMPLING - PHYSICAL PROOF: ($50 + shipping) in cases where the Client requires a single or small run of samples for pre-approval (before production can begin), those samples will incur charges separate from the standard Set-Up and Production. Revisions to the samples that require new films or screens will be at an additional cost (see SET UP CHANGE ORDER below). Any time taken for shipping and client revision or approval of samples does not count against the standard production turnaround timeline

• SAMPLING - PHOTO PROOF: ($50) in cases where the Client requires a photo of a printed good, the Client will be informed 24 hours in advance as to when to expect the photo via text or email. If A Small Boat Press does NOT receive and answer / approval by end of day (9:00pm ET) the client will also be charged 50% of Set Up fee

• CHANGE ORDER: ($40) changes to the design during the Set Up or Sampling process that result in a new film and screen

• FULFILLMENT: (10% of the project’s set up + print cost) all orders include a fulfillment fee

  *orders in which the packaging of the blanks arrive in an unsuitable fashion for repackaging, and require additional handling and/or supplies, will include an additional 10% be added to the standard Fulfillment costs (20% of the printing value + cost of any custom packaging supplies)

• RUSH FEE: ($ quote based) projects due sooner than 3 weeks may be subject to a rush fee. The rush fee will be determined by the timeline, quantity and complexity of the project

what do you charge for re-orders?

Set Up fees for re-orders, within 12 months of production printing, will be 50% off.

what Kind of Materials do you print on?

Glass and ceramics are the most common, but I have a number of inks for various surfaces and have printed on metals, coated metals, powder-coated objects, objects coated in paint, cardboard/paperboard, and various re-usable plastics. I generally will not print on single-use plastics. If you want to print on something I haven’t mentioned above, contact me; I may have an ink for it.

what kind of inks do you print with?

Most of my cylindrical printing is done with solvent-based two-part epoxy inks, which can be air-cured or force-cured using heat. I utilize other solvent-based inks for specialty materials.

what are youR minimums?

I do not have a strict minimum for any material type. That said, screenprinting as a process involves quite a bit of preparation and setup, and thus favors producing high quantities for efficiency’s sake. Quantities of less than 24 will be more costly per-piece the fewer items needed.

How do you handle shipping & fulfillment?

Pick-up of completed projects is available by appointment only. Please, DO NOT send an un-passengered rideshare (uber, lyft, etc.) in lieu of a courier to pick up your project. I WILL NOT put your project into a car that does not contain you or a representative of you/your organization.

A Small Boat Press is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any loss or damage incurred in transit to your package. By placing an order you are agreeing to these terms.

If you are not within a reasonable distance to drop-off and pick-up your goods (Pittsburgh, PA), we offer the following services:

• RECEIVING

When purchasing containers, it is your responsibility to confirm how your blanks will be shipped and delivered to A Small Boat Press - specifically in the case of glass/breakables. Some companies ship containers loose in bag, stuffed in a box or wrapped in shrink film. In these cases there will be an additional charge for packing materials in fulfillment. Your blanks may also arrive with scuffs, scratches, or other blemishes from improper packing, for which I am not responsible.

• FULFILLMENT

All containers will be re-packed in the boxes/materials they arrived in for final shipment to you. *Exceptions noted above in RECEIVING.

• SHIPPING

We primarily ship with UPS. Postage is determined upon project completion. Shipping and tracking will be provided upon receipt of payment in full.

WHAT IS YOUR RETURN / CANCELLATION POLICY?

All sales are final.

In the event of cancellation of the service, a cancellation fee for work completed, based on the contract price and expenses already incurred shall be paid by the Client.

I STILL HAVE A QUESTION!

If you have additional questions prior to submitting a QUOTE REQUEST, please feel free to reach out directly at asmallboatpress@gmail.com

You can also access our current TERMS & CONDITIONS.