Types of Printing Companies in Singapore — And How to Choose Right

Types of Printing Companies in Singapore — And How to Choose the Right One

Not all printers are created equal — and in Singapore’s fast-paced market, knowing the difference between types of printing companies can save you time, money, and plenty of stress.

Let’s explore the different types of printers out there, their best use cases, and whether it makes sense to go direct or work through a middleman.

🖨️ 1. Digital Printers

If you’ve ever needed name cards printed within 24 hours, or a poster for a last-minute event — you’ve probably dealt with a digital printer. These companies use digital presses to print directly from your file with no setup or plates involved. It’s quick, cost-effective for small runs, and extremely adaptable.

💡 Scenario: An event planner uses Canva to whip up a last-minute event poster at midnight. She sends the file to a local digital printer — and it’s delivered the next morning.

Best for: SMEs, event planners, or anyone needing speed and flexibility.

Watch out for: While quality has come a long way, very large batches (e.g. 10,000+ flyers) may be more economical with offset printers.

🏭 2. Offset Printers

Offset printers are built for volume. These printers use custom plates and rollers to transfer ink to paper — perfect for high-quantity jobs like catalogues, books, and newspapers. The result? Crisp, consistent print at scale.

💡 Scenario: A chain of enrichment centres sends out 30,000 course catalogues. Offset printing ensures consistent colours across all copies — and keeps cost-per-piece low.

Best for: Large marketing campaigns, mailers, product packaging, or publications.

Watch out for: Long lead times and setup costs. Not suited for small or urgent print jo

📸 Newspapers being printed in bulk.

📦 3. Packaging Printers

These printers specialise in producing boxes, labels, sleeves, and all things packaging. They're often equipped to handle die-cutting, lamination, and custom finishes to help your product stand out on the shelf.

💡 Scenario: A skincare brand launches a new line. They use a packaging printer to produce embossed boxes with gold foil and spot UV varnish.

Best for: E-commerce brands, retail packaging, or product relaunches.

Watch out for: Custom packaging often comes with high minimum order quantities (MOQs).

📸 Process of planning a packaging box.

🎨 4. Fine Art & Giclée Printers

If you’re printing high-end artwork or photo exhibition pieces, these are your people. Giclée (pronounced “zhee-clay”) printing uses pigment-based inks and archival paper for gallery-quality results.

💡 Scenario: A photographer prints a limited run of 50 signed pieces for an art show — with colour profiles matched precisely to her screen.

Best for: Photographers, artists, galleries, or limited-edition art prints.

Watch out for: Higher price per print due to material and precision requirements.

📸 Artist at work.

👕 5. Apparel & Merchandise Printers

From custom tees to tote bags and mugs, these printers specialise in soft goods and merchandise. They use screen printing, DTG (direct to garment), or heat transfer processes depending on the fabric and quantity.

💡 Scenario: A company’s team retreat includes shirts with personalised names and logos printed via heat transfer.

Best for: Events, brand merch, corporate gifts.

Watch out for: Colour fidelity and garment type can affect final print quality.

📸 Wear your design everywhere!

🧳 6. Large Format Printers

Think big. These printers produce oversized banners, foam boards, signage, vehicle wraps and more. They’re ideal for anything that needs to be seen from a distance.

💡 Scenario: A real estate developer prepares an outdoor site hoarding with floorplans and marketing slogans — printed in weatherproof vinyl.

Best for: Roadshows, exhibitions, retail storefronts.

Watch out for: File resolution issues — ensure your design is high-res or vectorised.

📸 That's right, this was done by us too. Lightweight and affordable, we ensure you catch eyeballs without burning holes in your pockets!

🧩 7. Brokers / Print Coordinators

Not a printer, but still common in Singapore — brokers connect you with third-party printers (sometimes overseas) and mark up the price. You send files to them, they handle sourcing and logistics.

💡 Scenario: A startup chooses a broker who promises a cheap rate but ends up with mismatched colours and a 2-week delay.

Best for: Budget hunters or clients who prefer to let someone else manage everything.

Watch out for: You don’t know who is doing the actual printing. Expect communication delays, less control, and variable quality.

📸 Oh my, I wouldn't want to be him either!

⚙️ 8. Direct Printers (like Doorstep Prints)

Direct printers own the equipment and control the quality. No outsourcing, no middleman. What you see is what you get.

💡 Scenario: An SME orders foam boards on Monday morning and gets them delivered Tuesday — printed in-house without delay or miscommunication.

Best for: Businesses that value speed, direct communication, and accountability.

Watch out for: Vet the provider — not all “direct printers” deliver on service.

📸 We know, we'd love to be there too!

📋 Quick Comparison Table

🤔 Final Thoughts

Not every business needs an offset printer. And not every job needs to go through a middleman. But every brand deserves fast, reliable, high-quality print.

If you value speed, transparency, and direct communication with the team who’s actually doing the work, Doorstep Prints is your go-to print partner.

📩 Reach us at cs@doorstepprints.com.sg to get started today.

📚 Useful Resources:

• Canva – Free online design tool

• Adobe Express – Design templates

• HubSpot – Print Marketing Stats

• PrintWeek – Industry news & trends