Top 10 Best Printing Services in Shetland Islands

The Role of Print in Shetland

Despite the rise of digital marketing, print remains an essential part of business and community life in the Shetland Islands. Local events, from the famous Up Helly Aa fire festivals to agricultural shows, music festivals and community fundraisers, depend on posters, programmes and tickets. Tourism businesses rely on brochures and maps, makers need labels and packaging for knitwear and food products, and companies of all kinds still use business cards, signage and stationery.

Printing in a remote location brings practical considerations. Delivery times can be affected by ferry and freight schedules, so planning ahead is important. Many island businesses combine local printing for urgent and community jobs with mainland or online printers for large runs and specialist products. Quality, reliability and value are the key factors in choosing the right partner.

Here are ten of the best printing services used by businesses and organisations in the Shetland Islands.

The Top 10 Printing Services for Shetland

1. The Shetland Times

Alongside publishing the islands' weekly newspaper, The Shetland Times has long provided commercial printing services. Its local presence in Lerwick makes it a convenient choice for leaflets, posters, booklets and business stationery, with the benefit of understanding island deadlines and community needs.

2. Vistaprint

Vistaprint is one of the best-known online printing services, offering business cards, flyers, banners, signage and promotional products. Its easy design tools and templates make it popular with Shetland sole traders and small businesses that need professional print quickly and affordably.

3. Solopress

Solopress is a leading UK online printer known for competitive prices and fast turnaround. It offers a wide range of products including leaflets, brochures, posters and large-format prints, making it a reliable option for island businesses planning marketing campaigns.

4. instantprint

instantprint provides high-quality online printing with a strong focus on customer service. Its range covers business stationery, marketing materials, packaging and signage, and its clear pricing helps Shetland businesses budget with confidence.

5. Mixam

Mixam specialises in printed books, magazines, zines and booklets, with flexible quantities and paper options. It is ideal for Shetland authors, heritage groups, artists and community organisations producing local history publications or creative projects.

6. Printed.com

Printed.com offers premium online printing with a focus on design-led products and quality finishes. Creative businesses, galleries and designers in Shetland use it for stylish business cards, invitations and promotional materials.

7. Bell & Bain

Bell & Bain is a long-established Glasgow book printer with a reputation for quality and sustainability. Publishers and organisations producing books about Shetland's culture, nature and history often turn to it for professional, larger-scale print runs.

8. J Thomson Colour Printers

J Thomson Colour Printers is a Scottish printing company producing brochures, reports, magazines and corporate materials. Its colour expertise and environmental credentials suit organisations that want premium printed communications.

9. Ricoh UK

Ricoh provides managed print services, multifunction devices and document management solutions. Shetland offices, schools and public bodies use its technology to control printing costs, improve security and digitise paper-based workflows.

10. Canon UK

Canon supplies office printers, production print systems and imaging solutions. Its equipment is widely used by island businesses and print shops that need reliable, high-quality in-house printing capability.

Choosing the Right Printing Service

Consider timing first. For urgent jobs, a local printer is usually the best option, as it avoids freight delays. For larger orders with longer lead times, online and mainland printers can offer greater product choice and economies of scale. Always factor in delivery times to Shetland when planning campaigns or events.

Quality and sustainability are also important. Ask for paper samples, check colour accuracy and consider recycled or responsibly sourced stocks. Many customers and visitors to Shetland value environmental responsibility, so sustainable printing choices can strengthen your brand.

Printing Trends in the Islands

Short-run digital printing has made it affordable to produce small quantities of high-quality materials, which suits island makers and community groups. Personalised packaging is helping Shetland food, drink and textile producers stand out in competitive markets. Sustainable inks, recycled papers and plastic-free packaging are increasingly expected.

At the same time, businesses are integrating print with digital channels, adding scannable codes and links to printed materials to connect offline and online marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I order print for an event in Shetland?

For local printing, a week or two is usually enough for standard items. When ordering from mainland or online printers, allow extra time for freight, particularly in winter when weather can disrupt ferry sailings. Building in a buffer of several days avoids last-minute stress before festivals, shows and launches.

What file format should I send to a printer?

Most printers prefer high-resolution PDF files with bleed and crop marks included, using CMYK colour. If you are unsure, ask for the printer's artwork guidelines or use their templates. Getting artwork right first time prevents delays and ensures colours and images reproduce as expected.

Conclusion

Quality printing continues to play an important role in promoting Shetland businesses, events and creative work. By combining local expertise with the range and value of national printers, island organisations can access everything they need. Plan ahead, choose partners that match your quality and sustainability standards, and your printed materials will make a lasting impression.