FAQ
Welcome to Symbiosis Printing – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find you, and when are your doors open?
We would love for you to stop by! Our family-owned shop is located in the Heart of Hillsdale at 6325 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97239. You can catch us here Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. We take the weekends off to rest and spend time with our family.
What kinds of beautiful things can you print for me?
We specialize in high-fidelity digital production with an extra focus on supporting independent regional artists and mission-driven teams. We are always happy to collaborate with you on:
Archival Fine Art & Giclée Prints: High-quality art reproductions ranging from 5x7 all the way up to 40x60, beautifully produced on stunning watercolor paper or wrapped canvas.
Custom Business Materials: Clean, professional brochures, flyers, newsletters, and stationery.
Event & Wedding Stationery: Beautiful custom signage, day-of materials, and heavy cardstock invitations to celebrate your big moments.
Book Printing & Binding: Professional spiral, Wire-O, saddle-stitched (staple-bound), and perfect-bound softcover finishing for your zines, journals, or poetry collections.
Do you offer graphic design services if I need a little help?
Yes, we do! We provide full in-house graphic design services to help make your projects shine. Whether you need a complete layout design, custom wedding details, keepsakes, or just a gentle cleanup on a treasured family portrait, we are here to support your creative journey.
What are your environmental and community certifications?
We believe business should be a powerful force for good in our world! We are incredibly proud to be a Certified B Corp and a registered Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Every decision we make prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices. Our shop is entirely FSC Certified, which means our papers are responsibly sourced from managed forests that protect the planet. We also completely avoid creating hazardous waste byproducts and proudly use a neuro-affirming layout to keep our physical workspace an inclusive, welcoming safe space for everyone in our disability and neurodivergent communities. [1, 2]
How should I prepare my files to get the best print quality?
To help us get your prints looking absolutely perfect, we recommend exporting your digital layouts as a high-resolution, print-ready PDF file. [1]
Bleeds and Trim Marks: If you are designing in platforms like Canva or InDesign, please include a 0.125-inch bleed and trim marks. This gives us a little extra margin to cleanly cut your project right to the edge without any unexpected white borders! [1]
Booklets and Multi-page Projects: Please organize your pages in straight chronological order (Page 1, Page 2, Page 3...) rather than reader spreads.
Color Matching: Don't worry about complex color shifts—we run custom color calibrations on all files to perfectly dial in the tones for each specific substrate we print on, from textured watercolor paper to smooth canvas.
How does your digital and physical proof process work?
We want you to feel completely confident before we hit "print." Every single project submitted to us receives a complimentary preflight check to ensure your files are set up perfectly. We will guide you through reviewing digital proofs to verify layouts, text, and margins. For your ultimate peace of mind, we can also provide a physical press proof so you can see and feel the exact color accuracy and paper quality before we begin your official production run. [1]
Is there a minimum order amount?
To make sure we can dedicate the right care and high-quality setup to every single project, we have a friendly $20 order minimum for print jobs.
What types of eco-friendly paper stocks do you carry?
We love talking about paper! Our inventory features carefully selected sustainable paper stocks that carry a minimum of 10% recycled content alongside their FSC certifications. Our two absolute favorites are our 100# Silk Text (which gives a lovely, smooth finish that is perfect for folded brochures) and our 100# acid-free Eggshell cover stock (which provides a gorgeous, classic, fine-textured premium feel).
What is your standard production turnaround time?
Once you give us the final "thumbs up" approval on your proofs, our standard production turnaround is generally three to five business days. If you are working on a very large custom order, an intricate multi-page booklet, or a project requiring specialized binding, the timeline might shift a bit depending on complexity. Just let us know your goals, and we will collaborate closely to map out a schedule!
How do invoicing and payments work?
We keep things transparent and simple! Once we confirm your project details and specifications, we will send over a clear, upfront estimate. As soon as you approve it, we will email you a secure corporate invoice link via QuickBooks, allowing you to easily make a secure payment online using your credit card or a bank transfer.
Can I pick up my order, or do you ship?
Whichever works best for your schedule! You are always welcome to swing by our warm Southwest Portland shop for an in-person pickup during our regular weekday hours. If you are a bit further away or short on time, we are happy to coordinate regional delivery or ship your completed project directly to your front door or office.
Are you inclusive?
Yes, absolutely. Creating an environment where everyone feels safe, seen, valued, and respected is a core foundation of who we are. As a certified B Corp and a registered Women Business Enterprise (WBE), inclusivity isn’t just a policy for us—it’s woven into our daily operations, our hiring values, and how we welcome every single customer who walks through our doors or reaches out online. We are proud allies of the LGBTQ+ community, independent local creators, and folks from all walks of life.
How are you autism and neurodivergent friendly?
We work intentionally to ensure our physical and digital spaces feel supportive and accessible for our autistic and neurodivergent community members:
Neuro-Affirming Space: We utilize a thoughtful, neuro-affirming physical layout in our Southwest Portland shop to make it a calm, structured, and predictable environment.
Sensory-Aware Adjustments: We are always happy to dim or adjust lighting, minimize loud machine operations when possible, or provide a quieter, low-sensory consultation area during your visit.
Clear, Flexible Communication: We understand that traditional pathways don't fit everyone perfectly. Whether you prefer purely written, highly detailed digital proof reviews, step-by-step visual project breakdowns, or standard verbal consultations, we adapt completely to your preferred communication style without any judgment.