Printonline.co.nz vs. Warehouse Stationery Print & Copy Centre

When it comes to getting documents printed in New Zealand, two common contenders are online services like Printonline.co.nz and established retail chains with print centres, such as Warehouse Stationery. While both offer printing, their models, strengths, and target audiences differ significantly.

Service Model

• Printonline.co.nz: Primarily an online-only service focused on document printing with a strong emphasis on speed (overnight delivery). You upload your files, pay online, and receive your prints via courier.
• Warehouse Stationery Print & Copy Centre: Offers both online ordering and in-store services. You can order online for delivery or in-store pick-up, or walk into one of their many physical stores to get jobs printed on the spot or placed for later collection.

Pricing Structure

• Printonline.co.nz: Very competitive per-page rates, starting from $0.09 for A4 B&W. They aim for affordability, especially for bulk orders, and offer free shipping over $100. Their value proposition is clear cost savings on consumables.
• Warehouse Stationery: Generally competitive for standard printing services. While they may not always match Printonline.co.nz’s absolute lowest per-page rates for very large volumes, their pricing is reasonable for smaller to medium jobs, and they offer a range of finishing options and paper types, with transparent pricing for these.

Convenience and Accessibility

• Printonline.co.nz:
  • Pros: Extreme convenience for those who prefer to do everything from their desk. Overnight delivery is a huge advantage for urgent needs.
  • Cons: No physical presence means no in-person consultation, no immediate pick-up, and reliance on courier services for delivery (which can have rural limitations).
• Warehouse Stationery:
  • Pros: Widespread physical locations across NZ make it highly accessible for walk-in services, immediate small print jobs, and easy pick-up. You can see paper samples and discuss options with staff.
  • Cons: Online ordering might not be as streamlined as dedicated online printers for some users. Their delivery service might not always be as quick as Printonline.co.nz’s guaranteed overnight option.

Print Product Range and Specialisation

• Printonline.co.nz: Specialises in core document printing (A4, A3, A5, B&W, Colour), plans, posters, and booklets. Their strength is in efficient, high-volume document reproduction.
• Warehouse Stationery: Offers a broader retail print service including custom stationery, wide-format poster printing, photo printing, canvas prints, binding services, and a wider range of paper stocks and finishes that are easily accessible for visual inspection in-store. They also offer design services.

Customer Service

• Printonline.co.nz: Customer service is primarily online (email, contact form). Reviews suggest good responsiveness. The website aims to be self-explanatory.
• Warehouse Stationery: Offers both online and in-person customer service. The ability to speak face-to-face with staff about your printing needs can be a significant advantage for complex jobs or troubleshooting.

Environmental Considerations

• Printonline.co.nz: Highlights its use of sustainably sourced paper and efficient commercial printing practices that reduce waste (e.g., fewer toner cartridges than home inkjets).
• Warehouse Stationery: As a large retailer, they also have environmental policies, but Printonline.co.nz makes it a more prominent part of its value proposition on the homepage for their printing services specifically.

Who should choose which?

• Choose Printonline.co.nz if: Your primary need is fast, affordable, high-volume document printing (reports, manuals, course notes) and you value convenience and cost savings over in-person interaction or niche print products.
• Choose Warehouse Stationery if: You prefer the option of in-person service, need immediate small print jobs, require a broader range of retail print products (like custom invitations or photo gifts), or want to physically inspect paper types and finishes before ordering.