Farmers markets are not just a summer thing. In Chicago and many other cities, they happen throughout the year, from outdoor neighborhood markets in warm weather to indoor and holiday markets during the colder months. For vendors, that means constantly needing materials that are clear, attractive and easy to update as products, prices and seasonal offerings change.

That is where having someone local who can handle both design and print preparation becomes useful. A vendor may need a banner for the tent, price signs, menus, postcards, business cards, table signage, QR codes, product labels or a simple flyer for an upcoming market. The design does not have to be complicated, but it should look consistent and be prepared correctly for printing.

The best place to print depends on what is needed. For quick local jobs, FedEx Office can be convenient. Vistaprint is often useful for business cards, postcards and other standard promotional pieces. Other online printers can be better for larger banners, specialty sizes or higher-volume runs. The important part is matching the printer and material to the job instead of treating every print project the same.

For small businesses and market vendors, having one person who can help with the design, prepare the files correctly and point them toward the right print option can save a lot of time — especially when the next market is only a few days away.