I've put so much effort into creating and organising a not-for-profit event, now there is less than 3 weeks left and I cannot find an affordable printer to print my exhibition booklet. I've written to so many printers for sponsorship or at least for a cheap quote but couldn't get any results. Does anybody know a ridiculously cheap but a good printing company? (It is a PhD related question by the way before any newcomers complain; the event is part of my PhD research).

Couldn't your Uni media services department help?

Any chance of getting in touch with a company related to your PhD topic and see if they will give you any assistance for free publicity?

Or approach a company and explain that it is a non-profit event to see if they can do it on the cheap?

get local companies to put their adverts in it.... maybe that could reduce teh costs? Whats ur supervisor say?

Hi Ann. I hope you are well... No, unfortunately they can't. The only thing they could offer was a very lousy looking booklet. Not only I will have to re-design according to their limits but the finished product will look really unproffesional too. They are very keen to use expensive paper and expensive methods, but they don't care about trimming or post-production (as they are not commercial printers). I don't want glossy chemically coated papers, in fact I am very keen on using recyled paper. But they seem to have standard services. I heard about a workers co-operation in Leeds. I wrote to them; I'll call again tomorrow. But time is getting tight.

Thanks for advice Tricky and driven2insanity. It is actually a very expensive event in a way, I have had many sponsors for especially the technology side of things. It looks like I've used up most of the options. The other 200 billion people I approached didn't even care. I managed to raise some money through donations, but that money is also spoken for. My supervisor(s) are being happy about the developments, but they are not doing anything to help. I gave up asking. I guess I feel tired of working non-stop on my own on this project. Taking adverts actually is a very good idea, thanks. I'll make some calls tomorrow.

404, I was sure that you would have already contacted them. Surprising that they have been so unflexible though, I would have thought that a uni media dept. would have been used to receiving very varied requests.

Ann, I am very disappointed and surprised too. I was relying on the University's printers (until today). They've suddenly changed their tune and here I am without a printer. I won't even try to find out why they were first able to produce what I needed and today they say they can't (after I designed the whole booklet). I am trying not to get too upset about things. To write to this forum before I act, always gives me a chance to do the right thing, instead of doing the first thing that comes to my mind. I'm sure I will find a solution. I am waiting answers from so many companies now, one of them might come up with a good quote (or accept to be a sponsor) How are you by the way? I have not been to the forum for a while, I don't know how everyone is doing.

awww 404, I wish I could help.

My father sells newspapers so no good!

I hope you find a sponsor quickly

I'm fine thanks 404, manic as ever at work but can't complain. Going for a night out tomorrow (first for ages) so looking forward to that!

How are you apart from the booklet stress? Hope that you can get somewhere with the advertising idea. Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job with organising this event so don't feel down, feel proud!

Thank you H . I've seen a guest using your name on the forum today. How did that happen? We should ask PostGrad Forum Team not to let other people use our names.

Thanks Ann. It's all going well apart from the booklet. 3 major problems solved themselves on the same day, which made me feel like I was in a silly teenage movie. Where are you based? I can send you an invitation to the Private View.

Enjoy the night-out tomorrow. Wear the best dress in your wardrobe, while it is still like summer

Aw, thanks 404 - think I'll wear a dress, as you say, summer dress days are numbered! (Which is sad but I love Christmas so winter is good too!)

I'm down in the South West, far from civilisation

I have not spoken to mine in over 10 years, he was a pediatric neurologist...and certainly knew nothing about printing!

You got there before me DanB! See, I knew you loved us feminists really x