Printkeg vs. Cat Print: Which Printer Is Right for You?
If you're an artist, small business owner, or independent creator comparing print companies, Printkeg and Cat Print are two names that come up often — and for good reason. Both work with independent artists. Both offer no minimum orders. Both care about print quality. But they’re built a little differently, and depending on what you're printing (and what you're trying to build), one will likely fit your workflow better than the other.
This comparison is meant to be genuinely helpful. Cat Print is a well-regarded company with real strengths, and we’ll call those out clearly. Our goal isn’t to “win” every category — it’s to help you choose the printer that actually makes sense for your work.
The Short Answer
Best for Specialty Finishes
Choose Cat Print if:
- You need real foil printing (gold, silver, holographic)
- You want specialty finishes that stand out instantly
- You want a free physical proof before printing
- You're focused on wedding stationery or premium art cards
Best for Artists & Growing Shops
Choose Printkeg if:
- You want more than just art cards — a full print ecosystem
- You need fast, reliable everyday turnaround
- You sell prints, booklets, or convention merch
- You need booth signage, banners, and displays
- You want drop shipping for Etsy or online sales
- You need true giclée / fine art printing
Company Overview
Cat Print has been operating since 2004 out of Fairport, New York. They’ve built a strong reputation in the independent artist and wedding stationery communities, with consistent praise for customer service and quality. Their identity is very clear — they specialize in premium finishes like foil and holographic printing, and they do that extremely well.
Printkeg opened in 2008 in Beaufort, South Carolina, serving independent artists, small businesses, and creative sellers. The focus has always been on print quality and flexibility — from single no-minimum prints for Etsy sellers to full convention booth setups with display prints, banners, booklets, stickers, and signage. The goal is to support artists across every stage of their business, not just one category.
Where Cat Print Wins
Real Foil Printing
This is Cat Print’s biggest advantage. They offer true foil printing — gold, silver, rose gold, and more — applied to art prints, business cards, and stationery. If foil is central to your brand or product line, Cat Print has invested heavily in this and delivers strong results. Printkeg currently does not offer real foil printing, so this is a clear win for Cat Print.
Holographic Finishes
Cat Print offers holographic options like Crystal and Sparkle finishes that are especially popular with convention artists. These can create a high-impact, premium-feeling product that stands out on a table. If that aesthetic is core to your work, Cat Print has a more developed offering here.
Free Physical Proofs
Cat Print includes a physical proof before production at no extra cost. For artists concerned about color accuracy — or for high-stakes projects like wedding stationery — this adds a layer of confidence. Printkeg offers proofing as well, but as a separate order.
Guaranteed Delivery Dates
Cat Print allows you to select a guaranteed delivery date at checkout. For time-sensitive events like conventions or weddings, that predictability can be extremely helpful.
Eco-Friendly Paper Focus
Cat Print offers recycled and cotton-based paper options, along with eco-conscious packaging. If sustainability is a core part of your brand story, they’ve made that a visible priority.
Where Printkeg Wins
Product Range
This is where the difference becomes more noticeable over time. Cat Print focuses primarily on art prints and stationery. That works well — until your product line expands.
Printkeg’s collection is built for that next step: fine art prints, posters, booklets, comics, stickers, banners, signage, and more. For artists growing beyond a single product type, having everything in one place simplifies production and keeps quality consistent.
Large Format & Banner Printing
Printkeg offers banners, backdrops, foam board signs, retractable displays, and more — all of the pieces needed for conventions, markets, and retail setups. Cat Print doesn’t operate in this space, which becomes a limitation as your booth setup evolves.
Fine Art & Giclée Printing
Printkeg’s fine art collection uses archival pigment printing (giclée) on watercolor paper and canvas. This is the standard for artists selling higher-end prints, limited editions, or gallery work. Cat Print’s offerings are strong for retail prints, but positioned differently than full fine art reproduction.
Drop Shipping & Etsy Fulfillment
Printkeg’s no-minimum system is built with online sellers in mind. Orders can be fulfilled individually, shipped without branding, and easily repeated. For artists running Etsy shops or online stores, this removes a lot of friction.
Convention Booth Infrastructure
Printkeg offers a full set of booth-ready products — display prints, signage, table covers, banners, and more — designed specifically for Artist Alley and similar setups. This makes it easier to build a cohesive, professional booth without juggling multiple vendors.
Booklets, Comics & Publications
If your work includes zines, comics, or printed publications, Printkeg supports those formats directly. This is an area Cat Print doesn’t cover, and it becomes important as artists expand their product offerings.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Cat Print if your primary needs are:
- Foil printing or holographic finishes
- Wedding stationery or premium card-focused products
- A built-in physical proof before printing
- Eco-focused paper options
- A guaranteed delivery date at checkout
Choose Printkeg if your primary needs are:
- A single source for your full print lineup
- Fine art giclée printing for higher-end work
- Banner and display printing for convention booths
- Drop shipping for Etsy or online stores
- Booklets, comics, or publications
- Complete Artist Alley setups
- Fast turnaround across a wide range of products
The Bottom Line
Cat Print and Printkeg overlap in some areas — especially art prints and cards — but they’ve grown in different directions.
Cat Print has focused on specialty finishes and premium stationery. Printkeg has focused on supporting the full range of products artists and creative businesses actually sell.
If foil or holographic finishes are central to your work, Cat Print is the better fit for those products. But if you're building a broader print lineup — selling at conventions, running an online shop, or expanding into new formats — Printkeg is designed to grow with you.
Both companies care about quality. Both support artists.
The real difference is whether you need a specialist — or a print partner that can support everything you’re building.
