Dick's Graphics Center in Chattanooga: Full-Service Print and Design for Local Business
Dick's Graphics Center is a locally owned print shop and graphic design studio that handles everything from business card design through large-format production, serving Chattanooga's small businesses, nonprofits, and corporate offices since the 1980s.
What Dick's Graphics Center actually does
The shop combines in-house graphic design with offset and digital printing, meaning clients can walk in with a concept and leave with finished collateral without routing work to multiple vendors. The operation spans roughly 3,000 square feet on the North Shore and employs a team that manages design consultation, prepress, and print production under one roof. This matters for Chattanooga businesses that need turnaround: a local manufacturer needing 5,000 product brochures can spec, design, proof, and print without waiting for a designer in Nashville or Atlanta to finish before sending files to a printer elsewhere. The center also handles bindery work (folding, scoring, saddle-stitch), fulfillment, and limited mailing services.
Services and pricing
Dick's Graphics Center quotes projects individually, but typical price tiers reflect local market rates. Business cards (500 count, full color, standard cardstock) run $80 to $120 depending on finish and ink coverage. A 4-color postcard (5,000 count, 4x6) typically falls between $300 and $450. Letterhead and envelope sets start around $150 for 500 sheets. Custom graphic design work is usually charged hourly or by project; an initial consultation and logo design concept for a small business typically runs $400 to $800, with revisions negotiated upfront. Large-format printing (posters, banners, vehicle wraps) is priced per square foot and material; vinyl banners range from $8 to $15 per square foot depending on thickness and finish. Confirm current pricing by phone or in-person, as ink and substrate costs shift seasonally.
How it compares to other Chattanooga graphic design and print options
Chattanooga has three tiers of print and design service. FedEx Office (multiple locations, including downtown and East Brainerd) handles quick-turn copying, basic digital printing, and limited design templates; it suits one-off jobs and rush orders but lacks the in-house design depth or offset capability for high-volume or sophisticated work. Local independent designers (many working solo from home offices) excel at custom branding and concept work but typically outsource printing, adding time and coordination friction. Dick's Graphics Center sits in the middle: strong enough in design to handle brand identity projects, but uniquely valuable for businesses that need design plus offset printing in one transaction. Choose Dick's if you want local relationships, in-house quality control, and fewer handoffs; choose FedEx Office if you need a copy or single-run flyer in two hours and don't need design consultation; choose an independent designer if you are building a brand identity from scratch and plan to send the final files to a large national printer.
Who it suits and who it does not
The center serves Chattanooga manufacturers, real estate offices, nonprofits, medical practices, and event organizers who order printing multiple times per year and value face-to-face proofing. It also suits small business owners who need both design and print work but lack in-house marketing staff. It does not suit clients seeking trendy digital design only (web design, animation, social graphics without print output) or those requiring high-end packaging design with structural engineering. It is less economical than national print-on-demand shops (Vistaprint, Minted) for very small quantities (under 250 units) where setup costs matter most, though the design consultation advantage can offset that for first-time projects.
What the first visit involves
Call ahead or visit to discuss your project. You'll meet with a designer or account manager to review samples of your work, explain your audience and goals, and establish a budget and timeline. If you have existing brand guidelines or files, bring those. If you are starting fresh, expect the initial consultation to take 30 to 45 minutes. The center will provide a quote, typically valid for 14 days. If you approve, you'll schedule design work; initial concepts usually take 3 to 5 business days for straightforward projects. You'll review proofs (digital for design, press proofs for color-critical printing), request revisions, and approve final files before production begins. Offset printing typically requires 5 to 10 business days from approval to delivery, depending on run size and bindery complexity.
Hours and logistics
Dick's Graphics Center operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed weekends and major holidays. Street parking is available on the North Shore; confirm the specific address and lot details before your first visit. The shop does not accept walk-in printing orders after 4 p.m., so plan design consultations earlier in the day. Verify hours before visiting, as holiday schedules and vacation closures vary.
A print shop that combines design and production in-house is uncommon in Chattanooga's fragmented vendor landscape, making Dick's Graphics Center the practical choice for businesses that value local control and fewer service transitions.
