2026 Guide

Best & Cheapest F12 Poster Printing in Switzerland

Compare Switzerland's top F12 poster printers. Find the cheapest APG-compliant billboard printing with transparent prices, file specs & freelancer tips.

Swiss Business Office

Need F12 billboards fast without budget surprises? You're in the right place.

This guide compares Switzerland's top F12 poster printing services with transparent pricing, real lead times, and no corporate fluff. Whether you're a freelancer managing your first outdoor campaign or a small agency juggling multiple clients, you'll find exactly what you need to order APG-compliant billboards with confidence.

Quick answer: For most freelancers ordering 2 F12 posters, Posterprint offers the best all-in value with transparent pricing including VAT and free shipping. Flyerking often beats them on sticker price alone (watch for shipping costs). For bulk campaigns, WIRmachenDRUCK delivers aggressive tier pricing with shipping included.

Basics

What Is an F12 Poster?

Understanding Switzerland's standard billboard format and why everyone talks about 'two pieces'.

If you're new to Swiss outdoor advertising, the F12 format might seem confusing at first.

F12 is Switzerland's standard wide-format billboard: 268.5 × 128 cm. You'll see these posters on busy streets, parking lots, and station approaches—anywhere APG|SGA operates outdoor advertising spaces.

The "Two-Piece" Confusion Explained

Here's what trips up most first-time buyers: F12 posters are delivered in 2 or 3 physical pieces, not as one giant sheet.

Why? Because handling, transporting, and installing a poster nearly 2.7 meters wide in one piece would be nearly impossible. Professional installers paste the pieces together on-site to create your seamless billboard.

When you order "2 F12 posters," you're ordering two complete billboard campaigns (each made of 2-3 physical sheets), not just two sheets of paper.

Every reputable Swiss printer makes this clear in their specs—Flyerline notes F12 is "delivered in two pieces," while Posterprint lists F12 "in 2 oder 3 Teilen" for wet posters. Now you know why vendors specify piece counts.

F12 vs F12L: Wet Posters vs Backlit

Two common F12 variants exist:

  • F12 (wet poster): Standard paper poster (Blueback, 115-125 g/m²) applied with paste. Most common and affordable.
  • F12L (backlit): Special translucent paper for illuminated display boxes. The "L" stands for "light"—these guarantee 24/7 visibility but cost more.

Unless you're specifically booking illuminated locations, you want standard F12 wet posters.

Methodology

How We Compared F12 Printers

Our evaluation criteria for Swiss printing services.

Important disclaimer: Online printing is dynamic. Prices fluctuate with promotions, paper costs, and demand. Configurators apply data checks, express fees, and multi-motive charges. Treat our estimates as snapshot comparisons—always check the vendor's current calculator before ordering.

Our assumptions: Standard wet posters on Blueback/Affichenpapier (115-125 g/m²), 1 design, delivery to 1 Swiss address, standard production timeline.

Top Providers

Switzerland's Best F12 Printing Services

Detailed comparison of the top four Swiss poster printers.

1. Posterprint – Best All-In Value for Freelancers 🏆

Based in: Bachenbülach
Price range: From 68-75 CHF per F12 billboard
Shipping: Free standard delivery (3 days)
VAT: Included in displayed prices (8.1%)

Why freelancers love it: Complete price transparency. No calculator games, no checkout surprises. What you see on the product page is what you pay.

Posterprint lists F12 wet posters starting around 68.72 CHF each, with clear "Preise inkl. MwSt. 8.1%" footer text and "Standard 3 Tage – Kostenlos" shipping. For 2 complete F12 billboards, budget approximately 137-150 CHF all-in.

The posters come APG-approved on proper Blueback paper, delivered in 2-3 pieces as spec'd. Their product page shows a 5.0/5.0 rating with transparent contact info and hours—reassuring for first-timers who might have questions.

Best for: Freelancers who want straightforward pricing, don't want to haggle, and need reliable 3-day turnaround without hidden costs.

2. Flyerking – Lowest Sticker Price (Watch Checkout Carefully) 💸

Based in: Wallisellen
Price range: From 55-66 CHF per F12 (promotional pricing common)
Shipping: Calculated at checkout
VAT: Not always clear on list price

The deal: Flyerking frequently offers the lowest raw price you'll see for F12 posters—sometimes as low as 110 CHF for 2 pieces during promotions, standard around 132 CHF.

They print on APG-ready Affichenpapier (125 g), explicitly noting 2- or 3-piece delivery. Quality and APG compliance aren't the issue here.

The catch: Their product pages don't always specify whether displayed prices include VAT or what shipping will cost. You'll see the final total at checkout, not before.

For pure price hunters willing to run the configurator, Flyerking often wins on small quantities (1-3 billboards). If you can pick up locally in Wallisellen, even better—save the shipping entirely.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who don't mind checking out to see final costs, or those who can collect in person.

3. Onlinedruck.ch – Swiss Favorite with Solid Reviews 👍

Based in: Basel
Price range: Via configurator (competitive with above)
Shipping: Calculated in cart
VAT: Shown in final price

Why it's trusted: Onlinedruck.ch has built a strong Swiss reputation over years. They offer dedicated "Plakate APG" products with F12 options, same-day express service (if ordered before 9 AM on weekdays), and responsive customer support.

Pricing requires clicking through their configurator—annoying for quick comparison, but the final numbers are clearly displayed before you commit.

Social proof matters here: Recent customer quotes on their site include "Sehr gut Druckqualität… Schnell & speditiv…" They're also listed on Trusted Shops with substantial review volume.

Best for: Freelancers who value Swiss vendor reliability, want express options, and prefer working with a company that has established customer service.

4. WIRmachenDRUCK – Best for Bulk Campaigns 📦

Based in: Baar (CH)
Price range: Aggressive tier pricing (as low as 10-15 CHF/piece at high volume)
Shipping: Included in brutto price for Swiss delivery
VAT: Included (brutto pricing)

The bulk advantage: WIRmachenDRUCK shines when you're ordering dozens or hundreds of billboards for multi-location campaigns.

They publish transparent tier pricing—at maximum quantity, you might see "ab CHF 10.15/Stck. (brutto, inkl. CH-Versand)". That's unbeatable for large runs. For just 2-3 billboards, you'll pay higher per-unit rates, but shipping is still included and prices are brutto (VAT in).

They offer F12N (wet posters), F12L (backlit), and PVC-Plane variants with clear APG-compliant specs.

Social proof: They publish their Google Shopping average (4.1/5 from 1,274 reviews) and link to Trustpilot—solid transparency for a large-scale printer.

Best for: Agencies or freelancers managing multi-site campaigns where unit economics matter and you need Swiss shipping included.

Price Comparison

Quick Price Reference

Snapshot for 2× F12 wet posters (standard Blueback, one design, delivered to one Swiss address)

ProviderEstimated TotalShippingVATBest For
Posterprint~137-150 CHFFree (3 days)IncludedAll-in transparency
Flyerking~110-132 CHFAt checkoutCheck cartLowest sticker price
Onlinedruck.chUse configuratorIn cartIn cartSwiss reliability
WIRmachenDRUCKUse tier calculatorIncludedIncludedBulk orders (10+)

⚠️ Remember: Configurators adjust for express deadlines, data checks, proofs, and multi-motive fees. Click through to vendor sites for current pricing.

Technical Specs

File Requirements: Get Your Posters Right the First Time

Avoid costly reprints with proper file preparation.

Why Bleed Matters

Printing machines work within tolerance ranges—paper shifts slightly during production. That 3mm bleed ensures your design extends beyond trim lines, so you never get white edges on the finished poster.

Pro tip: Create your design at 268.5 × 128 cm (F12 size) + 3mm bleed on each side = 269.1 × 128.6 cm final canvas size.

Common File Mistakes That Cost Money

❌ RGB colors instead of CMYK: Your vibrant blue on screen prints muddy purple on paper
❌ Low resolution: 72 dpi looks fine on your laptop, terrible at billboard scale
❌ Knockout text on dark backgrounds: Small white text with heavy cyan/magenta/yellow underneath prints blurry
❌ No bleed: Leads to white borders when trimmed
❌ Embedded fonts not outlined: Text shifts or disappears if printer doesn't have your font

Most vendors offer data checks before printing—use them! A 20-minute review can save you from a 200 CHF reprint.

Quality Factors

Beyond Price: What Really Matters

Cheapest doesn't always mean best value.

Paper Quality

Durability & Standards

Understanding Swiss outdoor paper specifications.

  • Blueback (Chantegris) is the Swiss outdoor standard—thick (115-125 g/m²)
  • Coated on one side, designed to withstand weather during campaign period
  • Higher-grade paper (135 g/m²) exists for premium campaigns but costs more
  • Standard 115-125 g/m² is perfectly adequate for wet posters
Swiss Paper Quality
Print Quality

What Makes the Difference

Real quality factors to watch for.

  • Color consistency across multi-site campaigns
  • Edge accuracy with clean cuts and no misalignment
  • Responsive customer service when things go wrong
  • Check vendor reviews specifically mentioning 'Druckqualität'
Print Quality
Sustainability

Eco-Friendly Printing

Certifications and environmental standards.

  • FSC-certified paper from responsibly managed forests
  • Climate-neutral production with carbon-offset printing
  • Eco-friendly inks meeting Swiss environmental standards
  • Most vendors publish certification info on product pages
Swiss Sustainability
Practical Tips

Ordering Tips for Freelancers

Plan your timeline and process efficiently.

Plan Your Timeline

Standard production: 3-5 working days
Express/rush: 24-48 hours (with surcharge)
Installation booking: Allow extra days for APG site scheduling

Order at least 1 week before your campaign start date to account for production, delivery, and installation coordination.

Step-by-Step Ordering Process

  1. Finalize design in correct dimensions with bleed
  2. Export as PDF/X-1a in CMYK with fonts outlined
  3. Upload to vendor's platform (most have drag-and-drop)
  4. Select quantity, paper type, and deadline
  5. Review proof (pay for data check if first time)
  6. Confirm order and delivery address
  7. Coordinate with installer (if not included in service)

When to Use Data Checks

First time ordering F12 posters? Always pay for the data check. Typically 10-20 CHF, it catches file errors before printing and can save you from expensive reprints.

Experienced designers with proven print files can skip this on repeat orders.

Decision Guide

Which Printer Should You Choose?

Quick decision framework based on your specific needs.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How many physical pieces make up one F12 poster?

Typically 2-3 pieces. This makes transportation and installation manageable. Professional installers align and paste them on-site to create one seamless billboard.

Can I use RGB colors in my design?

No. Always convert to CMYK before exporting print files. RGB colors will shift unpredictably when printed.

What's the minimum order quantity?

Most vendors accept orders from 1 billboard. However, per-unit pricing drops significantly at higher quantities (10+, 50+, 100+).

How do I know if my file is print-ready?

Check: 300 dpi resolution, CMYK color mode, 3mm bleed, PDF/X-1a format, fonts outlined. When in doubt, pay for a data check.

What's the difference between F12 and F12L?

F12 is the standard wet poster. F12L is for backlit display boxes—printed on special translucent paper that works with illumination.

Do printers offer design services?

Some do, but expect additional charges (100-300 CHF for simple designs). Most freelancers hire independent designers and submit print-ready files.

How far in advance should I order?

Allow 1 week minimum (standard production 3-5 days + shipping + installation scheduling). Rush orders cost 30-50% more.

Can I split delivery to multiple locations?

Yes, most vendors offer this for multi-site campaigns. Expect additional shipping charges per location.

What happens if my poster is damaged during delivery?

Reputable printers replace damaged goods at no charge. Report issues immediately with photos.

Is it cheaper to print F12 posters in bulk?

Significantly. Unit prices can drop 50-70% when ordering 50+ vs 2-3 billboards. WIRmachenDRUCK offers the best tier pricing for bulk.

Ready to Order Your F12 Posters?

You now have everything you need to order APG-compliant F12 billboards confidently with transparent pricing, technical specs, and quality factors.

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For most freelancers: Start with Posterprint for transparent all-in pricing and reliable delivery. Their 5-star rating and included VAT/shipping make budgeting straightforward.

Hunting the lowest price? Check Flyerking first, but confirm shipping and VAT at checkout.

Running a multi-site campaign? Get a quote from WIRmachenDRUCK to leverage their tier pricing.

Next step: Visit your chosen vendor's F12 product page, upload your print-ready PDF, and lock in your outdoor advertising campaign. Your billboard audience awaits. 🚀

Prices and specifications current as of 2024. Always verify current pricing and lead times directly with vendors before ordering. This guide is based on publicly available information and does not constitute paid endorsement of any service.