Below you'll find a compilation of answers to questions we commonly
hear from customers. If you cannot find what you're looking for, please
don't hesitate to contact us.
We want you to have the information you need to
get the final result you want.
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
Use our simple online form to request a "No Surprise Quote".
Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information
necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call and speak with
one of our customer service representatives.
How long will it take for you to complete my order?
Every job is different. Some jobs can be produced in minutes while some
may take several days to complete. Let us know when you need your job
completed and we'll let you know if it can be done. We go to great
lengths to meet even your most demanding timelines.
What is the best file format for submitting a document for printing? Do I have to submit a file?
The Portable Document Format (PDF) is generally the preferred file
format for submitting a document for printing as it works with
virtually all professional printing and digital output devices. By
design, a PDF file incorporates the information needed to maintain
document consistency from system to system. Most other file formats
such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Microsoft Word are easily
converted to PDF format.
How well will what I see on my monitor match what I see on paper?
The technology of design, layout and printing has come a long way to
the point where much of the work is done in a WSYWIG (What You See Is
What You Get) digital environment. However, there are sometimes
noticeable differences in color calibration and spatial conformity from
monitor to monitor and consequently from screen to print.
The process for minimizing any variance begins with adjusting your
monitor for optimal color and clarity according to the manufacturer's
recommendations as outlined within its product manual or website. Doing
this will alleviate a number of potential issues.
Beyond that, for the greatest conformity in color from screen to print,
there are tools available that will ensure exact color calibration.
Perhaps you have already invested in such a tool. If so, let us know
what you use and we'll work with you to achieve the best results. If
you are considering investing in a color calibration tool, talk to us
first and we'll be happy to offer our advice.
What is a proof and why is it needed?
A proof is a one-off copy of your printed document used for visual
inspection to ensure that the layout and colors of your document are
exactly how they are intended to be. A proof is made prior to sending
the document to the press for final printing.
Typically, we will produce a proof that will be sent to you online in
PDF format or on printed paper, which can be either viewed in our store
or delivered to you in person. For multiple-color jobs, we can produce
a proof on our output device to show you how the different colors will
appear on the final product.
Your approval on the final proof is the best assurance you have that
every aspect of our work and your own is correct, and that everything
reads and appears the way you intended. Mistakes can and sometimes do
happen. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing
process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
What are the different grades of paper and their respective basis weight?
The basis weight of a given grade of paper is defined as the weight (in
pounds) of 500 standard-sized sheets of that paper. With that in mind,
here are different examples of paper grades and their respective basis
weights:
Bond: Most commonly used for letterhead, business forms and
copying. Typical basis weights are16# for forms, 20# for copying and
24# for stationery.
Text: A high-quality grade paper with a lot of surface texture.
Basis weights range from 60# to 100# with the most common being 70# or
80#.
Uncoated Book: The most common grade for offset printing. Typically 50# to 70#.
Coated Book: Has a glossy finish that yields vivid colors and
overall excellent reproduction. Basis weights range from 30# to 70# for
web press, and 60# to 110# for sheet press.
Cover: Used in creating business cards, postcards and book
covers. Can be either coated or uncoated. Basis weights for this grade
are 60#, 65#, 80# or 100#.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
Uncoated stock paper is comparatively porous and inexpensive, and is
typically used for such applications as newspaper print and basic
black-and-white copying. Coated stock, by contrast, is made of higher
quality paper having a smooth glossy finish that works well for
reproducing sharp text and vivid colors. It tends to be more expensive,
however.
What does "camera ready" mean?
In the digital age of printing, it means that an image file submitted
for printing is ready to be transferred to the printing plates without
any alterations.
What is color separation?
Color separation is the process of separating a colored graphic or
photograph into its primary color components in preparation for printed
reproduction. For example, to print a full color photo with an offset
printing press, we would create four separate printing plates each
accounting for one of the four basic printing inks (cyan, magenta,
yellow, and black) needed to reproduce the image.
As the paper is fed through the press, each single-color plate puts
onto the paper the exact amount of ink needed at exactly the right
spot. As the different colored wet inks are applied, they blend
together to create the rich and infinite pallet of complex colors
needed to reproduce the original image.
What is halftone printing?
Halftone printing converts a continuous tone (solid areas of black or
color) photograph or image into a pattern of different size dots that
simulate continuous tone. When examining the page closely, you will see
a series of dots spaced slightly apart. At a normal viewing distance,
however, the spacing between dots becomes essentially invisible to the
eye and what you see is a continuous tone.
What are Pantone colors?
Pantone colors refer to the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a color
matching system used by the printing industry whereby printing colors
are identified by a unique name or number (as opposed to just a visual
reference). This helps make sure that colors turn out the same from
system to system, and print run to print run.
Is white considered a printing color?
No. White is not generally considered a printing color as typically the
paper itself will be white. If a colored paper (something other than
white) is chosen, then white becomes a printing color if any text or
graphics require it.
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
Standard sizes for catalogs and booklets are 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x 11 and 11" x 17".
What are the most common sizes for brochures?
Common brochure sizes are 8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x14" and 11" x17".
What are the most common business envelope sizes?
Business envelope sizes are referenced by a number such as #9 or #10.
The chart below indicates the most common sizes in use today:
Size
Width x Length
#6 1/4
3 1/2" x 6"
#6 3/4
3 5/8" x 6 1/2"
#7
3 3/4" x 6 3/4"
#7 3/4
3 7/8" x 7 1/2"
#8 5/8
3 5/8" x 8 5/8"
#9
3 7/8" x 8 7/8"
#10
4 1/8" x 9 1/2"
#11
4 1/2" x 10 3/8"
#12
4 3/4" x 11"
#14
5" x 11 1/2"
What is the standard size of the address window on a business envelope?
The address window on a typical business envelope measures 4 1/2" x 1 1/8".
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
These are the U.S. Post Office requirements to keep in mind when designing an envelope:
All mail pieces 1/4" thick or less must be rectangular in shape, at least 3 1/4" high and at least 5" long.
Any mail piece less than 4 1/4" in height must be at least .007" (7 pt.) thick.
Any mail piece greater than 4 1/4" in height or 6" in length must be at least .009" (9 pt.) thick.
What are the standard sizes for postcards?
Postcards are found in three common sizes: 4" x 6", 5" x 7" and 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".
What are the most common card stocks used for postcards?
The most common card stocks used for postcards are:
100# stock coated on both sides: The most popular postcard stock.
100# stock coated on one side: Well suited to mailing.
12 pt stock coated on both sides: a premium paper with a high luster finish.
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
The three most popular sizes for personalized notepads are 4" x 6", 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and 8 1/2" x 11".
What are the most popular sizes for sticky notepads?
There are four popular sizes for sticky notes: 3" x 3", 3" x 4", 3" x 5" and 4" x 6".
What different types of materials can be used for labels?
Materials for labels and their application include:
Paper, Uncoated: Use where you need the label to be easily written on by hand or printed on by machine.
Paper, High Gloss: Use when you need good printability. Keep in mind that it cannot be written on easily by hand.
Vinyl: Use vinyl for outdoor environments, or if applying a label to a vinyl surface.
Acetate: Use when the label needs to be transparent.
Mylar/Polyester: Best for applications where the label needs to be applied to an object with sharp, angular corners.
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
Some of the common methods of binding books and other multi-page documents include:
Perfect binding: Gluing the outside edges of the pages together to create a flat edge.
Saddle-stitch binding: Using staples along the folds of the pages to bind them together.
Spiral binding: Wires in a spiral form threaded through punched
holes along the binding edge of the papers. Allows the document to lay
open flatly.
Plastic comb binding: Similar to spiral binding but using a
tubular plastic piece with teeth that fit through rectangular holes
punched into the binding edge.
Three-ring binding: Holes are punched into the pages and fitted into a binder.
Case binding: Sewing the pages together and then attaching them to a hard cover.
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