Digital-Offset Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A bleed is a graphic that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. For the purpose of design, images may bleed off the edge. However, any graphic that extends past the original canvas size is considered a bleed. The canvas will be trimmed to the size of the job. In order not to lose wanted text or images, it is imperative for important information to be within the cut line. All printed products must have a .125 (1/8 in) bleed on all sides.
We are a high resolution printer so we require all submitted files to be 300dpi (Dots Per Inch). If you design a job at 72dpi or lower we cannot use the file. Our prepress will resize it to 300dpi therefore “stretching” the image out. As seen in the example below, one image was created at 300dpi, the other was created at 72dpi and then stretched out to 300dpi.
WHAT WE NEED
- What colors do you like for the text/background?
- Do you have a logo?
- Are there any photos you would like to include in your design?
- Choose what text and content you would like to include (ie address, map, event dates).
Please have everything ready for the designer before your appointment.
Please schedule an appointment with a designer or email/drop off the above information so we can get started. Our customers are valuable to us, and we ask that you please be prompt to your appointment to ensure that your spot isn’t taken.
IF SO…
- There must be a .125in bleed so text or pictures do no get cut or lost.
- In order for the colors to print correctly, your color mode must be set to CMYK.
- For the image to print clearly, the resolution must be set to 300dpi.
- Your file must be submitted in one of the following formats: jpeg, pdf, psd and tif.
SHORT RUN (NO UV)
- 1-2 business days
OFFSET
- 3-4 business days
SPECIAL ITEMS
(magazines, die-cut, door hangers, folded products, scored products, etc.)
- Depends on the quantity and custom request.
DESIGN
- 24 hrs for most printed products
WEBSITE DESIGN
- Call for turnaround times.
All business cards will be complete 48hrs after approved!!!!
- Sample logos that you like.
- What style do you like? (i.e. modern, clean, grunge)
- What are your company colors?
- Do you have any initial ideas?
Logos are a very important part of your company’s branding. Keep in mind that we charge a standard rate for our logos. With that said, logos take time and multiple revisions will change our rates.
Because your monitor is broken. No, seriously it’s because you’re probably designing the job in RGB (Red Green and Blue) color mode which is the industry default for most graphic applications. We are a four color printer so when you submit a file as an RGB we have to convert it to CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow and Black) color mode. The Reds, Greens, and Blues will lose value after the conversion and it won’t look the same. We require all of our files to be submitted as CMYK. If not, we will convert them for you and there will be some color deviation. When the printed design is in CMYK color mode, your flyer will print the correct color and you will achieve the closest match possible.
- Sometimes when printing blues, they appear gray or purple. To ensure that you get a nice, rich blue, keep the cyan value at least 15% higher than the magenta value.
- In order to get a true, rich black (as opposed to a dull, gray black), keep your values at: C-50 M-20 Y-20 K-100
UV
Ultra-violet coating is a glossy coating applied over ink printed on paper and dried by exposure to UV light. This coating application can deepen the color of the printed area.When a UV Coating is applied it gives the printed material a shiny, slick feel.SPOT UV
UV can be applied on spot locations or by flooding the page. Spot UV can add a lot to an ordinarily dull print product. By UVing certain areas the designer can accentuate items with the UV gloss and leave the other area flat.
SILK
Silk cards are full color cards that have been laminated with a material that contains a silk texture feel. This style of card portrays class, elegance, style, and sophistication. You’ll have to FEEL it to believe it. Qualities of silk cards are limited to tear and are water resistant.
Ultra-violet coating is a glossy coating applied over ink printed on paper and dried by exposure to UV light. This coating application can deepen the color of the printed area.When a UV Coating is applied it gives the printed material a shiny, slick feel.SPOT UV
UV can be applied on spot locations or by flooding the page. Spot UV can add a lot to an ordinarily dull print product. By UVing certain areas the designer can accentuate items with the UV gloss and leave the other area flat.
SILK
Silk cards are full color cards that have been laminated with a material that contains a silk texture feel. This style of card portrays class, elegance, style, and sophistication. You’ll have to FEEL it to believe it. Qualities of silk cards are limited to tear and are water resistant.
ARTWORK
Artwork needs to be 300 dpi and made for the exact print size. If art is less that 300 dpi, it will be difficult to work with and lose its precision.
To ensure the best quality for screen print, use Vector/EPS files!!!SPECS
Specify colors, qty, sizes and placement.
Maximum print area is 11×17
Artwork needs to be 300 dpi and made for the exact print size. If art is less that 300 dpi, it will be difficult to work with and lose its precision.
To ensure the best quality for screen print, use Vector/EPS files!!!SPECS
Specify colors, qty, sizes and placement.
Maximum print area is 11×17
FIRST AND FORMOST CONVERT ALL TEXT TO OUTLINES.
If you are working in Adobe Illustrator please down save all art to “Illustrator CS”.
If you are working in Adobe Illustrator please down save all art to “Illustrator CS”.
Please save art correctly, then if the file if bigger than BLANK kb’s.
Please compress your file, by right clicking icon on desktop, highlight “send to”
Another field will open and choose “compressed (zipped) file”
Please compress your file, by right clicking icon on desktop, highlight “send to”
Another field will open and choose “compressed (zipped) file”
We use a wide range of paper, we call “stocks”.100# gloss stock (thinner/gloss ) ie 11×17 posters, brochures
12pt C2S card stock mainly used for business cards, 4×6 flyers,
14pt C2S card stock mainly for the customer who like a thicker stock.
Specialty paper is available ie letterhead, custom cards
12pt C2S card stock mainly used for business cards, 4×6 flyers,
14pt C2S card stock mainly for the customer who like a thicker stock.
Specialty paper is available ie letterhead, custom cards
We can also do any custom size… just please make sure the Bleed is correct. Custom sizes may require additional cutting or paper. Both affect the price.
Yes, although there is a fee…
When supplying digital files for full color printing, it is important you supply images and graphics in the correct mode or color space. Many software programs give you the choice to work in either the RGB or CMYK mode..
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue which are the primary colors of light. Scanners and digital cameras generally create images using combinations of the three RGB colors. When you save a scanned picture, or image taken with your digital camera, it normally will be saved in RGB mode unless otherwise specified. In addition, computers display images on the computer screen as RGB colors.
Printing presses print full color pictures using a different set of colors than RGB. Generally, full color images are created using the primary colors of pigment: Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black – otherwise known as “CMYK printing” or “4 color process”. By combining different percentages of the 4 CMYK inks, the illusion of continuous tone in images is created.At some stage in the design process, your images must be converted from RGB to CMYK in order to print them on a printing press. Unfortunately not all colors in the RGB spectrum can be replicated in CMYK. Such colors are said to be “out of the CMYK color gamut”. When converting from RGB mode to CMYK mode, software programs get as close to original color as possible. Some colors convert very well whereas others do not. Below is an example of colors that do not convert well from RGB to CMYK
Please convert all images and graphics to CMYK prior to sending your files to us. You will have more control over the appearance of your printed piece as you will see how the images look once they are converted. If need be, you can always adjust the image slightly after conversion to more closely achieve the desired color. If we receive RGB images from you, we will do a standard conversion to CMYK, however our results may vary from yours.
For best results, we recommend working in CMYK mode whenever possible. Some applications like Photoshop and Illustrator actually allow you to work in different modes so be sure to choose the correct one!
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue which are the primary colors of light. Scanners and digital cameras generally create images using combinations of the three RGB colors. When you save a scanned picture, or image taken with your digital camera, it normally will be saved in RGB mode unless otherwise specified. In addition, computers display images on the computer screen as RGB colors.
Printing presses print full color pictures using a different set of colors than RGB. Generally, full color images are created using the primary colors of pigment: Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black – otherwise known as “CMYK printing” or “4 color process”. By combining different percentages of the 4 CMYK inks, the illusion of continuous tone in images is created.At some stage in the design process, your images must be converted from RGB to CMYK in order to print them on a printing press. Unfortunately not all colors in the RGB spectrum can be replicated in CMYK. Such colors are said to be “out of the CMYK color gamut”. When converting from RGB mode to CMYK mode, software programs get as close to original color as possible. Some colors convert very well whereas others do not. Below is an example of colors that do not convert well from RGB to CMYK
Please convert all images and graphics to CMYK prior to sending your files to us. You will have more control over the appearance of your printed piece as you will see how the images look once they are converted. If need be, you can always adjust the image slightly after conversion to more closely achieve the desired color. If we receive RGB images from you, we will do a standard conversion to CMYK, however our results may vary from yours.
For best results, we recommend working in CMYK mode whenever possible. Some applications like Photoshop and Illustrator actually allow you to work in different modes so be sure to choose the correct one!
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