Below
you’ll find a compilation of answers to questions we commonly hear from
our customers. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please don’t
hesitate to contact us at 847-546-6555.
1. How do I go about getting an estimate from
you?
2. How long will it take for you to complete my order?
3. What is the best file format for submitting document
for printing?
4. How well will what I see on my monitor match what I
see on paper?
5. What is a proof and why is it needed?
6. What are the different grades of paper and their respective
weight?
7. What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper
stock?
8. What does “camera ready” mean?
9. What is color separation?
10. What is a halftone?
11. What are Pantone (PMS) colors?
12. What are the most common sizes for booklets and newsletters?
13. What are the most common sizes for brochures?
14. What are the most common business envelope sizes?
15. What is the standard size of the address window on
a business envelope?
16. What are the standard sizes for postcards?
17. What are the most common card stocks used for postcards?
18. What are the most popular sizes for personalized note
pads?
19. What different types of materials can be used for
labels?
20. What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page
projects?
1. How do I go about getting an estimate
from you?
Simply use our online estimate request form by clicking
here. 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 staff. ^top
2. 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 the most demanding time lines. ^top
3. What is the best file format for
submitting a document for printing?
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. There
will be times that we will request the native file instead. ^top
4. How well will what I see on my monitor
match what I see on paper?
There are sometimes noticeable differences in color calibration 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 in its product manual or website. Doing this will alleviate
a number of potential issues. ^top
5. What is a proof and why is it needed?
A proof is a copy of your document used for visual inspection to ensure
that the layout, type and colors of your document are exactly how they
are intended to be. 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 via fax or in our store. 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. ^top
6. 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 basis weights:
Bond: Commonly used for letterhead, business forms and copying. Typical
basis weights are 20# for forms and copying and 24# for stationery.
Text: A high-quality grade paper with a surface texture. Basis weights
range from 60#, 70#, 80# and 100#. Uncoated Book: The most common grade
for offset printing is 60# to 70#. Coated Book: Has a glossy or matte
finish that yields vivid colors and overall excellent reproduction.
Basis weights range from 80# to 100#. Cover: Used for printing business
cards, postcards, book covers, etc. Can be either coated or uncoated.
Basis weights for this are 60#, 65#, 80# or 100#. ^top
7. What is the difference between coated
and uncoated paper stock?
Uncoated stock paper is porous and inexpensive, and typically used for
letterhead, business forms, resumes, menus, booklets and some brochures
and newsletters. Coated stock is made of higher quality paper having
a smooth glossy, matte, or dull coat finish that works well for reproducing
sharp text and vivid images. However, it tends to be more expensive. ^top
8. What does “camera ready: mean?
It means that the artwork is properly prepared, and ready without further
preparation or alteration, to be photographed for platemaking. ^top
9. What is color separation?
Process 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, there would be four separate printing plates
created 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 infinite pallet
of colors needed to reproduce the original image. Spot Color Separation:
For offset printing, separation of solid premixed ink colors (for example,
black, red, blue, etc.) ^top
10. What is a halftone?
A halftone is a method of representing different shades of gray with
dots of solid color. The more closely spaced the dots, the darker the
color. The resolution (or number of dots per inch), determine how many
shades of gray can be produced. ^top
11. What are Pantone (PMS) colors?
A color system of over 1,200 colors developed by Pantone Inc. Pantone
Matching System (PMS) is a popular color matching system used by the
printing industry to print spot colors. Most applications that support
color printing allow you to specify colors by indicating the Pantone
name or number. This assures that you get the right color when the file
is printed, even though the color may not look right when displayed
on your monitor. PMS works well for spot colors but not for process
colors, which are generally specified using the CMYK color model. ^top
12. What are the most common sizes
for booklets and newsletters?
Standard sizes for booklets and newsletters are 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”, 8-1/2”
x 11”, 11 x 17. ^top
13. What are the most common sizes
for brochures?
Most common brochure sizes are 8-1/2” x 11”, 8-1/2” x 14” and 11” x
17”. ^top
14. What are the most common business
size envelopes?
Business envelope sizes are referenced by a number such as #9 or #10.
Below indicates the most common sizes in use today. ^top
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15. 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”. ^top
16. What are the standard sizes for
postcards?
Postcards are found in three common sizes: 4” x 6”, 4-1/4” x 6” and
5-1/2” x 8-1/2”. 4-1/4” x 6” is the largest size postcard to be used
and still get postcard rate through the Post Office. ^top
17. What are the most common card
stocks used for postcards?
The most common card stocks used for postcards are: 14 pt. stock coated
on both sides: a premium paper with a high luster finish, 100# stock
coated on both sides, 100# stock uncoated, 80# stock uncoated and 65#
stock uncoated. ^top
18. What are the most common sizes
for personalized note pads?
The two most popular sizes for personalized note pads are 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” and
5-1/2” x 8-1/2”. ^top
19. What different types of material
can be used for labels?
Materials for labels and their application include: Paper, Uncoated:
Uses where you need the label to be easily written 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. Acetate: Use when the label needs to
be transparent. ^top
20. What are the types of bindings
that can be used for multi-page projects?
Common methods of binding books and other multi-page documents include:
Saddle stitching: 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.
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. ^top
