IMAGES
Please make sure you submit high-resolution images (200 dpi minimum). This ensures that your photos, logos, illustrations and graphics will print at the best possible quality. If you are sending digital camera photos, set your camera at the highest resolution and then take the pictures. Do not assume that images that appear sharp on your computer screen will print out clearly. Not sure if your logo, photo or illustration meets these standards? Call us and we will work with you to get the optimum image rendered in your order.
If you are submitting a fully designed file to us, following the specifications below will save you time and greatly reduce print quality problems.
COLOR FIDELITY
If you are printing a color document, make sure your all photos, graphics and colored objects in your document are saved as CYMK, not RGB. CYMK (cyan, yellow, magenta, black) are the colors that all printers use. RGB is the color spectrum used for computer screens. You will notice some slight color differentiations when you convert RGB images to CMYK. For example, an RGB blue this color on your screen will appear more like this color in CMYK. The lesson here is if you design in CMYK, the colors you see on screen will match much more closely to what colors you'll see in the final prints.
EMBEDDING IMAGES
If you are laying out your document in an advanced publishing program such as InDesign, or if you are a design novice using Microsoft Word, please be sure to provide us with the image files you've incorporated. It's better to have all your bases covered in case we need to change anything in your file before printing, as we cannot guarantee that images laid out on your computer will print correctly. Our printing systems require that we have all image files linked to the document in order to print clearly.
FONTS
Our designers have hundreds of fonts, but there is a chance we may not have the one you used in your layout. Our design programs do alert us if there are any missing fonts, however we still need the individual font file to install it on our system, enabling your document to print as you designed it. On PCs, font files are typically located in C:/Windows/Fonts. If you are using an Adobe font, Adobe Type Manager will help you locate the proper file. On Macs, font files are usually located in Library/Fonts (OS X or higher) or System Folder/Fonts (OS 9). If you are having difficulty submitting your fonts, call us while at your computer and we will do our best to walk you through it.
What is your design process?
In order to begin design of printed materials, we requre the customer to submit all logos, photos and text applicable to the content. Once the design is complete, we submit proofs for the customer to review and edit.
How do you offer design and set-up for free?
Because we are a printing company, not a design or advertising firm, our profits come from printing. Free design and set-up is a value-added service we offer our customers when they print with us. You'll find our designers to be just as professional as the high-dollar agencies.
What is your proofing process?
After a document is fully designed, the customer is usually sent a PDF soft copy proof via email to review. We will print hard copy proofs upon request. We then make changes as needed and/or requested by the customer. It is our policy not to print any orders until the content and design meets the customer's full approval.
What are the differences between digital and offset printing?
The advantage of digital printing is best realized on short runs, where a fast turnaround at a low cost is needed. Expensive set-up costs apply to offset printing, that do not apply to digital because these steps are eliminated in the digital printing process, making it the most economical solution for short runs. On longer runs, offset printing is often the best alternative. The #1 disadvantage of the offset printing process is the longer production and set-up time required.
How well will my job match what I see on my monitor?
Color matching is a top priority of ours because we know your satisfaction depends on it. However, because of the wide variance in monitor calibrations, and more specifically, the incompatibility of the video (RGB) and commercial printing (CYMK) formats, printed colors typically do not exactly match the colors on any specific monitor. We make all necessary adjustments on our equipment to match screen colors as closely as possible.
How long does it take for me to get a proof for my project?
Once you have placed your order, typical turnaround for an electronic PDF proof is one business day, depending on the size and amount of content of the document to be printed.
What is your printing turnaround time?
Our standard turnaround time for most jobs is 2 business days. Many times we can meet deadlines shorter than that, other times turnaround may be longer due to the number of pages in the publication, the quantity needed and the amount of bindery work required. However, in all cases we inform our customers of the exact day and time they can expect to receive their order.
What are your delivery options?
We offer 1-day delivery in the Austin area via courier, 2-day delivery in the Austin area via US Mail, and all delivery options available through UPS. We can also work with your perferred shippping company, such as FedEx, DHL, etc.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We also accept personal and/or company checks for payment, as long as payment is received according to the terms of sale.
What taxes do you charge?
We charge Texas sales tax for all orders with the exception of sales tax exempt organizations. If you are a tax exempt organization, please provide us with your exemption certificate.
Do you share or sell my contact information?
Absolutey not! Customer information is for internal use only. We keep our customers' names, email addresses, phone number and all contact information strictly confidential and do not sell, share or trade customer information with any other organization or business.
Bindery
Usually a department within a printing company responsible for collating, folding and trimming various printing projects.
Bleed
Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming.
Blow-Up
An enlargement, usually used with graphic images or photographs.
Body
The main text of the design, not including the headlines.
Bulk Mail
Also called Standard Mail. The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service (for example, sorting the mail by ZIP Code or transporting the mail to a different postal facility). Lower non-profit rates are available for Standard Mail but require specific authorization. All Standard Mail rates are bulk rates, and each mailing must meet a minimum quantity of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail. There are no single-piece Standard Mail rates. Standard Mail is for domestic mail only. You cannot send Standard Mail to international addresses.
C1S and C2S
Abbreviations for paper coated on one side and coated on two sides. See also Coated Paper.
Camera-ready
Mechanicals, photographs and art fully prepared for reproduction according to the technical requirements of the printing process being used. Also called finished art and reproduction copy.
Cap
A capitalized letter.
Cast
Unwanted color affecting an entire image or portion of an image.
Carbonless Paper
Also called Carbonless Forms. Paper coated with chemicals that enable transfer of images from one sheet to another with pressure from writing or typing.
Carton
Also known as a Case. Selling unit of paper weighing approximately 150 pounds (60 kilos). A carton can contain anywhere from 500 to 5,000 sheets, depending on the size of sheets and their basis weight.
CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors. See also Separations.
Coated Paper
Paper with a coating that improves reflectivity and ink holdout. Mills produce coated paper in the four major categories cast, gloss, dull and matte.
Coil Bind A binding whereby a wire or plastic coil is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side. Also called Spiral Bind.
Collate
To organize printed matter in a specific order as requested.
Composition
In graphic design, the arrangement of type, graphics and other elements on the page.
Condensed Type A narrow, elongated typeface.
Contrast
The degree of tones in an image ranging from highlight to shadow.
Copy Any typewritten material to be used in the Composition.
Coverage
Extent to which ink or toner covers the surface of paper. Coverage is usually expressed as light, medium or heavy.
Creep
Result of added thickness of folded sheets being behind one another in a folded signature. Outer edges of sheets creep away from back most fold as more folded sheets are inserted inside the middle.
Crop To cut or trim a portion of the art or copy as indicated by Crop Marks.
Crop Marks
Markings at edges on guide sheet to indicate the image area desired in reproduction.
Cutter
A machine that cuts through stacks of paper to their desired sizes.
Die
Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing. See also Die Cut.
Die Cut
To cut irregular shapes in paper using a die. See also Die.
Display Type Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page which attracts attention of the reader.
DPI
Abbreviation of dots-per-inch. Measure of resolution of input devices such as scanners, display devices such as monitors, and output devices such as laser printers, imagesetters and monitors. See also Pixel, High Resolution and Low Resolution.
Drop Shadow A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the affect of the image lifting off the page.
Fifth Color
Color used in addition to the four needed by Four-color Process. Finish The surface quality of paper. See also Coated Paper and Linen.
Finished Size
Size of product after production is completed. Also called trimmed size. See also Bleed, Crop Marks.
Folder
A bindery machine used to fold printed materials.
Four-color Process
Printing technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan and yellow to simulate full-color images. Also called full color printing. See also CMYK, Pantone, Separations and Spot Color.
Grain Direction of fibers in a sheet of paper that govern paper properties such as increased size changes with relative humidity, across the grain, and better folding properties along the grain.
Grain Long Paper
Paper whose fibers run parallel to the long dimension of the sheet. Also called long grain paper.
Grain Short Paper
Paper whose fibers run parallel to the short dimension of the sheet. Also called short grain paper.
Graphic Design
Also called Graphic Arts. (1) The crafts, industries and professions related to designing and publishing on paper or the Web. (2) Arrangement of type and visual elements along with specifications for paper, ink colors and printing processes that, when combined, convey a visual message.
Gray Scale
Gray values ranging from white to black.
GSM
The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square meter).
Gutter Space between pages in the printing frame of a book, or inside margin towards the back or binding edge. The blank space or margin between the type page and the binding of a book.
Hard Copy Proof
A pre-production test print on paper of the publication to be reproduced. The customer reviews the proof to correct typos, positional errors, layout problems, and color aspects, or approve before final printing. See also Soft Copy Proof.
High Resolution or Hi-Res
Any sharp, good quality image that is displayed on a computer screen or output on printed material with a high number of dots-per-inch or DPI. See also Low Resolution.
Indicia
Imprinted designation on mail that denotes postage payment. Also called a permit imprint. Permit imprint is the most popular and convenient way to pay for postage, especially for Bulk Mail. Instead of using precanceled stamps or a postage meter, the mailer is assigned a permit number and prints this information in the upper right corner of the mailpiece. This postage block with the permit number. is the indicia.
Inserts
Within a publication, an additional item positioned into the publication loose (not bound in).
Laminate
A thin transparent plastic sheet applied to a sheet of paper that provides protection against liquid and heavy use.
Landscape
Paper orientation in which width is greater than height.
Legal Size
Stanard paper size measuring 8 1/2" x 14".
Letter Size
Standard paper size measuring 8 1/2" x 11".
Linen Embossedfinish on text paper that simulates the pattern of linen cloth.
Live Area
Set measured area on a sheet of paper within which an image will print.
Logo
A visual design that is used as the symbol of an entity, organization, company, or person, usually a combination of lettering and art.
Low Resolution or Lo-Res
Describes an image that lacks fine detail either on a computer screen or printed material, due to a lower number of dots per inch. Typical resolution for images on the Web is 72 dpi; typical resolution for printed images is 300 dpi. The use of low-resolution images is often a cause of poor quality (fuzzy, blurry) print output. See also DPI, High Resolution and Pixelation.
Page Count
Total number of pages that a publication has.
Pantone or PMS Colors
Pantone, Inc. is known throughout the world as a provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. Pantone colors allow designers to color match specific colors when a design enters production stage. This system has been widely adopted by graphic designers and printers. PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. Pantone colors are described by their allocated number: Pantone 130 may also be referred to as PMS 130. See also Spot Color.
PDF
Abbreviation for Portable Document Format. PDF files are generated by the Adobe software program Acrobat.
Perfect Bind
To bind sheets that have been ground at the spine and are held to the cover by glue.
Perforating Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper or cardboard to facilitate tearing along a desired line.
Pixel
Short for picture element (using the common abbreviation "pix" for "picture"), is a single point in a graphic image. The measures dots-per-inch (dpi) and pixels-per-inch (ppi) are sometimes used interchangeably. The more pixels used to represent an image, the closer the result can resemble the original. See also DPI and Pixelation.
Pixelation
In computer graphics, pixelation is an effect caused by displaying an image at such a size that individual pixels are visible to the eye. Pixelation can be all but invisible on a computer screen, but pixelation is still visible if a low-resolution image is printed on paper. Printed documents have about 9 times as many pixels per area as a screen. See also DPI, High Resolution and Low Resolution.
Saddle Stitch
To bind by stapling sheets together where they fold at the spine.
Separations
The separate primary color components for printing. See also CMYK, Pantone and Spot Color.
Signature
Printed sheet folded at least once, possibly many times, to become part of a publication.
Slip Sheets
Separate sheets of paper different from the original print job inserted between the reproduced copies.
Soft Copy Proof
A trial draft in electronic form of the publication to be printed, sent to the customer for review. The customer then reviews it to correct typos, positional errors, layout problems, and color aspects, or approve the document for final printing. It is usually emailed as a PDF. See also Hard Copy Proof and PDF.
Spot Color Small area printed in a second color separate from the rest of the separations. See also Pantone Color.
Spread
Two pages that face each other and are designed as one visual or production unit.
Step And Repeat The process of taking an image and repeating it for printing and/or bindery purposes according to a predetermined layout or paper size.
