Resources & Support

Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
3. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
4. Is white considered a printing color?
5. Tips on how to save your design files
6. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
7. What is a "proof"?
8. What is the Pantone Matching System?
9. What kind of work does our company do?
10. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?

   Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.

   Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.

   Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.

2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

   Since you are already on our website, we suggest you use our online estimate request form. 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 talk with one of our customer service representatives. If possible, create a PDF of your file and send it to us so we can see exactly what it is you are producing.

3. How long does it take for you to complete my order?

   This depends on the type of project you are submitting and at what stage we are receiving the work. If you are providing print-ready files, you will save the time it would take to create the digital file for your order. If we are starting from scratch, please allow time for design, proofing and possibly changes to the design. Please contact us and we will look at the current schedule in production and give you a time frame for your job.

4. Is white considered a printing color?

   Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.

5. Tips on how to save your design files

   Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

   COREL DRAW:
   Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
   • Export as Illustrator EPS

   FREEHAND:
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to paths
   • Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF

   PAGEMAKER:
   Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
   • Export your file as an EPS using the below settings:
   Postscript Level 2
   CMYK Mode
   TIFF format and
   Binary

   PUBLISHER:
   You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below.
   Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer
   Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF

6. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?

   PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources.

7. What is a "proof"?

   A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in our store or delivered to you in person.

   On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show how the different colors will appear.

   For Pantone ink jobs, our color proofer simulates the color of the ink but cannot create an exact match to the Pantone number. When we go to press, our press operator will refer to the Pantone swatch book and maintain the color standards created by Pantone, and not match the color proof. This way you can be assured you will get the Pantone number requested.

8. What is the Pantone Matching System?

   The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.

9. What kind of work does our company do?

   Design Services - We utilize the latest design technology available in order to offer a full range of design services. If you need a brochure produced, we can work from the files you provide on disk, or design your brochure from scratch.

   Copy Services - Our high-speed duplicators can produce copies efficiently and economically whether you provide hard copy or bring in digital files on disk. Our state-of-the-art production duplicating equipment allows us to deliver work quickly and efficiently.

   Printing Services - From one-color to full-color printing, our company has the capability to meet your needs. From short run to long run, we can offer a solution that will be just right for you.

   Finishing Services - We can cut, perforate, score, number, fold, collate, saddle stitch, bind, and just about any other bindery process you could ever need.

   Mailing Services - We can work with your mailing list or arrange to purchase a list, merge your information and mail your piece at the appropriate postal method for your time and budget.

10. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

    In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

    Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

    When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.