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. What type of products and services do you provide?
2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
3. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
4. Tips on how to save your design files
5. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
6. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
7. What is the Pantone Matching System?
8. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
9. Is white considered a printing color?
10. What is variable data printing?

1. What type of products and services do you provide?

   We are one of the nation's most diversified printing companies. We print in-house, which assures that you get exactly what you need in the most efficient way.

   We offer a wide range of products and services. To see a partial listing and description of what we can offer you, checkout out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

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

   Use our online estimate request form or give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.

3. 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. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources. Adobe Acrobat being the most widely used.

4. Tips on how to save your design files

   Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

   Our creative team and art department work primarily in Adobe Creative Suite. We do have other applications available but you will have fewer problems if you follow the Art Submission guidelines linked on the left and/or use the following tips.

   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

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

   For standard print documents, resolution should be set to 300 dpi. For large format graphics such as banners and trade show displays, 100 dpi at actual size should be fine.
   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.

6. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?

   In printing terms, a proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last and best opportunity to make sure that the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.

7. 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.

   It is important to know that printed colors will not match a computer monitor that is not calibrated to the specific printing process.

   Also, many Pantone colors can not be achieved by process (C,M,Y,K) printing. We do have the latest Pantone simulation technology and can show you what your color will look like when "processed out."

8. 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.

9. 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.

   White can also be needed as an ink color when under-printing a layer on clear materials to add needed opacity.

10. What is variable data printing?

    Variable data printing is technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient. At the most basic level, this means personalizing a name and address. But for real impact, many projects include unique graphics and content that speaks directly to the recipient.