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.
2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
The easiest and best way is to start with our online estimate request form. Don't worry if you don't know exactly what you need -- choose the best option and note any questions you may have. These go to real people, so we're more than happy to have the conversation and make sure it's the right thing for you.
We will make sure we have the information necessary to do an accurate quote for you, so you can also feel free to give us a call or stop by our Capitol Hill shop and talk with one of our expert staff.
3. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
It all depends on what you need printed, how many, and what else is in our queue.
Typically we can turn around most jobs within a business day.
Working to meet our customers' deadlines is a key part of our work ethic. Please let us know your schedule up front and we will figure out how to make it happen.
We always strive to get the job done right and on time -– and will honestly tell you if we can’t.
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 the order will run on an offset press and use a synthetic ink.
5. Tips on how to save your design files and make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.
Adobe Illustrator:
Saving your file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
- Embed all Images
- Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
- or Save as an Illustrator PDF
InDesign:
Saving your InDesign file as a PDF and Package your file
- Embed all Images
- Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts or package fonts with files.
- Export your file as an Adobe PDF Check appropriate setting for your printing needs.
Any other software or Microsoft Office:
Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Google Docs
- Save as PDF or Print to PDF or Export to 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 if you don't have that capability already pre-installed.
7. What file formats do you accept?
We prefer PDF files, but accept most other formats. Print projects require high resolution files, and yours should be prepared with that in mind.
PDF FILES: PDFs are often the most trouble-free way to submit jobs. Make a "Press Quality" PDF with crop marks and 1/4" bleeds.
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat. We will prepare your files in our PC system, converting your Mac files to the PC format. We highly recommend that these basic tenets be observed:
PHOTOSHOP is the appropriate program for making raster files like photos and other images with continuous tones.
ILLUSTRATOR is best for vector images, type manipulation and line illustrations.
INDESIGN is the program to use to for page or document layout. Place yourPhotoshop and Illustrator images into your InDesign file to create the entire layout. Utilize the “Package” function to assemble all the essential elements for transfer.
8. 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 you might like to review in person. We also can send you a picture of the proof over email.
For large format projects we can print an inch-wide strip to confirm colors and resolution on the material you've chosen.
Depending on the size and complexity of your project, there may be an additional fee for a proof; we will work with you to make sure your project matches as closely as possible what you are aiming for.
9. 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.
10. What type of products and services do you provide?
Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, use the menu at the top of the page to see just some of our offerings or drop us a line if you have a specific question about whether we can help!
