Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click here to use our simple online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary for an accurate quote is to speak with one of our customer service representatives. Call us on 01273 431134.
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 your most demanding timelines.
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.
The technology of design, layout and printing has come a long way to the point where much of the work is done in a WSYWIG (What You See Is What You Get) digital environment. However, there are sometimes noticeable differences in colour calibration and spatial conformity from monitor to monitor and consequently from screen to print. The process for minimising any variance begins with adjusting your monitor for optimal colour and clarity according to the manufacturer’s recommendations as outlined within its product manual or website. Doing this will alleviate a number of potential issues. Beyond that, for the greatest conformity in colour from screen to print, there are tools available that will ensure exact colour calibration. Perhaps you have already invested in such a tool. If so, let us know what you use and we’ll work with you to achieve the best results. If you are considering investing in a colour calibration tool, talk to us first and we’ll be happy to offer our advice.
A proof is a one-off copy of your printed document used for visual inspection. It us used to ensure that the layout and colours of your document are exactly how they are intended to be. A proof is made prior to sending the document to the press for final printing. 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 in our store or delivered to you in person. For multiple-colour jobs, we can produce a proof on our output device to show you how the different colours appear on the final product. 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.
Paper and board are graded by it’s weight in grams per square meter sheet or by it’s thickness in microns. Sizes available are A5 (148.5 x 210mm), A4 (210mm x 297mm), A3 (297mm x 420mm) and A2 (420mm x 594mm). Different colours, finishes and textures are available as well as watermarked and unwatermarked brands. Please ask for samples.
Uncoated stock paper is comparatively porous, and is typically used for such applications as letterhead stationery and basic black-and-white copying. Coated stock, by contrast, has a smooth glossy or satin finish that works well for reproducing sharp text and vivid colours.
In the digital age of printing, it means that an image file submitted for printing is ready to be transferred to the printing plates without any alterations.
Colour separation is the process of separating a coloured graphic or photograph into its primary colour components in preparation for printed reproduction. For example, to print a full colour photo with an offset printing press, we would create four separate printing plates each accounting 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-colour plate puts onto the paper the exact amount of ink needed at exactly the right spot. As the different coloured wet inks are applied, they blend together to create the rich and infinite pallet of complex colours to reproduce the original image.
Halftone printing converts a continuous tone (solid areas of black or colour) photograph or image into a pattern of different size dots that simulate continuous tone. When examining the page closely, you will see a series of dots spaced slightly apart. At a normal viewing distance, however, the spacing between dots becomes essentially invisible to the eye and what you see is a continuous tone.
Pantone colours refer to the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a colour matching system used by the printing industry whereby printing colours are identified by a unique name or number (as opposed to just a visual reference). This helps make sure that colours turn out the same from system to system, and print run to print run.
No. White is not generally considered a printing colour as typically the paper itself will be white. If a coloured paper (something other than white) is chosen, then white becomes a printing colour if any text or graphics require it.
Standard sizes for catalogues and booklets are A6 (105mm x 148mm), A5 (148mm x 210mm), A4 (210mm x 297mm) and DL (99mm x 210mm).
Standard finished sizes are A5 (148mm x 210mm), A4 (210mm x 297mm), and DL (99mm x 210).
Envelopes have a size reference system to allow them to accommodate certain sheets. The most common of which are C4 (to hold A4 paper), C5 (to hold A5 paper), C6 (to hold A6 paper) and DL (to hold a sheet folded to compliment slip size (99mm x 210mm). Window and non-window envelopes are available in finishes to match many papers. Wallet envelopes have their opening on the long edge, pocket envelopes on the short edge.
The address window on a typical business envelope measures 93mm x 39mm.
Standard sizes for postcards are A6 (105mm x 148mm), A5 (148mm x 210mm), and DL (99mm x 210mm).
The most common card stocks used for postcards are 250 – 300 GSM.
The three most popular sizes for personalised notepads are 210mm x 297mm, 148mm x 210mm, and 105mm x 148mm.
There are four popular sizes for sticky notes: 101mm x 101mm, 101mm x 152mm, and 50mm x 75mm.
Materials for labels and their application include: Paper, Uncoated: Use where you need the label to be easily written on 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, or if applying a label to a vinyl surface. Acetate: Use when the label needs to be transparent. Mylar/Polyester: Best for applications where the label needs to be applied to an object with sharp, angular corners.
Some of the common methods of binding books and other multi-page documents include: Perfect binding: Gluing the outside edges of the pages together to create a flat edge. Saddle-stitch binding: 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. Allows the document to lay open flatly. Plastic comb binding: Similar to spiral binding but uses a tubular plastic piece with teeth that fit through rectangular holes punched in the binding edge. Two, Three, and 4-ring binding: Holes are punched into the pages and fitted into a binder. This service is also available using multiple rings in different quantities; as necessary. Three-ring binding: Holes are punched into the pages and fitted into a binder. Case binding: Sewing the pages together and then attaching them to a hard cover.
Can’t Find Your Question On The List?
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