Frequently Asked Questions

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. Tips on how to save your design files
  4. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
  5. What is the Pantone Matching System?
  6. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
  1. 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, check out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

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

    Well, since you are here, we would 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.

  3. Tips on how to save your design files

    Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

    Formatting your files
    • 150-200 ppi resolution for Lambda Photograhpic prints.
    • 150-100 ppi resolution for most images. 100-75 ppi for banners.
    • Work in either RGB or CMYK color space. Do not mix color spaces in the document.
    • Add .25 inches of image bleed on all 4 sides.
    • Add .5 inches of image bleed on all 4 sides for Trade Show Panels.
    • Convert text to paths when possible.
    • Create a multiple panel display as one continuous file. We will tile the graphic as separate panels. The exception would be if each panels elements are separate and do not bleed onto the adjacent panel, then create as separate panels.
    • We prefer TIFF and PDF files but accept a wide range of formats.

    Guidelines for setting up PDFs:
    • Follow all applicable instructions when building your native file.
    • When printing the PDF be sure to turn off all compression and downsampling.
    • If creating your PDF directly from Illustrator, make sure to preserve editing capabilities.

    Laying out your graphics

    Proportionate Sizes
    Please build all documents to the same size that you need the final print. If the final print needs to be larger than the document size, then please build the document in a size proportionate to the final print. For example; a 117.5” x 90.5” graphic set up at 50% scale would create a 58.75” x 45.25” document. At 10% scale it would create a 11.75” x 9.05” document.

    Multiples
    When printing multiple graphics of the same size, create one document with seperate pages for each graphic. If you have files that are different sizes, then create a seperate document for each file.

    Include with order
    • A hard or soft (PDF Proof files) copy of the layout.
    • Any embedded raster or vector linked files
    • Fonts

    Software supported:
    QuarkXPress 7
    Adobe Illustrator CS5
    Adobe Photoshop CS5
    Adobe Acrobat 8 (PDF)
    Adobe InDesign CS5

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.