The most commonly used printing method, where the printed material does not receive ink directly from a printing plate but from an intermediary blanket that receives the ink from the plate and then transfers it to the paper.
What is the turnaround time on my job?
Your job goes to print the same day that you submit or approve a proof if required and payment terms have been established. Your job will be completed within the stated turnaround time depending on the type of coating and the type of stock that you selected.
NOTE: Factors such as shipping company practices and mechanical breakdowns are out of our control. We cannot be held responsible if they affect a shipment from arriving within the time desired. For this reason we do not "guarantee" when a package will arrive. We do guarantee that all packages will ship within 24 hours after printing is completed.
What is gang/combo run printing?
The combining of two or more different printing projects on the same sheet of paper.
Gang/combo run printing is the typical most cost effective solution for most clients. This type of printing has several clients share the initial setup and production cost of a run opposed to printing each job individually. Simply put we print a form that looks like a patchwork quilt composed of multiple jobs. We typically print a 38.5”x27.25” form. Upon completion of printing and coating, the form is cut down to the individual client jobs.
What is the printing process?
Design Required Jobs:
The job is designed to the client's specifications and approval. The various proofing as requested by the client is used to ensure accuracy and satisfaction. Upon approval the job becomes “Print Ready.”
Print Ready Jobs:
Jobs are entered into our print tracking and publishing software and sent to Pre-Press Production.
Pre-Press Production:
During pre-flight, your job will be checked for errors that may have been missed during the creative process. Once your job has passed our pre-flight inspection it is approved to print. Jobs are then ripped into the CMYK format and printing plates are laser etched to begin the printing process.
The Press Run:
After being plated during pre-press your job will be set on the press and printing will begin.
Post-Press Production:
Once the job is done printing, the job is then coated, cut, and packaged.
What is the requirement for file formats and resolution?
A design resolution of 300 DPI, proper bleeds, created outlines or curves and a CMYK color format.
What are the specifications for business cards?
Business card file size must be designed at 2.125 x 3.625 All images and text you don't want cut off must be within the .1875” (i.e. 3/16") from the edge. For best result bleed all background colors and pictures to the full dimension of the 2.125 x 3.625
What are bleeds?
Bleeds are the extension of the background all the way around to allow for precise sizes and cutting.
What color format do you print?
We print using the industry standard of 4 color process which consists of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black also know as CMYK. A recent development in printing, is the HexaChrome process. This is an extension of the CMYK process, but with an additional two inks, to allow for further color range. This however requires a special setup and cost. Computer monitors, Web and televisions use the RGB (red, green, blue) format.
Color critical printing.
If your job is color critical, we recommend that you request a digital proof for your job. Colors will be in tolerance from a proof within 10%. There are other options for more exact color than gang run printing. PMS or Spot colors are recommended to achieve certain colors.
What is RGB? What is CMYK?
A large number of the visible color spectrum can be represented by mixing the three primary colors, Red, Green and Blue, known as the RGB color model. This model is the one used by most computer monitors, TV screens, graphics cards and lighting effects. Mixing different amounts of each of the red, green or blue, creates different colors, and each can be measured from 0 to 255. If all red, green and blue are set to 0, the color is black, is all are set to 255, the color is white.
The CMYK color model is based on printing and ink absorbing into paper. To gain the greatest number of printable colors, from the fewest number of inks, CMYK color printing is used. By using varying amounts of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, a great number of colors can be printed. Most full color printed materials, magazines, posters, packaging, are printed using just the 4 CMYK inks. Here the level of ink is measured from 0% to 100%. As an example, orange would be represented by 0% Cyan 50% Magenta 100% Yellow and 0% Black.
Whereas most 'on screen' color is based on the RGB model, most full color printing is based on the CMYK model. One of the main principles to understand is that some colors can only be represented by RGB, and cannot be replicated by the CMYK process. Images may look bright, with full saturation on screen, however the color may be out of the range of the CMYK process. This is why images may look far different when on screen to when printed.
So when would I use each model? All 'on screen' images are RGB, whether it's for web pages, multimedia or games. CMYK is usually only used for full color printing on a printing press, or possibly for printing to a desktop color printer.
An image can be converted from RGB to CMYK using a program such as Adobe Photoshop, then re-saved as a CMYK version, or it can be done via a desktop printer at the time of printing. An RGB image printed to a desktop CMYK color printer will be converted to CMYK by the printer, at the time of printing, to allow it to print.
What is 5th color, “Spot” or “PMS”?
There are many colors that cannot be created using CMYK, but may need to be printed. In such cases, for printing press work, a single ink known as a Spot Color is used. There are many families of spot colors, one of the most common is the Pantone Matching System. A Pantone Swatch book contains samples of the colors available, indicated by a color number, and when a color is decided upon, the Pantone number can be entered into DTP programs such as InDesign or Quark Xpress. Then, when the document is printed on the printing press, the same Pantone ink is used as specified in the DTP program.
Spot inks can be used for colors that cannot be created with CMYK, and also when only a single color is needed, and the cost of CMYK is too high. For instance a document may be created using, say, two inks, black and Pantone 280 (a blue), rather than using the 4 CMYK inks to create only a single black and blue.
Other spot inks include metallic silver and gold, and the bright fluorescent colors. In some cases, a combination of the CMYK process and spot colors
A PMS color is a metallic, neon, or particular color not always attainable by using 4 color process method. Most corporations and businesses use PMS colors for their logos and trademarks.
What is 4/4?
4/4 is referring to CMYK / CMYK or full color process printing both sides. The use of a forward slash “/'” in the printing industry allows for a quick reference for colors required for a job. Where as 4/1 would indicate four color process one side and one color second side.
What is AQ?
Aqueous Coating is a water based inline coating that prevents smearing and adds in the dry time of printing inks. It can also be used to change the finish of a paper. AQ coating comes in gloss, satin, and dull options. The variants are available at an additional expense.
What is Flood UV?
Flood UV is an overall high gloss lamination coating that is applied to finished printing via rollers. Gloss UV brings out the color and vibrancy of printing.
What is Spot UV?
Spot UV is an application of UV coating only particular areas of a form or job.
This method of finishing requires extra layout and design files. This is achieved by the use of a screen during application.
What is Matte UV?
Matte UV is a coating that gives a form or job, a plastic satin finish and a rougher texture. This process is sometimes used in conjunction with Spot UV.
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