Print 1 / Print Shack : Resources & Support : Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

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.

At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
How do I convert my document to a PDF?
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
Im creating my own Business Cards, what do I need to know?
Is white considered a printing color?
Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?
Tips on how to save your design files
What do I need to know for creating Forms or Booklets?
What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
What is the Pantone Matching System?
What type of products and services do you provide?
Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

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.

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.
How do I convert my document to a PDF? Each program have their own ways of doing this. For InDesign, PageMaker, and Quark, there is an EXPORT option under the FILE menu. Choose this option and once it opens, make sure its settings are set to export in atleast PRESS QUALITY form. This is generally one of the default settings.

If using one of the Microsoft Office 2003 programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or Publisher, etc…), there is an ADOBE PDF option on the top menu bar. Click that, go to CONVERSION SETTINGS, then choose PRESS QUALITY from the dropdown menu, then click OK. Once again, go back to ADOBE PDF and choose CONVERT TO ADOBE PDF. Now choose where you want to save the file and your done!

If you don’t have either of these options, you might have the option in your printer list. When you go to print your document, you will get a pop-up window where you choose what printer you want to print to. Open the printer list and you might see PDF or something similar. Choose that and click print. You will then get another pop-up asking where you want to save. Basically its fooling your computer by thinking your computer is a printer too.
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.
Im creating my own Business Cards, what do I need to know? So you want to design your own cards, here are a few guidelines for doing this.

The general size of business cards are 2.5" x 3". You do not need to create a spread of cards, just create a single card, or both sides if double sided. Include a quarter inch margin around the card and work on the inside. If your card will have bleeds (image or type going to the very edge of the card, may cost extra as well), be sure to extend the items over the border a little bit, maybe 1/8" inch or so. Also do not include an outline showing the borders of the card, instead put crop marks showing this. If your card does not have a bleed, you will be ok not needing marks at all. Just set the document size to be 2.5" x 3". Once you complete your design, convert to PDF and send!
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.
Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?

Simple jobs are often completed in less than an hour. Some jobs, however, may take several days to complete depending on their complexity and size. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.
Tips on how to save your design files

Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

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
What do I need to know for creating Forms or Booklets? The main thing to know is you need to set your margins at .3125" which is slightly over a quarter of an inch. Keep everything within the margins and you will be ok. For booklets, you still need the same margin. If you choose to create booklets in spreads instead of individual pages, you will of course need to have double the margin in the middle. If laying out your pages in spreads, the common size is 11" x 17" if the individual pages will be 8.5" x 11". You are also welcome to create your pages individually and we will deal with the headache of organizing the order of the pages. Once you complete your creations, convert to PDF and send!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.




				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. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics? How do I convert my document to a PDF? How do I go about getting an estimate from you? Im creating my own Business Cards, what do I need to know? Is white considered a printing color? Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job? Tips on how to save your design files What do I need to know for creating Forms or Booklets? What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing? What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it? What is the Pantone Matching System? What type of products and services do you provide? Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen? 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. 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. How do I convert my document to a PDF? Each program have their own ways of doing this. For InDesign, PageMaker, and Quark, there is an EXPORT option under the FILE menu. Choose this option and once it opens, make sure its settings are set to export in atleast PRESS QUALITY form. This is generally one of the default settings. If using one of the Microsoft Office 2003 programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or Publisher, etc…), there is an ADOBE PDF option on the top menu bar. Click that, go to CONVERSION SETTINGS, then choose PRESS QUALITY from the dropdown menu, then click OK. Once again, go back to ADOBE PDF and choose CONVERT TO ADOBE PDF. Now choose where you want to save the file and your done! If you don’t have either of these options, you might have the option in your printer list. When you go to print your document, you will get a pop-up window where you choose what printer you want to print to. Open the printer list and you might see PDF or something similar. Choose that and click print. You will then get another pop-up asking where you want to save. Basically its fooling your computer by thinking your computer is a printer too. 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. Im creating my own Business Cards, what do I need to know? So you want to design your own cards, here are a few guidelines for doing this. The general size of business cards are 2.5" x 3". You do not need to create a spread of cards, just create a single card, or both sides if double sided. Include a quarter inch margin around the card and work on the inside. If your card will have bleeds (image or type going to the very edge of the card, may cost extra as well), be sure to extend the items over the border a little bit, maybe 1/8" inch or so. Also do not include an outline showing the borders of the card, instead put crop marks showing this. If your card does not have a bleed, you will be ok not needing marks at all. Just set the document size to be 2.5" x 3". Once you complete your design, convert to PDF and send! 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. Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job? Simple jobs are often completed in less than an hour. Some jobs, however, may take several days to complete depending on their complexity and size. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it. Tips on how to save your design files Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print. 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 What do I need to know for creating Forms or Booklets? The main thing to know is you need to set your margins at .3125" which is slightly over a quarter of an inch. Keep everything within the margins and you will be ok. For booklets, you still need the same margin. If you choose to create booklets in spreads instead of individual pages, you will of course need to have double the margin in the middle. If laying out your pages in spreads, the common size is 11" x 17" if the individual pages will be 8.5" x 11". You are also welcome to create your pages individually and we will deal with the headache of organizing the order of the pages. Once you complete your creations, convert to PDF and send! 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.