Resources & Support

Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Just start by following one of the links below.

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
2. How do I figure out the weight of the stock? There's 100# cover, 100# text, 10 point and all this other stuff!
3. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
4. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
5. Is white considered a printing color?
6. Tips on how to save your design files
7. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
8. What is a "proof"?
9. What is the Pantone Matching System?
10. What type of products and services do you provide?
11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

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.

   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.

2. How do I figure out the weight of the stock? There's 100# cover, 100# text, 10 point and all this other stuff!

   Why is paper weight so confusing? Why is it so important? The stock you use for your poject will have a tremendous impact on the "look & feel" of your finished piece. To present your project in the best way, start with the correct stock for your application.

   Why are paper stock weights so confusing, anyway? Paper is manufactured in a huge variety of weights, colors, textures, and finishes, for many different purposes. European countries measure all types of paper in the same way: as grams per square meter (also referred to as GSM). The United States paper industry, however, uses several different designations, depending on the intended use of each type of paper:

   Book and text papers, used for booklets and fliers, are sized for commercial printing (25"x38").
   Bond papers, mostly for stationery and office use, are sized to be cut into four 8-1/2"x11" sheets (17"x22").
   Cover stock is sized for use as covers of journals and paperback books (20"x26").

   Each paper stock weight in the United States is based on 500 sheets of paper cut to the specified size. If your copier paper is "20lb bond," then 500 sheets of it, if cut to 17"x22", would weigh 20 pounds. If cut to 25"x38", it would be called "book paper" or "text paper," and it would weigh 50 pounds!

   To make it easier to figure out what equals what, we've provided a chart to show you the details. Click here to download the chart.

3. 

   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, give us a call and talk with one of our account managers.

4. 

   How long does it take for you to complete my order?

   There's no easy answer for this question. It depends on the quantity, finishing and stock requirements. Each project is handled by your account manager in specifics to your requirements and project timelines. We pride ourselves in being able to deliver faster than almost anyone else in the Twin Cities metro area. Contact your account manager today and find out how fast we are!

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

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 will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in our store or delivered to you in person.

   On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show how the different colors will appear.

9. 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.

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, checkout out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

11. 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.