Helpful Guides

Click Icons above for easy step-by-step guides to common How-To questions.

Templates

Click icons above for templates to use as a design guide for commonly printed products. Did you know that all 3 panels of a tri-panel folding brochure are NOT the same size?

FAQs

File Preparation Guidelines

  • If your job is ready to go to press, all we need is a press-ready PDF file. When you make your PDF, select the PDFX1a standard under the export menu options, and include crop marks and a bleed if your image "bleeds" off the page (i.e. if your image goes up to the cut edge. [See icon above for Creating a Hi-res File]

  • If your image is meant to bleed off the printed page (that is, if you plan for the inked image to flow to the cut edge) you must include a 1/8” bleed on your art and crop marks. [See icon above for Creating Bleeds]

  • If you are sending the native files with fonts and links, please Zip your files to prevent them from corrupting en route to us across the internet. [To download Winzip program FREE, click here.]

  • If you wish that we do any design work, type changes or pre-press alterations, we will need the native file, complete with all fonts and attachments / links.

    What are "best practices" for preparation of a PDF file?

    1. Outline all fonts. 2. Save your PDF as PDFX1a.  3. Include crop marks.   4. Save with a bleed if your image will extend to the cut edge of the page. (For instructions on setting your document to bleed, click the "Setting Bleeds" swatch below.)

What file formats do you work with?

A press-ready PDF is always the best. InDesign files, Illustrator files and Photoshop files may also be sent, and must include ALL links and fonts. Please Zip your files before sending.

Do you assist with file preparation questions?

Yes - Our FAQs page has answers to some of the questions we get asked most frequently. But we're here to help — If you need design and typesetting services we can do everything from a business card to a product catalog or banners.

What kind of proofs do you offer?

You can get a PDF proof for any print order. We can provide a hard copy proof of any 4-color print job

How long does it take for my order to be fulfilled?

When we quote your project we will give you our standard turnaround time on the order. We can do rush work at a small additional charge, and each project is priced based on the turnaround you need.

How does the quality of your service compare to that of “on-line” printers?

We stand behind the quality of our work and we're not happy unless you're happy. That is the way we've been able to grow over the last 53 years— by making our customers happy.