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.
- Are you a “green” company?
- At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
- Is white considered a printing color?
- Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
- What is the Pantone Matching System?
- What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
- What is a bleed?
- What does personalization mean?
- What do I need to provide for variable data projects?
- Do I need a return address on my mail pieces?
- What are the minimum quantities required for each class of mail?
- What's the best way to break out the address fields or column names when exporting or preparing a mailing list?
- What is NCOA (National Change of Address)?
- Are you a “green” company?
Absolutely! We take very seriously our role in preserving the environment and integrate numerous green practices into our daily operations. In addition to energy-efficient equipment and chemical-free technologies, we can perform many print jobs using recycled paper stock. If you would like to use recycled paper for your next print job, let us know. You’ll be pleased with the results and feel good about helping the environment, too.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 bleed?
Bleed is the term for printing that goes right to the edge of the paper. The way to do this is to make your document .125" too big in all 4 directions. For example, the layout dimensions for a 4.0" x 6.0" postcard would be 4.25" x 6.25". When the design is created, images are stretched all the way to the edge. After printing, the additional .125" on each side is trimmed off. This gives the appearance that the image "runs" off the edge.
- What does personalization mean?
Personalization is another term for variable data—technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient.
Personalizing can be as simple as a unique name and address on every printed piece. But more sophisticated levels of personalization can include text or images that vary based on data specific to the recipient, or data-driven graphics such as a pie chart illustrating something specific to the recipient.
- What do I need to provide for variable data projects?
We work with many types of data files, but CSV files are the safest bet. These are data files that have commas separating each field, and returns separating each line of data. To save time and hassle, make sure your data is properly formatted with each piece of data in separate fields.
Complex projects may require other files, like image files or additional data files. If you are unsure of what may be required for a particular variable project, give us a call for a free consultation.
- Do I need a return address on my mail pieces?
It is necessary to put a return address on your mail piece if you are sending it straight first class or first class presort. However, when sending presorted standard it is not necessary; but it is strongly suggested.
- What are the minimum quantities required for each class of mail?
1ST CLASS PRESORT - 500
PRESORTED STANDARD - 200
STRAIGHT 1ST CLASS - NO MINIMUM - What's the best way to break out the address fields or column names when exporting or preparing a mailing list?
The minimum required fields are:
Name
Address1
City
State
Zip
Optional ones might be Business Name, Address2, Dept., etc. There is a limit of 5 lines for any address which in turn limits the number of different fields we can include. - What is NCOA (National Change of Address)?
Over 40 million Americans change their address every year. The National Change of Address (NCOA) system uses the USPS database to check for people and businesses that have filed a change of address with the USPS within the last 48 months. Performing this update on a list saves you money on printing and postage by updating a list. NOTE: The post office does not forward bulk mail to the new address - they just recycle it.
