|
Does white
count as a printing color ?
No. White
does not typically count as a color due to the fact that
this is the color of the paper in most cases.
How do I prepare my text for the printer ?
Adobe PDF is
the preferred text format used by most printers. It
works with virtually all image setters, plate setters
and digital output devises. Most popular file formats,
including MS Word, Word Perfect, MS Publisher are easily
converted to PDF. PDF is a "locked" format so there is
no problem with re-flow when the files are opened on
different computers. PDF can be read on any PDF reader
which are free at the Adobe website.
How long will a screen print last
?
Unlike a
transfer which is applied on top of a garment, screen
printing penetrates the fibers which lasts as long as
the garment itself.
How well will a pre-press proof match what
I see on my monitor ?
Due to the
wide differences in monitor calibration and the
different technologies used, some printed colors in your
proof may not exactly match the colors on your monitor.
Make sure to always ask the printer if they have any
suggestions on color matching.
What type of label is best for outdoor and
industrial applications ?
Labels
intended for outdoor use need to be durable and have the
ability to hold up to a wide variety of different
weather conditions. Vinyl and polyester are top material
choices for outdoor conditions. The matte finish on the
vinyl media helps reduce glare, while the polyester's
glossy finish creates a sharp, shiny image. Bumper
stickers are, typically, made of vinyl. Often outdoor
labels or industrial labels require a UL listing. UL
recognition ensures that a device, system or material
has been tested and certified by this private
organization to meet specific safety standards. The
three primary tests to determine film and adhesive
performance are a heat age test, outdoor weather
ability, and exposure to various solutions. CSA is
another testing organization devoted to establishing
standards for safety, quality and performance. Unlike
UL, which recognizes a substrate's adhesion to specific
individual surfaces, CSA recognizes nine substrate
groups for applied labels. Silk screening or special
inks may be required to help with the fading of inks.
What are color separations
?
A color
separation is an image that defines where one specific
color will be printed. Colors can be mixed by
overlapping areas of different color separations, so
that one ink is applied on top of the other. By
combining this technique with halftones, many variations
of colors are made possible..
What are
embossed or de-bossed invitations?
Embossing or
de-bossing refers to the surface of the paper being
either raised or lowered.
What are Halftones ?
A halftone is
a way of using a stencil to mimic shading of a color.
This can be done using patterns of small dots, diamonds,
squares, or lines. As you lose focus on the pattern,
your eye blends the colors of nearby dots and background
to make a new color.
What are monograms ?
Commonly seen
on personal invitations and letterhead. Personal
monograms are initials traditionally representing the
first, middle and last name.
What are the common sizes for catalogs and
booklets ?
Most
commercial printers will offer your catalog or booklets
in these standard sizes 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 8-1/2" x 11",
8-1/2" x 11, or 11 x 17.
What are the different types of bindings I
can use for my multi-page projects
?
1. Perfect binding:
Gluing
the outside edge of the signatures to create a flat
edge.
2. Saddle-stitch binding:
Uses one or more staples on the fold of the
signature.
3. Side-stitch binding:
Stapling the signatures together on the side
rather than the fold.
4. Case binding:
Signatures
are sewn together and attached to the hard cover.
5. Plastic comb binding:
Plastic teeth are fitting into a stack of pages.
6. Three-ring binding:
Holes are punched into the pages and
fitted into a binder..
What are the grades of paper and the basis
weight of each ?
The standard
weight of a paper is defined by the weight of 500
standard-sized sheets in pounds. These are the different
grades of paper and their respective basis
weights.
Bond :
Usually reserved for letterheads, business
forms, and quick printing jobs. 16# for forms, 20# for
copying, and 24# for stationary.
Text:
A high-quality sheet with a lot of
texture. Ranges in weight from 60# to 100#, but the most
common weights are 70# or 80#
Uncoated Book:
The most common sheet for
offset printing. Usually a 50# to 70# stock.
Coated Book:
A glossy sheet that yields
vivid colors and excellent reproduction. Generally goes
from 30# to 70# for web, 60# to 110# for sheet
fed.
Cover:
Used for book covers, postcards, and
business cards. Coated or uncoated. Come in 60#, 65#,
80# or 100# weights.
What are the most common card stocks used
in postcards ?
The three
most popular card stocks offered by printers
are:
1. #100 lb. cover, c2s (coated two sides) is
probably the most popular.
2. #100 lb. c1s (coated
one side) is ideally suited for postcard mailing.
3.
#12 Point c2s (coated two sides) is a luxurious premium
sheet with brilliant finish .
What are the most popular sizes for
personalized note pads ?
4 x 6, 5-1/2
x 8-1/2, and 8-1/2 x 11 are the three most popular sizes
for personalized note pads.
What are the postal requirements for my
envelopes ?
It is
important to keep in mind U.S. Postal Service
requirements when designing your envelopes.
All
mail .25 inches thick or less must be:
1.
Rectangular in shape,
2. At least 3.25 inches high,
and
3. At least 5 inches long.
A mail piece
must be at least .007 (7 pt.) inches thick when it does
not exceed 4.25 inches in height and 6 inches in length.
A mail piece
must be at least .009 (9 pt.) inches thick if it is
either greater than 4.25 inches in height or greater
than 6 inches in length or both.
What are the standard sizes for brochures
?
There are
three standard sizes of brochures 8 1/2x11, 8 1/2x14,
and 11x17
What are the standard substance weights
for envelopes ?
16 lb.
Used for overseas air mail envelopes. "
20
lb. Used for commercial envelopes where strength and
opacity is not a factor. "
24 lb. Used for
most open side official and commercial envelopes. "
28 lb. Used for most open and catalog
envelopes and large (i.e. 11, 12 and 14) size commercial
envelopes. "
32 lb. Used for heavy duty
envelopes and clasp envelopes. "
40 lb. Used
for large envelopes, heavy duty envelopes or envelopes
used for storage and frequent reference
What determines the price of a label
?
Square
surface area
Type of material
Custom or generic
Number of colors
Total quantity of order
.
What does (4 over 1) or (4 over 4) mean
?
4 over 1
refers to full color on the front and black & white
on the back. 4 over 4 refers to full Color on both the
front and back.
What does the book printer mean by trim
size ?
The trim size
refers to the actual size of the finished
book.
What does the gutter refer to in book
printing ?
The gutter is
the space between the printed area and binding (AKA
margins). Make sure your gutter corresponds to the
binding being used.
What is a color bleed ?
A "color
bleed" is the result of placing different colors of ink
adjacent to each other. As the ink is squeegee across
the stencil, the colors "bleed" together. This is not a
bad thing. Normally it is done intentionally for
effect.
What is a motif and how is it used in
invitations and letterhead ?
Motifs are
small designs printed on invitations and letterhead.
Often, a motif is a single recurring design throughout a
person's personal, business or wedding
stationery.
What is cover stock ?
A term used
by paper manufacturers for a heavy paper that is
suitable for catalogs and other folders. Cover stock can
come in "coated" which has a smooth surface, or
"uncoated" in its original rough surface.
What is dpi ?
Dots per
Inch. The measurement of resolution for page printers,
photo type setting machines and graphics screens.
Graphics screens usually reproduce 60 to 72 dpi, most
page printers 300 dpi, and typesetting systems 1,000
dpi.
What is engraving ?
One of the
oldest and most elegant processes for printing.
Engraving involves etching the text onto a copper plate.
During the printing process, the plate is coated with
ink and then compressed onto the paper, creating the
printed text in a slightly raised impression. Engraved
stationery is considered to be the epitome of good taste
and sophistication. The process is relatively expensive
but the finished product is first-rate.
What is greeting card scoring ?
This process
involves partially cutting through the greeting card so
it will fold more neatly.
What is screen-printing ?
Screen-printing is a print process where a design
or logo is transferred to the substrate by way of a
screen. The printer will transfer the inks through the
screen to the garment to achieve the desired result. The
process involves exact pressures, specialized inks, and
heat curing to result in a long lasting design. Screen
printers can normally print up to four
colors.
What is the difference between 100# text
stock and 14pt card stock ?
100# text is
measured in weight. 14 pt is measured in thickness. It
can be hard to differentiate between the two unless you
know both weight and thickness. The size paper comes
from the mill is called "parent" or "basis" size, and it
differs for different kinds of paper. This is why "80#
cover" is heavier than "100# text." The point system, on
the other hand, measures paper thickness, not weight,
and is typically used with coated papers. Make sure you
ask the printer before they begin your work.
What is the difference between coated and
uncoated stock ?
Uncoated
stock is a rough porous type of paper. It is normally
used in newspapers and tends to be less expensive.
Coated stock has a smooth glossy finish. Printing on
this type of paper will sharpen your text and graphic
layouts. Coated stock, however, can be a bit more
expensive.
What is the most effective way to design a
brochure ?
1.
Define the purpose of the brochure: Is it for attention
or simplicity? Do you want to grab the reader's
attention or do you want them to easily understand a
message.
2. Simplify your message: Break down
any long articles, simplify text by adding tables and
charts.
3. Use selective emphasis: Reserve
emphasis for the most important parts of your message.
Add visual contrast by using larger typeface or
graphics.
4. Keep the design simple: Use a
few colors and fonts. Don't overdo it.
5. Use
a single illustration on the cover.
6. Make
your brochure worth keeping: Encourage the consumer to
keep it handy.
What is the Pantone Matching System
?
The Pantone
Matching System, also known as the PMS color system, is
a popular color matching system used by the printing
industry to print specific colors. PMS match book are
book of color where each PMS color has its own name or
number that helps you make sure that your colors are the
same each time you print, even if your monitor displays
a different color or if you change printing
services..
What is the standard window measurement
for business envelopes ?
The window in
most commercial business envelopes is 1-1/8 x
4-1/2.
What materials can labels be made from
?
1.
Paper-Uncoated: Uncoated paper can be written on by hand
or by machine.
2. Paper-High Gloss: High
gloss paper provides good printability, not for hand
writing.
3. Vinyl: Vinyl is best for an
outdoor environment or if the label is to be applied to
a vinyl surface.
4. Acetate: Acetate is best
for a clear look.
5. Mylar/Polyester:
Mylar/polyester is best for a label applied to an object
with sharp corners
What type of envelope should I use
?
1.
Business Envelopes: Regular, Window, Booklet, Clasp, and
Printed Business.
2. Square Envelopes: Colored
Square and Regular Square.
3. Social &
Invitation: Square Flap, Pointed Flap, Black Square,
Foil Lined, and Colored Translucent.
4.
Colored Envelopes: Commercial, Open End, Booklet,
Square, and Clasp.
5. Specialty Envelopes:
Coin, Full Face Window, Florist, Airmail, and CD
envelopes.
6. Shipping and Packaging
Envelopes: Paperboard, Tyvek, Corrugated, Bubble, and
Plastic.
What type of material can I print my
banner or sign on ?
There are
several substrates (materials) the printer can use for
your sign or banner. Here are a few of the most popular
by category.
1.
Flexible Substrates: Vinyl, Polyethylene, Nylon,
or Mesh.
2. Rigid substrates: Styrene, Foam,
Aluminum, or Masonite.
3. Specialty fabrics:
Satin, Polyester, or Canvas.
What's the difference between die-cut
and butt-cut ?
Die-cut
labels have round corners and spacing between each
label on the roll.
Butt-cut labels have square
corners and no spacing between each label on the roll.
.
What's the difference between "spot
colors" and "four color process ?
Spot colors
are not blends of colors that create other colors but
individual colors that can be assigned PMS (Pantone
Matching System) numbers. | 
