Contact Information

How soon can my job be done?

It will depend on when it arrives and the other print jobs we have in the shop at the time of submission. It will also depend on the quantity and if your files are “print ready”.

All of the above are unknowns at this point so it is hard for us to give a definite lead time on completion. We would like to have 3 business days. Typically we can print in less time but we are unable to promise any type of time frame until we have your print-ready file. If you need in 2 days or less it will be a 10% rush charge.

Why do you need a pdf?

The best workflow is to make a PDF right from your native file on the computer you are using to create your file. If not provided in a pdf, the files often have text overflow and other formatting issues when moving them from one computer to another. This is caused mostly by inconsistencies in fonts and page specs. Producing a PDF is the best way to avoid that frustrating situation and have a portable, properly-formatted file that will give you the results you are expecting.

Crop marks, who needs them and why?

No printers can print right to the edge of a sheet therefore any standard size prints with bleed must actually be printed on a larger sheet and cut down. The term “bleed” refers to any design element that extends to the edge of a sheet of paper or page.

What type of binding options do you offer?

Click here to see our binding options

Do you have an order form I can fill out?

Yes, Click here for a Printing Request for an order form that you may save and send via email or print and send.

PDF files:
Our digital printing workflow uses PDF files (Portable Document Format) for printing. PDF is a file format that provides an electronic image of text and graphics that looks like a printed document and can be viewed, printed, and electronically transmitted. Every PDF file submitted to us must meet certain guidelines. We accept the preset conversion of High Quality or PDF/A ensuring that all fonts are embedded. If you want us to make some adjustments, corrections, or just some “touch up”, then we can work with many native files as long as we have the fonts selected in your publication. If you only have access to the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, we prefer Publisher as it has many tools required to produce print ready copy. The best workflow is to make a PDF right from your native file on the computer you are using to create your file. If not provided in a pdf, the files often have text overflow and other formatting issues when moving them from one computer to another. This is caused mostly by inconsistencies in fonts and page specs. Producing a PDF is the best way to avoid that frustrating situation and have a portable, properly-formatted file that will give you the results you are expecting. Once you know how to make good PDF’s you’ll never have to worry about it again. 

Always take a final look at your pdf file before sending to be printed. Make sure it converted correctly. What you see is what will print, think of it the same way you would as if you were submitting hard copy. 

Book and Booklet Printing: How to Set Up Your File
Know how your book is actually going to be put together. Click here for more info. If you are making a saddle-stitched booklet, you will need pages in multiples of 4. To avoid any confusion between reader spreads and printer spreads, please provide your pdf in SINGLE PAGE (1 page up) FORMAT, COMBINED in ONE complete file and our printing software will put in correct booklet printing order.  This method also allows us to move the individual pages if needed for perfect positioning for a great looking finished product. The exception would be if you have a two page spread where image runs across and/or connects. Example: a wrap-around cover or a center spread.

Always take a final look at your pdf file before sending to be printed. Make sure it converted correctly. What you see is what will print, think of it the same way you would as if you were submitting hard copy. 

Margins: Safety Lines= 1/4 inch
You don’t want your text or images to get cut off, do you? No printers can print image right to the edge of a sheet.Please make sure your text and images are within the safety lines. If your artwork does not have 1/4 inch of white on all four sides, expect that it will need to be reduced to fit or see directions below if you require image to go to edge of paper.

Adding Bleeds and Crop (Trim) Marks to Documents for Print
No printers can print right to the edge of a sheet therefore any standard size prints with bleed must actually be printed on a larger sheet and cut down.The term “bleed” refers to any design element that extends to the edge of a sheet of paper or page. This requires artwork to be printed on paper that is larger than the size of the finished product. The excess paper is then trimmed or “cropped” off. Bleeds are needed because any minor paper shift during the production process will result in the color and/or design not extending all the way to one or more of the edges. Keep in mind that there are added costs to the below method due to over sized stock and the trimming that is needed after printing.

When preparing ready to print files that bleed, add a .125” bleed on all sides. This .125” bleed will make your file size .25” larger than the final size of your document. Let’s say you are printing an 11” x 17” document. If you add .125” bleed to the left and .125” bleed to the right and then do the same top and bottom, the end result is a document that is 11.25” x 17.25”. 

Crop (Trim) marks are required for most every printing file. These give the paper cutter operator a guide so he knows where to make the final cuts. These marks should appear as black lines on your final pdf. If you can't see them here, they won't print. They are added at the "Save As" stage in Illustrator or the "Export" stage when using InDesign. In general, most layouts requiring special sizing and or bleeds are not prepared directly from Photoshop but from a page-layout program like Adobe InDesign or an illustration program like Adobe Illustrator.

Bindery and Booklet Finishing Options
Booklet Layout
Square Fold
Printing Request Form