Frequently Asked Questions about Printing Services in Red Deer
Here you'll find answers to questions we hear most often from our clients. Select any of the links below to jump directly to that answer. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact our office.
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 colour?
Not typically. Because white is the default colour of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using coloured paper white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.
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.
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
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 customer service representatives.
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
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 faxed or delivered to you in person.
On multiple-colour jobs we can produce a colour proof on our colour output device to show how the different colours will appear.
What is the Pantone Matching System®?
The Pantone Matching System® (PMS) is a colour reproduction standard in which colours all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colours and maintain colour consistency throughout the printing process.
Why do the printed colours look different from the colours on my screen?
In short, printers and monitors produce colours in different ways.
Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) colour model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colours. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) colour model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colours in the RGB colour model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colours in the RGB model.
When a colour 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 colour that will match. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which colour will be replaced. Others may not.