Questions?
Call us at (510) 595-2204
    Home     Help     Shopping Cart
 
Search | Site Map






Company Info/General

  What is your phone number and address?
What are your customer service hours of operation?
What is your policy on privacy and security?

Products & Options

  Do you offer printing with PMS colors?
Is there any extra charge for full bleeds?
What kinds of paper do you offer?
Is there an extra charge for aqueous coating?
Will color on my job match the color I see on my screen?
Can you color match a supplied proof or previously printed sample?

Ordering

  When will I receive my order?
Do you have Rush Charges?
How long does it take to get my PDF proof?
Why are my proofs low resolution?
How long does it take to get my hardcopy proof?
How do I view my electronic proof when it's ready?
Can I order a printing job with specs different than those listed on your site?
Will I always receive the exact quantity I ordered?
Is there a discount if I re-order a previously printed job?
Can I change my order after it has been placed but before I approve the proof?
Can I change something on my order after I've approved the proof?

File Preparation

  Should I proofread my job before I send it to you?
What file formats do you accept?
What about VERY odd files?
How do I ensure proper 'backup' of my 2-sided job?
Should I impose my job or leave that to you?
Do you offer templates to help me properly set up my job?

File Transfer

  How long will it take to upload my files to you?
How can I place an order and have someone else upload my files?
Why can't I see my graphics file when I browse for them on my computer?
Where do I send my disk if I choose not to upload?
What types of storage media do you accept?

Company Info/General








Products & Options





Q. What kinds of paper do you offer?

A. The following is a list of papers available via our Instant Pricing calculator. Note that not all of these papers are useable for all product types. Please check the "Paper Stock" pulldown of your desired product in Instant Pricing for a complete list.

Standard Papers

  • 24# Rag Bond (Cranes 100% Cotton fiber)
    Crane's Writing is the world's finest writing paper. Professionals choose 100% cotton paper for its distinct feel and strength. This is considered top-of-the-line stock for envelopes and letterhead.
  • 70# Smooth Text (for envelopes only)
    A high quality paper that gives envelopes a 'classy' look. Available in ultra bright white or natural color (off-white).
  • 32# Catalog Envelope (for large envelopes only)
    A standard commercial grade paper stock used for envelopes. Available in white or manila.
  • 12 pt. C2S (Coated 2-Sides)
    A very durable, basic white cover stock. This paper is commonly used for covers and, because of its durability in mailings, is great for postcards.
  • 14 pt. C2S (Coated 2-Sides)
    Durable, thick feeling, white cover stock. This is a great stock for covers and, because of its very high durability, is great for business cards, postcards and mailers.
  • 60# #3 Uncoated Text
    Very economical paper, used for one time use, large runs where color is not critical, great for lots of text and charts.
  • 70# Uncoated Text (Opaque Offset)
    A bright white, economical paper that is usually used for jobs that have a light ink coverage. It's great for pamphlets, books, etc.
  • 80# Matte Text
    Ultra bright blue white shade, used for many communication needs, from annual reports and high-end catalogs to presentation folders. 10% post consumer waste fiber, designers love it.
  • 80# Dull Text
    Preferred for its value, performance and availability, dull text has excellent bulk and opacity characteristics. Folds and binds well for larger book products.
  • 80# Gloss Text
    A standard glossy paper stock that provides an excellent opaque base. It has a shiny, rich-looking appearance, and is most commonly used for brochures, product sheets, flyers, posters, etc.
  • 100# Matte Text
    Ultra bright blue white shade, used for many communication needs, from annual reports and high-end catalogs to presentation folders. 10% post consumer waste fiber, designers love it.
  • 100# Dull Text
    Preferred for its value, performance and availibility, dull text has excellent bulk and opacity characteristics. Folds and binds well for larger book products.
  • 100# Gloss Text
    A standard glossy paper stock that provides an excellent opaque base. It has a shiny, rich-looking appearance, and is most commonly used for brochures, product sheets, flyers, posters, etc.
  • 80# Matte Cover
    Ultra bright blue white shade, used for many communication needs, from annual reports and high-end catalogs to presentation folders. 10% post consumer waste fiber, designers love it.
  • 80# Gloss Cover
    A heavier weight glossy stock that makes colors look their brightest and most impressive. Most commonly used for business cards, rack cards, and covers.
  • 100# Matte Cover
    Ultra bright blue white shade, used for many communication needs, from annual reports and high-end catalogs to presentation folders. 10% post consumer waste fiber, designers love it.
  • 100# Gloss Cover
    A heavier weight glossy stock that makes colors look their brightest and most impressive. Most commonly used for business cards, rack cards, and covers.
Custom Quoted Papers
We pride ourselves on having one of the widest selection of paper stocks in the industry. Please refer to our
Custom Papers page for a complete list of all available stocks. You may order any of these papers via our Custom Quote system.




Q. Will color on my job match the color I see on my screen?

A. No. It will be close, but not exact. This is because a monitor generates color through the mixing of three different light frequencies: Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). This method of color reproduction yields a very bright, wide range (or gamut) of possible colors. However, with offset printing, a press generates color by overlaying 4 different screens of color: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK). This method of color reproduction yields a greatly reduced gamut of total possible colors vs. RGB.

This fundamental difference, coupled with the fact that most people's monitors are not calibrated, means that your printing will not exactly match what you see on your screen. However, 99% of our customers are perfectly happy with the 'pleasing color' they receive on their printed piece!


Q. Can you color match a supplied proof or previously printed sample?

A. One of the reasons we can offer such low pricing and such quick turnaround is because we normally calibrate our presses to standard CMYK densities producing what is known in the industry as 'pleasing color'. So, we cannot guarantee that your printed piece will exactly match your printed sample or inkjet proof.

However, if color matching of a previously printed sample is absolutely imperative for your job, approval of a color calibrated high resolution hardcopy proof is required at an extra charge. Once approved, we will strive to match this proof on press as closely as possible. Unfortunately, we still cannot guarantee an exact match because of uncontrollable variables, but we will get close.

Note: We do not match inkjet proofs or other such customer supplied color proofs. This is due to the inherent differences in the offset process vs. inkjet printing (different media types, ink types, stochastic vs. linescreen, etc.). Color from your desktop printer simply has a wider gamut than CMYK which makes color matching impossible.

We will get as close as the technology allows.



Ordering



















Q. Can I change my order after it has been placed but before I approve the proof?

A. Yes. As long as you do so BEFORE you approve your proof using our "Change Order" page.

Keep in mind that changing production specs of your order (quantity, paper stock, folding, etc.) is no extra charge, but alterations to design elements of the piece (typefaces, photos, etc.) that you want us to make may incur extra charges. We do not charge for small corrections you request on your files (a quick name change, spelling mistake, etc). However, larger corrections that you request us to make to your files and/or revisions listed on your proof are billed at $65 per hour with a $25 minimum. These include resizing items, image replacement, extensive type corrections, color correction, etc. If you choose to make the revisions yourself and upload new files to us, there is a flat $25 fee.






File Preparation





Q. What about VERY odd files?

A. We specialize in non-conforming files and normally do not charge for doing what it takes to make your files 'press-ready'. However, once in a long while we will come across an especially screwy file that will take us hours to fix. In these rare cases, a customer service rep will contact you about possible extra charges involved for us to make a healthy file, billed at $65/hr. You then have the option of paying us to fix it, or repairing it yourself and giving us new files. Please note that a flat $25 fee will be charged for uploading new files. We will always contact you to inform you of what's being done and the changes will always be reflected on the final proof.

Much of our work requires some form of manipulation to bring the file within minimum allowable specifications. There is no charge for minor changes. Major reformatting projects are estimated in advance, take additional time and require a more extensive proofing process.

We only employ very talented computer people in our prepress department. They can make something out of practically anything. On occasion files are so bad that we will have to:
  • Take some artistic license to manipulate type, scans, trapping, or the template.
  • Fix technical problems that might have a bearing on design aspects of a job.
  • Increase / decrease screen rulings, percentages or angles to enhance readability.
  • Adjust scans or rescan originals to reach some minimum standards.









File Transfer













top of page