FAQs

Next Day Turnaround  Orders must be uploaded by 3:00 pm est

Turnaround starts form the time the correct file is recieved.

If the order or the file is received after 3:00 pm, turnaround starts the next day.

Next Day + 1 Day Turnaround  Orders must be uploaded by 3:00 pm est

Turnaround starts form the time the correct file is recieved.

If the order or the file is received after 3:00 pm, turnaround starts the next day.

2 - 3 Day Turnaround  Orders must be uploaded by 3:00 pm est

Turnaround starts form the time the correct file is recieved.

If the order or the file is received after 3:00 pm, turnaround starts the next day.

3 - 4 Day Turnaround  Orders must be uploaded by 3:00 pm est

Turnaround starts form the time the correct file is recieved.

If the order or the file is received after 3:00 pm, turnaround starts the next day.

5-7 Day Turnaround  Orders must be uploaded by 3:00 pm est

Turnaround starts form the time the correct file is recieved.

If the order or the file is received after 3:00 pm, turnaround starts the next day.

It depends where you are located. Here is a map with the transit days on it to help you

understand better how long it would take.

You can download or print this out from www.Fedex.com.

Order Status 

• Order Complete:  Order is printed and in a bindery stage
• Staging:  Order is being prepared for pickup / shipping
• Cancellation Request: Customer requested cancellation
• Cancelled: Cancellation request fullfilled
• Refunded: Cancellation and refund complete

Product Status

• Pre-Press:  Awaiting file download / pre-flight
• Ready for Imposition:  Pre-flight completed, awaiting imposition
• Plates Complete/Ready For Press:  Impositon/ganging complete / ready to print
• Printing:  Printing in progress
• Cutting:  Trimming in progress
• Bindery:  Cutting complete / finishing in progress
• Ready for Pick Up:  Product is ready for pick up
• Order Completed:  Order has been picked up or shipped
• Shipped:  Product has been shipped

4/0

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with no printing on the back side.

4/1

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with black or grayscale on the back side.

4/4

Full color (CMYK) printing done the front and back side.

Accordion Fold

A bindery term for two or more parallel folds that result in a sheet that opens like an accordion.

Against the Grain

Perpendicular to the direction of the grain in the paper . When a product gets printed against the grain, the flexibility of the paper can be thicker or thinner. Also called across the grain and cross grain. See also Grain Direction.

Aliasing

A defect which occurs when a graphic file does not have enough resolution to reproduce image detail and causes visible jagged lines along the edges.

Alteration

Any change made by the customer after copy or artwork has been given to the service bureau, separator or printer. The change could be in copy, specifications or both. Also called AA, author alteration and customer alteration.

Anti-aliasing

Technique of filling the edges of an object with pixels to eliminate jagged lines and make it appear smoother.

Aqueous Coating (AQ)

This is available in gloss or dull. A clear, non-toxic, water-based coating applied like ink by a printing press to protect the printed surface. Most of the aqueous we use is gloss.

Artwork

In printing, this is the original copy which includes all text, graphics, photos and illustrations, intended for printing. Sometimes also called Art.

Back up

To print on the second side of a sheet already printed on one side.

Bind

Usually refers to the joining of leafs or signatures together of multi-page printed jobs, with either wire, glue or other means. Examples of jobs that are bound include some calendars, books, and catalogs.

Bindery

The processes that takes place after the printing has been complete. This includes cutting, scoring, folding, drilling, collating, stitching, and gluing.

Bitmap Images

Computerized image made up of a collection of dots or pixels; these images appear blocky when you zoom in; also known as raster images.

Blanket

In offset printing, a blanket is a rubber-surfaced fabric that is clamped around a cylinder. The image is transferred from the plate to the blanket, and once the sheet is fed through the press, the blanket is what transfers the image to the sheet.

Bleed

A bleed is when an image extends beyond the trim edge of the printed product. If your image is not white on all four sides, you MUST include bleeds in your files. Add 1/8" (.125") to each side of the file. For example, for a 4" x 6" postcard with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 4.25" x 6.25"

Blind Embossing

A technique in which a design is pressed into a sheet without ink or foil, creating a raised image.

Border

Margin or line between the image area and the edge of the paper.

Book Paper

Category of paper suitable for books, magazines, catalogs, advertising and general printing needs. Book paper is divided into uncoated paper (also called offset paper), coated paper (also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper and slick paper) and text paper.

Brightness

The brilliance or reflective quality of paper affecting contrast in printing.

C1S (Coated One Side)

Abbreviation for a type of paper that is coated on one side, and not on the reverse side.

C2S (Coated Two Sides)

Short for a type of paper that is coated on both the front and back surface of the sheet.

Client Dashboard

The interface developed for our clients to manage their jobs and accompanying paperwork with us. In your client dashboard you can order, track, pull up invoices, get custom estimates and so much more.

CMYK

Abbreviation for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). This is the industry standard process colors used in full- color offset printing. The combination of these four colors can produce a wide array of colors.

Coated Paper

Paper with a thin surface coating of clay that produces a smooth finish.

Collate

The placement of printed sheets in numerical or alphabetical order.

Color Correction

The process of adjusting and improving color qualities such as color balance and contrast, to achieve desirable colors.

Color Gamut

The entire range of hues possible to reproduce using a specific device, such as a computer screen, or system, such as four-color process printing.

Color Shift

Change in image color resulting from changes in register, ink densities or dot gain during four-color process printing.

Comb Bind

A method of binding by inserting a plastic comb through holes along the side or edge of a stack of pages.

Copy

Any material (text or artwork) to be used in printing a piece.

Cover Paper

A category of thick paper commonly used for covers of books, brochures, menus, and catalogs covers.

Crop

To cut off sides or portions of an image.

Crop Marks

A thin pair of lines on each corner to show where the final cut will take place. Also called "Tic Marks" For more information on the cutting process, Click Here.

Crossover

Printing across the gutter or from one page to the facing page of a publication.

Cure

The process of drying inks or coatings after printing to ensure good adhesion and prevent unintended sticking of sheets or offset.

Cutting Tolerance

The margin of error that a cutting machine for paper is allowed to vary from in normal, reasonable production. Standard cutting tolerances are 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch.

Cyan

Shade of blue; one of four basic ink colors used in 4 color printing process.

Die

This is a device made out of sharp steel that is used to cut, score, stamp, emboss, or deboss irregular shapes.

Die Cutting

A process by which a template is made out of sharp steel and used to cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard sheets. Usually diecutting corresponds to printed design elements.

Dot Gain

Phenomenon of halftone dots printing larger on paper than they are on films or plates, reducing detail and lowering contrast. Also called dot growth, dot spread and press gain.

Dots Per Inch (DPI)

Also referred to as Pixels Per Inch (PPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 DPI/PPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the DPI/PPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

Also referred to as Pixels Per Inch (PPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 DPI/PPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the DPI/PPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.

Drop-out

Parts of artwork that are not reproduced.

Dull Finish

Flat (not glossy) finish on coated paper; slightly smoother than matte. Also called velour finish and velvet finish.

Dummy

A product that is handmade by a graphic artist to show how the finished product will look. This is not created on the exact paper stock that the final product will be printed on. Also sometimes called a mockup.

Drill

In the printing arena, to drill a whole in a printed matter, usually for applications like adding a string for a hangtag or 3 hole to fit in a binder.

Emboss

The process of stamping an image into paper so it is raised above the surface. Usually aligns to a printed image or foil element. When Embossing is done to a blank sheet to create the design it is called "Blind Embossing".

Encapsulated Postscript File (EPS)

An Adobe graphic file format for high resolution images; it translates graphic and text into code that tells a printer to print in the highest resolution possible and also has low resolution view files for quick screen viewing.

EPS

Usually used as an abbreviation for the Encapsulated Postscript file format, but also used by some in the printing industry to refer to envelopes.

Estimate

Price that states what a job will probably cost. Also called bid, quotation and tender.

Final Size

The completed size after folding and bindery processes, as opposed to flat size. Also called trimmed size.

Flat Size

Size of product after printing and trimming, but before folding, as compared to final size.

Foil Stamping

The process of stamping a heated die onto a sheet of foil which releases the foil from its backing and adhering to the paper, creating a foil design on a printed piece.

Fold Marks

With printed matter, markings indicating where a fold is supposed to occur, usually located at the top edges.

Four over Four (4/4)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front and back side.

Four over One (4/1)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with black or grayscale on the back side.

Four over Zero (4/0)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with no printing on the back side.

Full Color Process Printing

Technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan and yellow to simulate full-color images. Also called color process printing, full color printing and process printing.

Gang, Gang-Printing, Gang-Run

To reproduce two or more different printed products simultaneously on one sheet of paper during one press run. Also called a combination run, or gang-run.

Gate Fold

A three panel fold where the two outside panels fold inward to meet in the center. A four panel version of this fold, that folds in half again is called a Double Gate Fold.

Ghosting

A printing defect where a faint unwanted image appears on a page.

Grain

The direction in which the fibers of a paper lie.

Grayscale

An image made up of a range of densities of black ink.

Grippers

The metal fingers on printing presses that hold the paper and controls it as it passes through the press or cutting machine.

Hard Copy

A document or data printed on paper.

Hickey

The result when a spec of dust or debris adheres to the printing plate which creates a spot or imperfection on the final printed piece.

House Stock

Paper kept in stock by a printer.

Image Area

Portion of a page or paper that can be printed on. This is the sheet size minus image-restricted area; like the gripper area.

Imposition

Correctly arranging printed pages in a press sheet layout so they will fold for binding in the proper sequence.

Indicia

Postal information preprinted on a mailing envelope or a piece in place of a stamp.

Ink Jet Printing

Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink through computer-controlled nozzles.

Job Number

A number assigned by us to a specific printing project for use in tracking and historical record keeping. Job numbers are the primary way of referencing a job in your client dashboard.

Key

The "K" in CMYK stands for key, as in four-color printing, cyan, magenta, and yellow printing plates are carefully keyed or aligned with the key line of the black key plate. Some sources also suggest that the K in CMYK comes from the last letter in "black".

Lines Per Inch (LPI)

Abbreviation for Lines-Per-Inch. A unit for measuring output resolutions for lithography, screen printing and other output methods.

Lithography

A method of printing where metal plates are chemically treated so that the image area accepts ink and non-image areas repel ink. Lithography is a unique conventional printing method in that the image and non-image areas are on the same flat surface.

Live Area

Area on a print job that will actually show in the final product.

LiveProof^tm

Our trademarked online .pdf proofing and approval system.

LPI

Abbreviation for Lines-Per-Inch. A unit for measuring output resolutions for lithography, screen printing and other output methods.

Magenta

Also known as process red; one of the 4 basic ink colors in process color printing; "M" in abbreviation CMYK.

Marketing

Marketing refers to both products and strategies used to increase awareness of a brand, company, or item. Many printing products are marketing tools, such as banner displays and brochures.

To learn more about successful marketing strategies, check out http://www.printingamerica.com/

Makeready

(1) All activities required to prepare a press or other machine to function for a specific printing or bindery job, as compared to production run. Also called setup.

(2) Paper used in the makeready process at any stage in production. Makeready paper is part of waste or spoilage.

Matte

Dull non-glossy finish.

Mockup

A product that is handmade by a graphic artist to show how the finished product will look. This is not created on the exact paper stock that the final product will be printed on. Sometimes also called a "dummy".

Offset Printing

Printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket to paper instead of directly from plate to paper.

Offsetting

Unintended transfer of ink or impression from one page to the opposite page. Offsetting can be the cause of flaw final print.

Overprint

To print one image over a previously printed image, or have a digital file constructed in such a way that on object does not "knockout" of another. An example of overprint would be, printing type over a screen tint to avoid trapping issues.

Overrun

Production of larger quantities than ordered. Generally, we provide at least 5% overs, but reserve the right to be 10% under the ordered quantity.

Panel

One page of a brochure, such as one panel of a rack brochure. One panel is on one side of the paper. A tri-fold brochure has six panels, not three.

Pantone Matching Systems (PMS)

The most popular color matching system used in the printing industry. A true PMS color is defined by a mixture of inks that will provide a specific color. PMS colors are often associated with a color code and can be used to produce colors outside the CMYK gamut.

Parallel Fold

Method of folding. Two parallel folds to a sheet will produce 6 panels; this is called a "Double Parallel Fold".

Perfect Binding

A bindery method where all pages are trimmed to a single sheet, clamped together, and the cover is wrapped around the spine. The pages are attached to the cover using adhesive.

Perforation

This is created using a die cutting machine or binding machine which stamps a line of small dotted holes for the purpose of tearing off a portion of a printed piece. (Usually straight lines, vertical or horizontal).

Pixel

Short for picture element, a dot made by a computer, scanner or other digital device, the smallest element possible on a computer screen.

Pixels Per Inch (PPI)

Also referred to as Dots Per Inch (DPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 PPI/DPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the PPI/DPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.

Plate (Plating)

A metal sheet laser inscribed with an image to be reproduced using a printing press.

Plate

Piece of paper, metal, plastic or rubber carrying an image to be reproduced using a printing press.

PMS (Pantone Matching Systems)

The most popular color matching system used in the printing industry. A true PMS color is defined by a mixture of inks that will provide a specific color. PMS colors are often associated with a color code and can be used to produce colors outside the CMYK gamut.

PostScript

A page description language developed by Adobe Systems that tells a printer how an image is to be printed.

PPI (Pixels Per Inch)

Also referred to as Pixels Per Inch (PPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 DPI/PPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the DPI/PPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.

Preflight

A procedure used to ensure the submitted artwork is properly prepared for prepress to our standard file requirements.

Prepress

Electronic file preparation, stripping, platemaking and other prepress functions performed by the printer prior to printing.

Printer's Spreads

Multi-page documents made into two page sections, so they are imposed for printing, as compared to Reader's Spreads.

Process Colors

The four basic colors used in printing to simulate full spectrum color. Cyan (process blue), magenta (process red), yellow (process yellow), black (process black).

Process Color (Inks)

The colors used for four-color process printing: yellow, magenta, cyan and black.

Proof

Provides the opportunity to review and approve the artwork prior to production. Proofs are offered in the form of a PDF or Hard Copy which must be viewed and approved prior to the production of the order product.

Raster Image

An image made up of entirely pixels. It's direct opposite would be an entirely vector image; made up of only shapes that are mathematically filled.

Raster Image Processor (RIP)

A device that translates data into dots or pixels.

Rasterize

To render an image, pixel by pixel, vertically and horizontally.

Resolution

The number of dots or pixels of an image. The higher concentration of dots or pixels per inch, the more detailed the image will be. We requires a DPI/PPI of 300 or above.

Reader's Spreads:

Multi-page documents made into two page sections, so they are in the same sequence readers for printing, as compared to Printer's Spreads. Reader's Spreads need to be rebuilt before going on press to be Printer’s Spreads on the final press sheet.

Resolution

Amount of detail of an image on film, paper, computer screen, or disc. In digital prepress resolution is usually measured in Dots-Per-Inch (DPI).

Reverse

Type, graphic or illustration reproduced by printing ink around its outline, thus allowing the underlying color or paper to show through and form the image. The image 'reverses out' of the ink color. Also called knockout and liftout. In the case of process printing, this usually refers to white type on an colored background.

Red, Green, & Blue

These are most commonly used with television screens and computer monitors but are not used in offset printing. RGB files should be converted to CMYK. Colors may need to be adjusted after the conversion and may not appear correct on your monitor.

RGB

Abbreviation for red, green, blue, the additive color primaries.

Rich Black

This is made by mixing colors of ink with black in order to produce a deep, dark black on press. To create rich black for full-color process printing, your CMYK values should be Cyan: 60%, Magenta: 40%, Yellow: 40%, Black (Y): 100%

Saddle Stitch

To bind by stapling sheets together where they fold at the spine, as compared to side stitch. Example of some jobs that may utilize this type of binding are: booklets, catalogs, and calendars. We do not recommend this type of bindery method if you are doing more than 48-page books on 100 pound gloss text.

Safe Area

An area within the trim line to prevent text or type from being cut off. It is imperative that no text or essential parts of your artwork come within 1/8" of the trim line. Due to mechanical tolerance during the cutting process, any content within 1/8" of the trim line may be cut off. Please refer to our templates. Safe area is denoted by green in our available templates.

Score

A crease where a sheet of a paper will be folded. This is important to prevent cracking on the edge of the fold, and/or improve precision of the final fold. Scoring is especially recommended with thicker paper stocks.

Self-cover

In printing, on multi-page jobs, when the paper used as cover is the same as that used in the inside pages.

Specifications

Complete and precise description of features of a printing job such as paper type, coating, quantity, printing, and binding type. Abbreviated "Specs". Specs essentially is what your electronic job ticket. When you place a complete job order, the details are essentially your Specs.

Spot (Color or Varnish)

One ink or varnish applied to portions of a sheet, as compared to overall.

Stock

The paper or material to be printed on.

Substrate

Any surface or material on which printing is done.

Tabloid

A standard paper size of 11" x 17" paper dimensions.

Tagged Image File Format (.TIFF)

A standard graphic image file format often used for storing high resolution images that can easily handle up to 24 bits of photographic image color. Abbreviated "TIF" or "TIFF".

Tic Marks

A thin pair of lines on each corner to show where the final cut will take place. Also called "Crop Marks".

Trim marks

See Crop marks.

Trim Size

The final size after cutting is complete.

Typesetting

To layout words and text for artwork to be printed using electronic methods.

Uncoated

Paper with no treatment or coating on the surface. This refers to both a uncoated blank sheet before printing, and a printed sheet with no sealant applied after printing.

Under-run

Production of fewer copies than ordered by customer. We reserve the right to be over (by 5%) or under buy 10% ) the ordered quantity.

UV Coating

A protective coating applied to a printed piece for a super glossy finish which enhances colors and provides limited protection against UV and water damaged. UV Coating is applied to a printed sheet, then bonded and cured with ultraviolet light, as opposed to Aqueous (AQ); which is cured with heat and evaporation. UV Coating tends to have a much glossier appearance than AQ Coating

Vector Images

Images made up of solids, lines and curves that can be scaled or edited without affecting image resolution. Another way to put it is vector images are made up mathematical shapes, and raster images are made up individual dots. Vector images tend to be very small in size.

Washup

Process of cleaning the parts of a printing press (rollers, plate, blanket, etc) so that a different ink can be applied.

Watermark (digital)

A distinctive design created in paper during manufacturing that is visible when the paper is held up to the light.

Watermark (paper)

A translucent logo incorporated in paper during it’s manufacturing, showing the name of the paper and/or the company logo.

Wire O binding

A method of binding using double loops of wire through a hole.

With the Grain

Folding or feeding paper into the press parallel to the paper’s grain or fiber. This is desirable for folding when possible due to the cleaner folds it produces.

Yellow

Also known as process yellow; one of the 4 basic ink colors in process color printing; Y in abbreviation CMYK.