Resources & Support

Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Just start by following one of the links below. But before you do, don't forget you are always welcome to call us at 402.474.3900. Trained personnel will be happy to visit with you on the phone.

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
2. Can you give me a postage estimate?
3. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
4. Is white considered a printing color?
5. Tips on how to save your design files
6. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
7. What is a "mail stream"?
8. What is a "proof"?
9. What is a mail drop?
10. What is letter shop work?
11. What is the Pantone Matching System?
12. What is your lead time on a mailing project?
13. What type of products and services do you provide?
14. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

1. 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.

2. Can you give me a postage estimate?

   Yes, but it's only an estimate. Bulk mail Postage is determined by many factors. It's not like sending first class mail where we can look up the amount. Bulk mail postage is determind by size, weight, class of automation, saturation and other presorting requirements. If you have the size, weight and class of mail, our experience allows us to give you a reasonably good estimate.

3. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

   The best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call and talk with one of our project managers. But since you are here, we would also suggest that you use our online estimate request form which will get the process started. You will be e-mailed or phoned if we should have questions.

4. Is white considered a printing color?

   Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. What is a "mail stream"?

   A mail stream is one mailing that is taken to the post office as one bulk mailing with one set of postal paper work (such as a 3602 form). Some clients want their mailings to go out half this week and the other half next week or in two mail streams.

8. What is a "proof"?

   A proof is a way of ensuring that we have accurately positioned your addressing or variable printing according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof and sent it to you online for your approval.

9. What is a mail drop?

   A mail drop is one mailing that is taken to the post office as one bulk mailing with one set of postal paper work (such as a 3602 form). Some clients want their mailings to go out half this week and the other half next week or in two drops.

10. What is letter shop work?

    Letter shop work typically consists of the following activities: tabbing, folding, inserting, metering, stamping, sealing, cutting, sorting, traying, and hand work. Some mailers will consider ink jet printing as letter shop work also.

11. What is the Pantone Matching System?

    The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.

12. What is your lead time on a mailing project?

    Each project is different with some only taking a day or so for us to process. Larger projects can take longer to complete. What's important is that when you as a client and us agree on the date the project needs to be mailed, we won't miss your mail date. We are very sensitve and understand the importance of mailing our client's projects on the EXACT date they have specified.

13. What type of products and services do you provide?

    Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

14. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

    In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

    Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

    When a color 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 color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.