Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/8xAA0f9yQnE
1. 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 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.
Please know that monitors need to be calibrated to accurately display colors.
2. What is the difference between a CMYK and a Spot Color?
See our Top 5 PrePress Woes and How to Resolve Them blog post for great information on this question!
3. 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.
4. I don’t know how many I want to order until I know how much they cost.
We understand your dilemma. The price per piece of custom printing varies greatly with the quantity ordered. Because design/typesetting, plate making, press setup, bindery functions and waste factors all directly affect the total cost, the more you order, the lower the cost per piece. We will be happy to give you prices based on several quantities. We do, however, need a starting point, are you thinking of 1000, 10,000 or 100,000? Ballpark numbers help.
5. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
Some jobs can be finished in hours; still, others will take days to finish because of the large quantity or the number of processes required. And since there are hundreds of possible types and combinations of services, there is not a simple answer. Please remember that EVERY job that we do for our customers is CUSTOM.
That said, we will do our best to give you a reasonable estimate. If you have a deadline for your job, let us know, we’ll make sure we meet it. Or, if it isn’t possible for us to meet your deadline (that doesn’t happen too often), we’ll tell you when you place your order.
6. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
In printing terms, a proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last and best opportunity to make sure that the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.
7. What are some popular finishes for printed materials?
See our 5 Great Options for Business Card Finishesblog post for great information on this question!
