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Frequently
Asked Questions
If you have a question about
our printing process, artwork preparation, or shipping
and payment this page should answer your questions.
Just in case it doesn't, please contact
us and we will be happy to give you the answers you
seek.
Printing Process
- What
type of printing process is used?
All products are printed and
cut by huge multi-million dollar presses using the "four
color" or "CMYK" printing process with full bleed.
The four color process is an industry standard whose
results can be seen at any news or magazine stand.
During this procedure, small dots of Cyan (C), Magenta
(M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K) are printed on the paper
in a precise fashion forming a full spectrum of colors.
By operating exclusively on the Internet, we can use
our volume to provide photo-realistic commercial printing
at discounted prices.
- What
is full bleed?
Full bleed means the ink runs to the very edge of the
paper. No printer is actually full bleed, so during
printing process the excess paper is trimmed off resulting
in the “full bleed” professional look.
In order to print “full bleed” the ink
coverage must exceed the final print dimensions. Please
see What is a trim line? for
more information.
- What
does 4/0, 4/1, and 4/4 mean?
These numbers represent the numbers of colors on each
side of your print piece. Full color printing is made
from 4 inks: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and
Black (B) and is represented by 4. Black & White
(or grayscale) is represented by 1 (although you can
have many shades of gray). A blank side or no printing
is represented by 0. Thus 4/0 would signify full color
printing on the front side with the backside being
blank. 4/1 means full color front and black & white
on the back. 4/4 means full color on both sides.
- What
types of paper are used?
All products use the highest quality paper in the industry.
We use three types of paper: brochures, flyers and
posters use 80 lb or 100 lb gloss paper; business cards,
post cards, bookmarks and greeting cards use 12pt card
stock; and finally, letterhead and envelopes are printed
on 60 lb offset paper.
- What
is a UV gloss coating?
We provide an Ultra Violet gloss coating on the front
of every post card, greeting card, bookmark and business
card at no additional charge. This coating gives the
print a luxurious glossy look as well as protecting
your print against aging (i.e. fading from sunlight
exposure). High gloss prints do not diffuse the light
like a matte finish, which results in colors seeming
more vivid.
Designing Your Artwork
This FAQ uses Adobe Photoshop 7 for examples. If you
are using a program other than Photoshop, please contact tech
support if you need assistance.
- Where
should I start?
Download the
appropriate pre-formatted Adobe Photoshop
template. Although these templates are
design ready, take a second to verify
that the following settings are correct:
Image -> Image Size -> Resolution: 300 pixels/inch
Image -> Mode -> (checkmark) CMYK Color
- What
is the trim line?
The trim line is located 1/8th of an inch away from
the outside edge of your design. This imaginary line
marks where the printing press will cut. The extra
space left is the bleed area which
is discarded after cutting.
 
YOU MUST TAKE THIS EXTRA 1/8" INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CREATING
YOUR OWN DESIGNS!! For instance, a 4"x6" postcard will
have a design template that measures 4.25"x6.25" (4
+ .125 + .125) &
(6 + .125 + .125). For best results, take your background
colors all the way to the edge of the design template,
leaving no whitespace as shown in the examples.
- What
is the text line?
The text line is located 1/16th of an inch away from
the trim line. This imaginary line marks the boundary
where your text should stop. Although the automated
machines used to cut are highly accurate, it's best
to leave that extra space from the cut line to assure
text is not cut off. This also aids in centering the
text on the design.
- What
types of files are accepted?
We currently accept JPG/JPEG, PDF, EPS, TIFF, PSD,
and Quark*
*Please contact tech
support for details before uploading this file
type.
Shipping, Payments, Fees, and
Refunds
- What
forms of payment are accepted?
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit
cards are accepted. No checks, cashiers checks, or
money orders are accepted at this time.
- What
are my shipping options and costs?
We currently offer FREE UPS Ground shipping on all
orders shipped within the continental 48 states. Rush
delivery is available upon request - please contact
us. Shipping to Canada is available for an extra
fee. International shipping is currently not available.
- Are
there any extra hidden fees?
No! Our online design studio is available for you to
use free of charge. This includes uploading photos
and logos, as well as your own designs. The price you
see is the price you pay.
- What
is your refund policy?
If there is a mistake in the printing process your
products will be re-printed at no additional charge.
If the prints have already been shipped, we will issue
you a pickup slip allowing you to return them at no
cost. We can not be held responsible in the event
of human errors such as spelling, misalignments, or
inaccurate information printed on your products. We
ask that you double check your designs for these common
errors before ordering.
Turnaround Time
- When
can I expect my prints to arrive?
Typical turn around time is 10 business days from point
of purchase to delivery.
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