FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Four printed materials bleed refers to printing that goes past the edge of the paper so that when it’s trimmed the printing or color goes all the way to the edge of the paper.

• Bifold –the paper is folded in half creating two inside panels and two outside panels
• Trifold – to folds are made dividing the paper into three equally sized vertical panels
• Gate fold – a gatefold divides the paper into three vertical sections. The two outside sections are half the width of the middle section and meet in the middle
• Accordion or Z-fold – also known as an accordion fold, the paper is divided into three or four panels vertically. Although panels are the same with and are folded so if you look at the edge the fold looks like a Z.
• double panel fold – the paper is folded in half and then folded in half again creating two nested folds.
• parallel map fold – similar to the double panel fold the parallel map fold is first folded in half forming to panels and then each panel is folded in half but in opposite directions – one folds forward the other folds backward.
• French fold – also known as a right angle fold, or eight page fold. Two folds are made at right angles to each other dividing the paper and half both horizontal and vertical.

The safety zone is an area approximately 1/8 inch from the edge of the finished document that should contain no text. Any text within the safety zone may get cut off.

Direct mail is the process of sending a mail piece to a mailing list. The mailing list can be user supplied or purchased from a vendor. The mailing list is supplied to us as either an Excel file or a CSV file format. Usually the list is targeted to a specific demographic. A residential direct mail demographic can include things like age, gender, income or other variables.  A B2B direct mail demographic would include things like industry, number of employees, gross sales and type of company.

EDDM is a direct mail service that delivers your mailing to every household in the neighborhoods you choose. EDDM has specific size requirements your mail piece should be more than 11 ½ inches long, more than 6 1/8 wide, or more than one quarter inch-thick. E DDM is cheaper than direct mail but less targeted.

Both are direct mail strategies. The primary difference is the ability to target who receives the mailing.
Using EDDM you can send your mail piece to every household in the neighborhoods you choose. Direct mail is more appropriate when targeting a specific demographic using a mailing list.

The preferred file format for any print job is a PDF file. However, the other file formats we accept our:
• EPS – encapsulated postscript
• JPG – image format
• PSD – Adobe Photoshop
• AI – Adobe illustrator
the file resolution should be 300 dpi or better. The color mode should be CMYK. The file should also include a safety zone and optionally a bleed.

This is a minimal checklist for the proper set up of a print – ready file:
• File dimensions – the dimensions of the file should match your order plus an optional bleed. For example, if your order is for an 8.5 x 11” brochure the file you send us should MATCH.
• Image Resolution – should be 300 dpi or higher.
• Bleed – if your artwork extends to the edge of the paper I 1/8” bleed is required.
• Safety zone – your artwork should include a 1/8 inch safety zone inside the trademarks. This will ensure that the text and images will not get cut off accidentally.
• Color mode – your document should be sent to the CMYK color mode used in printing. Changing your artwork to CMYK will ensure color accuracy in the finished printout.
• Fonts – when saving your file that includes print, make sure that your fonts are embedded. This will ensure that the printed output is crisp, accurate and matches the fonts you’ve chosen.
• Proofread – make sure to check your file for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Our Print Shop in not responsible for proofreading your content.

On our website https://printshop.fastwebsitelaunch.com/, fill in the information required, choose your file using the ‘Select Files’ button and click ‘Upload my file’

Variable printing is the ability to print different information from one piece to another. Variable printing is a form of digital printing in which text images and other elements can be changed from one piece to the next. Variable printing is commonly used for addressing direct mail pieces. Most commonly the printer pulls information from a database or spreadsheet and prints each piece individually without stopping the printing process.

Scoring is the process of pressing a line into the paper or card so that it can be easily folded.

There are an unlimited number of size, quantity and paper stock options. For custom orders give us a call to discuss options and delivery time.

Yes, for most jobs you can get a free proof with your order. More complex jobs may require a small proof fee.

CMYK is short for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key. Key refers to the black used in printing. CMYK is the color mode used for offset and digital printing.
RGB is short for red, green and blue. RGB is the color mode used on display devices such as computer monitors, televisions and other digital electronics.

A press-ready file is a file that meets our requirements including file type safety zone bleed, etc. to see these requirements go to ”How should my print file be formatted for best results?”

Trim marks are lines placed in the design to show where the edges of the final print size will be.