QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:

Why can't you download files from my ftp site?

• We have the capabilities to download your files from your ftp site to our computers but we have stopped this process. If we use our computers to go onto the internet, connect to numerous customers and start downloading, it ties up an enormous amount of time. We had one recently that would take us 3 hours to get. We can not take that amount of time simply getting files. The files should be UPLOADED to OUR FTP site or sent via disk or email.

Why can't you use CorelDraw files?

• We are Mac based and although there is a version of Corel for Macs, we have many problems with Corel files. They need to be saved as ai files which can be done from within the Corel program. The problem with this though is that the conversion from Corel to programs such as Illustrator or Freehand many times do not come across correctly. Your best bet is to use the software programs per our specs which are: • Illustrator™ up to CS2 • Freehand™ up to (MX) • QuarkXPress™ up to v7 • Photoshop™ up to CS2 • InDesign™ up to CS2

Your specs say you can use photoshop files. This is what I sent, why can't you use them?

• Yes we can accept Photoshop files but there many issues involved when submitting Photoshop files such as resolution, extensions, spot colors vs CMYK colors and more. Photoshop is made for photos, special artwork, scanning and maniputlating files and for adding affects. Photoshop should NOT be used to set up your entire job in, with dielines and paragraphs of type.If a Photoshop file contains multiple colors and is set up to print in RGB or CMYK and you want spot colors, the entire image either will need to be redrawn in a vector based program (such as Illustrator or Freehand) and made in spot colors. If a Photoshop file has the background substrate color in the file and the file is what is called flattened (no individual layers) then we have to redraw it. Basically, our specs must be followed and then the Photoshop file should be made. If they are followed there shouldn't be a problem. If they aren't followed, we may need to reject the artwork even though, yes, it is a Photoshop file.

Why are you suggesting spot colors when I sent my art in 4-color process and you say you can print 4-color process?

• We look at every file that comes to us, we suggest the best possible way to print your product. Many times 4 color process is not the way to go. Besides saving you money, spot colors often print better when trying to match PMS colors. If you have a large section of color made up of 4-color process you may get streaking or color fluctuations. If you choose a spot color instead, the color will not have the fluctuations and will print better. Choosing the PMS/spot color will run better than trying to match the PMS with cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Remember screenprinting does not have the same quality as offset printing. What you can do on offset is not necessarily true for screen printing.

The yellow ink swatch that you provided on green polyethylene doesn't look bright yellow like we wanted. Why?

• UV Inks are slightly transparent. You must consider the color of substrate that your project will print on. We can try to match an ink color on a colored substrate but remember, it will not look the same as something printed on a white surface such as a PMS book! Sometimes we can put white under a color to make the true color "pop" but artwork is limited. Small letters and lines can not be used because of registration tolerances. If you question the outlook of your ink color, make sure you request an ink swatch proof.

I sent films at the correct angle and line screen, why can't you use them?

• We no longer are accepting film, please send to us digital files. We no longer have a large format camera so we can not duplicate the films. We often run jobs two and three up so you would have to send us that many films. We apply curves for dot gain and loss that pertain to our imagesetter and screenprinting process which can not be adjusted when sending in films.

I sent a PDF file placed into Quark. Why can't that be used?

• Some imagesetters can handle printing PDF files. Some can not. If you have a PDF file that is placed into a page layout program, you may be able to see it on your screen and also when you print to a laserprinter but when this goes to film watch out! They don't always work. Why take a risk at the film output stage that it won't work. That will cause your job to be held up until getting another file.
• PDF files absolutely must be set up 100% correctly. There is no way to simply correct pdf files. Also, there is no simple way to check the colors, and the resolution of placed images. This just causes more hassels to the printer and prepress technician than is necessary. Please be sure to send all the live linked objects (photoshop or Illustrator/Freehand) and you will be all set.

What is the difference between 4-Color Process, RGB and Spot Colors?

• Four-Color Process: CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These four colors are translucent and overlap to create thousands of color combinations which can create realistic photographic images.
• RGB: stands for Red, Green and Blue which is typically used for monitor viewing and also in Photoshop when using filters. The problem with RGB is that you can't print to final separations in this mode. You will need to change it to CMYK or Spot colors depending on what your job is printing in.
• Spot Colors: are formulated colors such as the Pantone (PMS) formulas. Spot colors and are more opaque than process colors.

Why can't I use electronic styling?

• Electronic Styling is a way to BOLD, Italicize, etc. without having the actual font. Within many programs, there is a palette that allows you to turn these stylings on. The problem with this is that you are adding a function to your type instead of actually changing the type. When fonts go to the imagesetter to output your digital files, it strips off the styling and you are left with a regular font. So if you wanted your name in BOLD it will come out regular. Use the actual font instead and you won't have any problems.

There is white in my file why won't it print as a separation?

• Within the color palette of most programs, is a color that looks white and is called white. This is actually what's called knock-out or paper white which means using this will knock-out any color that is behind it. It represents the paper that you are printing on. When printing on polyolefins, you are not always printing on white. You may be printing on black or red. If you want your white to actually print out as a separation, you must create a printers white. This can be achieved by picking a PMS color (we use PMS 1555) and renaming it printers white. Make everything that you want to print in white ink this new printers white. If you want your type or object to knock out to the actual substrate underneath, then you use the knock out white in your palette.

The white on my screen proof is slightly transparent, I can see a difference between the white overlapping the red ink. It looks pink. Can we double hit the white?

• All UV colors are slightly transparent. If you are overlapping one color on top of another or trapping, you may see a difference in the top color. The bottom color may show through. Unfortunately, we do not advise double hitting the white or any color for that matter. Screen printing has different tolerences than Offset printing and can not hold that tight of registration to hit the same area twice. Screen printing is not the same quality as offset.