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Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or preferred not 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.
If your question is not answered here, Please email or call us. Helping you to have a successful project is our goal.
- What kind of work does your facility do?
- Does your company have a Quality Assurance Program?
- What if I need continuous business forms, big color prints, labels, large vinyl color banners, or other items you do not manufacture at your facility?
- If you supply products or services not produced at your facility, don't I end up paying more than going direct to a service provider?
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
- What is a "proof"?
- Will the color of my final job match the colors on your proof?
- Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
- Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk or upload it to your FTP Site?
- What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your digital devices versus producing them on your presses?
- How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
- I got an estimate from you on the design of my project. Are there ever additional design charges?
- Do I have to pay sales tax on my job?
- Does your company accept credit cards for payment?
- I see you are a union shop. Does your union label have to appear on my job?
- Do you offer mailing services?
- What kind of work does your facility do?
Design Services - We utilize the latest design technology available in order to offer a full range of design services. If you need a brochure produced, we can work from your camera ready copy, use the files you provide on disk, or design your brochure from scratch.
Copy Services - Our high-speed duplicators can produce copies efficiently and economically whether you provide hard copy or bring in digital files on disk. Our production duplicating equipment allows us to deliver work quickly and efficiently.
Printing Services - From one-color to full-color printing, our facility has the capability to meet your needs. From short run to long run, we can offer a solution that will be just right for you.
Finishing Services - We can cut, perforate, score, number, fold, collate, saddle stitch, bind, and do just about any other bindery process you could need.
Mailing Services - We can provide folding, inserting, wafer sealing, match mailing, bulk mailing and other related services.
- Does your company have a Quality Assurance Program?
Absolutely. We developed our own Quality Assurance Program long before the industry created this term. We recognized the need for consistent quality of both the process and the manufactured product.
Our program calls for establishing standard operating policies for each part of our production process. One of the most critical elements is to produce and date a completed master for each of your jobs. We keep each master in your job jacket to ensure consistency from job to job. In this way, each person who handles your project has a benchmark to check against.
Our quality assurance standards rank with the highest in our industry. We believe that is one of the key reasons why we are still here "Since 1941".
- What if I need continuous business forms, big color prints, labels, large vinyl color banners, or other items you do not manufacture at your facility?
We offer all of these services and more, even though all may not be produced in-house. No one company can supply all things to all people. For over 50 years, we have been working with the best nitche trade suppliers in the country.
This means that you can expect the same quality, service and competitive prices on all of your needs.
- If you supply products or services not produced at your facility, don't I end up paying more than going direct to a service provider?
Not necessarily. We began developing partnerships with printing "trade shops" in 1951. Trade Shops only supply services to recognized printers. Because they work on "volume" for resale, their quality is excellent and their prices allow printers to manage your entire project at competitive prices.
Because of the large number of trade shops we work with, we can almost always supply what you need, when you need it.
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
We consider each project we produce a "custom job" and will discuss your schedule from the very start.
Typically, we divide the time into two parts:
1. Number of (work) days from submission of your complete copy to proof stage
2. Number of (work) days from return of approved proofs to delivery.
- What is a "proof"?
A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed at our facility or delivered to you in person.
On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show how the different colors will appear.
It is important to note that color proofs are approximations of the final printed piece. There is always some color variation between the two.
- Will the color of my final job match the colors on your proof?
Color proofs, whether online PDF or imaged onto paper, are approximations of the colors on your final printed job.
Because of the various technologies used to show proof colors on screen or on paper, there will always be a color and tonal difference no matter who you use to print your job.
If you require the minimum difference between the color on your proof and final job, let us know in the Special Instructions portion of our Request an Estimate form. We can offer high end color proofs that closely represent what the colors will look like on your final job.
However, we need to stress that there are always some shifts in color from proof to final print.
- Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
We employ human beings to produce your work and, last time we checked, humans are not perfect. Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
Industry standards recognize that the client is ultimately responsible for catching any errors on the proof. Therefore, as part of the proofing process, you will complete a Proof Review Form.
- Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk or upload it to your FTP Site?
Yes. There are many opportunities for things to "go wrong" even though your file may print properly using your equipment.
Review of our proof from the file you send is essential. Remember, what you see on the final proof is what will print.
- What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your digital devices versus producing them on your presses?
The advantages of our digital devices are best realized on runs of 1000 or less requiring black printing and where a fast turnaround is needed.
If the piece includes photos or halftone screens, the copy quality would be lower than that achieved by the offset printing process. On longer runs or where multiple colors are desired, as well as when screens or halftones require higher quality, offset printing would be the best choice.
The only disadvantage of the offset printing process is the longer production time requirements and increased cost in short runs.
- How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online Request an Estimate form. Otherwise, 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 customer service representatives.
- I got an estimate from you on the design of my project. Are there ever additional design charges?
There may be. Our charges for design services are based on a clear understanding of what type of work you want us to do. We make every effort to transfer your instructions into a completed design.
We will discuss our design concept with you. Once you approve, we move on to completing the design. At this point we furnish a proof which is either an online PDF or a color proof output on paper. The purpose of the proof is to show that we have accurately reproduced the design concept and your text and images.
You will not pay for corrections if we have not reproduced your information according to our understanding.
If you decide to make any changes after approving of the design concept and graphics, this is considered new and additional work. The printing industry calls this Author's Alterations and charges for this additional service on an additional time and material basis. We will give you an estimate on the additional charges. These additioanl charges will be added to the original design fee which you approved.
- Do I have to pay sales tax on my job?
We are obligated to add Pennsylvania sales tax (currently 6%) to the costs of certain products and services we produce when delivered in Pennsylvania.
We will not charge PA sales tax if you can furnish a properly completed PA Sales Tax Exemption Certificate. This certificate must be in our hands prior to invoicing and shipping your job.
- Does your company accept credit cards for payment?
We accept MasterCard, VISA and American Express. Your information is secure with us.
- I see you are a union shop. Does your union label have to appear on my job?
No. You decide whether you want it printed on your jobs.
- Do you offer mailing services?
We can provide folding, inserting, wafer sealing, match mailing, bulk mailing and other related services.
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