USEFUL PRINTING TIPS

What is the most effective way to design a brochure?

What are the grades of paper and the basis weight of each?

“Dots per Inch” - Is there a difference?

What is the difference between 100# text stock and 14pt card stock?

What does (4 over 1) or (4 over 4) mean?

Should I put my photo on my business card?

What is the difference between coated and uncoated stock?

What are the different types of bindings I can use for my multi-page projects?

What is dpi?

What materials can labels be made from?

What does camera-ready mean?

What is the (PMS) Pantone Matching System?

How do I prepare my text for the printer?

What type of label is best for outdoor and industrial applications?

Saving Dollars when the Budget is Tight

Choosing the Right Printer for your Job

WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DESIGN A BROCHURE?

1. Define the purpose of the brochure: Is it for attention or simplicity? Do you want to grab the reader’s attention or do you want them to understand a message.


2. Simplify your message: Break down any long articles, simplify text by adding tables and charts.


3. Use selective emphasis: Reserve emphasis for the most important parts of your message. Add visual contrast by using larger typeface or graphics.


4. Keep the design simple: Use a few colors and fonts. Don’t overdo it.


5. Use a single illustration on the cover.


6. Make your brochure worth keeping: Encourage the consumer to keep it handy.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES OF PAPER AND THE BASIS WEIGHT OF EACH?

The standard weight of a paper is defined by the weight of 500 standard-sized sheets in pounds. These are the different grades of paper and their respective basis weights.

Bond: Usually reserved for letterheads, business forms, and quick printing jobs. 16# for forms, 20# for copying, and 24# for stationary.

Text: A high-quality sheet with a lot of texture. Ranges in weight from 60# to 100#, but the most common weights are 70# or 80#
Uncoated Book: The most common sheet for offset printing. Usually a 50# to 70# stock.

Coated Book: A glossy sheet that yields vivid colors and excellent reproduction. Generally goes from 30# to 70# for web, 60# to 110# for sheet fed.

Cover: Used for book covers, postcards, and business cards. Coated or uncoated. Come in 60#, 65#, 80# or 100# weights.

“DOTS PER INCH” - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

Scanned images can drastically increase the amount of time and disk space it takes to save a file, as well as the amount of time it takes to print. The amount of detail recorded by the scanner is measured in dots-per-inch (dpi). The higher the resolution or dpi, the more detail in the image and the larger the file size. When you include a scanned image in a file, you may want to keep the following points in mind:

• Use the optimum scanning resolution to keep images from getting unnecessarily large. Do this by matching the scanning resolution to the capacity of the output device.


• If an image has more resolution than a printer can print, the printer simply ignores the excess.


• The best scanning resolution is equal to 1.5 to two times the number of lines per inch (lpi) of the printer.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 100# TEXT STOCK AND 14PT CARD STOCK?

100# text is measured in weight. 14 pt is measured in thickness. It can be hard to differentiate between the two unless you know both weight and thickness. The size paper comes from the mill is called “parent” or “basis” size, and it differs for different kinds of paper. This is why “80# cover” is heavier than “100# text.” The point system, on the other hand, measures paper thickness, not weight, and is typically used with coated papers. Make sure you ask the printer before they begin your work.

WHAT DOES (4 OVER 1) OR (4 OVER 4) MEAN?

4 over 1 refers to full color on the front and black & white on the back. 4 over 4 refers to full color on both the front and back.

SHOULD I PUT MY PHOTO ON MY BUSINESS CARD?

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of adding your photo to a business card:

The advantages:

• Cards with a photo on them are often placed on top of any pile of cards and are easier to locate later due to the fact that they usually have more color than the typical business card.


• Photos give prospects a chance to begin getting acquainted. People enjoy doing business with people they know. If you’re in a business that requires a great deal of trust or confidentiality, anything you can do to seem approachable is helpful.


• A business card with your photo on it will help a new contact find you in a meeting or help to differentiate you in a group of people. If you often make initial contact with someone on the phone or via email, sending them a card with your photo on it before you meet in person is a thoughtful gesture.


• Photos add color and interest to an otherwise boring card.


The disadvantages:

• People make judgments based on the way we look, and it’s more than just professional attire or the expression on your face. Your race, gender and age are also factors that may influence someone’s choice to contact you.


• Photos add cost, not only in printing, but in having a good quality photo taken.


• Your hairdo and your clothing in your photo can date you. If you do not make new cards often (with updated photos), that can be a distinct disadvantage.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COATED AND UNCOATED STOCK?

Uncoated stock is a rough porous type of paper. It is normally used in newspapers and tends to be less expensive. Coated stock has a smooth glossy finish. Printing on this type of paper will sharpen your text and graphic layouts. Coated stock, however, can be a bit more expensive.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BINDINGS I CAN USE FOR MY MULTI-PAGE PROJECTS?

1. Perfect binding: Gluing the outside edge of the signatures to create a flat edge.


2. Saddle-stitch binding: Uses one or more staples on the fold of the signature.


3. Side-stitch binding: Stapling the signatures together on the side rather than the fold.


4. Case binding: Signatures are sewn together and attached to the hard cover.


5. Plastic comb binding: Plastic teeth are fitting into a stack of pages.


6. Three-ring binding: Holes are punched into the pages and fitted into a binder.

WHAT IS DPI?

Dots per Inch. The measurement of resolution for page printers, photo type setting machines and graphics screens. Graphics screens usually reproduce 60 to 72 dpi, most page printers 300 dpi, and typesetting systems 1,000 dpi.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN LABELS BE MADE FROM?

1. Paper-Uncoated: Uncoated paper can be written on by hand or by machine.


2. Paper-High Gloss: High gloss paper provides good printability, not for hand writing.


3. Vinyl: Vinyl is best for an outdoor environment or if the label is to be applied to a vinyl surface.


4. Acetate: Acetate is best for a clear look.


5. Mylar/Polyester: Mylar/polyester is best for a label applied to an object with sharp corners.

WHAT DOES CAMERA-READY MEAN?

This is a printing term used for digitally submitted files. Basically, it means that the image is ready to be transferred to the printing plates. The printer does not have to make any alterations to your files.

WHAT IS THE (PMS) PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM?

The Pantone Matching System, also known as the PMS color system, is a popular color matching system used by the printing industry to print specific colors. PMS match book are book of color where each PMS color has its own name or number that helps you make sure that your colors are the same each time you print, even if your monitor displays a different color or if you change printing services.

HOW DO I PREPARE MY TEXT FOR THE PRINTER?

Adobe PDF is the preferred text format used by most printers. It works with virtually all imagesetters, platesetters and digital output devises. Most popular file formats, including MS Word, Word Perfect, MS Publisher are easily converted to PDF. PDF is a “locked” format so there is no problem with reflow when the files are opened on different computers. PDF can be read on any PDF reader which are free at the Adobe website.

WHAT TYPE OF LABEL IS BEST FOR OUTDOOR AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS?

Labels intended for outdoor use need to be durable and have the ability to hold up to a wide variety of different weather conditions. Vinyl and polyester are top material choices for outdoor conditions. The matte finish on the vinyl media helps reduce glare, while the polyester’s glossy finish creates a sharp, shiny image. Bumper stickers are, typically, made of vinyl. Often outdoor labels or industrial labels require a UL listing. UL recognition ensures that a device, system or material has been tested and certified by this private organization to meet specific safety standards. The three primary tests to determine film and adhesive performance are a heat age test, outdoor weatherability, and exposure to various solutions. CSA is another testing organization devoted to establishing standards for safety, quality and performance. Unlike UL, which recognizes a substrate’s adhesion to specific individual surfaces, CSA recognizes nine substrate groups for applied labels. Silk screening or special inks may be required to help with the fading of inks.

SAVING DOLLARS WHEN THE BUDGET IS TIGHT

During the past several months printing and advertising budgets have fallen dramatically. To help minimize your printing costs, Viking Instant Print would like to offer these helpful tips to keep your printing project on budget.
The main objective when printing anything is efficiency. How efficient are you? How efficient is your printer? How can I get the printer to be sympathetic to my needs as a consumer? These are questions you must stop and ask yourself before starting your work or choosing a printer.

• Developing a relationship with your printer is the most important objective. You should feel confident asking your printer about optimizing efficiency. Here are a few tips to help you do so.


• Always ask the printer for recommendations. Whether it is paper type or the number of inks being used, a good printer will always be able to help you find what’s best and most efficient for your project.


• Always ask the printer about reducing paper waste. This is very important and can be quite expensive if not accomplished. In most cases, the paper or material cost is the largest part of the printers’ expense. Get the paper or material cost down and the price is sure to be lower.


• One color is always going to be least expensive to print. Keep your color designs to a minimum if possible. You’ll not only save money on ink but on the costs of the printing plates as well.


• Consider having your work printed on colored stock. This could save money if you were planning on a two colored print job.


• Print projects with bleeds typically cost more. Avoid a bleed if possible as this will help keep the amount of material lower (therefore lowering your costs).

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRINTER FOR YOUR JOB

With each printing job you order, your choice of printer can change. Experienced buyers of printing services often use several printers regularly. Your main goal as a consumer is match your print job to the printer who gives the best quality at the lowest price.
Printers can specialize in many areas. Some printers specialize in continuous-form materials such as invoices and purchase orders. Other printers focus on books, newsletters or post cards. It is also possible for printers to incorporate different printing methods as well, such as the popular offset lithography and gravure printing, while others use techniques like flexography or screen-printing.
Put large projects out to bid
Since some printers use different types of equipment, they may not be the suited to handle every print job. Since efficiency is the key, you may need to put large or complex print jobs out to bid. In other words, let competing printers vie for your business. This will allow you to find the best and most efficient printer based upon your particular print job.
Check References & Build a Relationship
How good is a printer’s service? An effective customer service representative will help manage the process smoothly and provide information as needed. You want a printer that will be able to make recommendations about paper sizes or ink. This will eventually help you become more efficient which will allow you to save time and money.