T/O Printing: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who can I contact for custom print jobs?
A. You can contact any of our Sales Reps for help in getting started on a custom print job. We also have an online Estimate Request Form available for your convenience.

Q. Can you print from my computer files?
A. Usually, however this answer is largely dependent on the application being used. We can generally accept files created in any of the prominent graphics applications (Adobe, Macromedia and Quark). Many programs are ill suited to a digital workflow and don't always work for high-end film imaging. Many Microsoft products (like Word) don't have or don't support functions that are needed for print. Please contact us before starting a new project and find out if we can support your chosen application.

Q. How can I produce a professional product while getting the most for my dollar?
A. Consulting with your print rep early in the planning stage will prove invaluable. By understanding what you want from the start, your rep can help you get as close as possible to your original idea.

Your print rep is your most valuable resource. They can advise you on equipment capabilities and limitations, and offer the best choices of paper weight and catalog size to minimize mailing costs.

Variables such as size, number of illustrations, photos, colors, page counts and binding all affect the work to be done and the time it requires. By providing as many details on the catalog's composition as you can, your print rep can explain all the possibilities.

Know your budget constraints and communicate them to your print rep early on. If you want to add special effects, but lack the funds, your print rep can suggest alternatives that provide the savings you need to afford those finishing touches.

Review your proofs carefully. Certain corrections, such as brightening whites, can be fixed on the original scan to avoid costly color corrections.

Q. How can I accomplish an effective mailing?
A. Design a test piece that can be economically produced in rollout quantities.

Take advantage of postal discounts. Ask us about suggestions.

Decide whether the piece will be inserted into an envelope, pocket folder or recipient's file folder.

Consider the number of pages required. Eight or sixteen page increments are most economical, and a self-cover is less expensive than separate cover and text.

Make the most of your paper. Choose standard sizes that efficiently maximize press image area. Substitutions of equivalent grades can also save money, without affecting quality.

Q. How do I know which paper is right for my printed piece?
A. Consult with your printing rep early in the process of choosing paper for your printed pieces. Ask about the economies of using house stocks. It's also good to have an understanding of how paper and its characteristics affect your finished product. Here is a list of paper terms you should know:

Grain refers to the position of the fibers in paper. This is most important in printing and binding. Paper folds smoothly with the grain and is stiffer. When folded across the grain, it can crack or become rough. For example, grain direction in books and catalogs should be parallel with the binding edge to reduce curl and make the pages lie flat and turn easier.

Basis Weight is a way of identifying paper. In the U.S., it refers to the weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) in the basic size for that grade. The basis size in the U.S. is not the same for all grades of paper. Book paper, cover paper, bond paper, newsprint, etc. all differ.

Color affects the color reproduction of lighter tints. Paper colors vary with advertising fads from cool to warm shades. Type is more easily read against a soft or yellowish white, while process colors reproduce most accurately on neutral white paper.

Gloss affects the appearance of the ink film.

It's wise to ask for printed samples of paper, not just mill samples or swatch books.

Smoothness is a very important property for letterpress and gravure, but has little effect on offset. Smooth surfaces have irregularities that cannot be seen by the naked eye, but can be detected by a magnifying glass. As smoothness decreases, solids and halftones become grainy in appearance. Type is not affected to that degree.

Certain papers meet the 7 pt. minimum of postal requirements. These include 80 lb. coated cover, 65 lb. uncoated cover, 7 pt. hi-bulk matte or uncoated, double thickness of 70 lb. coated text and double thickness of 60 lb. uncoated text.

Refractiveness relates to light absorption in the surface of the paper, causing halftones to appear darker than they should.

Dummies are for smart people. Ask us, or your paper merchant, to supply a paper dummy (mock up) of the exact size and weight of paper you are considering. The paper dummy should be shown to your designer, client/marketing people, printer, and mail house/fulfillment center so that everyone involved has a clear sense of what's involved.

Strength of paper is more dependent on the nature of its fiber content than its thickness. Papers that are subjected to considerable tension in use, such as those printed on web presses, should have high tensile strength as well as high tear strength.

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