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We have customer service agents to assist from the hours of 9:00am to 6:00pm PST Monday through Friday. Afterhours you can email us and we will respond to your requests the following morning. return to top You can reach us at (213) 748-9400 from 9am to 6:00pm. You can also email us anytime. return to top What about my information and security? All the information we collect is not shared with any outsides companies or websites. Only Impress GDP Inc, and its subdivisions will use your information to contact you when necessary. The credit card information is only used to bill you for products and services ordered. Our secure shopping cart runs on the latest secure server technology. Your order is submitted and retrieved with a secure connection to our server and remains secure at all times. Visa has a Zero Liability policy and most other credit card companies limit your liability to $50 or less in the case of fraudulent use of your card. return to top How can I reach someone for questions or instructions? Phone (213) 748-9400 Fax: (213) 748-9405 Email us at: info@impressgdp.com IM: impressgdpprint We will respond to your questions immediately return to top What forms of payment do you accept? What if I am not satisfied with my printing?
Are the colors going to come out perfect? A Matchprint Color Proof must be ordered at the time of order if your job is color critical. . If a color proof is not ordered we are not responsible for any variations in color from your monitor to our presses. Color variations will occur and is natural to the printing process. PLEASE make sure you order a color proof if you are looking to attain perfect color on your order. REMEMBER, It can only be achieved by a Matchprint Color proof. return to top
It is your responsibility to make sure the files you upload to us our PROOFREA. We take the files and only check for issue with formatting. We are not respopnsible for any typos or proofing the artwork on any jobs. When you waive the option of receiveing a proof or approving the proof for any reason YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. return to top Can I make changes to my file prior to it being printed? No. Once you upload your images and send them to press, We start the process immediately. Calling back and trying to make changes is not an option. return to top It is a printout of your job as it will be printed. A Proof DOES NOT
GAURANTEE COLORS MATCHING see matchprint.
A proof will ensure that we have received your artwork and that it resembles
your original proof accurately and that everything is positioned according
to your requirements. CHECK YOUR PROOF thoroughly and look for any discrepancies
such as fonts, typos, and missing images. We will not be responsible for
errors once a proof is approved. Please proof your own jobs before submitting
them online. A proof is not required for printing. return
to top Our prices to you reflect "Print Ready" artwork. When the specifications (see guidelines) are not correct it takes our staff time to fix the error. We charge based on the hourly rate to our design team specialists and teh average time necessary to correct your files. return to top Why do I need to send my fonts? If your file format is not that of a flattened image such as a JPG,
we require you to submit files and include fonts. This is the number one
item that wreaks havoc with the potential success of your file output
and making your deadlines. Sometimes we can have different versions of
the same fonts, or not have your fonts at all. In order for your document
to look the way you intended it, we need your fonts. We can not substitute
fonts or try and change your file without your permission. In other words,
your job has to wait until we can get in touch with you and obtain the
missing font(s). return to top Within three applications (Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, and
Corel Draw) there is a way to make the type into a vector/pixel format.
The application actually "draws" around each letter. In Illustrator,
that feature is called "create outlines"; in Freehand, it's
called "convert to path"; and in Corel Draw, it's called "text
to curves". return to top 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. return to top 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. return to top What are the most common card stocks used in postcards? The three most popular card stocks offered by printers are: What are the common sizes for catalogs and booklets? Most commercial printers will offer your catalog or booklets in these standard sizes 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 8-1/2" x 11" or 11 x 17. return to top What kind of paper will my job be printed on? We have several paper types available, depending on what you are ordering. The individual pricing pages show available options. return to top What are the postal requirements for my envelopes?
There are three standard sizes of brochures 8 1/2x11, 8 1/2x14, and 11x17 return to top 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. return to top What does the book printer mean by trim size? The trim size refers to the actual size of the finished book. return to top What does the gutter refer to in book printing? The gutter is the space between the printed area and binding (AKA margins). Make sure your gutter corresponds to the binding being used What is the difference between Matte and Gloss Paper Stock? return to top Matte stock is a coated paper that has a dull finish. It is often used
to make pages easier to read that are text intensive or that contain numerical
charts. Gloss stock is a coated paper with a shiny or highly reflective
finish. It is most often used in 4-color printing to help full color photographs,
images and graphics appear more vivid, real and appealing. return
to top Body and text stock both mean the inside pages of a book or catalog.
return to top The difference between 70# and 80# is the weight and thickness of each
sheet of paper. The 80# would be slightly thicker and heavier than 70#.
See question 6 above for further detail. return to top Yes, but only within the same type. For instance, let's assume you chose
70 # vs. 50# offset text stock for a newsletter. The 70# stock would be
more durable over time and result in less show through of the printed
image from on side of a sheet to the other. However, let's assume you
choose 70# gloss text vs. 70# offset for your newsletter. The gloss stock
would be more durable and result in greater ink holdout and glossier images
than the uncoated offset stock return to top What are the different types of bindings I can use for my multi-page
projects? What are the most common card stocks used in postcards? Why do photos printed in full color need to be colored CMYK? Full-color printing is done by using the four CMYK colors (cyan, magenta,
yellow, black) to make up the final colors. Therefore, the files we send
to the press need to be made up of only those four colors. If we receive
files colored in another way (mode), the conversion to CMYK is done by
the computer by "making up" information to resemble a CMYK mix.
Often, when a file is converted from another mode to CMYK, the colors
change substantially. Most notably, when converting from RGB, the colors
look “washed out”. return to top CMYK is a color model that makes all colors from combinations of cyan,
magenta, yellow, and black. It is what a press uses to make a color. Different
percentages of these four colors in combination with each other make different
pigments of color to use for printing. RGB (an acronym for red-green-blue)
is a color model in which a given color is specified by relative amounts
of the three primary colors. CMYK colors are actual pigments of color
whereas RGB colors are actually made up of streams of light (similar to
a light spectrum). Therefore, we cannot print using colors that are RGB,
only CMYK. return to top If we will receive a file in RGB mode, we will automatically convert
the files to CMYK mode for printing. We cannot print from files that are
saved in RGB mode. If you do not want us to change modes for you, then
you should convert your RGB file to CMYK mode yourself, before submitting
same file. Not every RGB color has a CMYK equivalent with the result that
there could be more than subtle color shifts. If you have not yet designed
your project and are reading this for the first time, please do not even
attempt to design in RGB mode, but start designing from scratch in CMYK
mode (that is the way professionals design cards). This way, you will
not be surprised at the end of your project, when you will have done all
your detailed work and finally decided to convert your painstaking project
to CMYK mode for submission to us. Graphic files saved in RGB mode are designed to be viewed utilizing
your monitor which is luminous. This is not the same format that is used
for printing. Therefore, the properties of RGB and CMYK will show up differently
on your monitor for each of these modes. This becomes extremely evident
if one tries to print an RGB file on high end four color process presses.
RGB images will not reproduce at all. Just because your RGB file prints
on your $200 ink jet printer does not necessarily mean that it is compatible
with $1,000,000 5 color Heidelberg presses plus inline coaters. We will print with whatever dpi is approved on your files. We recommend that you submit black and white (lineart) images scanned at least at 600 dpi, grayscale images at 300 dpi, and full-color photos at 300 dpi for the best possible quality. If your files were submitted at a different dpi than what we recommend and that resolution has been approved, that is what will print. return to top Does white count as a printing color? White does not typically count as a color due to the fact that this is the color of the paper in most cases. return to top What does the book printer mean by trim size?
Unlike inkjet printers or color photocopiers, full color (c-m-y-k) printing provides accurate, detailed, brilliant reproduction of your originals at a low cost-per-sheet. Look at any magazine cover - Time, People, National Geographic - for an example of 4-color process printing. This is the kind of printing found at "commercial printers", not your local quick-printer shop. return to top How well will my job match what I see on my monitor? Most people are surprised at how well their job matches what they see. But because of wide differences in monitor calibration and the different technologies used, some printed colors may not exactly match the colors on your specific monitor. return to top Will you match a sample I print out on my own printer, or a previously printed sample? At ImpressGDP.com, part of the way we offer fast turnaround and low
pricing is by printing to a "pleasing color" standard, using
standard ink densities. Therefore, there is no guarantee that your finished
piece will approximate your printed sample. This is due in part to the
widely varying results from different output devices including inkjet
and laser printers, continuous tone proofing devices, high-resolution
film-based proofs, and different than true offset lithography. Even from
one commercial printing firm to another, there can be significant differences
in results. In particular, inkjet and laser prints are known to look substantially
different than true offset lithography.\ What is the difference between the RGB and CMYK color space and why does it matter? RGB refers to the primary colors of light, Red, Green and Blue, that
are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners.
CMYK refers to the primary colors of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and
Black. These are the inks used on the press in "4-color process printing",
commonly referred to as "full color printing". The combination
of RGB light creates white, while the combination of CMYK inks creates
black. Therefore, it is physically impossible for the printing press to
exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors. What are the advantages of full color printing? The highest quality and most appealing print publications are printed in full color using the 4-color (CMYK or Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) offset printing process. In contrast, computer monitors use a different color model called RGB (Red-Blue-Green). The result is often a difference between what we see on the screen and what we see in a printed piece. Studies have shown that full color increases readership and that there is over a 60 % increase in retention with full color versus black and white. Pick from an almost endless pallet of colors to create your next high quality, impact document in full living color. return to top Images 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. return to top Camera ready art is a high quality black and white print that is ready to be scanned. return to top
Digital cameras are wonderful tools that allow us to capture our images
in many different ways. The camera is designed to actually take three
pictures; one in red, one in green and the other in blue (similar to the
way a projection TV works). It then combines the colors together and saves
the image onto the picture card. It is very important to make sure that
the camera is set to the highest quality setting possible. This means
that if you can only save one image on the picture card instead of 12,
64 or 128 images, then this is good! You want to create the best quality
picture that the camera can make. This will mean large file sizes and
slow downloads from the camera itself, but it will get you the best possible
results from your camera. Remember, images should be at 300dpi in their
final size in the layout! How can I tell what resolution the image from my digital camera is? Some digital cameras will let you know what the image resolution is,
while others will tell you what the pixel dimensions of your image are.
If you know what the pixel dimensions of your images are either from the
camera itself or through the image editing software, you can do a little
math to determine the resolution, and the size you can print the image
at for clear and crisp printing. Here is a tip to calculate scanning a small photo into a larger one
with adequate resolution. SCAN THE PHOTO AT 600 dpi AT LEAST and 200% enlargement Example 2: PIXEL HEIGHT divided by 300 = THE SIZE OF THE FINAL IMAGE HEIGHT AT
300 dpi
What is dpi ? What are color separations? Bleed is Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page Live area Live Area on a mechanical within which images will print. What is a bleed, and why does it sound painful?
How do I provide artwork/graphics? What types of storage media do you accept? We can take your files on a CD, Zip. return to top How long will it take to upload my files? It will vary depending upon your file size, the speed of your Internet connection and the volume of Internet traffic at the time you send it. return to top How do I place an order and have my graphic designer upload my files separately? Call ImpressGDP. return to top Should I do anything special if I'm on AOL? If you use America Online (AOL) for your internet connection, you should be aware that AOL can limit your inactivity on the web and disconnect you from the internet if you are not a current, active user. Uploading files appears to be inactivity to AOL. It is recommended that you keep your AOL email account open at the same time you are uploading your files. This can trick AOL programming into thinking you are still active on the internet, thereby preventing the possibility of getting disconnected during your file upload. return to top What kind of electronic file format does ImpressGDP.com recommend? We can accept many different formats, but your original application files are the easiest to deal with followed by JPG. return to top
Visit our Site for an extensive collection of articles on design, printing, and graphics software. There's even an entire section on Photoshop! New info is added monthly, so feel free to bookmark this page as a resource. And of course our technicians are always available to assist you during business hours. You can reach us by email at info@ImpressGDP.com and by phone at 1-866-565-5255. return to top FILE PREPARATION Can I send you documents created in MS Word or PowerPoint? No. What other file formats can you take? We can take any Mac or PC version of Quark, Pagemaker, InDesign, CorelDRAW!, Illustrator, Photoshop, Freehand, Publisher, Word, PowerPoint and any file output as a PDF. How well will my job match what I see on my monitor? Most people are surprised at how well their job matches what they see. But because of wide differences in monitor calibration and the different technologies used, some printed colors may not exactly match the colors on your specific monitor. We do our best to make your job look good. See our design hints page for a more technical description. Do I need to impose my business cards 8-up or 10-up if they will be printed more than 1 to a sheet? No, send us a single layout of your job unimposed, we will handle any imposition needed on our end. How do I create files to send to you? APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: FILE FORMATS AND SPECIFICATIONS: Dont send any publisher files. How do I check for proper imposition or backup? "Imposition" and "backup" refer to how the front of a printed piece is oriented to the back. In the case of a brochure, you normally turn it over right-to-left (like you turn the page of a book) in order to have the back side read correctly -- not upside down. Seems simple, until you get to a postcard where one side is layed out in landscape (horizontal) orientation, and the other side in portrait (vertical) orientation. We use our best judgement when imposing a job, so that it backs up in the most natural or normal manner. Some designs, however, contain both portrait and landscape elements on both sides, making it difficult to make a clear call. When reviewing your proof online, we will always post the front and the back in the orientation that they will print in relation to each other. So, if page 2 appears upside down, that is how it will be printed on the back of page 1. (Some people want it that way, so that the recipient of the piece must turn it over top-to-bottom in order to read it correctly.) Be sure to print out a copy of your online proof, and attach the two sides to each other to create a "mockup" or "dummy." This is especially important when a job will be folded. PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a universal file format developed
by Adobe that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics and color
of of any source document. It allows a file to read through the use of
Acrobat Reader ( a free program available from Adobe) regardless of the
hardware or software platform on which the file was created. File upload is transfer files via our web site, File Transfer Protocol
or FTP will allow you to transfer larger files via our FTP site, using
an FTP client such as CuteFTP or WSFTP. return to top It depends; all of them have their bright spots. File upload can be
done right on the web site and will allow you to quickly send files over
the Internet. E-mail will allow you to attach files and send quickly through
the e-mail servers. Both File upload and e-mail can have restrictions
in the size of the files being sent over the Internet. FTP or File Transfer
Protocol, can handle very large files, and is very stable when transferring.
Depending on the size of your files you should choose the option that
you are most comfortable with. return to top Sometimes files are too large for certain types of file transfers. If
your file takes hours to transfer, you probably need to use FTP to exchange
the files. FTP is very stable and quick at sending large files over the
Internet. Can ImpressGDP.com handle different printing options and products other than the standard products and choices that are listed? Absolutely, ImpressGDP.com offers complete pre-press, printing and finishing
or bindery capabilities. If you have a unique project, simply call us
or go to our quote form on our website, give us your specifications and
we will get back to you with a quotation. Most 1-color printing is black ink on a white stock. However, you can
vary the ink cover to perhaps a blue, red or brown to create a different
look. You can also print different color inks on different color papers
to create an even more dramatic look. 2-color print publications frequently use black and one other color to create a higher impact than can be achieved with 1-color. However, any two colors can often be used to create just the look you need without the time and expense of going to 4-color process printing. If you require precise color match, please contact us to arrange for a film-based Press-Match proof. Once you approve the additional fees (starting at $500), we will produce
and send you a hard proof via overnight delivery. When you approve and
return the proof, we will strive to match the color of the proof when
printing your final piece. If your Business Card Needs to be Actual size? Due to our gang run printing, it is extremely hard to cut business cards to an exact 3.5x2 size. Business Cards are always cut down about 1/16 inch when printed on a gang run. If a business card needs to be final size 3.5x2 then the client must request this before ordering and an additional fee will be added. Contact a representative at Plgraphics for questions on how to set up a business card [final size 3.5x2]. return to top Can I order 2-color printing from you? We suggest you get the best value for your dollar and go for full color. Nonetheless, you may use any of our product pages (with the exception of postcards and business cards) to order 2-color printing. Simply place your order as usual, then specify in the comments section that it's a 2-color job and what PMS colors you have selected. Since we are so efficient at producing high-quality 4-color work, 2-color pieces will be priced the same as 4-color. 2-color postcards and business cards will be converted to 4-color process equivalents before printing. return to top Can you print jobs that are different than the standard formats that you offer? Yes. Use our form on the Custom Pieces page to request a quote on any job that doesn't fit our standard formats. To keep things simple, please place a separate order for each different printed piece you want produced. For example, if you want 3 different 11x17 brochures, please place 3 orders. Obviously, the price for 3,000 of one brochure is not the same as the price for 1,000 each of 3 different brochures. return to top What type of material can I print my banner or
sign on? How long does it take for you to complete my order? Once we receive your Order Form, Artwork, Printed Proof and Payment, we'll send you a confirmation of your order. Within 24 hours after this, you'll receive a PDF proof of your artwork. Once you approve this proof, your postcards will be completed within 7 working business days. Rush service is available at additional costs return to top How long does it take for me to get the proof of my job? Once you have placed your order, you should get it within 2 business days after we receive your electronic files. How long will it take to get my order? SHIPPING Please make sure you contact us to arrange your shipping in order for us to get you your job on time. return to top How can I get my order even faster? Our standard service is quite fast. We ship your order within 7 working
business days after you approve your proof online. In most parts of the
country, that means you will have your order in about 7-10 days. If you
want to receive your order faster, select one of our faster handling options
or upgraded shipping options when you place your order. We'll ship your order within 7 working business days of receipt of final
proof approval. For even faster turnaround, we also offer a Rush shipment.
No, the Turnaround Time is how long it will take ImpressGDP.com to complete
your project. This is the time from final proof approval to job shipment.
All jobs are shipped and you can choose from four different alternatives
- - ground to next day air. return to top You can track your order by clicking on Order Status at the bottom of any web site page. return to top How much do you charge for shipping/handling?
Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote, give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives. return to top Is it Safe to Buy High-Quality Printing Online? Give us your daytime and evening phone numbers. If you are on a tight
deadline and looking for quick turnaround, it is also a good idea to give
us the name and phone number of someone else who can speak knowledgeably,
answer questions, and make decisions about you job. return
to top Sending files via disk is preferable, especially for larger files. We
have no limit on email. Our guidelines for creating your file need to
be followed regardless of how your file is sent to us. return
to top If you need someone to keep an eye out for a particular email you send,
please be sure to call the location you are sending your files to so a
representative can watch for your transmission. return
to top Email is generally checked every morning, unless you contact ImpressGDP
to let us know your file is coming. It may take anywhere from 2-45 minutes
to download your file, depending on the size. After downloading, the files
are routed to our preflight department to be sorted into the work rotation.
Our goal is to preflight every order within 24 hours of receipt. Please keep in mind that the volume of incoming files can affect how quickly your files are reviewed. If you have emailed your files, it may not arrive immediately because it is traveling through the Internet. return to top Once you receive my file, how long does it take to go into production? Once your file arrives, it is our goal to get your order into production within 24 hours. However, our preflight and graphic departments have to verify that your file has been sent to our specifications. Production time does not begin until your files are approved! return to top What if I need technical support? Technical support is available for all customers by calling (213) 748-9400
during business days from 8am to 5pm PST. return to top Absolutely, we have a shopping cart, which will allow you to purchase
several printing projects at one time. We consider customer questions a top priority so we try to answer questions
in less than two hours during the business day. return
to top You will receive a unique order number once you submit your project
for printing. Keep that order number for your records for ease in any
follow up that may be necessary. return to top Your password can be accessed by using our password retrieval system. Simply fill in the information required and we will send you an e-mail with your password. return to top If you are already a registered user, how do you change addresses and other information? You may change your information through the ordering process, which
will ask you if your information is correct, or you can sign on as a new
customer and register your new information. return to top |
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