Electronic Printing, Inc. : Resources & Support : Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.

At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
How can I have a personalized Customer Portal set up for my business?
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
How long does it take for you to complete my order?
Is white considered a printing color?
Tips on how to save your design files
What are your file requirements for digital printing?
What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
What is a "proof"?
What is a Customer Portal?
What is the Pantone Matching System?
What type of products and services do you provide?
Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?

Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.

Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.

Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.
How can I have a personalized Customer Portal set up for my business? All you need to do is send your request for your personalized customer portal to mdk@epi-printing.com and we'll set you up and notify you via email with all the details you'll need. Be sure to include your vitals: name, company, address, phone, fax, and email. We can even set up a "blind" portal for you in case you have customers checking online proofs. We can place your company logo on the page if you provide us with a quality JPEG. When your customer logs in, they will see your logo.
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

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 is to give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.
How long does it take for you to complete my order?

This depends on the type of order you are placing, your time requirements, and our in-house work load. Please inquire when you are ready to request an estimate.
Is white considered a printing color?

Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.
Tips on how to save your design files

Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

COREL DRAW:
Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
• Export as Illustrator EPS

FREEHAND:
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to paths
• Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF

PAGEMAKER:
Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
• Export your file as an EPS using the below settings:
Postscript Level 2
CMYK Mode
TIFF format and
Binary

PUBLISHER:
You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below.
Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer
Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF
What are your file requirements for digital printing?

SPECIAL NOTE TO QUARKPASSPORT USERS

If you are using QuarkPassport, please make sure you select SINGLE LANGUAGE when saving your files. If you save your file as a Multiple Language document we will NOT be able to open it. This does not apply to QuarkXpress.

PDF FILE PREPARATION FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS

PDF files are preferable, but please note we have limited capabilities to make changes or corrections to your PDF files. If providing PDF files be sure to embedded all fonts, DO NOT SUBSET FONTS, be sure your images are 300-600 dpi, and convert all colors/documents to CMYK. Include a .125” symmetrical bleed on ALL pages even if only one bleeds. PDF should be Press Quality or PDF/X-1a compatible. No crop or printer’s marks.

OTHER DIGITAL FILE PREPARATION FOR OPTIMUM OUTPUT

• Never ZIP Mac fonts. Stuff using .sitx or .sit formats
• Always include your fonts and any special program extensions you may have used.
• Be sure all color images have been converted to CMYK - never RGB.
• Be sure all black and white images have been converted to GRAYSCALE - never RGB.
• DO NOT embedded JPEG 2000 format images in your document. It has proven unstable on our digital presses. Please use TIFF, JPEG, or EPS files.
• DO NOT provide files in either reader or printer spreads. Imposition takes place on our press.
• Areas of white within a color should NEVER be an overprint.
• Large areas of solid black in 4/C documents (with the exception of type) should be C-35%, M-35%, Y-35%, K-100% for best coverage.
• If your document contains bleed, your page size should be exactly .25” (horizontally and vertically) larger than you imageable area (or document size). This allows for a .125” symmetrical bleed. We do not want printer’s, crops, or registration marks if your files are set up this way. In order to print as many images on a sheet as possible, our digital press prefers files without these marks. A single page of bleed in any document means ALL PAGES must contain the same .125” symmetrical bleed for proper page imposition and trimming.
• We need to know your final trim size; but your files should NOT contain any crop, registration or printer’s marks.
• Whether providing Mac or PC files, always include your program's file extension (e.g. - .qxp, .qxd, .doc, .indd, .ai, .eps, and so on)as part of your file name.
• If you have questions that are not answered here, please send an email to mdk@epi-printing.com providing as much information as possible so we can answer you inquiry as effectively as possible.
What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?

PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources.
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 in our shop or delivered to you in person. On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our Kodak Nexpress to show how the different colors will appear.
What is a Customer Portal?
What is the Pantone Matching System?

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.
What type of products and services do you provide?

Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.
Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.

	Frequently Asked Questions Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics? How can I have a personalized Customer Portal set up for my business? How do I go about getting an estimate from you? How long does it take for you to complete my order? Is white considered a printing color? Tips on how to save your design files What are your file requirements for digital printing? What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing? What is a "proof"? What is a Customer Portal? What is the Pantone Matching System? What type of products and services do you provide? Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen? At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics? Resolution should be set to 300 dpi. Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed. Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know. How can I have a personalized Customer Portal set up for my business? All you need to do is send your request for your personalized customer portal to mdk@epi-printing.com and we'll set you up and notify you via email with all the details you'll need. Be sure to include your vitals: name, company, address, phone, fax, and email. We can even set up a "blind" portal for you in case you have customers checking online proofs. We can place your company logo on the page if you provide us with a quality JPEG. When your customer logs in, they will see your logo. How do I go about getting an estimate from you? 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 is to give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives. How long does it take for you to complete my order? This depends on the type of order you are placing, your time requirements, and our in-house work load. Please inquire when you are ready to request an estimate. Is white considered a printing color? Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it. Tips on how to save your design files Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print. COREL DRAW: Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS • Embed all Images • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts • Export as Illustrator EPS FREEHAND: • Embed all Images • Convert all your text/copy to paths • Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF PAGEMAKER: Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS • Embed all Images • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts • Export your file as an EPS using the below settings: Postscript Level 2 CMYK Mode TIFF format and Binary PUBLISHER: You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below. Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF What are your file requirements for digital printing? SPECIAL NOTE TO QUARKPASSPORT USERS If you are using QuarkPassport, please make sure you select SINGLE LANGUAGE when saving your files. If you save your file as a Multiple Language document we will NOT be able to open it. This does not apply to QuarkXpress. PDF FILE PREPARATION FOR OPTIMUM RESULTS PDF files are preferable, but please note we have limited capabilities to make changes or corrections to your PDF files. If providing PDF files be sure to embedded all fonts, DO NOT SUBSET FONTS, be sure your images are 300-600 dpi, and convert all colors/documents to CMYK. Include a .125” symmetrical bleed on ALL pages even if only one bleeds. PDF should be Press Quality or PDF/X-1a compatible. No crop or printer’s marks. OTHER DIGITAL FILE PREPARATION FOR OPTIMUM OUTPUT • Never ZIP Mac fonts. Stuff using .sitx or .sit formats • Always include your fonts and any special program extensions you may have used. • Be sure all color images have been converted to CMYK - never RGB. • Be sure all black and white images have been converted to GRAYSCALE - never RGB. • DO NOT embedded JPEG 2000 format images in your document. It has proven unstable on our digital presses. Please use TIFF, JPEG, or EPS files. • DO NOT provide files in either reader or printer spreads. Imposition takes place on our press. • Areas of white within a color should NEVER be an overprint. • Large areas of solid black in 4/C documents (with the exception of type) should be C-35%, M-35%, Y-35%, K-100% for best coverage. • If your document contains bleed, your page size should be exactly .25” (horizontally and vertically) larger than you imageable area (or document size). This allows for a .125” symmetrical bleed. We do not want printer’s, crops, or registration marks if your files are set up this way. In order to print as many images on a sheet as possible, our digital press prefers files without these marks. A single page of bleed in any document means ALL PAGES must contain the same .125” symmetrical bleed for proper page imposition and trimming. • We need to know your final trim size; but your files should NOT contain any crop, registration or printer’s marks. • Whether providing Mac or PC files, always include your program's file extension (e.g. - .qxp, .qxd, .doc, .indd, .ai, .eps, and so on)as part of your file name. • If you have questions that are not answered here, please send an email to mdk@epi-printing.com providing as much information as possible so we can answer you inquiry as effectively as possible. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing? PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources. 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 in our shop or delivered to you in person. On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our Kodak Nexpress to show how the different colors will appear. What is a Customer Portal? What is the Pantone Matching System? The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process. What type of products and services do you provide? Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen? In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways. Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model. When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.		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