Resources

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.

1. What type of products and services do you provide?
2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
3. Supported File Formats and Applications
4. Non-Supported Applications
5. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
6. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
7. What is the Pantone Matching System?
8. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
9. Is white considered a printing color?
10. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?

1. What type of products and services do you provide?

   Good question! United Graphics is a full service printer, able to print and bind and mail a wide array of books and brochures, in both small and large quantities. To see a broader listing and description of what we can offer you, checkout out the Products & Services area in the Services Section of our website.

2. 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.

3. Supported File Formats and Applications

   We highly recommend that files are submitted in PDF format. If native files are submitted they are converted to PDF as part of our normal Prepress process.

   Here is the list of applications and file formats we support:

   Indesign CS through CS4
   Illustrator CS through CS4
   Photoshop CS through CS4
   Quark 7 and 8

4. Non-Supported Applications

   We do not support or accept files from the following applications:
   Corel Draw
   Microsoft Publisher
   Freehand
   Pagemaker
   Quark 6 or lower

   We will accept print ready PDF files produced from these applications. Click here for instructions on how to produce a print ready PDF file from these applications.

5. 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.

6. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?

   In printing terms, a proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last and best opportunity to make sure that the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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. For PC applications we recommend PDF 995 for easy PDF creation.

• PDF995