Tag Archives: printing

How To Save Time & Money Creating Files For Color Printing

  By colorppblog | May 9, 2017 - 4:59 pm |
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Being an online printing service we get a lot of customer files with production errors that slow down the job and can cost more money if the printing service has to fix it for you. Here are some tips and a checklist on how to create your own files.

File Submission Checklist:
Before uploading your files, make sure you check this list:

• RESOLUTION
All images must be 300 DPI to print the highest detail. Any DPI lower than 300 will diminish the printing quality. You cannot use images copied from your monitor, as they are only 72 DPI.

• CMYK
All files must be converted from RGB to CYMK (process colors). Do not use any other color system or the color will not be accurate to the image.

• BLEED
If you want to extend printing to the edges of the paper (bleed), be sure to extend a 1/8-inch (.125) all around. This will make sure you get a perfect edge.

• TRIM AREA
All borders that include text or images should be within 1/4 inch (.25) from the edge of the trim. Free templates are available with most online printing services.

• CROPMARKS
Cropmarks are very important if you are using spot UV coating or any place a mask is needed. They give the exact positioning of the mask or layer.

• RICH BLACK
Black backgrounds should have percentages of 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100%. Black. Blacks on your screen will look the same but when it prints, it will be dramatically different. Make sure type is only at 100% black especially fonts under 28pt. for readability.

• FONTS
High resolution PDF are preferred and it will speed up processing. Fonts should be embedded to avoid problems.

• SPOT UV or Foil masks
Jobs with spot UV coating or foil need an additional 100% grayscale black mask that specifies the position of the UV or foil positioning.

If you follow the above 8 steps, your files will pass the preflight test that will speed up the process and save a lot of time & money.

CREATING A CYMK BLUE FOR PRINTING

  By colorppblog | January 19, 2017 - 11:46 pm |
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Many people are surprised when they receive their printed piece to find that the color blue they wanted has now become purple. What they are not aware of is that blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Because monitors as well as some programs being used are in RGB, they do not see the changes that are made when printing converts their files from RGB to CYMK.

WHAT IS CYMK?

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.

Many programs such as photoshop and illustrator have the capability to convert the layout/images from the RGB color space to the CMYK color space. We request that you convert your colors from RGB to CMYK if your tools allow you to. By doing it yourself, you have maximum control over the results. Especially with blues, You willy notice a shift in color when converting from RGB to CMYK. If you do not like the appearance in CMYK, we recommend that you make adjustments while working in CMYK.

WHAT TO DO SO YOUR BLUE IS NOT PURPLE?

blue rgb vs Cymk blue

BLUE in RGB vs CYMK

When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
Here is an example of how your screen blue can print completely different from your print blue. (100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K) See the result…

Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple. This problem does not always show up on proofs due to RGB monitors.

SUGGESTION FOR THE COLOR BLUE

A pleasing shade of blue may be 100-70-0-15. The more black added the darker the color. For those of you wanted to use a reflex blue, it is impossible for the printing to achieve this. The process can not duplicate this color.

SO YOUR COMPANY LOGO IS BLUE, WHAT TO DO…

The best suggestion is to work in CYMK. That is the only way you can be sure what color blue you will achieve. Keep in mind the rule of 30% and use black to darken or lighten your color. When designing for printing, you must use the CYMK color mode. That is the only way you can be sure that what you have designed will print correctly. Having your blue not turn purple is possible, Printing a pleasing blue can only be achieved by following the CYMK rule.

BOOKMARK MARKETING STRATEGIES – The Power of Bookmarks

  By colorppblog | May 18, 2016 - 5:33 pm |
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Want more business? Need a very cheap promotion that really works?  A custom printed bookmark is an affordable strategy that produces very high ROI . Here’s why, Everybody appreciates a free gift that’s useful.  Printing and distributing bookmarks is a savvy way to gain market share. If you could reach everybody in your market area that reads books, do you think your sales would grow quickly?
Custom bookmarks with your message are frequently seen multiple times a day, a week and a month. Every book reader moves bookmarks from page to page. Each time they see your bookmark, your brand is strengthened and reinforced passively without sales stress.
The best part of bookmark marketing is you can print 10,000 extra heavy 16 pt. 2 X 8 with full color bookmarks on both sides with your choice of free high gloss UV or matte coating for less than $ 250.  That’s .025 cents each. You can make your own bookmark, hire a professional print designer or  have Color Printing Pros design it for you.
Many sizes and finishes are available. Choose from 2 top quality card stocks. Heavy 14 pt. is available as well as extra heavy 16 pt.  Both weights come with your choice of free UV or matte coating that protects the card from fingerprints, scuffing or scratching. Want to add something to catch attention, optional spot UV coating is available.
Our custom bookmarks come in 7 different sizes- 1.5 X 7, 2 X 8, 3 X 4, 3.66 X 4.25, 8.5 X 2.75, 8.5 X 3 and 8.5 X 3.66. Pick the size that best fits you need.
About The Designcustom bookmark
When designing your bookmark, you need to consider your bookmark as  being an asset to your customer.  To create a value bookmark, you must have an eye-catching photo, illustration or graphics.  If your company has its own colors scheme, use it. You may want to use an inspirational message to give the bookmark value. A poem, proverb, famous saying or funny cartoon gives it value.  You can use a small logo and /or your business name stating
“Compliments of  (insert your business name here)”
The back of the bookmark is the selling place. To give your bookmark more value, offer a coupon, discount or other deal. Your logo is important for branding. Don’t forget your name, address, phone number and website URL. QR codes are handy to add on your bookmark so customers can find you easily. It can be scanned to add to smart phones or to take customers directly to your website. Be sure to put a strong call to action on any marketing promotion.
Personal custom printed bookmarks starts a friendly relationship between you and your customers that your competitors won’t have.  Bookmarks can be a powerful promotion for organizations, charities, medical practices, retail stores, free promotional gifts, coupons, high traffic area handouts and more.

BROCHURE PRINTING TIPS

  By colorppblog | May 11, 2016 - 5:08 pm |
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Brochures, pamphlets and leaflets are a printed and folded piece of paper used as an advertising tool for business and organizations to sell products, services, promote their brand and corporate image.  They are designed to tell a story about the benefits, products and or services a business provides. Most businesses need cheap brochure printing to achieve their marketing objectives.   Color Printing Pros offers free tips on printing and designing a brochure at our Help Center.
Your brochure design determines the success of your promotion.
brochure
Here are some design tips you should think about.
• Know your market and the competition before you design a unique brochure.
•  Don’t use more than 3 fonts, one for the heading, one for the subhead and one for the body copy. Make sure they are easily readable. Fine line serif fonts may not print well on busy or some come color backgrounds.
•  The paper stock should be at least 100 lb. book weight, 100 lb. cover weight or 14 pt. card stock. 16 pt. or heavier may crack when folded. For more information on choosing the right paper stock, read Choosing the Best Paper for Online Printing
• Avoid dark colored backgrounds on folds of heavier card stocks. They will call attention to any cracking.
•  Your design must be appropriate for the targeted market you want to reach. Ask yourself is the brochure for a handout at a trade show, to be mailed, used as a counter pickup or have some other use. Remember simple design works best.
•  Don’t try to impress the reader with fancy words or long detailed sentences.
Stay on point. Brochures should focus on the benefits to the customer. Explain how you product or service will make their life better. The reader doesn’t care about you or your company, Write as if you’re speaking with a friend.
 Remember brochures are a good way for professionals providing needed services to promote their businesses or practices.

Foil Printing – Cold Foil vs Hot Foil Printing

  By colorppblog | May 10, 2016 - 9:53 pm |
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FOIL PRINTING

Foil has long been the standard to express the best in high quality printing.PR_FoilWorx_03
There are 2 ways to print using foil.

COLD FOIL PRINTING

Cold foil printing is a 21st century hi-tech WOW FACTOR EFFECT marketing tool that makes printing gold, silver and every combination of CMYK foil colors easy to create. You can even make color blends and gradations. The way it works is that on a selected area you want to foil an adhesive is printed on the card A foil laminate is then sealed on top of the glue using UV light to cure and dry it. This process is done on a offset printing press so you don’t need expensive custom made dies and traditional hot foil stamping. This revolutionary eye candy printing technique cost less and attracts as much attention as the old way. At this time we can only print cold foil on standard 2 X 3.5 business cards and 4 X 6 postcards. This is a designer’s and marketer’s dream because it’s not only possible, it’s also affordable for the average small business.
PROS:
Cold foil does not require a custom metal die.
Silver, Copper or Gold Foil printing as well as Akua Foil is printed in-line with the printing press.
PR_FoilWorx_01
It only requires a simple mask to indicate the foil area.
Registration is very accurate.
You can combine as many process colors as you want using Akua Foil.
You can make blends and gradations using AkuaFoil.
You can add high gloss Spot UV coating as an option.
The process is fast.
The process is more affordable than traditional hot foil stamping.
Quick online quotes are available. Check out our cheap and affordable prices at https://www.colorprintingpros.com/foilbusinesscards.html
CONS:
Cold foil is not as bright as hot foil.
Colors are not as deep.
Dark colors are not recommended.

HOT FOIL STAMPING

Hot foil stamping, also know as foil blocking, became practical in the 1950’s when new formulas for colored foils became possible and they did not fade. The way it works is a custom metal die (usually a magnesium die) is made of the area you want foiled. A foil stamping machine is then used to heat the die and pressure is applied to a roll of foil onto the substrate you want stamped. If printing is needed for the project, it is printed on an offset printing press first and then transferred to a stamping machine.
PROS:
Foils are brighter and richer.
Holographic, Lenticular and Psychedelic colored foils are available.
You can use darker colors.
You can emboss or deboss foils.
You can emboss or deboss the substrate without foil.
You can make custom sizes with stamping.
You can use die cutting as an effect.
CONS:
Tight registration can be a problem.
Dies are expensive.
Stamping dies are usually outsourced. The more steps and people in a job, the greater chance of problems. Who is responsible when there is a problem may occur.
Different foils have different cost.
Size of the custom die affects cost.
It is more expensive than Cold foil.
Custom quotes required.
Color Printing Pros provides both cold foil and hot stamping services. If needed, our customer service experts are always available for free consultation to help you decide the method and practices needed to meet or exceed your expectations.