We've done our best to compile a list of your most common queries. If you have further questions or feel we have missed something, please Contact Us
General Questions
- How do I use this site?
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All of the articles on printing can be found in the menu on the left. You can also view excerpts of these in the articles section
If you ever get stuck on some of the terminology, feel free to browse our glossary section or you may also search our database using the search field at the top.
Permanent Link - What is the Knowledge Center?
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The knowledge center is a collection of articles, tutorials and terms associated with the craft of printing and design. Thousands of hours of research have gone into providing a one-stop learning resource for a complex and ever-evolving trade.
This website is run and maintained by Fine Print, Inc., a design/print firm who are constantly seeking to improve their knowledge and skillset.
The original idea was to give our clients 24 hour access to the most common questions & answers for submitting files and the printing process.
As we started to build the KC, we realized that this info should be accessible to students in graphic design, printing & the field of Arts. Before long, it was clear we were building something for the novice and experienced alike, a thorough online reference for printers and designers of all backgrounds.
Permanent Link - Why do I need credits to see everything?
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While the Knowledge Center is a free resource, it is also tailored to design/printing students and professionals who are part of a trusted network.
If you would like to apply for more credits or an unlimited account, please contact us and provide some information on yourself and your interest in the KC.
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File Questions
- Which file formats are acceptable to print?
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Quark and Indesign files are ideal. They cut down production cost as the printer can work directly from these files.
Most printers will also accept:
- EPS format (Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw)
- Photoshop TIFF, EPS, PICT, PSD (make sure resolution is acceptable)
- Word Documents (not recommended)
- What is resolution and how do I set it?
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What it is
Resolution is a term used to describe the quality of a digital image, which is measured in DPI (dots/pixels per inch). This parameter is exclusive to raster bitmap applications such as Photoshop, GIMP or Photopaint.
How to set it
Nearly every image-editing program has an “Image” menu, under which you will find an “Image Size” option. That is where you set the resolution.
The DPI you choose depends on the type of printing application you are working with, but a general rule of thumb is to have at least 300 dpi for photos and 400dpi for text and/or logos.
Make sure that you do not forget to set the physical size of your file to the desired dimensions. A 400dpi image that is half an inch wide will not do you much good.
Words of Caution
- JPEGS andother images downloaded from websites are often not fit for print. They are compressed and optimized for screen use and tend to print very badly.
- You cannot simply add resolution to a poor quality image. It must be scanned or shot at a decent resolution to begin with.
Carefree Zone
Illustrator, Freehand and Corel are vector programs and resolution-independent. You usually do not have to worry about setting the right DPI, unless you plan to import a bitmapped image into one of these programs.
Permanent Link - What is the difference between bitmaps and vectors?
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Vectors are “object-oriented” graphics made up of mathematical equations. This means they are resolution-independent. You can take vector shapes and scale them to the size of a building and they won’t lose one bit of image quality.
Bitmaps images are composed of pixels and their quality is always determined by their resolution, or number of pixels per inch. Think of a mosaic..the more tiles you have, the finer the image.
But which one is better?
Vectors are ideal for logos, text and any other imagery that must be printed with utmost clarity. In fact most of the fonts you use are actually made of Postscript vectors.
Bitmaps are best used for photography, illustrations and any other imagery that requires a real-life, continuous tone look to it.
Both formats have their strengths and work well together to produce high-quality printed applications.
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Color Questions
- What is CMYK?
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CMYK is an abbreviation for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These are the primary colors used in commercial printing.
Permanent Link - Why does my print look so different from my screen?
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This is a very common question, mostly asked by people who submit artwork in RGB format.
What happens when you print an RGB file?
The biggest problem areas come with flourescent colors. They look so bright an vibrant on the screen, but when printed they always come out muddy in comparison.
Neon greens, oranges, pinks and blues in particular have a hard time translating to print.
What exactly is RGB format?
It stands for Red Green and Blue. Computer monitors mix various degrees of these three colors to get the millions of colors you see on your screen.
This format is ideal for designing websites, videos or anything presented on a monitor. Since ink on paper will never give you the exact same results as a glowing screen, designing for print requires a different format.
What format is best for print?
Designing in CMYK mode will give you a more accurate screen preview of your print. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, the four primary inks used in the printing process.
These inks can faithfully produce most colors but sometimes you may need to print something that’s outside of their gamut, or color range.
If you absolutely need to print neon or metallic colors, then you will need to use specialty inks. Pantone® is a common brand and if you are interested in printing these inks, ask your printer to see a pantone swatch book, so you can choose your colors.
What is a proof and why would I need one?
A proof is a printed sample of your design which allows you to check for color and layout accuracy. We highly recommend the use of proofs to correct any problems before you print all your copies.
Advanced Color Management
Color matching can be a fairly complicated affair. An entire industry has been built around calibration tools and color management systems which help printers provide you with the truest color possible.
You can read more on this subject in our Color Management article.
Permanent Link - What is Pantone or Spot Color?
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Pantone or spot colors are often used by companies that value consistency with the colors of their branding. Rather than printing the four colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) in tiny dots to give the illusion of solid color, a spot color is actually a solid application of ink that is custom mixed by Pantone or any other spot color provider.
The benefit of printing with spot colors is not only the guarantee of consistent color, but the depth and vibrance of the ink itself. They also open the door to a wider range of colors, including finishes and metallic inks.
The inclusion of spot colors greatly affects the startup cost of a printing project, so if you need them, be sure to let your printer know as soon as possible so they can draw up an accurate estimate for you.
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Printing Questions
- What is the difference between offset and digital?
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Offset Printing is the most common form of printing, utilizing analog methods of film/plate-making. This makes it ideal for large print runs that demand the highest quality.
Digital Printing utilizes a Computer to Plate workflow, which eliminates a lot of the preparation time associated with traditional methods. This makes it ideal for quick projects with smaller print runs (under 1,000 copies)
Permanent Link - What are the different types of printing finishes?
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- Matte-Paper- is a flat finish with no gloss whatsoever
- Semi-Gloss – is …
- What materials can I print on?
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Printing is everywhere – signs, books, magazines, CDs, credit cards, clothing, software, labels, posters, and packaging – to name just a few.
Printing appears on glass, metal, paper, wood, plastic, and fabric – almost any surface can be printed on. Now-a-days, everything from boxes to buses are printed on.
The printing industry is more than a piece of paper and the variety of materials to for printing is extensive. For your convenience, we have listed the most common materials related to commercial printing & everyday use.
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