Production Printing and Graphics

• Set document page dimensions correctly. (Same as trim size of printed piece.)
• No lines, rules or borders thinner than .2 points. (Lines thinner will be too fine to print to film or reproduce.)
• Images are correctly positioned in their picture box. (Zoom in close to check for fit.)
• Imported graphics read "OK" (in Quark Picture dialog box) or (Pagemaker Links Box).
• Only intended fonts are present in document.
• Check PageMaker Utilities/ Display Pub Info dialog box to be sure. Check Quark font usage dialog box to be sure.
• All unused colors and style sheets have been deleted.
• The pasteboards of all pages are empty.
• "Process separation" is checked for all colors intended for process conversion.
• Grayscale-Full Color TIFF's are in a picture box with a background specified. (We recommend 100% Red for easy visual verification of fit.)
• If TIFF images have LZW Compression, notify output provider on delivery of document.
• No files have used JPEG compression.
• Use only TIFF, EPS, BMP, never use PICT, META, or GIF Files.
• No embedded EPS's within an EPS File
• Photo files should be CMYK, Grayscale or Bitmap. Never use RGB Graphics!
• All printer settings such as tiling and rough printing are disabled.
• Document have been laser proofed for:
• Typographic errors
• Trapping and overprinting
• ​Color separation and printability of all elements
• Don't use word processing programs for page layout intended for image​setting output.
• Make sure to use consistent color ID throughout the project. All names must be exact! PMS "327CV" is not the same output color as "327 CVU" or "Pantone 327CV" or "327 Teal". Smooth gradients take experience and the understanding of color and the 256 shades pallet. The 40 steps per inch standard is minimal, use gradients cautiously.
• TIFF and EPS photos should be scanned 1.5 to 2 times output lpi.
• No PICT or GIF's for high resolution output.
• Delete unused colors in EPS files before importing images in page layout program. It reduces the number of colors imported, which will reduce color confusion at output time.
• When in doubt consultation will save time and money. Jobs started properly will always save money in output and production.

We encourage our customers to take time when reading proofs of their pieces going to print. No one wants errors, proofreading is the final check!

• Don't let a deadline cause you to hurry.
• Read where you won't have interruption or distractions.
• If possible have your proofing double checked by another person.
• Read proof against original copy.
• Check photos and illustrations for correctness in content and crop.
• Check final size! Perforations, Folds, Binding, Margins, etc.
• Verify color breaks on multi-color work.
• Double check that corrections from prior proofs have been made.
• Mark all changes to proofs in color. Be explicit and exact.
• Remember: The approval of a proof constitutes total acceptance! This will include errors in spelling or content.

• Final proof approval "sign off" sheet acquired.
• Fill out service bureau output form completely, including:
  • ​List of all fonts used in document and any illustrations included.
  • Any F.P.O. (For Position Only) scans.
  • Any special instructions or services required.
  • How to contact the file creator/designer.
  • Total number of documents to output.
  • Page size and scaling.
  • Page orientation.
  • Colors to output for each document.
• Include all printer and screen fonts required to print the document. (Place in separate folder for transfer.)
• Include all EPS/TIFF files used in the document and application source such as Illustrator, PhotoShop, Freehand, and Corel EPS files are some samples.
• Final laser prints of all document pages with crop and registration marks ON. (Reduce print size to fit paper if necessary; include color separations if applicable.)

Supported applications for black copies: 

• Adobe PDF (preferred)

• PhotoShop

• Illustrator (text converted to outlines)

• InDesign (packaged with fonts and links)

• Corel Draw

• Quark (packaged with fonts and links)

• Microsoft Office applications  (Proofing is VERY important as the appearance of any Microsoft document can drastically change from computer to computer)

Supported applications for color printing: 

• Adobe PDF (preferred)

• Illustrator (text converted to curves)

• InDesign  (packaged with fonts and links)

• Corel Draw 

• PhotoShop (Not acceptable for 1 or 2 color offset printing)

• Quark  (packaged with fonts and links)

Offset & Color Printing
4 color offset printing available
8 1/2" x 11" up to 11" x 17"
Envelopes

Finishing
Staple
Drill
Fold, Score
Perforate
Laminating
Pad
Shrink Wrap

Bindery
Saddle Stitch
GBC Spiral Bind
Coil Bind

Color Copies
Color copies available
8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x 14", and 11" x 17"​​

 

What ar​​e your hours of operation?

School year: Mon-Fri, 8 am-5:30 pm 
Summer Hours*: Jun 23-Aug 22, Mon-Fri, 8 am - 4:30 pm
*dates to change per calendar year

Where are you located?
2214 Mall Drive East, Waterford, Michigan 48328-2736

Please note we are not located inside the main campus building, but behind the main campus in a strip plaza adjacent to Summit Place Mall. Other businesses close to us are Sam's Club on Summit Drive and Red Lobster restaurant which faces Telegraph Rd. If you would like personal assistance in locating our building, call 248.209.2000 and request be sure to tell the receptionist you are trying to get to the Production Printing facility.

Do I need to include all fonts and graphics that are being utilized when sending my digital files?
Yes. When sending digital files in any format other than PDF, all fonts and graphics must be included.

What image resolution is required for graphics and illustrations in my print job?
All graphics and illustrations must be at least 300 x 300 dpi. This includes black and white and color images. 

What color format should I use?
Colors should be in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black - ink colors that are used in digital printing). If they are in RGB, our press will convert them for you.

How should I set my margins for book binding?
Margins vary from book to book, but generally a half inch on every side and an extra quarter inch for the binding edge is a safe distance. 

What is a PDF file?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This is the preferred format for digital printers. When creating a PDF, it is important to make sure that you embed all the fonts. Please read the section titled Submitting a Job.

Visit the Adobe website to learn more about PDFs or purchase Adobe Acrobat Professional to create a PDF.

How do I create a PDF?
You will need Adobe Acrobat Distiller or Acrobat Professional to create PDFs on your computer. If you have this software already, you can create a PDF in many MS Office programs (Word, PowerPoint) by selecting Convert to PDF (toolbar button) or by using the Adobe PDF pull-down menu that appears in the program when Adobe is installed. You can learn more about PDFs on Adobe's website. There are also free PDF tools on the Internet.

What’s the trim size of a booklet with bleed (color to the edge of the page) using standard paper sizes that you stock?
Using 8.5" x 11" stock, a normal size booklet with bleed would be 8” x 10.5” with a smaller size option being 5” x 8”.

What does embedding fonts mean?
Embedding means that the fonts are contained within the file and do not need to be sent as separate files. You should always choose this option when creating a PDF file for printing.

Will the color of my digital print job be exactly the same as the image on my monitor or the output from my printer?
Colors in printed materials will approximate those of your monitor or printer but will not be exactly alike. Display (monitors) use a different imaging technology to display colors and characters. Desktop printers use different chemicals and most do have different resolutions. If you are concerned about color, we will be happy to supply you with a proof prior to printing.

What is a bleed?
To bleed a document means to have ink or image printed right to the edge of the paper. To accomplish this, we recommend you bleed your document in your layout program and turn crop marks on when creating a PDF. If your print jobs bleed, we will need crop marks. Please do not put crop marks on the job if there is no bleed.

To what email address do I use to send a job to be printed?
Email us! 

What if my job is too large to email?
Go to the Submitting a Job link on our website, and follow the directions.

More questions? Call us today at 248.209.2150.