What are RGB and CMYK color modes ?
Most graphics software programs give you the choice to work in either RGB or CMYK color mode. Scanners and digital cameras create images and computer monitors display images using combinations of just three colors:
•R - Red
•G - Green
•B - Blue
These are the primary colors of light, which computer monitors use to display images on your screen.
Offset printing presses print full color pictures and images using a different set of colors, the primary colors of pigment:
•C - Cyan
•M - Magenta
•Y - Yellow
•K - Black
This is "4-color process" or "full-color" printing that comprises the majority of magazines and marketing materials you see every day. It is very important to submit your print ready files in CMYK to avoid drastic color changes.
What is UV Coating & Glossy?
UV Coating: U.V. Coating is a very high-gloss coating applied to the printed-paper surface and dried on press with ultraviolet (U.V.) light. The high gloss surface of U.V. coating makes your print job very eye-catching and durable and is very popular for marketing materials that need to gain immediate attention. Our premium U.V. coatings enhance and give greater color depth to your print jobs. Blacks will shine and reds will appear to be flush with pigment. U.V will make your colors so vibrant; they will appear to “jump” right off the page. U.V. coated jobs are also abrasion and chemical resistant, providing a protective barrier against wear and tear caused by handling, display and use. U.V. coated paper is a great option to endure moist conditions. For the environmentally conscious, U.V. coated products are recyclable, re-pulpable and biodegradable. Is NOT suitable for writing on.
Glossy Finish: The Matte Dull Coating process is a more economical approach to coating. This coating is less shiny and has better opacity and provides some protection against scratches and scuffs . Is suitable for writing on.
What is Bleed?
When any image or element on a page touches the edge of the page leaving no margin. The background image should extend to the edge of the layout but the text needs to stay within the safety lines.
What can happen if bleeds aren't used correctly?
1. The text can be placed on the edge or outside the bleed area which will result in your text being trimmed.
2. The background is kept within the bleed area, which will result your job being trimmed with a white border.
Why 300DPI in Resolution?
Graphics such as TIFF, JPEG, EPS, PDF, BMP, PNG files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Images with a resolution less than 300 dpi will reproduce poorly on press (the image will look fuzzy and/or pixilated). If you took your images from a website on the internet, there is a 90% chance that they will not contain be a high enough resolution for printing (unless the images came from a stock photography house and are designated high resolution).
The internet displays images at 72 dpi, so that the images appear quickly over an internet connection, but under no circumstances should they be used for printing. If you submit low-resolution files for printing, you will be notified by one of our design staff to either fix the problem or acknowledge that you are aware of the resulting loss of quality, and that as the customer you are OK with that. .
What is Gang Run Printing?
Gang run printing is an industry term for grouping orders on the same sheet of paper. Gang Run printing is also the process of created printed pieces at substantially discounted prices.By grouping together the orders of people like yourself we can offer you better prices. Gang run printing saves time and money. One of the pitfalls of Gang-Run printing is that we relinquish the control of individual piece color to compensate for the entire run. This does not mean your colors will be drastically different, but that in regards to Gang-Run printing; the industry standard practice is to accept a overall pleasing color, which is 96%-100% accurate to the image.
What does 4/0, 4/1, 4/4 mean?
When it comes to printing we use 4 colors (CMYK). These numbers refer to the amount of colors used per side when going to print.
•4/0 - Full color 1 side and blank the other
•4/1 - Full color 1 side and 1 color on the other (the 1 color is any color)
•4/4 - Full color both sides
What programs should I use?
There are a number of programs out there when it comes to the world of Graphic Design. One of the most versatile programs is Adobe Photoshop, other are Adobe Illustrator and Quark Express. The only programs we do not accept are any Microsoft Office Files (Word, Publisher, Power point)
Can I split up an order of 5000?
No. Our press runs 5000 sheets at a time. Using plates to create the 4 colors - CMYK - for e.g. like a rubber stamp.
If we have to split your job up in half. It would cost you almost double the price, because we would have to make another plate - one for the 1st 2,500 and another for the second 2,500. Plates are the most expensive part of the printing process.
And since you would be the only person splitting their order in half, you would then incur the cost of the plates instead of splitting the cost with other customers.
What is a TAG?
When we place our name and contact info really small on your flyer. That is called a TAG. We tag all flyers designed by our staff. Our TAG may look like this:
:: Design + Print :: The Magazine Press.com
This is placed in a 5 point font on the flyer, where it won't interfere with the actual job. We don't tag business cards or jobs submitted for print.
Will I be charged sales tax?
All orders being shipped or billed to Florida addresses are subject to the prevailing sales tax. If your business, corporation, or company is tax exempt, please make sure we receive a copy of your tax exempt certificate PRIOR to your first order. You may fax to 1-561-478-8119 and you will be marked as tax exempt.
• The rate used in Florida for all sales is 6%.
Why are your prices so low ?
The Magazine Press is able to offer low prices because we print orders in very large quantities, with hundreds of other print jobs on large sheets of paper which are then cut down after printing has occurred. This is also known as "gang-run" printing. This helps to reduce the costs of making printing plates and other setup fees.
I put in a Request for a Quote. How long will it take to get a price back?
Depending on our workload we strive to get Quote Requests back by the next day. If you have not heard from us, please email our Job Department at Jobs@the magazinepress.com.
Can you make a correction to my job after I have submitted files ?
Our prepress operators cannot be responsible for making any alterations/changes to the files submitted for printing. After we have emailed you the errors on your file, it's your responsibility to make those changes and resend the job. Only If we've designed your files are we responsible for making changes to your files. If you need us to work with a file you've submitted, there will be an extra charge depending on what needs to be done.
I cannot find a template for the product I am ordering ?
While we have templates for most of our products online if you do not see the exact template you are looking for please email our Job Department and they will make a custom one just for you!
Can I receive a printed proof?
We do not provide printed (hard copy) proofs due to the nature of gang-run printing where slight color shifts can occur. These shifts would render a printed proof useless, therefore we can send an online web-based proof by REQUEST ONLY. If you have any concerns about the quality of our printing, please request a free Sample Packet .
Will I always receive the exact quantity I ordered?
Most of the time we will print slightly more than what you ordered, for no additional charge. As printing industry trade standards allow for underages of up to 5%, sometimes we will print slightly fewer pieces than you ordered. If you are doing a mailing and need to receive the exact amount ordered, it is best to communicate this to someone in our Sales Department at the time your place your order and let them know.
How do I get my tracking numbers?
On the day that your order ships from our facility, tracking numbers will be automatically sent to the same email address that was used to place your order. These emails are queued up and sent at around 4:00 pm EST each business day from UPS. To aid with the electronic delivery of your tracking numbers, please be sure to add the email address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to any spam blocking software that you may have activated.
What is Blind Shipping & do we offer it?
As far as your clients are concerned, your ARE the printer! Your order will be shipped with your Company Name and Information as the return shipping address. All Blind Shipped orders will be shipped in a plain box with no additional advertisements or promotions packed with your order.
Can I ship to a PO Box?
Due to the extreme weight of printed material we cannot ship to a Post Office Box. If you entered a P.O. Box as your shipping address when placing your order on your New Client Contact Sheet, your order will placed on hold until we have contacted you and received a physical Ship To Address.