Frequently Asked Questions

File Preparation

What file types should I send?

The ideal type of file is a print-ready pdf with crops and bleeds.

Bleeds — What are they? Do I need to include them?

Bleeds are the parts of the artwork that extend past the crop lines. They’re there to ensure that the edges of the finished piece doesn’t have blank white margins.

We recommend at least a 1/8″ bleed on all sides of the artwork.

Crops — What are they? Should my artwork have them?

Simply put, crop marks indicate where the artwork will be cut.

Please include crops on all pieces of artwork.

What is resolution? What resolution should my artwork be?

It’s the physical dot density of an image when it is reproduced as a real thing, like a photo printed on paper. This is measured in DPI (dots per square inch). Higher resolutions result in more crisp imagery.

We recommend 300 dpi for the best outcomes. For larger pieces, like posters or banners, we suggest a minimum of 150 DPI.

Should I submit my full colour artwork in RGB or CMYK? What's the difference?

We prefer artwork to be submitted in CMYK.

RGB is how monitors and TV screens produce colours (through light), CMYK is what printers use (through pigment).

Can you print Pantone colours? Can you elaborate on what they are?

Absolutely!

Pantones are a standardized colouring system created for print. They’re preset colours that a designer can use to ensure that his/her artwork looks the same regardless of where it’s printed. Think of it like picking out a paint colour for your home except that the mixed paint is exactly the same every single time.

The process is typically more involved than printing in CMYK, so if you have any more questions about it, don’t hesitate to contact us!

How should I impose my artwork?

Single-pages please! We’ll take care of imposition for you and send digital proofs for the more complicated pieces like books or catalogues.

Can you print customized, personal, or variable data?

Yep!

A few useful applications of this are personalized (addressed) admail campaigns, donor letters, envelopes, and coupons or vouchers with sequential numbering.

Can I see a printed (hard copy) proof?

Of course!

For digital, we offer identical hard copy proofs. For offset and web printing, we offer Epson proofs for an approximate colour match. Only under special circumstances will we provide hard copy proofs for large format printing projects.

Production

What are your production lead times?

  • Standard digital printing order: 2-4 business days after final proof approval
  • Standard offset printing order: 7-10 business days after final proof approval
  • Standard large format order: 3-5 business days after final proof approval
  • Web press: Please consult with us at the time of order placement
*These production lead times are averages and are subject to change depending on the complexity of the project. Please consult with your Account Manager on project lead times for more accurate details.

What binding methods do you offer?

  • Saddle stitch (staples in the spine of the book or catalogue)
  • Perfect binding (the pages of the book are glued to the spine)
  • Coil binding (plastic spiral spine)
  • Corner stapling

Do you use recycled paper?

Yes! Nearly all paper stocks at this point have a percentage of recycled content, but we can also print on 100% recycled paper products if requested.

Can you laminate?

Yep! We laminate a lot!

Business Information

What services do you offer?

We proudly offer digital, offset, web, and large format printing. What makes us unique is that we have a solution for virtually any print project you have coming up.

Mailing services — We are a Canada Post Partner and can help assist you in your direct mail campaigns for both personalized and neighbourhood mailing.

For more on what we can do, take a look at our services page.

Where are you located?

Our address is 133-9 Burbidge Street, Coquitlam, BC V3K 7B2

We’re in a  great spot right under the Port Mann Bridge. Seriously, there’s a huge pillar of the bridge in our loading dock. If you’re coming to visit, enter the business complex and drive until the very end. You’ll see our bright window decals. You can’t miss us!

When are you open?

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

What types of payment do you take?

  • Cash
  • Cheque
  • Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
  • EFT’s
  • Android and Apple Pay