FAQs
How do I get an estimate?
What is the best file format for submitting my order?
How long will my order take to complete?
Simply use our online estimate request form.
Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to email your request. Please provide as much information as possible, i.e. quantity, paper, colors, etc…
How long will my order take to complete?
What is the best file format for submitting my order?
How long will my order take to complete?
Every order CAM Print produces is custom, therefore, the turn time is different.
Please let us know when you would
like your order completed.
We will inform you if that is possible.
CAM Print goes to great lengths to meet even your most demanding timelines.
What is the best file format for submitting my order?
What is the best file format for submitting my order?
Will what I see on my monitor match what I see on paper?
A PDF file is generally the preferred file format.
Virtually all professional printing and digital output devices utilize PDF files.
By design, a PDF file incorporates the information needed to maintain document consistency from system to system.
Most other file formats such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Microsoft Word are easily converted to PDF format. If you need to obtain Adobe Acrobat, please click HERE .
Will what I see on my monitor match what I see on paper?
Will what I see on my monitor match what I see on paper?
The technology of design, layout and printing has come a long way to the point where much of the work is done in a WSYWIG (What You See Is What You Get) digital environment. However, there are sometimes noticeable differences in color calibration and spatial conformity from monitor to monitor and consequently from screen to print.
Most monitors are in the RGB format (red-green-blue) and the machines we utilize are in CMYK format (cyan-magenta-yellow-black). Sometimes the variance is great between monitor and final product. We do everything possible to ensure your product looks great. Therefore, if we see something that doesn’t appear correct, we will contact you.
What is a proof and why is it needed?
What are the different grades of paper and their weights?
A hard copy proof is a one-off copy of your printed document used for visual inspection to ensure that the layout and colors of your document are exactly how they are intended to be. A proof is made prior to sending the document to the press for final printing.
Typically, we will produce a proof that will be sent to you online in PDF format or on printed paper, which can be either viewed in our store or delivered to you in person. For multiple-color jobs, we can produce a proof on our output device to show you how the different colors will appear on the final product.
Your approval on the final proof is the best assurance you have that every aspect of our work and your own is correct, and that everything reads and appears the way you intended. Mistakes can and sometimes do happen. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than
after the job is completed and delivered.
What are the different grades of paper and their weights?
What are the different grades of paper and their weights?
The basis weight of a given grade of paper is defined as the weight (in pounds) of 500 standard-sized sheets of that paper. With that in mind, here are different examples of paper grades and their respective basis weights:
- Bond: Weights are 16# for forms, 20# for copying and 24# for stationery.
- Text: Weights range from 60#-100#, most common is 60# or 70#.
- Uncoated Book: Most common grade, typically 50#-70#.
- Coated Book: Glossy finish. Weights range from 30#-70# for web press, and 60#-110# for sheet press.
- Cover: Coated or Uncoated. Weights for this grade are 60#, 65#, 80# or 100#, 120# & 130#.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
Uncoated stock paper is comparatively porous and inexpensive, and is typically used for such applications as newspaper print and basic black-and-white copying. Coated stock, by contrast, is made of higher quality paper having a smooth glossy finish that works well for reproducing sharp text and vivid colors.
What is color separation?
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
Color separation is the process of separating a colored graphic or photograph into its primary color components in preparation for printed reproduction. For example, to print a full color photo with an offset printing press, we would create four separate printing plates each accounting for one of the four basic printing inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black)
needed to reproduce the image.
As the paper is fed through the press, each single-color plate puts onto the paper the exact amount of ink needed at exactly the right spot. As the different colored wet inks are applied, they blend together to create the rich and infinite pallet of complex colors needed
to reproduce the original image.
What is a halftone?
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper stock?
What are Pantone colors?
Halftone printing converts a continuous tone (solid areas of black or color) photograph
or image into a pattern of different size
dots that simulate continuous tone.
When examining the page closely, you will see a series of dots spaced slightly apart.
At a normal viewing distance, however, the spacing between dots becomes essentially invisible to the eye and what
you see is a continuous tone.
What are Pantone colors?
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
What are Pantone colors?
Pantone colors refer to the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a color matching system used by the printing industry whereby printing colors are identified by a unique name or number (as opposed to just a visual reference). This helps make sure that colors turn out the same from system to system, and print run to print run.
Is white considered a printing color?
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
Not typically in offset printing. White is not generally considered a printing color as the paper itself will be white. If a colored paper (something other than white) is chosen,
then white becomes a printing color if
any text or graphics require it.
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
What are the most common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
Standard sizes for catalogs and booklets
are 5½” x 8½” & 8½” x 11″ finished.
What are the most common sizes for brochures?
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
What are the most common business envelope sizes?
Common brochure sizes are 8½” x 11″,
8½” x 14″ and 11″ x 17″ as a flat piece.
Folding can result in many different sizes.
What are the most common business envelope sizes?
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
What are the most common business envelope sizes?
Business envelope sizes are referenced
by a number such as #9 or #10.
See below indicates the most
common USA sizes in use today:
- #6 1/4 – 3 1/2″ x 6″
- #6 3/4 – 3 5/8″ x 6 1/2″
- #7 – 3 3/4″ x 6 3/4″
- #7 3/4 – 3 7/8″ x 7 1/2″
- #8 5/8 – 3 5/8″ x 8 5/8″
- #9 – 3 7/8″ x 8 7/8″
- #10 – 4 1/8″ x 9 1/2″
- #11 – 4 1/2″ x 10 3/8″
- #12 – 4 3/4″ x 11″
- 9″ x 12″ & 10″ x 13″
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
These are the U.S. Post Office requirements to keep in mind when designing an envelope:
- All mail pieces 1/4″ thick or less must be rectangular in shape, at least 3 1/4″ high and at least 5″ long.
- Any mail piece less than 4 1/4″ in height must be at least .007″ (7 pt.) thick.
- Any mail piece greater than 4 1/4″ in height or 6″ in length must be at least .009″ (9 pt.) thick.
What are the standard sizes for postcards?
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
What requirements does the USPS have for envelopes?
Postcards are found in many different sizes.
The three most common sizes are:
- 4″ x 6″
- 5″ x 7″
- 5½” x 8½”
What are the most common card stocks used for postcards?
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
The most common card stocks used for postcards are:
- card stock C2S (coated both sides)
- card stock C1S (coated one side)
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
What are the most popular sizes for personalized notepads?
The most popular sizes for
personalized notepads are:
- 4″ x 6″
- 5" x 7"
- 5½” x 8 ½”
- 8½” x 11″
What are the most popular sizes for sticky notepads?
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
What different types of materials can be used for labels?
There are four popular sizes for sticky notes:
- 3″ x 3″
- 3″ x 4″
- 3″ x 5″
- 4″ x 6″
What different types of materials can be used for labels?
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
What different types of materials can be used for labels?
Materials for labels & their application include:
- Paper, Uncoated: Use where you need the label to be easily written on by hand or printed on by machine.
- Paper, High Gloss: For good printability. Keep in mind that it cannot be written on easily by hand.
- Vinyl: Use vinyl for outdoor environments, or if applying a label to a vinyl surface.
- Acetate: Use when the label needs to be transparent.
- Mylar/Polyester: Best for applications where the label needs to be applied to an object with sharp, angular corners.
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
What are the types of bindings I can use for multi-page projects?
Some of the common methods of
binding books and other multi-page
documents include:
- Perfect binding: Gluing the outside edges of the pages together to create a flat edge.
- Saddle-stitch binding: Using staples along the folds of the pages to bind them together.
- Plastic spiral binding: Plastic in a spiral form threaded through punched holes along the binding edge of the papers. Allows the document to lay open flat.
- Three-ring binding: 3 holes are punched into the pages and fit into a 3-ring binder.
- Stapling: staples at a 90 degree or 45 degree angle, upper corners or 2/3 down left edge.