Beck Print Wholesale Direct Printing

Will the finished pages look exactly the way they do on my monitor?
Exactly? Probably not. Very close? Yes. The reason is that your monitor displays colors in the RGB profile, while the printing press uses the CMYK profile (also known as '4-color' printing).The colors that you see on your screen then, no matter which color profile you have chosen for your application, will always appear in RGB mode. Furthermore, monitors do not display text exactly the way text is printed, especially with PostScript fonts.(See also comparison of your printed page with final product in next question.) And finally, monitors need to be color corrected to display properly. Back to Top

Will the finished pages look exactly the way they do when I print them on my printer?
If your printer uses at least four different color inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) and your application is using the CMYK color profile, the page you output should be very close to the finished product, but is still subject to the color variations of your printer. If your printer and application are not et up to use the 4-color process, you are again subject to the RGB to CMYK conversion plus the variation of your printer. Back to Top

What are bleeds? How do I set them up?
Bleeds are the term given to the area that goes beyond the edges of the paper. Professional printing presses are able to print "edge to edge" on a page and to ensure that colors go to the edge (that there is no "white space" between the edge and the print), an extra margin of variability is built in by using bleeds. We prefer bleeds to be .25" on each edge of the page. So if your final page size is 8.75" x 11", you would need to make the page size in your application 9.25" x 11.50". Then you need to carry to those larger edges any colors that you want to go to the edge of the page. In this way, no image or color will get trimmed off in the finishing process and you won't get any "white space". Back to Top

What type of files do you accept?
We can accept files from nearly all major graphics programs on either the MAC or PC platform. However, to receive our lowest prices, we require postscript or pdf files. For postscript files, we supply the printer driver and written guidelines, and you simply print your completed pages to individual files. For pdf files, we supply written guidelines.When either of those types of files is received, it does not matter which application you used to create and work on the file; the file you send to us will be self-contained and closed (all images and fonts will be embedded), and we can take it from there. If you need help with this process, we can walk you through it. If you files are not finished and you would like us to finish them for you (perhaps color correction on images, or placing of text or images on the page, or even page design), you can submit any combination of hard-copy material and native application files (we prefer FreeHand or Quark, but can work with most anything). Back to Top

How can I get the files to you?
Once an order is confirmed, we will set un an account for you on our ftp site and you can upload your files. Alternatively, you can send the files to us on a CD or a JAZ or Zip disk. Back to Top

What type of images should I use?
All images should be saved in the tiff format, in CMYK mode at an effective resolution (resolution of the image in its final size) of 300 dpi. If a file needs to be converted from the jpg format, we recommend using Photoshop and avoiding resampling of the image. If you are not sending a finished product, you will need to include separately all images contained in your files. Back to Top

What is the difference between CMYK and RGB and why do I need to use CMYK?
Simply put, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is a four-color print mode that is used throughout the printing industry; RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is a three-color display and low end print mode that is used by monitors and low end inkjet or laser printers. RGB images, then, need to be converted to CYMK in order to go to press. (See "What type of images should I use?") Back to Top

What resolution should my images be?
Images should be at an effective resolution of 300 dpi. "Effective" resolution refers to the resolution of the image in its final size. That is, an image scanned at 300 dpi and enlarged to twice its size for placement in the document will have an effective resolution of 150 dpi; so be sure to scan the image at its final size (200%). Having a higher resolution than 300 dpi will not hurt (except that it will make for a larger file), but it will not make any significant difference in the final product either. Back to Top

What about fonts?
Fonts can be easily handled if certain standards are followed: 1) always use Postscript fonts, 2) always use the specific font from the font family for bold, italic, etc.rather than the attribute function in the application, 3) do not colorize text below 12 points. Printing systems are based on the Postscript system. Postscript fonts actually consist of two files, one for the screen and the other for the printer. TrueType fonts, on the other hand, have only one file that contains both parts, and so need to be converted by the postscripting process in order to print, which can cause text reflow and misshapen letters. A similar thing happens when an atribute is chosen for text rather than using the font specifically created for that purpose. (You've got this perfect bold A right here, why take this A and, in effect, color it in.) And finally, text below 12 points can get fuzzy when colorized because some combination of the four inks now need to be put down on the page rather than simply the black. If you are not sending a finished product, you will need to include all fonts with your submission. Back to Top

How do I place an order?
Shortly after we hear from you (online, email or phone), you will receive via email or fax a formal order proposal complete with your job specs, shipping details and pricing. (If there is something we need to go over first, we will give you a call.) When you have signed and returned that agreement and agreed to payment terms, we will provide you with our printer driver, written guidelines for creating the finished files and also a username and password so that you can begin uploading your files to our ftp site. If you files are unfinished and you need to send us material, the same process is followed, but you can send us your files through the mail if you desire. Back to Top

What is the standard turnaround time?
Standard turnaround time is 14 business days from approval of final copy. Back to Top

What if I need help?
If you need help in creating the postscript files, you can call or email and we will walk you through it. If you need help creating your finished product, our excellent and efficient graphics staff can provide guidance or, if you wish, put the entire product together. Back to Top

Can I make changes?
The postscript files you send to us are the files we will print. If you need to change something after we have received the files, you will have to re-postscript and upload the page. Such changes can be accepted up for a slight additional charge until the time the plates are made. Back to Top

How is payment handled?
Payment is due with copy. Back to Top

What kind of proofs are available?
Low-res pdf files can be emailed to you or you can download high-res pdf files from our ftp site. Hard copy color laser proofs can be mailed at an additional charge. Back to Top

How about shipping?
We arrange for shipping to your desired location. Inside delivery is available at an additional charge.
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