Quikie Print & Copy Shops : Resources & Support : Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.

Why should I supply my own fonts with my job, won't your computer just substitute your versions of those fonts?
If I am using Microsoft Publisher, how do I save the fonts and images?
Are digital pictures better than regular photos?
At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
Can you download pictures directly from my digital camera?
Can you print on customer supplied stock?
Do you accept digital pictures for use in page layout and design?
Do you accept files from the Microsoft Office Suite?
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
How long does it take for you to complete my order?
If I am using Microsoft Publisher, how do I save the fonts and images?
If my file prints well on my printer, why won't it print correctly for Quikie Print?
Is it a good idea for me to provide hard copies and color separations even if I give you my job on disk?
Is white considered a printing color?
Tips on how to save your design files
What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your digital output or duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
What font files need to be sent with my job and how do I collect them?
What is a "proof"?
What is an embedded graphic and should I use them?
What is the Pantone Matching System?
What is the recommended resolution for scanning lineart or text?
What kind of work does your shop do?
What programs do you prefer for page layout and design?
What resolution do you recommend scanning a photo at to use in my printed piece, and what size should I scan it at?
What's the best way to setup a booklet for printing with Quikie Print?
Why can't I open a graphic file in an editing program and change the resolution from 72 dpi to 400 dpi if that's what is required?
Why do images that I take from websites print so poorly and with such jagged edges?
Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

Why should I supply my own fonts with my job, won't your computer just substitute your versions of those fonts?
For one thing, we may not have some or all of the fonts you may have used in your document. Fonts contain information that tells the computer how lines of text should break and how characters appear both onscreen and on the page when it prints. These are things that vary with fonts from different manufacturers therefore substituting our version may cause drastic and possibly undesirable changes to your text flow or characters appearance in your final output.
If I am using Microsoft Publisher, how do I save the fonts and images?
Microsoft Publisher contains a tool for packing all of the fonts and images so your file can be brought to another PC and open there correctly.

In the file drop down menu, you will select "Pack n' Go". It is found underneath the "Save and Save as" selections. If you are saving the file to bring to Quikie Print you would choose "Take to a commercial printer". An on screen wizard will then open, you will first select where you will be saving this file to, be it a disk, USB jump drive or a folder your PC. Next it will ask you to check off if you want to include all the fonts, images, and links. You will want these all checked. The next window will ask you to finish this process. After completing this, you may choose to print out your file or exit. This process will normaly have created 3 files for you to use. An unpack.exe file, a packed file and a read me file. If you are uploading them to us as opposed to saving them on a disk or storage device, we recommend using our Send A File page, as it may be rejected by our email server.
Are digital pictures better than regular photos?
Like all pictures, a digital photo's quality depends on the camera's capabilities and the photographer's skill. It is just as easy to take a bad digital picture as it is with your conventional camera. to get the best printed output, you should use the maximum quality (resolution) your camera allows. If you have a photograph or choose to use a conventional camera, our high resolution scanners produce high quality graphics.
At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.

Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.

Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.
Can you download pictures directly from my digital camera?
Yes. If it is from a major manufacturer and does not require any propriatory software or special connections. Many cameras will only allow you to download to a computer after you have installed special software. In that case, we would not be able to download your pictures.
Can you print on customer supplied stock?
Yes, however, we do not recommend it. We carry a very wide range of papers and card stocks, which are properly stored, and compatible with our equipment. It has been our experience that supplied stock is not always in usable condition or compatible with our equipment. In addition, because we purchase in large quantities (for four shops) our paper costs are very economical.
Do you accept digital pictures for use in page layout and design?
Yes, in fact we prefer it.
Do you accept files from the Microsoft Office Suite?
Yes, however, due to program limitations, there may be additional output charges, and except for Publisher, colors can not be easily or inexpensively separated for multi-color offset printing.
How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
Well, since you are here, we would suggest you 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 give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.
How long does it take for you to complete my order?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Some jobs can be produced in just a few minutes, others may take days or weeks. It generally depends on what is involved in getting the job to completion. Let us know what your time frame is and we will tell you if it is possible. We make every effort to get your job completed, to your specifications, on or before your deadline.
If I am using Microsoft Publisher, how do I save the fonts and images?
Microsoft Publisher contains a tool for packing all of the fonts and images so your file can be brought to another PC and open there correctly.

In the file drop down menu, you will select "Pack n' Go". It is found underneath the "Save and Save as" selections. If you are saving the file to bring to Quikie Print you would choose "Take to a commercial printer". An on screen wizard will then open, you will first select where you will be saving this file to, be it a disk, USB jump drive or a folder your PC. Next it will ask you to check off if you want to include all the fonts, images, and links. You will want these all checked. The next window will ask you to finish this process. After completing this, you may choose to print out your file or exit. This process will normaly have created 3 files for you to use. An unpack.exe file, a packed file and a read me file. If you are uploading them to us as opposed to saving them on a disk or storage device, we recommend using our Send A File page, as it may be rejected by our email server.
If my file prints well on my printer, why won't it print correctly for Quikie Print?
In order for us to correctly print your file, you need to supply us with all the elements that you used to create it (i.e. your fonts, linked images, etc.). We cannot guarantee that your job will print the way you expect it to if we have not been given all of the elements of the job. In addition, all print devices create small differences and desktop inkjet and laser printer technologies are quite different from the technology used to print your file digitally or on an offset press. Often, it isn't possible to exactly match your printout.
Is it a good idea for me to provide hard copies and color separations even if I give you my job on disk?
Yes. When you supply us with a good hard copy of your file, it takes the guess work out of producing your prints. Color separations show us that the file has been created to properly separate during final output.
Is white considered a printing color?
Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.
Tips on how to save your design files
Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

COREL DRAW:
Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
• Export as Illustrator EPS

FREEHAND:
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to paths
• Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF

PAGEMAKER:
Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
• Export your file as an EPS using the below settings:
Postscript Level 2
CMYK Mode
TIFF format and
Binary

PUBLISHER:
You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below.
Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer
Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF
What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your digital output or duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
The economic advantages of our digital devices are best realized on shorter runs where a fast turnaround is needed and on jobs requiring collating of sets of originals. Our customer service representatives will suggest the best production methods for your job, and explain the alternatives.
What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources.
What font files need to be sent with my job and how do I collect them?
If you designed your file on a Macintosh computer, you need to supply both the printer and screen fonts. If you used Truetype fonts there aren't any separate printer fonts. You should find these files in your computer's fonts folder located in the system folder. Simply highlight the files and drag them to the folder or disk you wish to copy them to while holding down the option key. It is very important to hold down the option key while dragging the files. If this is not done you may remove the fonts from your system's fonts folder.

On the PC, you most commonly use Truetype Fonts (.ttf files). You can find these files in the fonts folder which is located in your control panel. If you used Postscript Type 1 fonts, you will need to supply both the printer and screen fonts. There will be 2 files with the same name, but different file extension of (.PFB and .PFM). To copy these files, just select the file, choose edit–copy from your edit menu. Next go to the folder or disk you wish to copy them to and choose edit–paste from the edit menu. The files will copy to the folder or disk.
What is a "proof"?
A proof is a way of ensuring that we have prepared your data accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in person, or faxed to you.

On multiple color jobs, we will produce a color proof on our digital printer to show how the piece will appear.
What is an embedded graphic and should I use them?
What is the Pantone Matching System?
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.
What is the recommended resolution for scanning lineart or text?
We recommend scanning these types of originals at 600 dpi or higher.
What kind of work does your shop do?
What programs do you prefer for page layout and design?
We prefer our graphic artists and customers use Adobe InDesign or Quark Xpress. Both of these programs have many features and functions that aid us in creating and outputing your file quickly and correctly. Generaly Microsoft programs such as Word or Publisher are not compatible with our offset printing equipment due to their limitations and are not preferred.
What resolution do you recommend scanning a photo at to use in my printed piece, and what size should I scan it at?
400 dpi is a good resolution for scanning an image with continuous tone (i.e. a photograph). You should scan the image no smaller than the size it will be in your printed piece. Scanning the image slightly larger than you intend to use it is a good idea. Lastly, if you plan on using an image multiple times in your piece, at various sizes, scan the image at the largest size it will be used.
What's the best way to setup a booklet for printing with Quikie Print?
Please use the preferred programs;
InDesign, Quark, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word

Please setup the file one page per sheet.
Example: page 1 of your document should be the outside front cover, page 2 should be the inside front cover, page 3 should be the first interior page.

If the finished book is an 8.5 x 11 sheet folded in half, then the correct page size is 5.5 x 8.5.
Example: 32 single 5.5x8.5 pages, makes 8 double-sided 8.5x11 sheets folded and stapled.

If the finished book is an 11x17 sheet folded in half, then the correct page size is 8.5 x 11.
Example: 16 single 8.5x11 pages, makes 4 double-sided 11x17 sheets folded and stapled.

The number of pages in your document must be evenly divisible by 4.
Example: Number of pages 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, etc.

If you are still unsure about how to set up your file, please call the appropriate Quikie Print shop.
Why can't I open a graphic file in an editing program and change the resolution from 72 dpi to 400 dpi if that's what is required?
When an image starts as a low resolution (72 dpi) file it contains much less detail and sharpness than if it were originally a high resolution file. Changing the physical number of the resolution of the low resolution file will not add quality, detail or sharpness which is not there.
Why do images that I take from websites print so poorly and with such jagged edges?
Images that are to be used on the internet are usually saved in a low resolution format which keeps the file size small and allows web pages to load more quickly. These files resolution is typically 72 dpi, which is not sufficient to produce a high quality print. Files should be created at a mimimum of 300 dpi, and higher is better, when they are to be used in a printed piece. This will ensure the detail of the image is preserved.
Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.