Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Just start by following one of the links below.

1. Do you accept files from the Microsoft Office Suite?
2. If my file prints well on my printer, why won't it print correctly for Quikie Print?
3. Is it a good idea for me to provide hard copies and color separations even if I give you my job on disk?
4. What is the importance of supplying my fonts with my job, won't your computer just substitute your versions of those fonts?
5. What font files need to be sent with my job and how do I collect them?
6. Can you print on customer supplied stock?
7. What is a "proof"?
8. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
9. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
10. Do you accept digital pictures?
11. Are digital pictures better than regular photos?
12. Can you download pictures directly from my digital camera?
13. What programs do you prefer for page layout and design?
14. What is an embedded graphic and should I use them?
15. Why do images that I take from websites print so poorly and with such jagged edges?
16. What's the best way to setup a booklet for printing with Quikie Print?
17. What is the recommended resolution for scanning lineart or text?
18. What resolution do you recommend scanning a photo at to use in my printed piece, and what size should I scan it at?
19. 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?
20. What kind of work does your shop do?
21. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
22. What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your digital output or duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
23. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. What is the importance of supplying my 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.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
8. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
   
   Although we try, we are not always perfect, and sometimes our understanding of your wishes is different than yours. Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of the job and approve it as correct.
   
   
9. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
   
   This may seem redundent, but it is neccessary. All output devices process digital information differently. When you approve a proof we output it ensures that our devices have interpreted your file's information to your satisfaction.
   
   
10. Do you accept digital pictures?
    
    Yes
    
    
11. 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. Photo prints are preferable to negatives or slides.
    
    
12. 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.
    
    
13. 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.
    
    
14. What is an embedded graphic and should I use them?
    
    
15. 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.
    
    
16. 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.
    
    
    
17. What is the recommended resolution for scanning lineart or text?
    
    We recommend scanning these types of originals at 600 dpi or higher.
    
    
18. 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.
    
    
19. 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.
    
    
20. What kind of work does your shop do?
    
    
21. 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.
    
    
22. 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.
    
    
23. 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.