You can fill out an online estimate request form or call and speak with one of our team members.
Yes. Our art department is available to answer questions and to help you with your ideas and design needs. Please call us, M-F (8am-5pm) for assistance.
If you’re working within a time constraint, let us know when you request a quote. We can look at our print production schedule to ensure that you will meet your deadline.
Yes – we offer Net 30 terms on a limited basis. Please contact us for information on our minimum spending requirements for terms and to request a Credit Application form. Our other payment options at the time services are rendered are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Cashier’s Check, Money Order, cash and payment through QuickBooks online.
Yes. A Next Day Proof, sometimes referred to as a Hard Copy Proof, is printed on special photo quality paper and will show an accurate rendition of the color of your finished printed piece. This is available at no charge to you. Otherwise, your digital proof will be emailed directly to you or available for review in your customer portal on our website.
We prefer PDFs (Portable Document Format) with a minimum 1/8” bleed and crop marks. Most office and design programs allow you to save or export your files into a PDF format. Occasionally, the original file may be needed if artwork edits are required.
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 pixelated and blocky when printed. Also, save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB 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.
The best way to ensure your artwork fonts will print correctly is to send them as outlined objects in your original file. If your program doesn’t allow this, packaging or sending us the fonts will work as well. If you have a question about how to send your fonts properly, please call us and we’ll be glad to help.
In the digital age of printing, it means that an image file submitted for printing is ready to be transferred to the actual printing process without any alterations.
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.
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.
In short, printers and monitors produce color in different ways. Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Offset and digital printing presses 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 the closest matching color. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced; others may not. We’ll provide you with a sample print right before we print your job to ensure a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” final product.
Paper stocks are an important consideration when designing your form. Images viewed on a computer screen are set against a white or neutral background. If your job is to be printed on anything but a white or light paper, the colors won’t appear as they do on your screen. For example, you would never print a light image on a dark colored paper, as the color would be nothing like what you see on your screen
These refer to color modes available on your software program. RGB (red, green, & blue) are the primary colors of light. Mixing these three colors in various combinations can produce hundreds of thousands of colors of light. Computer monitors always display in RGB color mode. Printing requires ink pigment instead of light to produce color. Offset printing uses four colors – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black – also known as CMYK. Similar to an artist’s palette, mixing these four ink colors can produce hundreds of thousands of colors.… PMS, also known as Pantone or spot colors, are specific colored inks. PMS colors are not created by mixing CMYK ink pigments. If your artwork is created using RGB or PMS colors, our system will convert the colors to a CMYK equivalent color during the proofing process. Not all RGB and PMS colors have a CMYK equivalent, which can cause significant color changes from your original file to your proof. We recommend creating your artwork in CMYK color mode to minimize the color change.
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.
White is not generally considered a printing color as typically the paper itself will be white. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of ink. There are some digital printers that utilize a toner that is white, but currently we don’t offer that service.
Offset printing is either done in “process” color or “spot“ color. Process color is 4-color inks, C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), K (Key or Black), also known as CMYK. The ink is applied in layers to produce the final colors. Like a painter’s palette, mixing the 4 inks can produce hundreds of thousands of colors. PMS or spot color is printed as one or more pure colors from a PMS chart, much like a paint chart.
If the color is critical, we recommend that you order a hard copy proof to accompany your print job. College Street Printing calibrates our presses every day to ensure consistent color reproduction. Although we accept RGB files we recommend converting your graphics to CMYK to set color expectations to what a printing press can actually produce. RGB images are assigned AdobeRGB unless tagged with a custom profile.
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.…
The process for minimizing any variance begins with adjusting your monitor for optimal color and clarity according to the manufacturer’s recommendations as outlined within its product manual or website. Doing this will alleviate a number of potential issues.
Beyond that, for the greatest conformity in color from screen to print, we recommend a hard copy proof which would allow us to adjust color at the press itself until it hits your target colors.
Rich black is a color combination that will produce a deep, dark, full black off the press. Almost any color combination can be considered a rich black as long as there are 100% black ink and at least 1% of at least one other CMY colors. Our recommended rich black combination is 60% Cyan, 40% magenta, 40% Yellow, 100% Black.
In printing terms, a proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last, and best, opportunity to make sure that your print job comes out the way you envisioned. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help ensure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job the first time without costly reprints.
The proof is sized to the finished cut size of the job specifications that was ordered. In addition, sometimes art is adjusted upward or downward in an effort to prevent piracy.
The most common reason artwork shifts on the proof are that the artwork is not set up or centered correctly on the original file. The proofing engine finds the center point of the artboard/canvas and places it in the exact center of the trim size.
Since printing presses cannot print all the way to the edge of a sheet of paper, a finished product that requires off-the-edge print must be printed on a larger sheet of paper and cut back to the image. This refers to “bleed”. Bleed is a printing term for artwork that is going to, or bleeding to, the edge of the finished piece. We require a 1/8” bleed of image beyond the cut lines on all sides to ensure that when the finished piece is cut down to the final size, if the paper shifts slightly, the edge will still show color.
Resolution refers to the crispness of an image. Resolution is directly based on the number of dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi). Computer monitors require only 72dpi to display a crisp image, for digital printing a minimum of 200dpi is recommended, and for offset printing 300dpi is recommended. Viewing your College Street Printing PDF proof at 300% will give you a good rendition of how the image will appear on the finished printed piece. A snapshot picture of something is not considered art nor is it useable as art.
We print book pages in spreads, however, for proofing purposes we require each page to be built as a single page with a 1/8” bleed on all 4 sides, then combine the individual pages into a multi-page PDF.… For example, a 12-page book will require a 12-page PDF file to be uploaded. For books built-in design programs such as InDesign or Quark, set up your document to the finished size of your book (measure the front cover when closed) with a 1/8″ bleed and export the PDF with bleed on all sides. For books that do not have crossover pages, set up your pages as single pages with a 1/8″ bleed then save your single pages into a multi-page PDF. Crossovers are when images or text cross over 2 facing pages. For books with crossovers, we recommend using a design program such as InDesign or Quark. Please contact our art department if you need additional assistance.
Almost all software programs will allow you to generate a PDF file. The option may vary depending on the software program you are using, but generally, if you go to the “File” tab on the menu bar, you will find a “Save As” or “Export” or “Print” option. Select “PDF” as the file type and follow the software program instructions to create the PDF. Select the option of “High-Quality Print” or “High Press Quality”.
You can upload .pdf, .tif, .jpg, or .eps files. We recommend .pdf files.
We offer 3 coating options for all coated stocks on offset printed products. Uncoated stocks have no coating. Gloss Aqueous or Matte Aqueous Coating can be applied to all coated stocks. It has a semi glossy finish. Stocks with aqueous coating are writable with ballpoint or sharpie pens but are not compatible with desktop printers or office mailing machines. To ensure writability or printability, select an uncoated stock. High Gloss UV is a very glossy finish like a glossy photo. It is applied on top of the aqueous coating. High Gloss UV coating can enhance vibrant colors or designs but tends to show fingerprints on black or similarly dark colors. UV coating adds extra ink protection and some water resistance. You cannot write or print on UV coating. Drop by our office and we’ll be happy to show you samples.
The most common card stocks used for postcards are:
Standard sizes for catalogs and booklets are 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, 8 1/2″ x 11 and 11″ x 17″.
Common brochure sizes are 8 1/2″ x 11″, 8 1/2″ x14″ and 11″ x17″.
The address window on a typical business envelope measures 4 1/2″ x 1 1/8″ and is located 7/8” from the left edge of the envelope and ½” from the bottom.
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. It tends to be more expensive, however.
The three most popular sizes for personalized notepads are 4.25” x 5 ½”, 4″ x 6″, 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and 8 1/2″ x 11″.
There are four popular sizes for sticky notes: 3″ x 3″, 3″ x 4″, 3″ x 5″ and 4″ x 6″.
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.
Spiral binding: Wires in a spiral form threaded through punched holes along the binding edge of the papers. Allows the document to lay open flatly.
Plastic comb binding: Similar to spiral binding but using a tubular plastic piece with teeth that fit through rectangular holes punched into the binding edge.
Three-ring binding: Holes are punched into the pages and fitted into a binder.
Case binding: Sewing the pages together and then attaching them to a hard cover.
Bond: Most commonly used for letterhead, business forms and copying. Typical weights are 16# for forms, 20# for copying and 24# for stationery.
Text: A high-quality grade paper with a lot of surface texture. Weights range from 60# to 100# with the most common being 70# or 80#.
Uncoated Book: The most common grade for offset printing. Typically, 50# to 70#.
Coated Book: Has a glossy finish that yields vivid colors and overall excellent reproduction. Basis weights range from 30# to 70# for web press, and 60# to 100# for sheet press.
Cover: Used in creating business cards, postcards and book covers. Can be either coated or uncoated. Basis weights for this grade are 65#, 80#, 100#, or 120#. We also stock .010pt, .012pt, .014pt, and .016pt cover in C1S and C2S configurations. Ask for details. We have unlimited access to many different types, colors, weights textured stocks for you custom projects. We have paper sample books from the three major suppliers of fine printing papers.
Business envelope sizes are referenced by a number such as #9 or #10. The chart below indicates the most common sizes in use today:
We do offer bundling services for the EDDM® pieces or we will ship or deliver the entire quantity of printed pieces directly to you. EDDM mail must be bundled, sorted, slip sheets attached and delivered to the postal service with the correct postal forms.
Direct Mail uses mailing lists to get your printed product to a targeted audience. All of the work is done by us. We will print your job, inkjet the names and addresses from your mailing list and deliver your product to the post office for delivery. Mailing lists can be purchased with very specific criteria to truly target your intended audience. You can provide your own mailing list or purchase one from us...
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) is a program through the United States Postal Service where your printed pieces are delivered to every door on a particular postal route instead of individuals on a list. EDDM mailing is more economical but does require that each address on the selected route(s) receive a mail piece.
Yes, you can upload multiple mailing lists to your print order. We can combine the lists into one list to avoid multiple mailing list processing fees.
Our customer services department can provide both consumer and business mailing lists.
First Class Mail: First Class Mail is processed by the post office on the same day that we submit it to the post office. Delivery of your mail pieces can take up to 5 business days. Standard Mail: Standard Mail is also known as Bulk Mail. It is the slowest but most economical way to mail through the post office. Once we deliver your mail pieces to the post office, they can hold it for up to 48 hours before processing it. Delivery usually takes 7-13 business days. Nonprofit Mail: Nonprofit Mail will mail at the Standard Mail delivery time. To mail at Nonprofit rates, you must be set up with a nonprofit status with the post office and then submit a PS-3632 form to our mailing department. Please note that delivery times are set by the United States Postal Service and may vary. For political mailings, please contact your local post office for information for delivery times.
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.
Postcards for standard mail are found in three common sizes: 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″ and 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Anything Larger than 6” x 4.25” is considered Large and will incur a higher rate. Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) has their own postcard sizes. They are: 8.5” x 7”, 6.25” x 9”, 4.25” x 11”, 6.25” x 11”, 8.5” x 11”, and 6” x 12”.
In order to meet USPS mailing requirements all mail pieces must have a: 4″ wide by 2″ tall white space in the bottom right corner for the barcode and addressing purposes. The mailing panel may not have a border or background color.There should also be a 1” by 1” white space in upper right corner for the indicia. Return address on the same side as the mailing panel.
Pricing can vary depending on the mailing list criteria. You can request a mailing list at by contacting our customer services department.
Transit times refer to the shipment period or how long it will take to deliver the order. This period begins after the turnaround time or printing period of your order. Transit times are not included in the turnaround time, which is the number of days it takes to print your job.
Your turnaround time is the number of days it will take to print your job. It does not include Pre-Press, Composition, Art, shipping transit time or mail processing time. Our default turnaround time is 7-10 business days, but we are able to help you meet your deadlines by simply requesting an expedited due date. Turnaround times are based on business days, Monday through Friday, and exclude federal holidays.
Jobs with USPS (United States Postal Service) chosen as the shipping method are shipped by DHL to your local post office and then delivered to your home by USPS standard delivery methods. USPS mail can take up to 10 business days from the ship date on your account to delivery of your product. Jobs shipped by UPS will be shipped the most economical way available, and a tracking number is available upon request. Expedited, 2nd day, or next day air is available at the published rate.
We offer free local delivery within a 30-mile radius of our office in Waxahachie, Texas. Ask our customer service department for details.
