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. Just start by following one of the links below.
1. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
2. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
3. How do I prepare my files for submission?
4. What is a "proof"?
5. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
6. What is the difference between a product printed on our sheetfed presses and open-web presses?
7. What is the difference between saddle stitch binding and perfect binding?
8. In what format can I submit my mailing list?
9. How many informational lines are available on the mailing labels for my job?
10. I have two mailing lists, one of which is our house mailing list that we have kept up to date for years, and another is a new list that we have just recently purchased. Can our house list records have priority during dupe detection process?
11. Is Alonzo Printing Co. a union shop?
1. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
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 send us a fax with your complete specifications to "Attn: Alonzo Printing Estimating Department".
2. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
The average job takes approximately 2 to 7 workdays to complete once all proofs are approved and returned. Your job may require more or less time, depending on several factors such as the number of production processes involved, the quantity ordered, and the availability of materials.
3. How do I prepare my files for submission?
Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress are the best tools for print. If you have created artwork in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, save the art as EPS or TIFF, and place in your InDesign or Quark file. Convert all RGB images to CMYK. The minimum resolution for images should be 300 pixels per inch. Make sure that the page size of your document matches the final trim size of your job. Allow at least 1/8” for bleed.
If you are sending page layout files instead of a PDF (Portable Document Format), include all used fonts and images. The easiest way to do that is to select the menu item "Collect for Output..." (Quark), "Package…" (InDesign) or "Save for Service Provider..." (PageMaker). These commands will allow you to gather all elements in a single folder. Finally, compress your files using Stuffit for Macintosh files, or WinZip for PC files.
4. What is a "proof"?
A proof is a way of ensuring accuracy of layout, type matter, tone and color reproduction. Typically, we will produce a proof that will be sent to you online or printed on paper that can be viewed at our facility or delivered to you in person. Keep in mind that a prove is just a reference for color reproduction and typically produced on one of our digital presses. There may be slight color shifts depending on the print process used for the final production of your job.
5. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
6. What is the difference between a product printed on our sheetfed presses and open-web presses?
Our sheetfed presses use a 175 line screen, while our open-web presses can reproduce 120 line screen. Jobs with high page counts and large quantities are more cost effective to run on our web presses due to the high press speeds. There are also differences in the quality and the types of paper that can print on each press. Our web presses print on stocks as thin as 28# newsprint and as thick as 70# uncoated book. All web stocks must be uncoated, whereas sheetfed stocks can either be uncoated or coated, allowing for a greater variety of choices.
7. What is the difference between saddle stitch binding and perfect binding?
A saddle stitched product has staples on the spine of the book to hold it together. A perfect bound product has glue on the spine to adhere the pages to the cover. Perfect binding is the same process used to bind soft cover novels and text books.
8. In what format can I submit my mailing list?
MS Excel, a database format, or text format may be used. If a text format is used the information should be delimited by tabs or commas. Each column should be consistent because it will make for a clean database file. Be sure that Apt No’s, Ste’s, Spaces, and Lots come after the Name and Street Number. Numerical values should be used when referring to Street Numbers (i.e. 123 Montgomery Street).
9. How many informational lines are available on the mailing labels for my job?
There are only 5 lines for information on the address labels, for example, Name, Firm, Title, and two Address lines. Having three Address lines does not work with our address checking software because it only checks two address fields for primary and secondary addresses. Your fields can be no longer than 50 characters in length, but we prefer 48 characters.
10. I have two mailing lists, one of which is our house mailing list that we have kept up to date for years, and another is a new list that we have just recently purchased. Can our house list records have priority during dupe detection process?
We can merge both mailing lists for you and purge most duplicates, even if addresses are not an exact match. Your house list records can be set to take priority over the new list. We can also provide quality merge/purge reports to you that will reveal the effectiveness of the new list.
Yes.