1. How
do I place my order?
2. Why does Blair need me
to PROOF my document? I don't have the time.
3. What are the resolution
requirements for a large format color printing job?
4. How should I send my
files if I want full bleed?
5. What are the preferred
software programs for large format prints?
6. What should I include
when I send in files for large format prints?
7. I have created my files
in MS word. Can large format prints be made from it?
8. How do I transform native
files to print ready docs?
9. How should I send my
illustrator files?
10. Can Blair match my Pantone
colors on inkjet printers?
11. Can Blair make large
format prints from my PhotoShop files?
12. Can you give me photo
quality prints?
13. What paper sizes can
I choose?
14. I'm sending hard copy
for you to scan and print multiple copies. What if there are
ink spots on my original documents?
15. My 'original' documents
are copies of copies and the text is crooked. Can you fix
that for me?
16. Will Blair make corrections
to my file for me?
17. What do I need to know
about color scanning?
18. Do I need to know anything
about file sizes for scanned images?
19. Will Blair make corrections
to my file for me?
20. How do I submit my
file?
21. Can I submit my file
via email?
22. Why do I have to pay
RUSH fees?
23. What is DPI?
24. What is LPI?
25. What is the difference
between LPI and DPI?
1. How do I place my order?
For faster turnaround and a smooth process, we recommend
our online ordering system EWO.
EWO generates your work order automatically, getting your
project through the shop more quickly.
If you like, you can email your files to customer service
csd@blairgfx.com,
or send digital files to us using EWO.
If you must send hard copy, use EWO
to request a pick-up.
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2. Why does Blair need me to PROOF my document?
I don't have the time.
Blair encourages all customers to take the time to PROOF
documents. We do not accept responsibilty for jobs that do
not meet your expectations if you refused our standard proofing
process. If we are required to re-print, you will be charged
for both print runs.
It has been our experience that if you don't take the time
to proof your job, and you end up unhappy with it, you will
most often take the time to re-print it. It's a much better
idea to not take the risk. Proof your project the first time.
You'll save yourself time and money.
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3. What are the resolution requirements
for a large format color printing job?
200 dpi at the final output size. Increasing resolution
beyond 200 dpi will not enhance you image quality, it will
only increase production time by increasing you file size.
Vector based graphics & text (Illustrator, Freehand,
CorelDraw, QuarkXPress, and PageMaker) are scaleable to any
size as they are.
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4. How should I send my files if I want
full bleed?
Leave room for bleed for any image or color that bleeds
off the edge of the page. Do not change the document size.
Just drag the picture box over the edge of the document.
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5. What are the preferred software programs
for large format prints?
QuarkXPress, CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, PageMaker, Freehand,
PhotoShop, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, MS Publisher and most
other professional packages.
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6. What should I include when I send
in files for large format prints?
You should include the original file, plus all fonts
or placed images used in the presentation. Also include a
hardcopy proof.
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7. I have created my file in MS Word.
Can large format prints be made from it?
Word processing and spreadsheet applications adjust margins
and graphics based on printer descriptions and are not recommended
for print production. If files are created in these types
of applicaitons, a hard copy is required when submitting your
order, and additional charges for reformatting could be incurred.
For best results, we recommend creating your file in one of
the applications listed under supported software, or save
your file as a .pdf before submitting.
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8. How should I send my illustrator files?
For EPS (vector based) graphics, convert all of your typesetting
to curves (or outlines) when saving eps graphics out of illustrator,
Freehand, or Corel Draw. This will minimize font rejustification
problems during output.
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9. How do I transform native files into
print ready docs?
From your desktop application, select a print dialog (driver).
For color printing, we recommend the Hewlett
Packard 755 plot driver (download). Mac users either
make a pidf. or if you do not have Adobe Acrobat or distiller,
save your document as a postscript file using the HP DesignJet
Postscript Plot Driver.
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10. Can Blair match my Pantone colors
on inkjet printers?
Our inkjet printers are CMYK devices and cannot guarantee
exact Pantone matching. If color is critical, we can provide
you with sample color swatches of variations on the required
colors. This ill allow you to choose the "best match".
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11. Can Blair make large format prints
from my PhotoShop files?
Yes. Image files should be saved as RGB at 200 dpi at final
print size.
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12. Can you give me photo quality prints?
Yes. We recommend that all types of photo printing be completed
using the Durst/Lambda. The Durst uses a continuous tone photographic
process instead of a pixelated process.
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13. What paper sizes can I choose?
It depends on the type of process you select. In general,
we can print to any size, either with more than one document
on a page for small document sizes or using our large output
machines that print up to 58" across by any length.
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14. I'm sending hard copy for you to
scan and print multiple copies. What if there are ink spots
on my original documents?
After the originals are scanned, blair technicians massage
the scanned files to take out bits of dirt, or other imperfections.
Please discuss specific requests with your customer service
rep.
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15 My 'original' documents are copies
of copies and the text is crooked. Can you fix that for me?
Blair can deskew your documents, we can also adjust your
margins to make sure no text falls off your pages.
Cleaning up documents is very time consuming so expect your
turnaround time to increase proportionately to the amount
of fixing that must be done. Discuss due times with customer
service.
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16. Will Blair make corrections to my
file for me?
Blair does not make corrections to any file sent in
for production without direction from the client. All files
submitted for production are processed "as-is" unless
other instructions have been agreed upon between Blair Graphics
and the customer.
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17. What do I need to know about color
scanning?
Scan your file with the settings that are appropriate for
the output. Know how your final image will be used. is it
for a computer presentation, desktop printer, professional
printer, the Web, or will your images be made into slides?
This information will help your customer service rep. get
the best results for your project.
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18. Do I need to know anything about
file sizes for scanned images?
You should scan to the final output size of the image
you are scanning, so if you want a 3x5" image, don't
scan it at 8x10" This will limit your file sizes and
decrease your processing time.
General size guidelines:
100 DPI ~ file size is 2.5 megabytes
300 DPI ~ file size is 22 megabytes
600 DPI ~ file size is 90 megabytes (huge)
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19. If my pictures aren't that good,
can your scanner fix that for me?
A scanner does not have any affect on the quality of
image. If the image is of poor quality, has dirt, scratches
or creases on it, the scanner will pick up on all these imperfections.
Our skillled color imaging staff can repair some types of
image blemishes with Photoshop. It takes a considerable amount
of time to improve poor images. Photo re-touching is charged
per hour.
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20. How do I submit my file?
Send us your file without leaving your desk! Order
a pick-up, email
your files to us, or order
online using EWO.
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21. Can I submit my file via email?
Yes, files can be submitted via e-mail, although we would
greatly prefer you using our Electronic
Work Order feature. Always include your name, phone number,
company name, and billing/delivery instructions on e-mail
requests.
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22. Why do I have to pay RUSH fees?
Normally scheduled jobs take precedence over non-scheduled
jobs and non-scheduled jobs are completed in the order they
are received.
When a customer has an emergency, we accommodate them.
RUSH jobs often interrupt our production schedule forcing
us to take in-progress jobs off the table, set up and produce
the RUSH, and then set up the previous job again. Having
to break and reset-up takes a tremendous amount of time
out of our schedule.
It is important for customers to understand that additional
fees will be incurred when production of scheduled jobs is
interrupted. If we are able to complete the RUSH
without pushing back other jobs, we won't add the prioritization
charges. Blair completes projects as efficiently and effectively
as possible, so RUSH status will be determined upon receipt
of the job.
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23. What is DPI?
DPI-dots per inch, (or pixels per inch), the number of physical
dots associated with a file. Generally, the higher the dpi,
the better the resolution. Higher dpi also increases file
size. As a general rule, the dpi should be about twice the
size of the lpi (Lines per inch) of the printer. Color printers
output is 300 dpi. The lpi is 60. Therefore 150 dpi is adequate
for good output. Too many extra dots combines with line screens
will cause your image to become very muddy.
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24. What is LPI?
LPI-lines per inch, the lpi is how close the lines are placed
on paper during printing. For instance, newspapers use about
85 lpi, while glossy 4 color may use 133 lpi or more. This
is important when considering the output of your file. Too
many lines per dot will give a solorized effect when printing
a gray scale image to the b&w printers.
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25. What is the difference between LPI
and DPI?
LPI is used when speaking about the resolution of black and
white document copying. DPI can be used when speaking about
black and white, but mainly refers to color document resolution.
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