Help and How To

Not sure where to start with your project? Confused about what type of paper or binding to choose? Read our helpful tips about paper types, binding types, terms used in printing, and other information you might need to know!

General

• Quantity: This refers to the total number of finished pieces required.
   
• Number of Pages: This refers to the total number of individual pages to be printed. For example, a standard postcard is printed on both the front and back. In this case the total number of pages would be 2.
   
• *Number of Pages for booklets: A common mistake when requesting booklet printing is to list the number of spreads. A spread is simply a set of pages (usually two) viewed together. In order to provide accurate pricing, we need to know the number of individual pages. Common page sizes include 5.5” x 8.5”, 6” x 9”, and 8.5” x 11”.
   
• Please Note: Saddle stitch documents need to be built in page multiples of 4 pages (8, 12, 16, etc.) because they are printed on sheets that are folded in half.
   
• Flat Size: This refers to the dimensions of a document after it has been printed and received any necessary trimming, but before it has been subject to any operations that further affect its size, such as folding. Flat size is often used interchangeably with Trim Size. For documents that are not folded, the Flat Size is also the same as the Finished Size.
   
• Folded Size: This refers to the dimensions of a document after it has been folded. For example, a standard tri-fold brochure has a flat size of 8 1/2 x 11 with a folded size of 3.667 x 8.5.
   
• File Submission: We accept print ready PDF files as artwork. On occasion, we will ask for a packaged InDesign file. Please make sure that anything that touches the edge of the page extends beyond the page 1/8 of an inch (bleed) so we have room to trim without having a white border. For more information about bleeds, please visit here: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/exporting-publishing-pdf.html. PDFs should be sent as single pages and NOT spreads. Please contact us if you need guidance in preparing your file for print.

Paper

Different types and thicknesses of paper are usually used for different types of products. Read on to learn about the differences between types of paper we offer and what products they are best for.

Cover VS Text Weight Papers: A cover weight paper is going to be thick, similar in feel to card stock. Text weight papers are thinner, more like catalog and magazine paper. A paper labeled “cover” is always going to be thicker than a “text” paper. For example, 100# Gloss Cover is going to be much thicker than 100# Gloss Text.

• 20/50# Text (non-glossy): Standard “copier paper”. This is an economical paper most commonly used for black and white, low-cost printing. This is relatively thin and may have show through with heavy coverage.
   
• 60# Text (non-glossy): This paper is slightly thicker than 20/50# “copy paper” An economical paper most commonly used for color, low-cost printing. This is relatively thin and may have show-through with heavy coverage.
   
• 28/70#, 32/80# & 40/100# Text (non-glossy): These range from premium to ultra-premium stocks from left to right. Feels thick and substantial in your hands and is the best type of uncoated paper stock available for full-color printing. Show through is typically not an issue with heavy coverage. This would be a good choice for standard to higher end pieces like annual reports, newsletters or portfolio projects.
   
• 80# Gloss Text (glossy, coated surface): Standard glossy paper provides an excellent opaque base for rich full color printing. This is a good choice for vibrant colors and photos. This is a standard paper for brochure printing, magazines, flyers, annual reports, etc.
   
• 100# Gloss Text (glossy, coated surface): Similar to the 80# gloss text, but 25% thicker and heavier, for a more substantial feeling piece. This is a good choice for vibrant colors and photos. This is a good choice for higher end pieces like brochure printing, magazines, flyers, annual reports, posters, etc.
   
• 80# Uncoated Cover (non-glossy): This paper is the thickness of a lightweight business card. This bright white, uncoated smooth cover stock. You can easily write on this stock. This is suitable for low-cost book covers, posters, business cards, etc.
   
• 100# Uncoated Cover (non-glossy): This paper is the thickness of a standard business card. Bright white, uncoated smooth #1 grade cover stock is 14pt in thickness. You can easily write on this stock. This heavier option is a great companion to our 70# uncoated text for texture consistency across your marketing materials. This is a suitable option for appointment or reminder cards and business cards, book covers, etc.
   
• 80# Gloss Cover (glossy, coated surface): This paper is the thickness of a postcard or baseball card. Coated with a glossy finish, making photographs and other images look beautiful. Standard uses: durable, heavy-weight brochures, catalog covers, and packaging.
   
• 100# Gloss Cover (glossy, coated surface): This paper is the thickness of a standard business card. Coated with a glossy finish, making photographs and other images look beautiful. Not a good choice to write on. This a good choice for high quality magazine covers, business cards, postcards, fold-over greeting cards, etc.
   
• 12pt Coated Two-Side Cover (glossy, coated surface): This paper is the thickest standard cover stock we offer. Coated with a glossy finish, making photographs and other images look beautiful. Not a good choice to write on. This a good choice for business cards, postcards, rack cards, bookmarks, etc.
   
• 12pt Coated One-Side Cover (premium thickness, a glossy coated surface on one side & a non-glossy surface on the second side): This paper is the thickest standard cover stock we offer. Our most popular paper for postcards and greeting cards. This is a good choice for vibrant colors and photos on the coated side with the added benefit of being able to write on the second side.

Binding

There are many different methods of binding documents together, so here is your go-to guide to learning about the different types of binding printed product. See below for illustrations of each.

Perfect Bind: Perfect binding refers to the method of binding where the cover and pages of the book are glued together at the spine and then the edges are “perfectly” trimmed to give your book its sharp, even edges. Perfect bound books are lightweight, flexible, and sleek.

Saddle Stitch: Saddle stitching refers to the method of binding where the pages are gathered together, folded and stapled along the crease, from the outside, to create a book. When setting up a booklet for saddle stitching you need your page count to be in multiples of four pages.

Coil Binding: Coil binding is where a continuous plastic loop is inserted into punched holes along the spine. This binding allows books to lay flat when open.

Tape Binding: Tape binding involves a strip of tape lined with a heat-activated adhesive or pressure sensitive adhesive. The tape is applied to the spine of a stack of paper. It’s affordable and stacks flat but is much less durable compared to perfect binding.

File Preparation

Please export your file to a High or Press Quality PDF 

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