FAQ

We want you to understand certain aspects of the printing process that may be obvious to us, but new for you. The following is a helpful list of commonly asked questions and explanations of printing terminology, processes and technology. If you need a question answered that you are unable to find here, give us a call or send us an e-mail. We are always available to answer your questions.

Do you accept Mac or PC files?
We accept files from both Mac and PC platforms

What type of application files do you accept?
We can work with files from the following applications:

  • Adobe InDesign CS4
  • Adobe Illustrator CS4
  • Adobe Photoshop CS4
  • Adobe Acrobat 9 (PDF)
  • Adobe PageMaker 7
  • QuarkXPress 8
  • iWork ’09 (Keynote, Pages, Numbers)
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft Office 2008 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

What file types do you accept?
We accept file types with the following file extensions:
*.eps, *.ai, *.pdf, *.tiff, *.psd, *.bmp, *.jpg, *.png, *.indd,
*.inx, *.qxd, *.pmd, *.pub, *.fhd, *.doc, *.xls, *.ppt, *.ps

Don’t see your file extension here?
Don’t worry, feel free to call or email and ask us about it.
Chances are good that we are familiar with it.

Do you have an FTP site?
We sure do. You can upload your files here.

What are RGB and CMYK color modes?
Most graphic software programs give you the choice to work in either RGB or CMYK color mode. Scanners and digital cameras create images and computer monitors display images using combinations of just three colors: Red; Green; and Blue (RGB). These are the primary colors of light, which computer monitors use to display images on your screen.

Offset and digital printing presses print full color pictures and images using a different set of colors: Cyan (Blue); Magenta (Red); Yellow; and BlacK (CMYK). This is also called “4-color process” or “full-color” printing that comprises the majority of magazines and marketing materials you see every day.

If you have not created your digital layout or design using CYMK color values, your RGB file will be converted to CMYK during the proofing process in order to print it on a printing press. Such a conversion will likely cause a color shift in your finished product.

Will you convert my RGB files to CMYK
We can, but the colors will change (sometimes drastically) when you change color modes. It’s best if you or your graphic designer performs the conversion in order to make any necessary color adjustments.

What are PMS (PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM) colors?
The PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM is the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching and controlling ink colors. Many companies and organizations specify PANTONE colors for their branding/marketing materials because the printing of PANTONE colors remains relatively consistent across the board.

What’s the difference between “raster” and “vector” art?
Raster or bit mapped graphics are defined by a grid of pixels. Each pixel has a specific color value assigned to it depending what color mode you are working in it is defined differently. A pixel is usually very small so you don’t notice the individual pixels, they all combine to make up the raster graphic.

Vector graphics use math to create the shapes that make up the graphic. The advantage of using math to describe a shape is it doesn’t have a set resolution. The shape will display/print at the highest resolution the output device supports. This is very different then raster images which have a fixed resolution. Also fonts and therefore text is usually vector based. Logos are excellent examples of ideal vector based graphics. As a vector graphic a logo can be re-sized up or down without any loss of detail. A raster graphic can usually be reduced in size, but it is not advisable to enlarge a raster graphic since it is a fixed resolution and will become blurry the more you enlarge it.

Some examples of raster graphic formats are: JPG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, PSD, PNG

Some examples of vector graphic formats are: EPS, AI, FHD, CDR

Are my images the right resolution?
Uploaded raster image files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Images with a resolution less than 300 dpi will reproduce poorly on an off-set printing press. The image will look fuzzy and/or pixelated.

If you took your images from a website on the internet, there is a high probability that they will not be a high enough resolution for printing, unless the images came from a stock photography house and are designated high resolution.

The internet displays images at 72 dpi, so that the images appear quickly over an internet connection, but under no circumstances should they be used for printing. If you submit low-resolution files for printing, the files will not pass our pre-qualification process. Should this occur, you can either replace the low resolution images with high resolution images and upload corrected files or you can sign an online waiver acknowledging that you are aware of the resulting loss of quality and have agreed to print the files as is.

Can you make a correction to my job after I have submitted files?
Our pre-flighters can usually make changes to your files submitted for printing, but it depends on the file format. If a correction is needed it’s best call or email and ask if the correction can be made.

I saw my proof and I want to change it. How can I do this?
Depending on the type of file you provided we may or may not be able to
make revisions. It’s best to call or email us and ask.

Do you have color swatches to use when designing my artwork?
Yes. We typically use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) for matching colors.
We are not limited to PMS colors. We can design in CMYK, RGB, Grayscale, etc.,
depending on on your requirements.

Can I just submit my logo and copy and have High Point layout the design?
Absolutely. We have a graphic design department that can take care of all your designing needs.
For more information about our graphics services, please visit our graphics page here.