Chronos Marketing

Technical Questions

What file formats do you accept for images and graphics?

We accept the following file formats: CDR | EPS | JPG | PDF | PNG |PSD | TIF

Can I use images from the internet for my print job?

There are two very important reasons why it's NOT a good idea to use an image from the internet.

1- When an image is uploaded to the internet, the image is automatically converted to 72 DPI (see "What is 300 DPI?"). This is so images can load a little faster for viewing purposes. When a 72 DPI image is stretched to 300 DPI, The lack of pixels is filled with virtual pixels, which always makes the image blurry and "pixelated."

2- Something that most people are not aware of is that any image posted on the internet becomes a copyrighted work, even if it is not said on the website. Written permission would have to be obtained before you can use the image in your print.

What is RGB/CMYK?

When it comes to color based on light (otherwise known as "Additive Color"), red, green and blue are combined to create the different colors you see. As the different colors are added to each other, they create white light - hence the term "additive color." the colors are "added" together to create white. The RGB color format is used inside television sets and computer monitors.

CMYK works almost the complete opposite of RGB. There are three primary colors in this format: cyan, magenta and yellow. With color based on ink, the colors are added together to create black, subtracting from the white on the paper. This is called "Subtractive Color" - you start with white, then subtract light with ink to get black. True Black cannot be achieved with these colors, however. So, black is added - giving you CMYK ("K" is used to refer to black, so it is not confused with the "B" for blue).

What is 300 DPI?

Look at a digital image. You see the full image. If you were to zoom in really tight on one spot, you will see small squares with different colors. These are "pixels." The more pixels you have within the image, the greater the color range and the higher the quality of the image. How many pixels you have inside the image is referred to as dots per inch, or DPI (also known as pixels per inch, or PPI). This refers to the number of pixels inside one square inch of an image file. In a 300 DPI image, 300 pixels are arranged within one square inch of the image. This is the minimum amount of pixels per inch required for a print-quality job.

What is a bleed?

Exact cuts cannot be guaranteed. All professional printing requires either an exterior or interior bleed (also known as "safety area"). The background design should extend to the edge of the layout passed the bleed are, but the text needs to stay inside that area.

Two major problems occur when bleed is not used properly:

1- The text is placed to the edge or outside the bleed area, which results in the text getting cut.

2- The background does not go to the edge of the design, which results in a white border around your job.

All our jobs require 1/8" exterior bleed. All important text and images should stay within the safety zone, which is 1/8” in from the trimming line.

What is 4/0, 4/1, and 4/4?

These numbers refer to the number of colors used on each side of your job. The first number typically refers to the front, while the second number refers to the back. The highest any of the numbers can be is four, since we use four colors to print your job (CMYK - see "What is RGB/CMYK?").

4/0 - Full color on the front, blank on the back.

4/1 - Full color on the front, on color on the back.

4/4 - Full color on both sides.

What are your turnaround times?

Depending on the order, our turnaround times vary from Next Day+1 , 2-4 Business Days and 5-7 Business Days for custom jobs or jobs requiring extra finish such as score and fold or perforation. Business Days are only Monday – Friday. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays are not to be included as a business day in a turnaround time. Our turnaround time is solely for production. If production completes after 3pm, it may not ship out until the following business day.

Mailing Questions

What file format do you accept for database for direct mail?

We accept the following formats: Excel File .xls (recommended), .mdb, .csv (comma delimited file) and .txt (ASCII text file)

What is included in mailing service within the USA?

• Data process of one mailing list ($25 for each additional list)

• C.A.S.S. Certification (Coding Accuracy Support System)

• N.C.O.A (National Change of Address)

• De-dupe list

• Pre-sorting

• Ink-jet setup and addressing

• Post Office delivery

What type of shipping does Chronos Marketing use?

We currently use UPS in the USA and Fedex in Canada. Unfortunately we do not offer the option to use your shipping account. We may look at changes in the future, but not at this time.

What is the turnaround time for data processing?

Once your job has printed, it will take us approx 1-3 business days to complete the data processing, addressing, sorting, bundling and bag and tag your postcards and drop them off to USPS for delivery.

What class of USPS mail is offered?

Presorted Standard – Post Office delivery time is estimated 2 weeks delivery. Anywhere from 4 – 20 days as per USPS.

Presorted First Class – Post Office delivery time is estimated 1-3 business days.

Non-Presort First Class – Non Presort is estimated 1-3 business days, is the same as placing a stamp on an envelope.(no postage discounts)

General Questions

What is a Tag?

When a printing company puts their name and contact info really small on your flyer, that is called a "tag." We tag all jobs we design in our office. Our tag looks something like this:

This is put as a 6pt font size on the job designed by us where it won't interfere with the actual layout. The only jobs we do not tag are business cards.

Do you guarantee color?

Colors cannot be guaranteed to match 100% as visible color on your monitor and print color in ink are processed differently.

However, if your job is color critical, you can request a color proof of your print. This will get us within 90% of the desired color. Please note that there is an additional cost for a color proof and it will delay the turnaround of your print.

What is U.V. Coating?

U.V. Coating is a high gloss finish applied to prints. It starts off as a liquid. After a run is printed, the coating is sprayed onto the paper and dried using ultraviolet light - hence the name "U.V. Coating."

The U.V. Coating makes your print shiny and more eye-catching. It also greatly reduces ink fade, so your job will last longer.

The only downside to U.V. Coating is that you cannot write on the paper with regular pens and certain markers. So, be mindful of the full extent of your job before placing your order.

I submitted my Job. Can you make changes for me?

No. There are two reasons why we cannot make changes for you if you submit your own design:

1- When your job gets to us, it is a flattened image file. We would not have the separate layers to work with. For us to make any adjustments to your files would result in severely damaging the design of your job.

2- If changes are to be made by us, it would result in us charging you a design fee.

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