FILE SETUP

What file types are accepted?

.EPS, .PDF, JPG, .TIF saved at 300 dpi as CMYK

What is CMYK?

CMYK is also called 4-color Process. Colors in CMYK images are composed of varying amounts of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. This is the way a printing press prints color, so it is vital that your image be in this color mode. For 1-color Process it needs to be grayscale or bitmap (which only use Black).

What is RGB?

RGB is an abbreviation for Red, Green, and Blue. This is a color system commonly used for monitors, digital cameras, televisions, etc. This color system works well for DIGITAL items but not for printing ink on paper. You MUST convert your files from RGB to CMYK prior to uploading your files. You will notice that some colors (especially fluorescents) will convert to a much darker color. It is important you handle the conversion on your end so you have a realistic idea of what can print, and choose your colors accordingly. Even better is to begin your new document in CMYK to avoid having to convert later.

Should my fonts be outlined?

YES! We accept camera ready artwork only. Breaking the fonts helps us by making sure that the fonts don't change on our side when we open up the file.

What color space should I send my files in?

All files should be sent in CMYK. Any files submitted in RGB may experience unacceptable color shifting. All files submitted in RGB are automatically converted to CMYK.

What is bleed?

Bleed is the extended image area of your print job that prevents unprinted paper from showing on the edges of your finished job. We require a 1/4" (0.25") bleed on all projects.

It is not practical to print the image exactly to the edge of your finished product. Instead, additional image area is printed past where the item will be trimmed.

Why is bleed important?

In commercial 4 color printing, all final jobs are cut in stacks. The accuracy of cutting in stacks is never perfect. Sometimes, the pressure on the stack from the cutting blade will cause a slight shift on the paper, losing the precision of the intended cut. This is why bleed is necessary to compensate for the shifting.

If bleed is not provided on a document, the final result of a trimmed job may possibly result in a slight white border around the edge. The example below will illustrate why bleed is important.

What are the bleed requirements?

All files must include a 1/4" (0.25 inch) bleed per dimension regardless if your design bleeds to the edge or not. An example of bleed setup for a 4" x 6" postcard would be 4.25" x 6.25".

What is "safe area"?

Safe area contains all critical elements/information of an artwork that cannot risk being cut off, and is any area that is 1/8" (1.125") from within the trim line. Generally, important information such as text, addresses, borders and titles rest within the safe area.

Why is safe area important?

This business card example shows all important contents within the safe area and 1/8" within the trim line.

What are your resolution requirements?

All rasterized (bitmap) images must be at least 300 dpi. However, 400 dpi for photo images and 1200 dpi for text and line art is highly recommended.

Should I include crop marks in my file?

NEVER include crop marks in your artwork. Always submit your artwork at trim size + bleed. An example of bleed setup for a 4" x 6" postcard would be 4.25" x 6.25".

Can I include front and back images in 1 file?

Each side of your artwork must be in a separate file. Do not put both front and back in the same file.

FILE SUBMISSION

How do I send my files to Ship4FREEPrinting?

There are two methods to send artwork to S4F. The first is to use a free uploading service such as zshare (www.zshare.net). Once you have finalized your order, you will be able to upload your artwork directly to our email address, ship4freeprinting@gmail.com.

For those customers that need to submit larger files, contact us for FTP access.

PAPER INFO

What is AQ (Aqueous) coating?

AQ coating is a thin subtle coating applied to print, strictly for protection and to allow the printing of the backside immediately. In most cases, unless you know what to look for, there is only a subtle difference in sheen to the AQ coated side of a job. Aqueous is similar to watered-down version of the white glue like you may have used in grade school.

Can your AQ (Aqueous) coating be written on or inkjetted?

Only with specific products. For inkjetting, ONLY certain inkjetting machines with specialized inks, are able to imprint without smearing. For writing, ball-point pens, some pencils, and permanent markers work. Remember that we offer coated 1 SIDE ONLY products that will allow you writing and inkjetting on the backside. Also be sure to check your proofs carefully to ensure the COATING SIDE is the one you intend.

What is UV (Ultra-Violet) coating?

UV coating is a plastic-like extremely glossy coating that is applied to print to offer a durability and finish not available with AQ (Aqueous) coating. UV coating hardens on the sheet by applying a high intensity Ultraviolet light. This process is similar to the process dentists use to seal molars. If you don’t need to write on the product after it is printed, and you prefer a super-glossy finish, this is your best option. Cutting accuracy also is affected slightly as it is hard to cut a stack of slippery sheets, even with cutting edge equipment, and sharp operators.

Can your UV (Ultra-Violet) coating be written on or inkjetted?

No. It does offer a extreme glossy finish, but is not suited at all for jobs that need to be written on or inkjetting (usually for mailing). Any of our other coating options may be written on with a ball-point pen. Remember that we offer coated 1 SIDE ONLY products that will allow you writing and inkjetting on the backside. Also be sure to check your proofs carefully to ensure the COATING SIDE is the one you intend.

PAPER CHOICES

100 lb. Gloss Text (or 100# Gloss Text)
A high quality, premium sheet gloss coated on both sides. It is similar in thickness to most magazine covers (think Cosmopolitan and Vogue, versus the flimsier Time and Newsweek). While most competitors advertise pricing on 80 lb. gloss text, which is a good quality paper, 4OVER4.COM prefers to offer only the very best. 100 lb. gloss text is 25% thicker and heavier than 80 lb. gloss text and feels substantial in your hands. It produces a high quality printed piece and impressive results.

Common Uses: Trifold Brochures, Flyers, Sell Sheets, Product Sheets, Self-Mailers, Program Covers, Playbills, Bill Stuffers

100 lb. Gloss Cover (or 100# Gloss Cover)
A thicker Grade of Paper than "text" or "book" Weight Paper that is used most commonly for covers of catalogs or Premium Brochures and flyers. Usually requested when more durability or the "premium" look is required. "100-lb" refers to how much 500 printer sheets (20" x 26") of this Paper weighs. A Gloss Coating allows this Paper perform better on Press for Color and detail.

100-lb Gloss Cover is a heavier Stock of Paper than 100-lb Gloss text. Despite the fact they both share the same "pound" rating
 

14pt Gloss Cardstock
A high quality, premium sheet gloss coated on both sides. It is substantially thicker and heavier than 100# gloss cover or 12-point gloss cardstock, which is what most of our competitors offer. 14-point feels thick, sturdy and substantial in your hands. This is what we use to print postcards

Common Uses: Heavyweight Brochures, Oversized Postcards, Sell Sheets, Product Sheets, Self-Mailers, Catalog Covers

ORDERING

Can I change paper, quantity or any other job specifications after I've finalized my order?

Due to the highly automated and fast paced gang-run process, once orders are placed, they are final. Changes cannot be made and orders cannot be cancelled or refunded.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept PAYPAL payments directly through our website. We also accept phone orders via Google Checkout. All orders must be paid in full. E-mail us here for details.

SHIPPING & TURNAROUND

When does my turnaround time begin?

All orders require up to 24 hours to process your files.

On orders approved after 5pm EST, the turnaround does not start until the next business day.

What carrier does Ship4FREEPrinting use to ship with?

Most shipments are sent via Fedex but we can use UPS, USPS, DHL or any other recommended shipper upon request.

Can I have shipments sent on my own account?

In order to take advantage of our FREE shipping offer on all orders, shipments cannot be sent using your account.  We can however make exception for special circumstances. Please e-mail or call us for more information.

Where do you ship to?

Ship4FREEPrinting ships to all 50 US states. Puerto Rico and Canada please e-mail or call us for more information.

CALCULATOR DESCRIPTIONS

Select A Size
This drop down menu shows all the available sizes for a given product.

Select A Paper/Coating
This drop down menu shows all the available paper choices for a given product.

Select Colors
This drop down menu shows all the available color choices for a given product.

Select A Quantity
This drop down menu shows all the available quantities for a given product.

DEFINITIONS

#10 Envelope
A #10 envelope is a standard business-sized envelope which measures 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 inches. This term is used in sweepstakes rules to indicate the type of envelope that you have to use to send in your entries. Be sure to stick to the rules carefully, because using a letter-sized envelope could disqualify you from the sweepstakes and destroy your chance of winning.

Also Known As:
standard business envelope, business-sized envelope

4/0

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with no printing on the back side.

4/1

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with black or grayscale on the back side.

4/4

Full color (CMYK) printing done the front and back side.

Accordion Fold

A bindery term for two or more parallel folds that result in a sheet that opens like an accordion.

Against the Grain

Perpendicular to the direction of the grain in the paper. When a product gets printed against the grain, the flexibility of the paper can be thicker or thinner. Also called across the grain and cross grain. See also Grain Direction.

Aliasing

A defect which occurs when a graphic file does not have enough resolution to reproduce image detail and causes visible jagged lines along the edges.

Alteration

Any change made by the customer after copy or artwork has been given to the service bureau, separator or printer. The change could be in copy, specifications or both. Also called AA, author alteration and customer alteration.

Anti-aliasing

Technique of filling the edges of an object with pixels to eliminate jagged lines and make it appear smoother.

Aqueous Coating (AQ)

This is available in gloss or dull. A clear, non-toxic, water-based coating applied like ink by a printing press to protect the printed surface. Most of the aqueous we use is gloss.

Artwork

In printing, this is the original copy which includes all text, graphics, photos and illustrations, intended for printing. Sometimes also called Art.

Backlit Prints/Signs

Backlit signs are designed to illuminate when a light source is placed behind them such as a florescent light or LED light. The backlit film is a semi-translucent vinyl designed to diffuse light evenly creating a realistic glow and adding radiance to vibrant color shades. Because the light accents every detail and the film is slightly transparent, the printed backlit decals appear 3-dimensional and pop with vibrant beauty.

Backlit signs are ideal for a light box or store window because the lighted signs can accent the fantastic colors and details. The backlit posters and wall displays are commonly seen within a lightbox and can be found in theaters, malls, large retail stores, and even business lobbies. Backlit decal signs are also a great addition to store storefront advertising. Because the films are lit from behind, they are visible during the day like vinyl decal film but even more vivid at night. Imagine, in the dark of night, out stands the most vivid and eye catching window display visible from the street and glowing with pristine details.

Bleed

A bleed is when an image extends beyond the trim edge of the printed product. If your image is not white on all four sides, you MUST include bleeds in your files. Add 1/8" (.125") to each side of the file. For example, for a 4" x 6" postcard with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 4.25" x 6.25"

C1S (Coated One Side)

Abbreviation for a type of paper that is coated on one side, and not on the reverse side.

C2S (Coated Two Sides)

Short for a type of paper that is coated on both the front and back surface of the sheet.

CMYK

Abbreviation for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). This is the industry standard process colors used in full- color offset printing. The combination of these four colors can produce a wide array of colors.

Coated Paper

Paper with a thin surface coating of clay that produces a smooth finish.

Color Correction

The process of adjusting and improving color qualities such as color balance and contrast, to achieve desirable colors.

Die

This is a device made out of sharp steel that is used to cut, score, stamp, emboss, or deboss irregular shapes.

Die Cutting

A process by which a template is made out of sharp steel and used to cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard sheets. Usually diecutting corresponds to printed design elements.

Dots Per Inch (DPI)

Also referred to as Pixels Per Inch (PPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 DPI/PPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the DPI/PPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

Also referred to as Pixels Per Inch (PPI), which is a measurement of resolution of a printed image determined by the number of dots that fit into one inch. For optimal results, your image must be at least 300 DPI/PPI at the final output size. Please do not attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the DPI/PPI in your image software. Doing so will result in a blurred output.
 

Emboss

The process of stamping an image into paper so it is raised above the surface. Usually aligns to a printed image or foil element. When Embossing is done to a blank sheet to create the design it is called "Blind Embossing".

Encapsulated Postscript File (EPS)

An Adobe graphic file format for high resolution images; it translates graphic and text into code that tells a printer to print in the highest resolution possible and also has low resolution view files for quick screen viewing.

EPS

Usually used as an abbreviation for the Encapsulated Postscript file format, but also used by some in the printing industry to refer to envelopes.

Final Size

The completed size after folding and bindery processes, as opposed to flat size. Also called trimmed size.

Flat Size

Size of product after printing and trimming, but before folding, as compared to final size.

Foil Stamping

The process of stamping a heated die onto a sheet of foil which releases the foil from its backing and adhering to the paper, creating a foil design on a printed piece.

Fold Marks

With printed matter, markings indicating where a fold is supposed to occur, usually located at the top edges.

Four over Four (4/4)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front and back side.

Four over One (4/1)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with black or grayscale on the back side.

Four over Zero (4/0)

Full color (CMYK) printing done on the front side with no printing on the back side.

Full Color Process Printing

Technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan and yellow to simulate full-color images. Also called color process printing, full color printing and process printing.

Gallery Wrap

Gallery Wrap is a modern style of displaying art. The canvas will be stretched to wrap around the sides (strainer bars) of a wooden frame and is secured tightly to the back of the frame. The sides of the canvas that will cover the frame are prepared and treated in the same manner as the graphics on the face of the canvas which can be designed as a solid color or a continuation of the main image.
 

Gang, Gang-Printing, Gang-Run

To reproduce two or more different printed products simultaneously on one sheet of paper during one press run. Also called a combination run, or gang-run.

Overrun

Production of larger quantities than ordered. Generally, we provide at least 5% overs, but reserve the right to be 10% under the ordered quantity.

Panel

One page of a brochure, such as one panel of a rack brochure. One panel is on one side of the paper. A tri-fold brochure has six panels, not three.

Resolution

The number of dots or pixels of an image. The higher concentration of dots or pixels per inch, the more detailed the image will be. We requires a DPI/PPI of 300 or above.

Red, Green, & Blue (RGB)

These are most commonly used with television screens and computer monitors but are not used in offset printing. RGB files should be converted to CMYK. Colors may need to be adjusted after the conversion and may not appear correct on your monitor.

Rich Black

This is made by mixing colors of ink with black in order to produce a deep, dark black on press. To create rich black for full-color process printing, your CMYK values should be Cyan: 60%, Magenta: 40%, Yellow: 40%, Black (Y): 100%

Safe Area

An area within the trim line to prevent text or type from being cut off. It is imperative that no text or essential parts of your artwork come within 1/8" of the trim line. Due to mechanical tolerance during the cutting process, any content within 1/8" of the trim line may be cut off. Please refer to our templates. Safe area is denoted by green in our available templates.

Score

A crease where a sheet of a paper will be folded. This is important to prevent cracking on the edge of the fold, and/or improve precision of the final fold. Scoring is especially recommended with thicker paper stocks.

Specifications

Complete and precise description of features of a printing job such as paper type, coating, quantity, printing, and binding type. Abbreviated "Specs". Specs essentially is what your electronic job ticket. When you place a complete job order, the details are essentially your Specs.

Spot (Color or Varnish)

One ink or varnish applied to portions of a sheet, as compared to overall.

Stock

The paper or material to be printed on.

Tray Card

A tray card is the part of the CD that sits behind the tray in the jewel case. One side of the tray card is visible when you flip the CD case over - this is the back of the album artwork where you might expect to find the track listing for the album, as well as the label logo, distribution information, barcode and other information. What is on the flip side of the tray card depends on what kind of tray is being used. If the tray is black plastic, this side of the tray card may be blank (though some bands have been known to have some kind of "surprise" artwork here for those fans who get curious and decide to pop the tray out). If the tray is clear or tinted practice, there is usually artwork on this side of the tray card as well, so it is visible when the CD is removed from the tray.
 

Under-run

Production of fewer copies than ordered by customer. We reserve the right to be over (by 5%) or under by 10%  the ordered quantity.

UV Coating

A protective coating applied to a printed piece for a super glossy finish which enhances colors and provides limited protection against UV and water damaged. UV Coating is applied to a printed sheet, then bonded and cured with ultraviolet light, as opposed to Aqueous (AQ); which is cured with heat and evaporation. UV Coating tends to have a much glossier appearance than AQ Coating.