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Have a question?
It just might be answered here

We have put together some of the best questions ever asked by clients, friends and even competitors.

Starting A Project

What do you need from me to get started?

Typical items we need: Your logo (if you have one), text and content you need in the design. Any other material needed will be discussed and identified by the Creative Director on a project by project basis.

You can quickly upload any and all files at once by clicking the button below:

How do I know how much my project will cost?

Before we begin work on any project, we will provide a complete quote for everything you need. This quote will break down time estimates on design, design pricing, and print cost options. You will be able to approve and know the costs before we even start.

Do I have to order printing?

Many clients like the convenience of having everything done with us from start to finish but using our printing service is completely optional.

How much do you charge for the deposit?

50% of the total quoted price. Once you approve your quote and are ready for us to begin, we will send you a DEPOSIT invoice for the 50%.

After the deposit, what other payments will I be making?

For the vast majority of our projects, you will make only one last payment. This will be for the total remainder due on your project. This final payment is required at the time you approve your design(s) and prior to printing or delivering your files.

How do you accept payment?

You can pay any invoice using our secure online payment portal. You can pay online with a check (ACH) or any major credit card.

Do you only service clients in the United States?

We can design marketing pieces for clients worldwide and even in different languages. Once you approve your design, we will format your files for web and print production. Our printing services are offered only for our United States and Canadian clients at this time.

Is it easier if I work with a local designer?

If you like our designs then working with us isn’t a problem. We are as close as your computer. With our easy proofing software, you can mark up your design proofs and we can collaborate on your project as if we were sitting at the same table. Even if you are in Hillsboro, Illinois.

Do you charge for shipping?

We do not charge for standard ground shipping of your printed pieces anywhere in the United States. There is a fee for expedited shipping. There may be a customs fee for orders shipping to Canada. We will mark that on your quote.

Printing & Shipping

What is the minimum quantity I can order?

The minimum on most items is 100. More complex items like 8-page pocket folders the minimum is 250. We would be happy to let you know based on what size print piece you need.

What is your turnaround time for printing?

Turnaround time varies per product. The average turnaround on the majority of our products is 3 to 7 business days. This does not include time for shipping.

Can you expedite printing times?

We do have some ability to expedite turnaround times for an added fee. Let us know as soon as possible if you have a hard deadline that you need printed pieces in hand so we can determine if you need expediting and what those associated costs would be.

What paper/finishes do you print with?

For over 15 years, clients have enjoyed our print quality. The majority of our products are printed on the following stocks:

100 lb. Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating: A glossy paper similar to a page of a quality magazine. This favored stock has a beautiful sheen that protects your product from damage and makes colors appear lively and bright.

100 lb. Gloss Cover with Aqueous Coating: Flexible, yet sturdy and rigid, our 100 lb. Gloss Cover is popular and versatile. Colors appear rich and vibrant, and the Aqueous Coating is sure to protect your product from damage.

14 pt. Gloss Coated Cover with High Gloss UV: The Gloss Coated Cover is a long-lasting, heavy, and thick card stock with High Gloss UV Coating on the surface for exquisite shine and vibrant colors.

16 pt. Dull Cover with Matte Finish: One of our most impressive stocks, the 16 pt. is tough and has a smooth Matte Finish for a sophisticated look.

PLEASE NOTE: These stocks choices are not available for all products. Please contact us for details.  

Can you print on recycled paper?

We do have recycled paper options for some products. Contact us for details.

Can you overnight ship?

Yes. There is an added charge, however.

Can you split ship?

Unfortunately, we can not split ship at this time.

Can you ship to a hotel or tradeshow venue?

Yes. Just give us the address. Unfortunately, we can not split ship, however.

When do you require payment for printing?

Payment is due at the time of your approval and prior to printing. Once payment is made, we will begin print production.

Collaborating On Proofs

How do I view my proofs?

When your design is ready for your review, our team will email you a link to open and view your proof along with any time logged on your design. The Proof will open on your browser, and you don’t need any passwords to log in. You can share the proof link with others in your company as needed.

How do I mark changes on my proof?

You can make comments directly on your proof using easy markup tools at the top of the screen.

These tools allow you to mark a specific place on the page, so there is no lost communication. You can even attach files to your comments. No matter how many people you need to review the design, all feedback stays centralized. We can respond to those comments and collaborate with you quickly.

How do you know I am done marking changes?

Once you have thoroughly reviewed and commented on your design proof and you are ready to for us to work on those changes, click the MAKE DECISION button at the top of your screen.

Then select CHANGES REQUIRED. This will automatically send us a notification that we can start working on revising your design. IMPORTANT: Until we get that notification, we assume you are still reviewing and editing your design.

Can we talk on the phone about my design?

Absolutely. It helps if you schedule a time so we can make sure the appropriate person can block out time to collaborate with you on the design.

How long do I have to review my proof?

Take all the time you need. We do send out friendly reminders every couple of days to make sure you aren’t waiting on us for anything. If you get a reminder notification, just let us know how long you need (e.g., another week) and we can adjust the schedule.

How do I look back at previous proofs?

Just click the proof drop down on the upper left corner and you will be shown all versions ever made on your design.

Can I compare proofs side by side?

Yes! Click the drop down to show the previous versions, then click on the split monitor icon on the right of the file name you want to compare.

The proofs will then be side by side so you can double check to make sure all your revisions were completed correctly.

How many revisions do I get?

You can make as many revisions as you like to your design. We would like to encourage you to lean on our expertise and if you have any questions or design ideas, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with us as we might have a better solution. Collaboration is part of the process of getting an effective and professional design layout.

How do I approve my final design?

When your design is just the way you like it, you can let us know by clicking the MAKE DECISION button at the top of the screen and then selecting APPROVED in the options box. It’s that easy!

Working Together

How do I send you files?

You can quickly upload any and all files at once by clicking the button below:

I have many file types for our logo, which ones do you need?

All of them. Just send every file you have and let us sort out the best file type to use. Often times clients send the only file they can open but we have software that can open almost any file type.

Our logo design isn't very professional, can you help?

Sure! Whether you just need a logo touchup, makeover or a completely new design, we would be happy to help. Let us know and we can discuss the options.

Our logo file is small and pixelated, can you help?

We can possibly redraw your logo in a vector program to get it clean and crisp. Some logos are more complex than others but we would be happy to take a look at yours and see what we can do.

Do you have professional stock pictures and images?

Yes, we have an extensive library of professional images, picture, graphics, and artwork. Our library comes included in your project price so you don’t have to worry about any stock art fees or limitations.

Please Note: Rarely, a client may require an image so specific that we might have to make a special purchase to obtain the picture. These are rare cases but we will present any costs associated with purchasing the picture(s) with you beforehand for your approval.

Can you grab pictures from our website?

Usually, pictures on a website are low resolution and not suitable for print quality. However, we will look at your pictures and determine if they can work. We also have a vast library of professional stock photos that we can supplement where possible.

Can you grab text and content from our website?

Sure, just tell us what web pages we can grab the text from and if there are any webpage content you do NOT want in your design.

Can I put my project on hold?

Yes. If you need to put a project on hold (Typically longer than 30 days) then let us know how long you might need to put it on hold and why. We will take your project off the production schedule and place it on hold.

Do you keep my files saved?

Yes. We keep all your files on hand so if you ever need to place a reorder or start a new project, we have your files easily accessible.

Payments

Do I have to pay a deposit to start a project?

Yes. We require a deposit to start a project which is standard across the industry. Please call us for more details.

Do I have to pay before we go to print?

Yes. You must pay your final balance at the time of approval of your design and before your project goes to print production.

Do I have to pay before you deliver my design files?

Yes. Your final balance is due and must be paid before we can deliver your design files or print ready files. At the time of approval, we will email your final invoice. After you process payment online, your files will be delivered.

Can I pay by check?

Yes. We encourage clients to pay by check online using our secure ACH payment option. This is safe, quick and our preferred payment option.

Can I pay by Credit Card or Paypal?

Yes. Although we prefer payment by ACH (online check), however, you may process payments with a major credit card or Paypal. We will email your invoice where you can view it and pay online.