Resources & Support

Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.

1. What type of products and services do you provide?
2. What is variable data printing?
3. What type of return can I expect from personalized or variable data marketing materials?
4. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
5. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
6. Tips on file format setups
7. What is Adobe PDF JobReady?
8. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
9. What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
10. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
12. What is the Pantone Matching System?
13. Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?
14. Are you a “green” company?
15. Can you scan and save my files to a CD?
16. What forms of payment do you accept?

1. What type of products and services do you provide?

   Good question! We are a full service print shop and mail house, we offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, checkout out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

2. What is variable data printing?

   Variable data printing is technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient. At the most basic level, this means personalizing a name and address. But for real impact, many projects include unique graphics and content that speaks directly to the recipient.

3. What type of return can I expect from personalized or variable data marketing materials?

   Studies consistently show that personalized marketing receives a far greater response than static pieces.

   On average, the response rate of a static direct mail campaign is around 2%. A targeted, personalized campaign that utilizes variable data technology can increase that response rate by up to 30%.

   While the cost per piece of variable imaging direct mail is higher, your cost per response is much lower, increasing your return on investment.

4. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

   Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.

5. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?

   PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources. Alternatively, you can also utilize our Adobe JobReady tool which will create a print ready PDF, and submit your job directly to us.

   We also accept native files from most major design applications, including QuarkXPress, and the Adobe Creative Suite.

   Microsoft Word and Publisher files will also be accepted, however, they are not professional design applications and will usually require additional processing time on our end. Font and graphic reflow is a common problem with these applications, and we highly recommend converting these files to PDFs prior to sending them to us. These programs are also not suited for PMS spot color printing, and your projects may need to be printed digitally on a copier, or in full color or black and white on press whether you send them as their native files, or PDFs.

6. Tips on file format setups

   Many layout programs have collecting or packaging functions that will automatically collect your document, fonts, all art including and a report. When possible, it is recommended to use these functions in order to avoid delays in production due to missing fonts or graphics.
   • Enclose all screen fonts and printer fonts
   • Include all placed images
   • Make sure your files are set with proper bleed, trim and safety areas.
   BLEED: All art trimming off the edge MUST be pulled out 1/8” beyond the trim line
   TRIM: This is the guideline where the card will be cut
   SAFETY: All art and text within this safety area will assure that nothing will be trimmed off during the cutting process. A 1/4” guide in from the trim should work fine.

   Alternatively you can submit a print ready PDF with High Resolution graphics (300 dpi at print size) and fonts embedded.

7. What is Adobe PDF JobReady?

   To help you make PDF’s and send in your order we have an Adobe program called JobReady that you can download for FREE. JobReady automatically makes a PDF from your file, creates an order form and will send us your file directly from you desktop. All you need to do is follow the simply installation instructions. We promise once you have used Job Ready you will never want to use another application to transfer PDF’s again.

8. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?

   Resolution should be set to 300 dpi at their final print size. If your file is 300 dpi and enlarge it to 200% it will print at 150 dpi and will result in poor quality.

   Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.

   Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know and we will make the adjustments required to ensure optimal results.

9. What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?

   The advantages of our duplicating devices are best realized on runs of 1000 or less requiring black or full color printing and where a fast turnaround is needed. If the piece included photos or halftone screens the copy quality would be lower than that achieved by the printing process. On longer runs or where multiple colors are desired, as well as when screens or halftones require higher quality, offset printing would be the best alternative. The only disadvantage of the printing process would be the longer production time requirements.

10. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?

    Movad offers several options when it comes to proofing your jobs.

    Electronic proofs, sent via PDF will allow you to see your project on your monitor, this proof is for viewing your content, as well as general layout, but we can not guarantee that your screen will show the colors exactly as they will print.

    Digital proofs, are printed using a high end Color or Black and White proofing device. These proofs allow you to view a physical copy of your project, sometimes on the actual stock that your piece will be printed on. These proofs are not 100% color accurate but will give you a good approximation of what your piece will look like.

    Press proofs are for when your jobs are color critical. These proofs are run from the same RIP that processes the actual printing plates. The color from these proofs are much more accurate then our standard digital proofs.

    These proofs are your last and best opportunity to make sure that the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.

11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

    In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

    Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

    When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.

12. What is the Pantone Matching System?

    The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.

13. Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?

    Without knowing anything about your project, it is difficult to give you a turnaround time. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.

14. Are you a “green” company?

    Absolutely! We take very seriously our role in preserving the environment and integrate numerous green practices into our daily operations. We can perform many print jobs using recycled paper stock. If you would like to use recycled paper for your next print job, let us know. You’ll be pleased with the results and feel good about helping the environment, too.

15. Can you scan and save my files to a CD?

    Yes. We can scan drawings and save electronic versions or copy files to a
    CD.

16. What forms of payment do you accept?

    We accept cash, company check, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. We can also set up a business account for you, as well. Contact us for details.