Print Tips and Resources

Digital Printing

• Available in as little as 24 hours
• Best for small to medium orders
• Variable data available
• Up to 13.75" × 20"

Offset Printing

• Highest quality available
• Best for large quantities
• Virtually unlimited options
• Up to 28" × 40"

Large Format Printing

• Indoor and outdoor posters, signs and banners
• Dozens of substrates available
• Up to 72" by any height for rolled substrates
• Up to 48" × 96" for rigid substrates

4-Color Process vs Spot Colors

4-color process is a printing method that uses a combination of 4 different color inks: cyan, magenta, yellow and black, often referred to as CMYK. The combination of CMYK produces full-color images in print. 4-color process is the most common print method for achieving color.

Spot colors are pure or mixed inks that are printed individually. Each spot color is printed as a solid color and not a combination of CMYK. Spot colors can achieve a wider range and more accurate colors than CMYK and can be used only in offset printing. UniPrint uses the Pantone® Matching System for spot colors.

4/0, 4/4, 4/1, etc.

These numbers that you may see in your quote from UniPrint refer to the number of ink colors on the front/back sides of your print. For example, 4/0 means there will be 4 colors (CMYK) used on the front side and no colors used on the back side.

Flat Size vs Finished Size

Flat size refers to the dimensions of a document after it has been printed and received any necessary trimming, but before any operations that further affect its size, such as folding.

Finished size refers to the dimensions of a printed document in its final form. Sizes should always be written as width × height.

Bleeds

Bleeds are the edges of the artwork that will be trimmed after a job is printed. Printers cannot print all the way to the edge of a sheet. So if your design runs off the edge of the page, you will need to set up your file with bleeds. UniPrint recommends a bleed area of 1/8" (0.125 inches).

Crop Marks

Crop marks are the little tick marks used to indicate where to trim a print down to its finished size. Crop marks are often set up with bleeds.

Rich Black

When printing black ink on a large area, it is best to use a rich black vs 100% K. A rich black is a combination of CMYK that produces a darker, more true black color than just 100% K alone. An example of a rich black formula is C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100.

Saddle Stitched

Folded sheets are gathered together one inside the other and then stapled through the fold line with wire staples.

Side Stitched

Booklets are bound by wire staples going through the side of the sheets from the front to the back, near the spine.

Perfect Bound

The pages and cover are glued together at the spine with a strong yet flexible thermal glue. The other three sides of the book are then trimmed as needed to give them clean “perfect” edges.

Spiral Bound

Wire loops are inserted through a row of holes along one edge of the book’s cover and pages. The loops are then crimped closer together until they form a perfect circle, securing the cover and pages and allowing them to open freely.

Coated Paper

Coated paper is coated with another agent that helps to fill in the tiny spaces between fibers, creating a more uniform surface. Coated paper can range from glossy to matte finishes.

Uncoated Paper

Uncoated paper is not coated with another agent and comes in a wide variety of textures and finishes.

6 “Ps” for Reduced Costs

If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your print job, start with these 6 tips and tricks:

1. Paper Type
   Be sure to choose papers that fit your application.
2. Paper Color
   Use colored paper instead of an additional color ink.
3. Paper Size
   Even marginal size reductions can greatly affect cost.
4. Prior Planning
   Group print jobs of the same type together.
5. Proper Job Size
   Too many or too few copies can greatly impact the cost of printing.
6. Professional Advice
   Our customer service representatives are here to serve you. Discuss your options and alternative pricing with our knowledgeable staff today.