Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions and important things to know. If you have any further questions or have a question you cannot find below, please send us an email to weprint@westendprintshop.com or give us a call and we will be happy to assist you. For information about document sizes and specifications, bleeds, and files we accept visit our Templates page.
FAQs
How long does it take to receive a custom quote?
This depends on the complexity of your quote request. The vast majority of our estimates are done within 24 hours.
How long are your estimates valid for?
Estimates expire after 30 days. The estimate will be available on our website for that period of time and it will be removed after it expires. After that period we’ll have to re-do the estimate.
How do I proceed after I receive an estimate from you?
Once your estimate is complete, you will receive a link to the web page with your estimate. After you have finished reviewing the estimate, please add it to your shopping cart, upload your files and proceed to checkout. Alternatively estimates can be turned into invoices once approved by you and paid directly from the estimate/invoice webpage.
How do I check the status of my quote request?
Please select “Quotes” from “My Account” menu to check the status of your quote request.
Can't I just email you all the information instead of using a custom quote form?
Yes, you can. However, we will respond much faster if you fill out the custom quote form. This form contains all the information we need to complete the estimate. If you send us an email, there is a chance that you might forget a piece of information that is necessary to complete the estimate.
Is my information secure?
YES. Your information is secure with West End Print Shop. We have top of the line software integrations for protecting our customers information.
What is offset printing?
Offset printing is a technique where the inked image is transferred (or “offset”) from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process (which is based on the repulsion of oil and water), the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing area ink-free.
What are the advantages of offset printing?
- Consistent high-quality images. Offset printing produces sharper and cleaner images and type than digital printing.
- The print quality is generally better than in digital printing.
- Works on a wide range of printing surfaces, including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper and plastic.
- Cheaper for high volume printing. The overall price per printed piece drops.
- Wide color gamut. Offset printing can accurately reproduce colors from the Pantone Matching System, while digital methods only simulate Pantone color using four-color printing.
What is digital printing?
Digital printing is a method of printing in which the data and images are printed directly from the computer onto paper.
What are the advantages of digital printing?
- Cheaper low volume printing. While the unit cost of each piece may be higher than with offset printing, when setup costs are included digital printing provides lower per unit costs for small print runs.
- Faster turnaround time.
- Variable data printing.
- Better for the environment. Digital printing uses dry ink or toner, which doesn’t emit any VOCs in printing. Also, this printing method produces much less paper waste than offset, because the set-up time is shorter.
- More accurate proofing.
How big is the quality difference between offset and digital printing?
The quality difference can vary from almost negligible to significant. Most photographs and text will reproduce well on our high-end digital press. However, if a job has large solid areas of color, offset printing will achieve much better print quality. Although we print on the best digital presses available on the market, we cannot guarantee offset-quality printing on all short run jobs.
What type of paper should I choose for offset printing?
Offset presses print great on any type of paper.
What type of paper should I choose for digital printing?
We recommend ChorusArt and Astrolite 100PC.
What is better for the environment: digital or offset printing?
Digital printing is more eco-friendly because it uses dry ink or toner, which doesn’t emit any VOCs. Also, this printing method produces much less paper waste than offset, because the set-up time is shorter.
I'm still not sure which printing method I should choose.
We recommend that you use offset printing if:
- Quality is your main concern.
- You require high-volume printing (e.g., more than 250 business cards and 1000 brochures).
- You want to print on paper thicker than 14 pt.
- The size of the finished product is larger then 12″x18″.
We recommend that you use digital printing if:
- You need a short turnaround time (shorter than 5 business days).
- You require low-volume printing (e.g., less than 250 business cards and 1000 brochures).
- You need variable data printing.
Will you send me a proof before the printing is started?
Yes, if you order one. We can provide you with a soft proof or hard proof for color critical jobs. The soft proof will be sent via email. For color critical orders, we recommend requesting a hard proof, which is shipped to you via overnight mail.
Can I print with PMS (Pantone Matching System) or other special inks?
Yes, however, in order to reduce wash ups and VOCs, we prefer printing with process inks.
If I have multiple orders, how do I submit the jobs?
It all depends on what the orders are. For example, if you have 3 orders with the same exact job specs (quantity, 4/_, paper, etc) then what you would do is put them all into one folder, compress that folder, and attach the compressed file into our website. When placing the order in this case, you would put the quantity x 3. If job specs are different, then you would have to place an order for each one individually.
What do I do if I need an order faster that the offered turnaround
Whenever an order is needed at a faster turnaround time, give us a call and we will gladly give you a quote for expediting the order, if it’s possible to do so.
If I need to cancel an order, is this possible?
The West End Print Shop will TRY to cancel an order for you, if possible. Due to our processing times, often orders cannot be canceled or in some cases may only be cancelled for a fee. We will make our best effort to cancel an order but remember once an order is placed it is sent directly to production queue and is basically final.
What are the payment terms?
All orders must be payed in full prior to printing and before they are made ready for pickup/shipment.
What file formats do you require? How do I set up my files correctly?
We need a one-up press/print ready file with bleed space, set to the size that you’d like you document printed; this means that if you’d like a 4″ x 6″ as your final size you should send a file that has bleed at 4.125″ x 6.125 with all vital information/images pushed away from the cutting edges.
What is bleed?
If any element on your document layout makes contact with the document border you will have to use bleed. The trick is to place the element so that it goes over the border where the document will be cropped after printing.
The term bleed is used for all objects overlapping the border of your document.
What are crop marks?
Crop marks are printed or drawn lines indicating where the paper should be cut to produce the correct page size.
Do I have to draw crop marks manually?
No. Any desktop publishing software can create crop marks automatically when you export your file into a PDF. In this case, you have to make sure that the trim size is the same as your document size. For example, if the final trimmed size of your business card is 3.5″ x 2″ then your document size must be the same.
Do I have to impose my artwork myself?
No. All files are imposed automatically by our workflow. If you submit the imposed file yourself, chances are that we will have to break it apart and re-impose it.
Should I convert my files into CMYK?
Yes. However conversion from RGB to CMYK is done automatically on our workflow.
What resolution should I use for the images in my artwork?
We recommend that all images be saved at 300 dpi. There are a few exceptions; large format printing will usually print quality prints at anywhere from 125 DPI to 225 DPI, if the document is set to the final print size.
Do you keep credit card information on file?
No. For your security, we don’t keep any credit card information on file. If you choose to save a credit card to your account, no one within our organization has access to any of your information.
Is your website secure?
Yes. Our secure checkout system uses the latest secure server technology. Your order is submitted and retrieved with a secure connection to our server and remains secure at all times. All payments are back by PayPal Server Security as well as First Data Gateway’s Server Security.
Will you share my information?
Absolutely not. We keep all customer information internal. Occasionally, you may receive offers and announcements from West End Print Shop via e-mail. You may unsubscribe from these messages at any time.
Does The West End Print Shop Allow Local Pick-up?
Yes. All orders are currently only offered for local customer pickup at 944 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30310.
Does The West End Print Shop Offer Shipping for Online Orders?
Unfortunately not at the moment; we are planning for direct shipping in the near future.
Can I send a courier to pick up my job?
Yes you may. However you must do all the scheduling and be sure to give the courier your Job Id# and company name. The order must also be paid in full before anyone can pickup for you/your company.
