What kind of files do you accept? We can work with files created in Quark, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Word and Publisher. (Publisher files require a small fee since they are created in a program that is not a professional publishing program.) Any file that is formatted as a PDF, Tif, EPS,.ai or jpg is acceptable.
Do you specialize in anything? Our niche is serving small to medium size business in providing solutions to their specific graphics and printing needs.
What is your turn-around time? The normal turn around time for an average job is about a week or 5 business days from the day the artwork has been approved for printing.
Why must I see a proof? Because pobody's nerfect. You should see if colors coincide with what you saw on your monitor. Sometimes type reflow can occur when going from one computer to another. A final look at a proof can avoid costly mistakes.
What does CMYK or process color mean? Anything that appears photo realistic in printing is actually made up of 4 colors. Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black layers of dots are printed on top of each other at varying angles to produce a photo realistic image.
What is PMS color? PMS (Pantone Matching System) is a color matching standard used in teh Printing Industry for selecting colors, similar to how you would select a paint color in a hardware store. These colors can be either printing as they are, or they can be converted to CMYK values when using the process color method (See the above explanation).
Do you print everything in-house? The majority of our printing is produced in-house. Elk River Printing has partnerships with reputable Minnesota printers for outsourcing. We receive special "printing for printer" prices that are not available to the general public. Your project is printed only on equipment that is standard in the industry.
Are your computers Macintosh or PC based? Primarily we use the Apple Macintosh computers, but we are utilizing the PC more and more.
Why is printing so expensive? Because printing is generally labor intensive and requires material and consumables that are costly. There are ways to reduce this by combining orders, possibly eliminating individual set up charges. Ordering larger quantities also has advantages because the cost per piece is reduced.
Would it not be cheaper to just order my printing by someone else over the Internet? Often the choices are limited when it comes to Internet printing. A printer might offer only certain paper stocks or quantities. The printing results can vary significantly from printer to printer. You will lack the control you would desire on your printing project.