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. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
  2. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
  3. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
  4. Is white considered a printing color?
  5. Tips on how to save your design files
  6. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
  7. What file formats do you accept?
  8. What is a "proof"?
  9. What is the Pantone Matching System?
  10. What type of products and services do you provide?
  11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
  1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?

    Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.

    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 when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.

  2. 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, give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.

  3. How long does it take for you to complete my order?

    That's a tricky one... it all depends on what you need printed, how many, and what else is cooking at Urban. However typically we can turn around most jobs in 3-5 work days.

    Working to meet our customers' deadlines is a key part of our workplace culture. Please let us know your schedule upfront- and we will figure out how to make it happen.

    We always strive to get the job done right and on time – and will honestly tell you if we can’t.

  4. Is white considered a printing color?

    Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.

  5. Tips on how to save your design files

    Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

    COREL DRAW:
    Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
    • Embed all Images
    • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
    • Export as Illustrator EPS

    FREEHAND:
    • Embed all Images
    • Convert all your text/copy to paths
    • Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF

    PAGEMAKER:
    Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS
    • Embed all Images
    • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
    • Export your file as an EPS using the below settings:
    Postscript Level 2
    CMYK Mode
    TIFF format and
    Binary

    PUBLISHER:
    You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below.
    Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer
    Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF

  6. 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.

  7. What file formats do you accept?
    Urban Press accepts files in most formats, and we are glad to help you navigate this most difficult area of getting your printing done. Do not hesitate to call for assistance.

    Print projects require high resolution files, and yours should be prepared with that in mind.

    PDF FILES: PDF's are often the most trouble-free way to submit jobs. Make a "Press Quality" PDF with crop marks and 1/4" bleeds.

    ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE 3: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat. Urban Press will prepare your files in our Mac system, converting your PC files to the Mac format. We highly recommend that these basic tenets be observed:

    PHOTOSHOP is the appropriate program for making raster files like photos and other images with continuous tones.

    ILLUSTRATOR is best for vector images, type manipulation and line illustrations.

    INDESIGN is the program to use to for page or document layout. Place your Photoshop and Illustrator images into your InDesign file to create the entire layout. Utilize the “Package” function to assemble all the essential elements for transfer to Urban Press.

    OTHER FORMATS: We do accept Freehand, Quark 6.5 (or earlier), and PageMaker 6.5 or 7.0. Most files received in these programs will be converted to a Mac Illustrator or InDesign file.

    MS PUBLISHER*: We do accept files made in Microsoft Publisher. We charge an extra fee for Publisher files because they often require work at our end. To avoid this fee, submit your job as a PDF. Don't hesitate to call us if you need help!

    MS WORD*: We do accept files made in Microsoft Word. We charge an extra fee for Word files because they often require work at our end. To avoid this fee, submit your job as a PDF. Don't hesitate to call us if you need help!

    AUTOCAD or WORDPERFECT: We do not accept files made in in these programs. If you are not sure if we can accept your file, please ask.

    * A note on WORDART - Please use WORDART sparingly or avoid it entirely. Believe us when we say that WORDART is the bane of our existence!

  8. What is a "proof"?

    A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you electronically.

    On full color digital jobs, we offer complimentary hard proofs that you can come down and view in our shop, or have us courier to you at a minimal charge.

  9. 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.

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

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

  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.