Minuteman Press Uptown

Simply use our online estimate request form by clicking here. 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 speak with one of our customer service
representatives.

Every job is different. Some jobs can be produced in minutes while some may take several days to complete. Let us
know when you need your job completed and we'll let you know if it can be done. We go to great lengths to meet
even your most demanding timelines.

The Portable Document Format (PDF) is generally the preferred file format for submitting a document for printing as
it works with virtually all professional printing and digital output devices. By design, a PDF file incorporates the
information needed to maintain document consistency from system to system. Most other file formats such as Adobe
InDesign, Illustrator and Microsoft Word are easily converted to PDF format.

The technology of design, layout and printing has come a long way to the point where much of the work is done in a
WSYWIG (What You See Is What You Get) digital environment. However, there are sometimes noticeable
differences in color calibration and spatial conformity from monitor to monitor and consequently from screen to print.

The process for minimizing any variance begins with adjusting your monitor for optimal color and clarity according
to the manufacturer's recommendations as outlined within its product manual or website. Doing this will alleviate a
number of potential issues.

Beyond that, for the greatest conformity in color from screen to print, there are tools available that will ensure exact
color calibration. Perhaps you have already invested in such a tool. If so, let us know what you use and we'll work
with you to achieve the best results. If you are considering investing in a color calibration tool, talk to us first and
we'll be happy to offer our advice.

A proof is a one-off copy of your printed document used for visual inspection to ensure that the layout and colors of
your document are exactly how they are intended to be. A proof is made prior to sending the document to the press
for final printing.

Typically, we will produce a proof that will be sent to you online in PDF format or on printed paper, which can be
either viewed in our store or delivered to you in person. For multiple-color jobs, we can produce a proof on our output
device to show you how the different colors will appear on the final product.

Your approval on the final proof is the best assurance you have that every aspect of our work and your own is correct,
and that everything reads and appears the way you intended. Mistakes can and sometimes do happen. It benefits
everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.

The basis weight of a given grade of paper is defined as the weight (in pounds) of 500 standard-sized sheets of that
paper. With that in mind, here are different examples of paper grades and their respective basis weights:

Bond: Most commonly used for letterhead, business forms and copying. Typical basis weights are16# for forms,
20# for copying and 24# for stationery.

Text: A high-quality grade paper with a lot of surface texture. Basis weights range from 60# to 100# with the most
common being 70# or 80#.

Uncoated Book: The most common grade for offset printing. Typically 50# to 70#.

Coated Book: Has a glossy finish that yields vivid colors and overall excellent reproduction. Basis weights range
from 30# to 70# for web press, and 60# to 110# for sheet press.

Cover: Used in creating business cards, postcards and book covers. Can be either coated or uncoated. Basis
weights for this grade are 60#, 65#, 80# or 100#.

Uncoated stock paper is comparatively porous and inexpensive, and is typically used for such applications as
newspaper print and basic black-and-white copying. Coated stock, by contrast, is made of higher quality paper
having a smooth glossy finish that works well for reproducing sharp text and vivid colors. It tends to be more
expensive, however.

In the digital age of printing, it means that an image file submitted for printing is ready to be transferred to the
printing plates without any alterations.

Color separation is the process of separating a colored graphic or photograph into its primary color components
in preparation for printed reproduction. For example, to print a full color photo with an offset printing press, we would
create four separate printing plates each accounting for one of the four basic printing inks (cyan, magenta, yellow,
and black) needed to reproduce the image.

As the paper is fed through the press, each single-color plate puts onto the paper the exact amount of ink needed
at exactly the right spot. As the different colored wet inks are applied, they blend together to create the rich and
infinite pallet of complex colors needed to reproduce the original image.

Halftone printing converts a continuous tone (solid areas of black or color) photograph or image into a pattern of
different size dots that simulate continuous tone. When examining the page closely, you will see a series of dots
spaced slightly apart. At a normal viewing distance, however, the spacing between dots becomes essentially
invisible to the eye and what you see is a continuous tone.