Exclamation Printing

Bleeds what are they and why do we need them?

2010-07-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Bleeds what are they and why do we need them?

The printing definition of bleeds is: The extension of a photograph or other artwork to the very edge of the printed page.

When setting up a print job that has bleeds, printers require bleed allowance. This is to allow for deviations in cutting the paper to finished size. Bleeds typically extend about 1/8” beyond the trim lines. (See pictures below) The amount of bleed allowance may vary depending on the method of printing and the press or copier used.

Slight movement of the paper on the press or movement during cutting could result in items that are supposed to bleed off the edge not quite reaching the edge, leaving a bit of paper showing at the edges. Bleeds extend the image of the page a sufficient amount to counteract these slight deviations.

Setting up for bleeds can be tricky at times so please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you might have. We will be glad to help you… www.exclamationprinting.com or call us at 505-299-1189.

Better Printed Photos

2010-07-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is another pointer that came up with one of our customers the other day. When we print newsletters or brochures that come in from our customers, often times the pictures will print rather dark. When we talk to the client, we usually find that they think the photos look fine when they look at them on their computers. Whenever I am doing the art for a newsletter where I am going to use photos, I usually will lighten them up about 20% so they will print like what I want from what I have seen on my screen. All computer screens are adjusted differently, but most will make photos look brighter than they will print. I don’t know that 20% is the magic number, but that is a good place to start. Your printer or a graphic design person will be able to look at your photos and give you tips as to how to get the best looking results.

If you have any questions or comments concerning a current or future printing project go to www.exclamationprinting.com or call our art department at 505-299-1189 or leave a comment/questions on this blog.

WHITE IS NOT A COLOR

2010-06-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

This posting sounds a little strange, but in reality it isn't. In printing a full color or a FOUR color brochure we actually use only 4 colors to make all those other colors. And none of those four colors is WHITE!! In most word processing or publishing software programs you will find an option to print the file in either RGB or CMYK. RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue, and is how most ink jet printers work. The process colors ar CMYK which stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, and is how we print your brochure or postcards. Our press is set up to actually print on a piece of paper four times - one time through for each of those four colors. This, of course, is a little bit of an over simplification, but go with me here.

This is where we now need to talk about paper. Most times when you get a four color brochure printed it is assumed that you will print on white gloss paper. That's because this is the only place you get the WHITE that you need. What are clouds without white? Or think about that beautiful smile without white teeth, or wait till you see "the whites of their eyes" would have no meaning. No white without white paper. I will try to illustrate by attaching some pictures. Having said all this about white paper, I must admit that some of the best looking pieces we have printed have been on other than white paper. But those where brochures that did not feature pictures of people or food or similar things - more in the abstract realm, I guess.

All of this is to say that you need to consider WHAT you are going to print ON as well as what you are going to print. The reason a lot of people prefer gloss paper is that it will tend to make the photos POP (to use a technical term). When you print on gloss stock, the ink doesn't soak in like it will on regular paper. When it soaks in, it tends to spread slightly or feather which will make the printing a little less sharp. Anyway, this just accentuates the fact that when you create a 4 color project, you need also to consider what paper you are going to use.

But the bottom line is - THERE IS NO WHITE IN 4 COLOR. Check out the illustrations attached and you will see what can happen when you choose the wrong color of paper, and check us out on the web at http://www.exclamationprinting.com/ for a quote or order.

Our New Blog Spot

2010-06-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is a new experience for us, and we hope you will find it helpful when you are preparing a job for printing or considering what you may want to print. Our concept for this blog is to highlight items such as full color brochures or postcards that we may be doing and to pass on tips that we have just found helpful to one of our customers that should be helpful to each of you who reads this blog. I hope that our design, sales and production people will all be able to pass on some of their knowledge to make your projects go more easily. Since we specialize in all forms of business printing from letterhead and envelopes, NCR forms and newsletters to the full color brochures and postcards, I think that these blogs will cover quite a variety of subjects.

As always, we value your comments and suggestions and hope that you will feel free to contact us with anything. You may also call us at 505-299-1189 for a printing quote, or use our quote request at www.exclamationprinting.com.

Exclamation Printing

2010-06-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome,

Exclamation Printing is a locally owned and operated full service printing company, serving the Albuquerque area for over 35 years. We provide a variety of printing services including professional design, 1-color to full color offset printing and bindery. We can give you professional business cards, letterhead and envelopes as well as beautiful four color postcards, rack cards and brochures. In addition, we can print all of your multi-part business forms (NCR) and other business needs.

Our four color press is state of the art technology using eco-friendly processes. We pride ourselves in using environmentally friendly inks and chemicals on all of our presses, and provide a variety of recycled papers for your printing projects as you request.

Exclamation Printing in Albuquerque, NM serves the region with professional business printing and design.

- Full Color Brochures
- Full Color Postcards
- NCR Forms
- Color Copies
- Political Printing
- Logo Design
- Direct to Press Technology
- In-House Bindery
- Digital Printing
- Posters and Banners
- Promotional Items

There are many Albuquerque printers to choose from, but Exclamation Printing is your one-stop friendly alternative in Albuquerque, NM. Call one of our customer service representatives for a quote at 505-299-1189 or enter your requirements in the area in this web site.

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