Frequently Asked Questions
Color
- What is embossing?
- What is foil stamping?
- What is the difference between process and Pantone colors?
- How do I create solid black in CMYK?
- How do I convert to CMYK in Adobe Photoshop?
- How do I convert to CMYK in Microsoft Publisher?
- How do I convert my files to CMYK in Adobe InDesign?
- How do I convert to CMYK in Adobe Illustrator?
- How do I convert my files to CMYK in Adobe Pagemaker?
- How do I convert to CMYK in Quark Xpress?
- How do I get the best color matching?
- Can you convert my files from RGB to CMYK?
- What is CMYK?
Copier Program
- How do I remove/dispose of my old copier?
- From whom do I receive service for my current copier?
- Why can't I order supplies through Republic any more?
- Where is my meter?
- What if a copier we no longer have is listed when I log in?
- What if I want a copier that is not listed when I log in?
- Why does Print Services manage the Copier Program?
Copier Wiping Initiative
- How will I be billed for the copier wiping?
- My copier is scheduled to be replaced in January. Do I have to bother?
- If I have a machine that is not currently purchased through Print Services, what do I do?
- How long does the installation of wiping software take?
- How long does data wiping on a copier take?
- What is Data Wiping Software?
File Set-up and Submission
- How do I upload a file to Print's FTP site?
- What is camera-ready copy?
- How do I set up my file, if I want my image or design to run to the edge of the page (a "full bleed")?
- What is dpi and why is it important?
- What is the difference between 300 and 72 dpi?
- How do I set up my Photoshop document with the right resolution for printing (300dpi) ?
- What file types do you accept for booklets and calendars?
- Which file formats does Print Services accept?
- Which file formats give the best printed results?
- How do I export my files from InDesign?
- How do I save or export my file from Photoshop so it is ready to print?
- How do I save or export my file from Microsoft Publisher so that it is ready to print?
- How do I save or export my file from Quark so that it is ready to print?
Finishing
- I have not decided how to mail my piece. Can you give me a price quote and then print the First Class or Non-Profit indicia as part of my order?
- How long will it take Mailing Services to complete my job?
- How long does Non-Profit mail take to be delivered?
- How long does First Class mail take to be delivered?
- What is the difference in pricing between First Class Mail and Non-Profit?
Paper
Terminology
Color
Foil stamping is a way to add color and flash to your document in addition to standard inks. In this process, a sculpted metal stamp is used to adhere metallic leaf, using heat and pressure, to the paper. This results in a shiny, eye-catching design with some physical texture.
Process color is a common shortened form of the term "four-color printing process." Process color (and similar terms) refers both to a method of reproducing colored images on printing presses and to the specific ink colors used, typically four inks. Other ways of referring to this printing process include "four color," "CMYK," "full process" and "full color."
Pantone refers to premixed ink, using the four inks to create a standard color. Pantone swatches are a worldwide standard of color identification among printing presses, and they are your best bet for confirming a definite color selection.
The short answer is yes. It is standard practice at Print Services to automatically convert to CMYK during proof conversion and generation.
This happens because our state-of-the-art color managed workflow automatically detects the ICC profile attached to your RGB file (if you have included one) and manages the color through the conversion process.
Changing from RGB to CMYK will always produce some color shifting and a reduction in the color gamut because it is impossible to reproduce the entire RGB color palette with an offset press. We recommend creating and submitting your document in CMYK to assure the color looks as close to your original file as possible.
If color accuracy is crucial, we recommend that you order a hard copy proof.
CMYK is a color model used in offset color printing. It is based on mixing pigments of the following colors in order to make other colors:
C = cyan
M = magenta
Y = yellow
K = key (black)
Submitting your files in CMYK color mode will give you the best results. If you submit your files in RGB or any other color standard, they will be changed to CMYK by Print Services as part of the setup for printing. Please note that only half of the colors in RGB can be exactly matched in CMYK, so conversion will cause the colors to shift. If you are concerned about color and your job is color critical, please order a hard copy mail proof to ensure color accuracy.
If you have questions about setting up your file in the correct color mode, use one of the templates on this site or feel free to ask a customer service representative.
Copier Program
1) If you are requesting a new copier, complete the section on bottom of the quote sheet you receive from your customer service representative. They will arrange for removal of your old copier in conjunction with the delivery of your new one. Please Note: This section must be completed if an existing copier/asset is being returned.
2) If you want to have a copier that you own removed, and you are not requesting a new copier, please email the copier's serial # and location to copiers@columbia.edu to arrange removal.
Ricoh and Canon digital copiers, Ricoh Aficio (except the 350, 400 and 401models) and Canon IR series, are being serviced and supplied by IKON.
Toshiba Business Solutions provides service and supplies for all Toshiba and Océ machines on campus.
Ricoh and Canon analog machines (all other model series) are now obsolete and no longer covered under the maintenance contract program.
Toshiba Business Solutions provides service and supplies for all Toshiba and Océ machines on campus.
Xerox is provides service and supplies for all campus Xerox machines.
Canon Copiers: Click the “Counter Check” button.
Ricoh Copiers: Click the “User Tools/Counter”, then Click the “Counter” button.
All other copiers (or older Canon/Ricoh copiers): Please refer to the copier manual or call the Service Vendor (Ikon, Xerox, or Toshiba) (can we provide actual phone numbers here?).
Please send an email to copiers@columbia.edu or call 212-854-3233 letting them know that one of your machines has been removed or replaced. Make sure you provide the final meter read, date of removal, and your phone number in the message.
If a machine is missing from your list, please send an email to copiers@columbia.edu or call 212-854-3233. Make sure you provide your phone number so a Customer Service representative can call you back.
We centralized the purchasing, leasing and servicing of copiers in order to obtain beneficial volume discounts and service for our customers. This centralization included converting to a single-payer system for all equipment acquisition/lease, maintenance and supplies costs.
Copier Wiping Initiative
- If your copier is owned, Print Services will IDI as one time charge to the FAS acct # associated with your copier.
- If your copier is leased, Print Services will distribute costs via IDI over the balance of the lease term to the FAS acct # associated with your copier.
Currently photocopiers include small hard drives that allow for the retention of “data at rest”, in order to allow for photocopying or print jobs to stay in a queue. Hard Drive Wiping Software clears data as print jobs are completed. Data is no longer stored on the machine’s hard drive.
File Set-up and Submission
1. Using any web browser, go to printing.columbia.edu
2. Select “Anonymous Login”
3. Select your department from the the folder list. If your department is not listed, move to step 4 and your files will be uploaded to the Main ftp folder.
4. Click the link on the left named “Upload Files”. The file upload window will open.
5. Click “Browse” and select the file that you want to upload.
6. Once the file is selected, press “Begin Upload”
7. The upload status window will let you know when the upload has been completed. File uploading time depends on the size of your file and your internet connection speed. Large files may take some time to fully complete uploading. Do not close your browser until the file has completely finished.
8. After the upload has completed, either press “Logout” to end your session, or press “Return to The File Listing” to upload more files.
9. Contact Print to let us know that your files have been uploaded.
How do I set up my file, if I want my image or design to run to the edge of the page (a "full bleed")?
Design your piece with an extra 1/8-inch on all sides. For example, if your final piece will be a 4” x 6” postcard, create the file as 4.125” x 6.125” and the extra will be trimmed in the finishing process. Wherever you want color to run to the edge of the page, extend it beyond the size of your finished image, in this case beyond the 4" x 6" boundary.
Dpi (dots per inch) is the number of pixels that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch square space. For an image to print properly it needs to be created with at least 300 dpi. You can't effectively increase the resolution after an image has been created. If you reset the resolution setting of a 72dpi image to 300dpi, the image will look blurry because it stretches out the pixels.
Printed items require a higher resolution than items viewed on a screen. This resolution, 300dpi, is required for printed items. Computers are only able to display 72dpi on screen, so a 72dpi image may look okay when viewed at 100% on your monitor but it will print fuzzy. When zoomed in at 200% or higher, a picture that is displayed with 300dpi will look sharper than a picture displayed with 72dpi. Images saved for the web can be 72dpi.
Choose File > New. In the window that pops up, set resolution as 300 and the units as pixels/inch.
Please note that you cannot use this technique to increase the total number of pixels in an existing image or document. If you change the resolution of an existing file, you must decrease the size so that the total width and height in pixels does not change.
The recommended file type is single multi-page PDF file. Use a software that is designed to create multiple-page documents such as QuarkXpress, Adobe Pagemaker, or Adobe InDesign, or use Acrobat Professional or similar program to merge single-page PDFs created from programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, etc.
Print Services recommends PDF for the best results. This format combines the best color management and font management and leaves less room for error.
As an alternative we recommend EPS files with embedded fonts. EPS produces excellent results for documents that combine raster (images) with vector (text).
For an image file without text, a .tiff is an excellent format. When sending tiff files, be sure to either convert to CMYK or embed a color profile.
For Photoshop, we recommend saving it as a TIFF if it doesn’t have any text in the file, image only. Go to File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, select .tiff. (Tag Image File Format) as the file type, and click Save. Be sure to change the resolution from the default (150dpi) to Press Ready (300 dpi).
If the file has text elements, we suggest saving as a PDF. Go to File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, select .pdf as the file type, and click Save.
For Microsoft Publisher, we recommend saving your file as a TIFF.
Go to File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, select .tiff. (Tag Image File Format) as the file type, and click Save. Be sure to change the resolution from the default (150dpi) to Press Ready (300 dpi).
For Quark, we recommend you export directly from the file menu and save as a PDF. Go to File > Print > Save As PDF.
If you have Acrobat Distiller, we recommend that you print your files to the Adobe PDF print driver.
If you have any questions, give us a call.
Finishing
These types of binding are similar in appearance, but function a little differently. In both styles, pages are punched and an object is inserted in the holes to hold the booklet together.
Plastic comb binding uses a semi-rigid "comb" with teeth that fit through rectangular holes in the paper. This binding allows pages to lie flat on a hard surface for reading. The combs come in different colors and sizes for different looks and page counts.
Spiral binding uses a wire coil, fitted into round holes in the pages (think of a notebook). This option also allows pages to lie flat on a table or desk, and additionally allows pages to be comfortably folded around to be held in one hand.
Another kind of wire binding is called a "Wire-O," in which the wire forms teeth or double loops that fit into rectangular holes in the paper. The loops are crimped to hold the wire in place. This binding style also allows pages to lay flat.
For a good example of perfect binding, look at a paperback book. In this type of binding, pages are cut and glued together along the spine, held together with the help of the cover which wraps around the booklet. When finished, perfect binding creates a flat spine, on which you can print text or graphics to fit.
For assistance with minimum and maximum page counts, and determining the size of the spine for your perfect-bound booklet, call a customer service representative.
Saddle stitching is how most magazines are bound, with staples along the spine. Saddle stitching is Ideal for projects with no more than 60 to 80 pages, depending on the weight of your paper stock. This is an economical binding method that allows pages to lie flat for reading. Because the pages are folded in half to create the spine, documents that you wish to be bound using saddle stitching must have a page count that is divisible by 4.
A tri-fold is a popular type of folding pattern for brochures, flyers, and inserts where the printed material is divided into 3 sections of approximately the same dimensions and then folded along these lines into thirds, creating a 6-panel finished piece. Z-fold is a variation of a tri-fold.
A gate-fold is created by folding the ends of a page inwards so that they meet towards the middle with a 1/8 inch gap. This creates a brochure with 6 panels.
A double gate-fold is created by folding the ends of a page inwards so that they meet towards the middle with a 1/8 inch gap, then folding the folded page in half in the same direction. This creates an 8 panel brochure.
The panels on the ends are slightly narrower so that they fit inside when folded.
Paper
SFI, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, is one of the third party certification programs that require a chain of custody process and yearly audits of participating parties, harvesters, mills, merchants, and printers. Specifically the examine:
- sustainable forestry practices
- worker's rights
- labeling claims
FSC, Forest Stewardship Council, is the most recognized third party certification, which requires a chain of custody process and yearly audits of participating parties, harvesters, mills, merchants and printers. Specifically the FSC monitors fiber (pulp) sourcing activities including:
- Sustainable forestry practices,
- high value forest conservation,
- historical or indigenous land,
- clear cutting,
- GMO's and plantations
