Several steps are involved before delivery to the customer.

ESTIMATING COST (QUOTATION)
To evaluate the estimated cost, you must know size, quantity and how many colours will be used. Attention must also be given to marginal words, additional perforations, numbering and the weight of the paper you require. Call us so we can make some recommendations on how you can get maximum value for your dollar.

DESIGN
When designing for print, there are two ways to set up your artwork – camera-ready or electronic file. For electronic file preparation, use applications that are printer-friendly such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and Quark Express. Images, fonts and layout can be forwarded by disk or email.

OUTPUTTING
Colour separations are done and negatives are produced. One negative is produced per colour.

IMAGE ASSEMBLY
The negatives are now aligned or “stripped-up” and plates are produced for each colour. After a short developing process, the plates are ready for use.

PRINTING THE JOB
The plate is wrapped around the cylinder on the press. A careful balance of ink and water is used to ensure good print quality. The plate image makes direct contact with a rubber blanket which in turn makes contact with the paper.
Each unit on the press can print one colour. Thus a two-colour job will use two units. Four units are required for the CYMK process that produces photo quality images.

COLLATING AND FINISHING