FAQ

Whether it`s your first time or tenth time buying printing from Rapid Color, we would like to ensure all of your questions are answered.

What services are offered by Rapid Color?
What software & file formats are accepted?
How do I prepare my files?
How should I send my files?
Which proof is right for my job?
Why are Proofs necessary?
What type of Proofs does Rapid Color offer?
How is my Proof delivered?
How do I select paper?
How do I place my order?
Is there an extra charge for bleeds?
How long will it take to upload my files?
How do I order multiple pieces?
How long does it take for me to get the proof of my job?
How long will it take to get my order?


Rapid Color Services
Rapid Color provides 1 to 4 Color Offset, Pre-Press & Bindery - Digital Color Printing - Graphic Design - Large Format Printing - Signs - Checks - Forms & Much More...
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What software & file formats are accepted?
Macintosh: Adobe Illustrator 11, QuarkXPress 6, Adobe Pagemaker 7, Micromedia Freehand 10, Adobe Photoshop 7, Adobe Acrobat Distiller 6, Adobe Indesign 3. PC: Microsoft Publisher 2003 & XP, Microsoft Word 2003 & XP, Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 & XP, Microsoft Excel 2003 & XP, Corel Draw 11, QuarkXPress 6, Pagemaker 7, Adobe Freehand 10, Adobe Photoshop 7, Adobe Acrobat Distiller 6, Illustrator 10, Filemaker Pro 6. 
We also accept the following file formats: TIFF, EPS, PSD, PDF, JPEG. 
Files can be accepted on the following media: Floppy Disks, CD/DVD or Zip Disks.
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How do I prepare my files?

• Supply all the necessary files. 
• Include all image and graphic files imported into your document. Graphics that are missing may remain visible but will output in low resolution and look pixelated and fuzzy. Also, please supply original and editable copies of all graphic files. 
• Supply the necessary fonts. Please be certain to provide both printer and screen fonts. If printer fonts are missing we will not be able to print your job. 
• Convert all your colors from RGB to CMYK. Your images may print black and white or with inaccurate color if you neglect to convert images. 
• When converting a Pantone color to CMYK, verify that the CMYK color is equivalent to the original color. Some Pantone colors are outside of the CMYK color space and appear different when printed as process color. View your screen after conversion for a rough idea of how that color will appear. For an exact determination, view a Pantone color conversion guide. 
• Scan or save your images at the correct resolution. Set scanning resolution at double the output line screen. For example, if you need 110-line screen film output (LPI) for a spot color job, scan at 220 (DPI) dots per inch. If you need 175-line screen film output (LPI) for a full color job, scan at 350 (DPI) dots per inch.  
• Set document bleeds up correctly. Make sure all bleeds extend between 1/4 and 1/8 of an inch beyond the edge of the size of the finished document.  
• Send us a mock-up of your document. It is always useful to have a mock-up as a guide for printing. A PDF e-mailed with your job or even a laser proof faxed to us can serve as such a guide.  
• Label everything. Clearly write your name, address and phone number on all diskettes, art or proofs that are sent to us. 
• It is also helpful to provide us with a checklist of everything you are sending.  Following the above checklist helps reduce potential problems, speeds up delivery and avoids fees associated with pre-press problems.  However, don't worry if you don't do all these steps or don't understand how to do them. We can work with any file you provide. Just submit whatever you have: we will pick up the phone and call you if we have questions. 

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How should I send my files?
File transfers will be faster if you remember to stuff or zip your files. Compression will reduce file size by approximately 50%, so a 6 MB file becomes 3 MB. Compression in no way harms or alters your files. If your job contains more than one file, use Stuffit to compress and combine them before you upload. This will avoid having to upload several files. Stuffit is available for free at : http://www.stuffit.com/downloads.html

Click the file upload link to upload your files. Remember that FTP file upload times vary; they are determined by modem speed, ISP capacity and other factors.  Your files may be submitted via e-mail if they are smaller than 6 MB. Our e-mail address is: art@rapidcolor.com 

If your files are too large for FTP, or you cannot send them digitally, you can mail them to the following address: Rapis Color, Inc. Attn: Art Department 6445 Karms Park Court, Las Vegas NV 89118
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Which proof is right for my job?
What are Proofs? A Proof is a simulation of the final document's appearance before printing that shows final color, layout and text.
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Why are Proofs necessary?
Insure that your job prints the way you expect it to. Inspection and approval is your responsibility, and represents an opportunity to detect and prevent errors. Once you have signed off, your proof serves as our reference to match the color and layout of your project. back to top

What type of Proofs does Rapid Color offer?

• PDF: This stands for portable document format and is created by Adobe Acrobat Distiller. PDFs are viewable on your computer monitor and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to open them. Both PC and Macintosh platforms run Adobe Acrobat and you can download the software for free here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html Color fidelity of PDF files is affected by monitor calibration, lighting and the use of Pantone colors (Pantone colors do not always appear as true on your screen and may not be the color that appears in print).  
• JPEG: This format can be opened on your computer monitor by any Internet browser. You can inspect a JPEG proof of your job by visiting the URL where your job resides on our server (you will be e-mailed the address to click on). Color fidelity of JPEG proofs depends on monitor calibration, lighting and the use of Pantone colors.  
• Laser Proof: These proofs are created on a color laser proofer. Rapid Color does not guarantee that Laser will match press sheet color and only recommends them as an approximation for how your final job will print.  
• Epson: These proofs are created on a color proofer before plates are made. The Epson prints on a specialty proofing material that simulates the properties of an offset sheet. These proofs are useful for CMYK images such as photos, illustrations, solids and specific Pantone colors. Rapid Color does guarantee that Epson proofs with Express Workflow will match press sheet color and recommends them as an approximation press proof for how your final job will print.  
• Matchprint: Since films used to burn printing plates are used to create Matchprints, this method yields highly accurate color proofs. Businesses such as ad agencies that require very precise color reproduction prefer this method.  

Tips about Proofing options

• PDF & JPEG accurately render document layout, however they offer variable accuracy when reproducing color. Color fidelity of PDF & JPEG proofs are affected by monitor calibration, lighting and the use of Pantone colors.  
• Laser proofs offers are inexpensive and good for digital & offset printing.  
• Epson proofs offer a level of color fidelity consistent with "pleasing color" projects.  
• Matchprints are an accurate proofing method since they are created directly from the films used to create the plates that print your job. 
• Proofs will not match a specialty Pantone color when that Pantone color falls outside of the CMYK gamut. Provide your colors' Pantone number and we will mix inks to match your desired color. In such an instance, a Pantone chart will be the best indicator of how color will appear.  
• Proofing Microsoft jobs presents special challenges. Microsoft files were not designed for color offset printing. As a result PDFs, JPEGs or Laser proofs may not accurately predict printing results. When creating proofs for these formats it is advisable to order Epson proofs since they are very accurate and predictable proofs. Rapid Color accepts no liability for printing results if a matchprint is not ordered for Microsoft documents. 

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How is my Proof delivered?
You can choose between online proofing (PDF & JPEG), or hard copy Proofs (Laser, Epson & Matchprint). PDF's can be e-mailed to you. Lasers, Epsons or Matchprints will be sent to you via Rapid Color delivery or by FedEx, UPS or US mail. Mail back your approved proofs as soon as possible so we can commence printing. If you have corrections, please notify us immediately at (702) 792-6055.
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How do I select paper?
The paper you choose is important to the appearance and feel of your document. Below are definitions to help you with your selection. Finish consists of the texture and look of a paper. These terms define a paper's finish:

Coated: A paper with a waxy finish (shiny or matte) on both sides.
Uncoated: A paper with an untreated surface that is dull and unreflective.
Coated One Side: A cover stock that is shiny on front and dull on back.
Kromekote: A premium ultra high gloss paper available in cover weights. Kromekote is available as coated on both sides and coated on one side.
Laid: Textured lines on the surface of the stock. This finish is used predominantly for corporate identity packages (letterhead, envelopes, business cards).
Linen: Textured lines on the surface of the sheet. Lines are finer than on Laid papers. This finish is used predominantly for corporate identity packages (letterhead, envelopes, business cards).
Laser: A paper guaranteed to be compatible with a copier or laser printer. Paper thickness is measured in pounds.

Text: Text is a lightweight paper often used for publications, sell sheets and letterhead.

• 50 lb. - Standard lightweight paper used for digital & laser printing 
• 60 lb. - Laser opaque sheet, one grade heavier than standard 70 lb.-Heaviest Laser Opaque 
• 80 lb. - Coated stock, equal in feel to 24 lb. 
• Finch Laser 100 lb. - Coated stock, equal in feel to 28 lb. 
• Finch Laser Note: 50 lb., 60 lb., 70 lb., 80 lb., 100 lb. are measurements used for papers that are meant for offset printing. 

Covers: Cover is a rigid heavyweight card, not easily folded, generally used for publication covers, business cards and postcards. 

• 80 lb. - Light weight coated cover 
• 100 lb. - Mid-weight coated cover, heavier than 80 lb. 
• 12pt. - Heavy weight coated cover. 

Tips:

• Gloss papers are generally used for brochures, company publications, catalogues, posters and postcards as well as four color business cards.  
• Uncoated stock is best for letterhead, envelopes, business cards as well as newsletters and any documents that feed through a copier or laser printer.  

NOTE: If you require a specific paper or finish not offered in our pricing selections, please contact us for special-order pricing.
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How do I place my order?
1. Visit our showroom, call us, email us, or go online to your online storefront and select the product you require.
2. Carefully review the printing quotation.
3. Send us your digital files. You can upload them via FTP. You can also mail them to our address. Once the file is received, you'll get an order confirmation. 
Completing the Order: Once your file is received, our sales manager will contact you to review the order. If your file requires pre-press work to output correctly, you will be advised of any extra charges. Within one business day after your order has been placed you will be sent either a digital or paper proof, as long as your file has been set up correctly.  Digital Proofs: We will e-mail you the proof via the Internet (PDF Format).
If you approve your digital proof, please reply with your "O.K. to print".
If you do not approve your digital proof, please e-mail us the necessary corrections.
Paper Proof: Your proof will be faxed or shipped to you within one business day after order placement.
If you approve your proof, write "O.K. to print" (with your initials) on the margin and fax or mail the proof back to us.
If your proof does not meet your approval, please specify the necessary corrections as soon as possible.
NOTE: It is best to spot corrections or changes when you review your proofs. At this stage, any correction will not incur a correction charge. Please e-mail them to us. Should corrections or changes be required after a matchprint is delivered, a charge of $25.00 will be billed for each new proof. There may also be nominal charges for layout.
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Is there an extra charge for bleeds?
No. Unlike many other companies, all our prices include full bleeds free of charge.
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How long will it take to upload my files?
It will vary depending upon your file size, the speed of your Internet connection and the volume of Internet traffic at the time you send it.
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How do I order multiple pieces?
To keep things simple, please place a separate order for each different printed piece you want produced. (For example, if you want 3 different Postcards, please place 3 orders).
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How long does it take for me to get the proof of my job?
Once you have placed your order, you should get it within 1 business day after we receive your files.
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How long will it take to get my order?
Most jobs will be printed within 2-5 business days after you approve your proof. Shipping by UPS, FedEx or US Mail takes from 2 to 6 business days to get to you depending on your location. Rapid Color provides FREE delivery in the Greater Las Vegas area.
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