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Do you have questions about what we can do for you?
We try to answer our most frequently asked questions below.


Click on a question to know what to do:


• What is your turnaround time?
• What does a setup fee include?
• What does 4/0, 4/1, and 4/4 mean?
• What are your hours of operation?
• How do I send my files?
• Can I send my files by email?
• How much does it cost to design my cards?
• How fast is your rush service and how much does it cost?
• I'm ready to place an order, how will I know you have received it and that
            everything is okay?

• If I order 2,000 cards can I get 2 different versions of 1,000 but still pay the
            2,000 price?

• Can you extract my photo out of the background it is currently in to make it
            appear as though it is floating in a new background?

• How will I know if you got my files?
• How does mailing work?
• Where is my proof at?
• What is your bleed?
• Can we print a spot color?
• Can I substitute a color for black or grayscale on the backside of my postcard?
• Can I mail my order?



How do I get the layout of my card for you to print?
Here’s how you can submit an order using one of our pre-designed templates:
1. Click “Create a Card” from our homepage
2. Select your profession
3. Select the purpose of your campaign
4. Select you mailing frequency
5. Select your campaign message
6. Select your campaign design style
7. Select one or multiple cards within the style you selected
8. Personalize the card with your marketing message and your information by
filling in the form below the card.
9. Click continue and finalize your order.

I would like to send you my own custom layout, how can I send that to you and is there an extra charge?
1. You can submit a custom layout by drawing a box to the dimension of your
card and indicate placement of your photos and logos by using arrows and
boxes.
2. Use our online order form to place your order and select the box “I will fax you
my custom layout”
3. The order form will return a job number – please write that job number on your
fax so we can match it to your order.
4. A $45.95 minimum charge will apply to custom orders. Charges may be
higher depending on the time required to set up your job.

How much does it cost to design my cards?
If you are ordering a postcard the price of the postcard includes:
a drum scan of one photo, typesetting of up to 50 words of text in black
ink on the backside of the postcard and an email proof .
If you are ordering business cards the setup fee is $24.95 which includes:
a drum scan of one photo, typesetting your information, any of our pre-designed
templates and an email proof.

What is your turnaround time?
1. If you are sending a print ready digital file your order will be ready to ship or
pick up in 2-3 business days. A print ready digital file requires no
modifications or additional work, and is ready to print as-is.
2. If you are sending a job that requires Postcard Press to typeset or design: the
typical turnaround time is 4 to 5 business days for a proof and the job will be
ready to ship or pickup approximately 2 to 3 business days after the day you
approve your proof. Please keep in mind that complex designs may take
longer.
3. Business days are Monday to Friday.

What does a setup fee include:
1. Our base setup fee of $24.95 includes a drum scan of one photo, typesetting
your information any of our pre-designed templates, and an email proof.

What does 4/0, 4/1, and 4/4 mean?
1. 4/0 means full color on one side of the card and no printing on the back
2. 4/1 means full color on one side of the card and black or greyscale on the back
3. 4/4 means full color printing on both sides of the card

How do I send my files?
To send your files:
1. Click the appropriate “Place Order” button from our homepage.
(you can upload files from either button)
2. Enter your order information
3. Attach your files and send your order

Can I send my files by email?
Please do not send files by email if you are placing an order.
If you are sending new files for an existing order you can send your new files to your customer service representative. Please reference your order number in the subject line of the email.


How fast is your rush service and how much does it cost?
Postcard Press offers a 1 day rush express service for customers who have print ready digital files. We must receive your job by 10:00 am PST in order for your job to be ready to ship or pickup by the following afternoon. There is a $50 rush charge for business cards and $100 rush charge for postcards.

I’m ready to place an order, how will I know that you have received it and that everything is okay?
Immediately following the placement of your order you will receive an email confirmation that we have received your order and any files that you have sent.
Our new software will automatically update you during each stage of your order. The status updates will be sent by email and will include specific information about your job.
You can also check the status of your order from our website by clicking the “Account Manager” button from our homepage.

Do I get a proof?
If we are typesetting your order or modifying digital files that you send to us we will send an email proof.
If you are sending print ready digital files a proof will not be sent unless you specify email proof on your order form. The price for this service is $19.95.
We also offer a hard proof that is calibrated to match our press. If you are concerned with accurate color of your submitted digital files this is an excellent option. The price for this service is $40.00 which includes overnight shipping to your door. Color proofs are shipped to the billing address unless otherwise specified. Most color proofs will be shipped 24-48 hours after we receive your order.

If I order 2,000 cards can I get 2 different versions of 1,000 but still pay the 2,000 price?
In order to keep our prices as low as possible we can only print one version of each card and still provide a price break for higher quantities.

What do I need to do to get started?
Getting started is easy!
1. If you have a print ready digital file you can place your order and send
your file by clicking the send print ready digital file “Place Order”
button from our homepage.
2. If you do not have a print ready digital file you can customize any of
our pre-designed templates. Start by clicking the “Design a Card”
button on the homepage and then follow the instructions. You will be
able to upload your digital photos or send them to us via the mail once
you are finished and a proof will be provided to you within 2-3 business
days after we receive your order with payment.

Can you extract my photo out of the background it is currently in to make
it appear as though it is floating in a new background?

1. Yes we can, this is a simple way to give your card a beautiful
contemporary look. In most cases the cost to do this is $15.95.

How will I know if you got my files?
Once you have placed your order you will receive an email confirmation
detailing your job receipt of your files. Our digital department will then check your files and prepare them for a press run. If we have any problem with your files you will be notified by email immediately.

How does mailing work?
We have recently introduced mailing services. With this new service we provide
one stop shopping for all of your printing and mailing needs. To use our mailing
service simply provide us with your mailing list. If you are a realtor your title company will usually provide this free of charge – If you are not a realtor you can obtain a list from a variety of sources one of the largest is infousa.com.
Our mailing service includes:
• Presort first class postage
• List Processing
• CASS certification
• Inkjet set-up and addressing
• Delivery to the post office

What is your bleed?
Most jobs we print require a 1/16” bleed over each edge. If your job requires die-cutting it will also need an additional 1/2” all the way around for the gripper on our machine.

Can we print a spot color?
We can print a spot color, however in most cases it is usually cheaper to print four color process. The cost for us to print a spot color is usually around $300.00 depending on the color you require.

Can I substitute a color for black or grayscale on the backside of my postcard?
If you would like to order color on both sides of your postcard you can order any of our two-sided full color products. Unfortunately, we cannot substitute another color for black or grayscale on the backside of the postcard for the same price.

Can I mail my order?
If you would like to mail your order you can do so in one of the following ways:
If you are sending a digital file you can
1. Download our digital file order form.
2. Fill out the form
3. Mail your disk and payment.
If you are sending photos, transparencies or slides you can
1. Download our order form for non designers.
2. Fill out the form
3. Mail your materials and payment

What is your paperstock?
We print on a superthick bright white cardstock.

What are your hours of operation?
We are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. pst.

How long will it take your graphics department to check my files?
In most cases your files will be checked and approved for a press run within 24 hours.

Can you fix my file if I don’t send it to you correctly?
In most cases we will not be able to fix your file – please read our digital file instructions carefully to avoid extra charges and delays.

How do I know the color will be correct?
If your job is color critical the only way you can be absolutely sure the color is correct is to order a Postcard Press color proof.

Can I send a printout of how the color should look?
Unfortunately, your color proofer has not been profiled to match our press. Other factors such as media and inks will also result in your proof not matching the final print. Additionally, it is impossible to predict the degree of difference between your proof and the final print.

Where is my proof at?
If we are typesetting your order or modifying digital files that you send to us, we will send an email proof. If you are sending print ready digital files a proof will not be sent unless you specify email proof on your order form. The price for this service is $19.95. We also offer a hard proof that is calibrated to match our press. If you are concerned with accurate color of your submitted digital files this is an excellent option. The price for this service is $40.00 which includes overnight shipping to your door. Most color proofs will be shipped 24-48 hours after we receive your order.

If I do a mailing will I get a confirmation that the cards were mailed?
Yes, upon request we can provide you with a statement from the postmaster.