Printing Services - Frequently Asked Questions

These are questions asked most often by Speedcolor customers about our book, post card, catalog and brochure printing services for your company. If you do not find the answers you need here, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help!

1. What is the difference between Matte and Gloss Paper Stock?
2. What is the difference between Offset and Coated (Matte or Gloss) Paper Stock?
3. What is the difference between Cover Stock and Body Stock?
4. What is the difference between Body Stock and Text Stock?
5. What does PDF stand for?
6. What does the # in 70# or 80# paper mean?
7. What is the difference between 70# and 80# of the same type text paper?
8. Does weight of the paper stock effect durability and quality?
9. What are my options with 1-color printing to create a higher impact publication?
10. What are my options with 2-color printing?
11. What are the advantages of full color printing?
12. How does the Online Quote system work?
13. Can I make more than just one order?
14. Why must Illinois Residents pay sales and use taxes?
15. Do you accept other forms of payment?
16. What is the difference between File Upload and File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
17. What is the best File Transfer option?
18. Can Speedcolor handle different printing options and products other than the standard products and choices that are listed?
19. How can I reach someone for questions or instructions?
20. Why doesn't my file transfer to Speedcolor?
21. Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?
22. When can I call Speedcolor for help?
23. How long will it take for an e-mail reply to an inquiry?
24. How do we use order numbers?
25. If we have forgotten our Password, how do can I retrieve it?
26. If you already a registered user, how do you change addresses and other information?
27. Do you sell or rent registered e-mail addresses to other companies?
28. Does the Turnaround Time include Shipping Time?
29. What kind of electronic file format does Speedcolor recommend?

2. What is the difference between Offset and Coated (Matte or Gloss) Paper Stock?
Offset stock is uncoated paper which is most commonly used for 1-color pages in books, reports, letters and business forms. Offset stock is usually less expensive than coated stocks which are described in 1. above.

3. What is the difference between Cover Stock and Body Stock?
Cover stock is the outside page and is thicker than body stock. Body stock is the inside pages and is less thick than cover stock.

4. What is the difference between Body Stock and Text Stock?
Nothing, body and text stock both mean the inside pages of a book or catalog.

5. What does PDF stand for?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a universal file format developed by Adobe that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics and color of of any source document. It allows a file to read through the use of Acrobat Reader ( a free program available from Adobe) regardless of the hardware or software platform on which the file was created.

6. What does the # in 70# or 80# paper mean?
It is the basis weight in pounds of a text stock type or the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of 25" x 38" sheets. For a cover stock type, it's a ream of 20" x 26" sheets. With that in mind you now know the reason that 100# cover is heavier and thicker than 100# text stock.

7. What is the difference between 70# and 80# of the same type text paper?
The difference between 70# and 80# is the weight and thickness of each sheet of paper. The 80# would be slightly thicker and heavier than 70#. See question 6 above for further detail.

8. Does weight of the paper stock effect durability and quality?
Yes, but only within the same type. For instance, let's assume you chose 70 # vs. 50# offset text stock for a newsletter. The 70# stock would be more durable over time and result in less show through of the printed image from on side of a sheet to the other. However, let's assume you choose 70# gloss text vs. 70# offset for your newsletter. The gloss stock would be more durable and result in greater ink holdout and glossier images than the uncoated offset stock.

9. What are my options with 1-color printing to create a higher impact publication?
Most 1-color printing is black ink on a white stock. However, you can vary the ink cover to perhaps a blue, red or brown to create a different look. You can also print different color inks on different color papers to create an even more dramatic look.

10. What are my options with 2-color printing?
2-color print publications frequently use black and one other color to create a higher impact than can be achieved with 1-color. However, any two colors can often be used to create just the look you need without the time and expense of going to 4-color process printing.

11. What are the advantages of full color printing?
The highest quality and most appealing print publications are printed in full color using the 4-color (CMYK or Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) offset printing process. In contrast, computer monitors use a different color model called RGB (Red-Blue-Green). The result is often a difference between what we see on the screen and what we see in a printed piece. Studies have shown that full color increases readership and that there is over a 60 % increase in retention with full color versus black and white. Pick from an almost endless pallet of colors to create your next high quality, impact document in full living color.

12. How does the Online Quote system work?
Speedcolor developed an online quoting system to allow you to easily and instantly know the price of the document you're planning to print. It also allows you to make choices from different paper types and weights, colors and finishing alternatives so that you receive just the look and feel that you need and want. Simply click on a Quote button or the product of your choice on a page's left side navigation bar.

13. Can I make more than just one order?
Absolutely, we have a shopping cart, which will allow you to purchase several printing projects at one time.

14. Why must Illinois Residents pay sales and use taxes?
Speedcolor Inc., as an Illinois corporation and domiciled in Illinois, must collect and remit a 8% sales and use tax on the paper and ink content of all jobs shipped to Illinois destinations. If you are a tax exempt organization, please fax us your exemption certificate.

15. Do you accept other forms of payment?
You can request other payment terms or methods of payment via our Custom Products (RFQ) or Contact Us pages.

16. What is the difference between File Upload and File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
File upload is transfer files via our web site, File Transfer Protocol or FTP will allow you to transfer larger files via our FTP site, using an FTP client such as CuteFTP or WSFTP.

17. What is the best File Transfer option?
It depends; all of them have their bright spots. File upload can be done right on the web site and will allow you to quickly send files over the Internet. E-mail will allow you to attach files and send quickly through the e-mail servers. Both File upload and e-mail can have restrictions in the size of the files being sent over the Internet. FTP or File Transfer Protocol, can handle very large files, and is very stable when transferring. Depending on the size of your files you should choose the option that you are most comfortable with.

18. Can Speedcolor handle different printing options and products other than the standard products and choices that are listed?
Absolutely, Speedcolor has been a full service commercial printer since 1928 with complete pre-press, printing and finishing or bindery capabilities. If you have a unique project, simply go to our Custom Products (RFQ) page, give us your specifications and we will get back to you with a quotation.

19. How can I reach someone for questions or instructions?
Speedcolor wants to answer any questions you might have. Call us, e-mail us, write us, or even fax us. We will answer your inquiry quickly. Learn how to reach us at the Contact Us page.

20. Why doesn't my file transfer to Speedcolor?
Sometimes files are too large for certain types of file transfers. If your file takes hours to transfer, you probably need to use FTP to exchange the files. FTP is very stable and quick at sending large files over the Internet.

21. Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?
Yes, you will select either an on-line proof or hard copy proof that you must approve before we begin printing. If changes are needed that you request us to do, you will approve the related charges before we proceed.

22. When can I call Speedcolor for help?
Speedcolor's customer service representatives are at the office from 8:00 am to 4:30 PM (Central Standard Time) M-F. You may e-mail us at any time.

23. How long will it take for an e-mail reply to an inquiry?
We consider customer questions a top priority so we try to answer questions in less than two hours during the business day.

24. How do we use order numbers?
You will receive a unique order number once you submit your project for printing. Keep that order number for your records for ease in any follow up that may be necessary.

25. If we have forgotten our Password, how do can I retrieve it?
Your password can be accessed by using our password retrieval system. Simply fill in the information required and we will send you an e-mail with your password.

26. If you are already a registered user, how do you change addresses and other information?
You may change your information through the ordering process, which will ask you if your information is correct, or you can sign on as a new customer and register your new information.

27. Do you sell or rent registered e-mail addresses to other companies?
Absolutely not. Your information is considered confidential by Speedcolor, we will not sell or rent this information to others.

28. Does the Turnaround Time include Shipping Time?
No, the Turnaround Time is how long it will take Speedcolor to complete your project. This is the time from final proof approval to job shipment. All jobs are shipped UPS and you can choose from four different alternatives - - ground to next day air.

29. What kind of electronic file format does Speedcolor recommend?
We can accept many different formats, but your original application files are the easiest to deal with followed by postscript and then the PDF. To find out more please click here!