Printing Frequently Asked Questions

For questions not answered here, please contact us.

What type of files can I send to Bargain Priced Printing?

You may send .jpg, .jpeg, .ai, and .psd. We prefer that you send .PDF files with outlined fonts. These files are easier to handle and will likely speed up your turnaround. Remember to add crop marks and flatten your files before uploading.

What are my coating options?

We offer several coating options such as Matte, spot AQ, full AQ, spot UV and full UV. The coatings available to you will depend on the products you are ordering.   

What color mode should my files be?

You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode. RGB files will not be accepted.  

What resolution should my file be?

We only accept 300 dpi files and no less.  

How should I set up my bleed and crop marks?

Bleed must extend further than the cut line. Please keep all text and anything you do not want cut at least .125" away from the cut line. When sending a .pdf, make sure you include crop marks so we can cut the job correctly.    

How can I avoid transparency issues?

Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file. To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency image on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending. All of these effects will cause transparency problems.  

Does Bargain Priced Printing accept borders on jobs?

Yes, but if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly. We cut through many sheets at a time, so watch your borders to avoid an unwanted mistake. 

How should I set up my file for proper rotation?

Do not send your files rotated if both sides read the same way. When one side reads different than the other, you should align the file how you want them printed before you send the files. For files not properly set up, Bargain Priced Printing will use best judgment and will not be responsible for improper rotation. 

Should I send a proof or sample file?

No. Do not send extra files, like proofs or samples, because they might get printed. Only send the files you need printed. We are not responsible for the wrong files being printed.   

What is overprint, and how can it ruin my file?

Primarily used to intentionally overlap inks for a number of reasons, overprint can cause unexpected results. We suggest that you turn all overprint objects off before submitting your files. Unexpected results may occur if you have accidentally set certain objects to overprint. Always check logos and other artwork before submitting.    

Can I submit multiple files in one document?

No. We are now specifically set up to process one side at a time, and this requires that each side of a job must be on a separate file. Not separating files will cause delays and you might have to send the files again. Remember to separate the pages of your .pdf files as well.    Top of Page

How should I set up a Spot UV job?

When creating a Spot UV job, you must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular full color file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV will be placed. Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. White will indicate no UV. Remember "If it's white, you can write".

How can I set up a file for silver ink?

Silver ink files must be sent in a vector format. You must use a vector program, like Illustrator or Indesign, to call out the object you want in silver ink. To indicate the silver ink, you must set the object color to Pantone® PMS 877 C. Any other color will not be accepted as silver. Also, labeling the layer as "silver mask" or "silver" will not qualify your file. Remember, silver is a spot color and transparencies like drop shadows should be avoided.  

How do I set up a Metallic’s Unlimited (MU) file?

With our Metallic’s Unlimited (MU) system, you can make any CMYK color or full color image into a metallic color. MU jobs must be created in Photoshop. In addition to your full color artwork, you must add a channel to your final file. After creating your full color design in a Photoshop layer, select what you would like to be metallic with the magic wand or selection tool. Make sure when making your selection, to only select the area that you need metallic. The MU system will not work on gradients so do not include them in your selection. After the selection is made, go to the channels pallet, then the channels menu, and select "New Spot Channel..." When the "New Spot Channel" window shows up make sure the name of your spot channel is "mu channel". Under "Ink Characteristics", color is set to, C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 100. Solidity is set to 100%. The black parts indicate what will be metallic and the white parts will print as normal CMYK ink. Remember, the color or area you indicated in the channels must match the same area you want metallic in your layers. Save your file as a "Photoshop DCS 2.0" file. The extension for this file will be .EPS. Your file is now ready to send to Bargain Priced Printing. Remember, MU works better with lighter colors and we cannot guarantee any color matching.    

How can I make sure my blues do not come out purple?

When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values. Blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple. Example: C-100 M-70 Y-0 k-0    Top of Page

How do I get a grayscale image in a CMYK document?

Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a color shift in the final print. That shift may be green or yellow. Always check the CMYK values of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other values other then K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary. To eliminate all values other then K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click "Monochrome" and adjust accordingly.   

What is rich black and how can I get it?

Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like. We recommend using... C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100 This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.  

Why does my business card crack around the edges?

Cracking of the edges of a business card occurs sometimes when the card contains high values of ink, as in dark colors. This usually happens on a small amount of cards in the run. To prevent this, use lighter colors or if you must use dark colors, use as little ink as possible.  

What is banding?

Many things can cause banding. Banding can be caused by the program that it is exported from, such as Adobe InDesign or Corel. Also, too many gradient steps, for example going from a very light color to a dark color, in a small area will cause banding. To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.

Why is there cracking on my scoring job?

When a job is coated with UV then scored and folded the job may begin to crack. During use, the cracks will become bigger and the ink may start to chip off. Cracking is normal when coated jobs are scored and folded. The only way to prevent this is to order the job without UV.

What if I need to cancel or change my print order?

All print orders must have the cash portion paid in advance. If you need to cancel or change the order before our print department starts printing it, then there is a $39 cash fee. After the printing process has started, there will be no refunds or changes.

Do you accept checks?

Yes. However, there is a $25 returned check fee for each bad check.