What is gang run printing?
What is the difference between offset and digital printing?
What is large-format printing?
Can I get less than 500?
What is your range of print sizes?
Do you offer design services?
Can I see a colour proof of my job?
What is the difference between CMYK and RGB?
Is it cheaper to print only one color on the back?
What does 4/4 mean?
What forms of payment do you accept?
What type of stock do you print on?
Can I print on a different kind of paper?
Do you charge for file setup?
Do you charge for RIP time?
We recommend...

What is gang run printing?

A gang run is any press run where many different clients' jobs are combined into a single offset printed sheet. This way our clients can take advantage of the higher quality and lower cost of offset printing on jobs which are usually too small for this process.

What is the difference between offset and digital printing?

Offset is the process traditionally used to produce printed matter. It offers very high quality output and low costs, but only in larger quantities. It offers a wide range of options and specialty processes unavailable in digital printing. Digital printing is faster and is cost-effective in small quantities; it is usually the best choice for quantities of 500 or less.

What is large-format printing?

Large format is just that - print jobs larger than 11" x 17". If you need displays, banners or high-quality fine art reproductions, large format is for you. Our large format printer can output your project on a wide variety of media, from durable outdoor vinyl and transparencies to artists' canvas. Ideal for printing in small quantities, Ultra X-Press Port Alberni can have your large format prints can be ready in 2 to 3 days.

Can I get less than 500?

Our minimum run for offset cards is 500. If you need less than 500 we recommend digital printing. Pricing for our digital services can be found in the digital section of this website.

What is your range of print sizes?

Our offset print size ranges from 1.75” x 1.75” to 28” x 40”. For digital the print sizes range from 2” x 2” to 11” x 17”. We also offer large format services, with print sizes up to 60" wide by 50' long.

Do you offer design services?

We offer basic typesetting at a rate of $75 an hour. If you are in need of more comprehensive design services please either refer to our designers’ directory or contact us for a recommendation.

Can I see a colour proof of my job?

The following proofing options are available:
Soft proofs: are emailed to you as a PDF and are free of charge
Hard proofs: one printed digital colour proof is free of charge on placed orders

What is the difference between CMYK and RGB?

These are two different types of colour maps commonly used in graphics design software. Though one map can be converted to the other, the results are not predictable as colour shifts may occur. As all of our output is rasterized for print in CMYK format, we recommend creating your files in (or at least converting them into) this format before you send your artwork to us.

Is it cheaper to print only one colour on the back?

All of our offset jobs are standardized to full colour on both sides, so there is no difference in cost if you choose to do a single colour on one side.

What does 4/4 mean?

4/4 means four colour (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing on both sides of the card (called "four-over-four"). These four colours are combined to produce a full colour finished product.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, Cheque, Debit or Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Diner's Club)

What type of stock do you print on?

We use 14-point C2S card stock which is an environmentally friendly, all around card stock for postcards, business cards, and promotional material of all types.

About 14pt C2S:
Finish: Gloss coated on both sides
Brightness: 92GE brightness
Archival: Elemental chlorine-free and acid-free (alkaline)
Recycled: contains 15% post-consumer fibre and is 100% recyclable

Can I print on a different kind of paper?
Because our offset gang run is standardized we cannot use another type of paper stock. If you require a particular type of paper please contact us for a quote.

Do you charge for file setup?

No.

Do you charge for RIP time?

No.

We Recommend...
If you plan on doing a lot of printing or would simply like to know more about professional printing we strongly recommend picking up a copy of the Pocket Pal handbook, which can be purchased at most art/graphic supply stores or online.