What types of printing does Phillips provide?
Phillips Printing provides lithographic printing with sheet sizes up to 28” x 40” and color/black digital printing with sheet sizes up to 13” x 19”.
What types of products does Phillips produce?
In general, we put ink on paper and we mail it. We commonly produce business collateral such as brochures, flyers, pocket folders, and stationery. We also produce all types of direct mail pieces from self-mailers to postcards to inserted mailings and we handle all of the mailing in-house.
Is Phillips Printing a qualified G7 master printer?
Yes. We have been a qualified G7 master printer since 2010.
What is a qualified G7 master printer?
G7 master qualification means that we’ve met a color and reproduction quality standard as set forth by Idealliance in commercial printing and proofing. G7 is a set of specifications for achieving gray balance and allows us to reproduce visual similarity across all of our print processes. In short, our proofers match our offset presses, which match our digital presses, which also match other G7 printers.
What are my paper choices?
There are four general factors to consider when choosing a paper: type, weight, finish and color.
Paper type: Paper is categorized in two general types: coated and uncoated. Coated stocks have a coating that provides a smooth surface and reduces how much the ink soaks into the paper, this yields brighter colors and sharper images. Common coated stocks include gloss, silk, satin, dull and matte. Satin, dull and matte stocks are often very similar, and sometimes indistinguishable, between different paper manufacturers. Uncoated stocks are just that; they do not have a coating. This allows ink to completely soak into the paper and yields softer color and images. Uncoated stock is good for reading because it has no glare. It is also best for writing and is used for letterhead and other stationery items.
Paper weight: Also referred to as thickness, paper weight is often measured by pound within categories of text and cover. Common weights from lightest to heaviest are 60lb. text, 80lb. text, 100lb. text, 80lb. cover, and 100lb. cover.
Paper finish: The paper finish involves surface treatments that create or reduce texture. Finish is mostly a factor when referencing an uncoated stock. Common finishes include smooth, super smooth, vellum, felt, linen, columns and canvas.
Paper color: The most available color is white, as one would guess. Though, just as in paint, there can be several shades of “white.” Most coated stocks only come in a single shade of white within a paper line. Uncoated stocks, however, are available in several shades of white as well as a variety of colors such as natural, creme, pastels and vibrant colors from black to florescent orange. There are also specialty papers such as metallic and pearlescent sheets that come in a variety of colors and can add a level of sophistication.
What is the difference between matte paper and uncoated paper?
Matte paper is a coated stock. It is similar to silk, dull or satin paper. The coating allows the ink to set up on the paper, producing brighter colors and sharper images. Uncoated paper does not have a coating, which allows the ink to soak into the paper and thus producing softer colors. Uncoated paper is best for writing, although both papers can be written on.
What is the difference between pages, spreads, and sheets?
A page refers to one panel on one side of a piece of paper. A spread refers to two or more facing pages on the same side of a piece of paper. A sheet is the physical piece of paper. A four-page bi-fold would contain four pages, two spreads, and one sheet.
What is flat size?
The flat size is the dimension of a piece after it is trimmed but before it is folded.
What is a signature?
A signature is a printed sheet that is folded at least once, usually two or three times, to become part of a book.
How do I specify how many pages are in my book?
If a perfect-bound book has 60 pages plus cover then that means there are 30 sheets of paper to constitute the inside pages plus the one sheet of paper that wraps around from front to back for the cover.
If a saddle-stitch book is a 48 page self-cover then that means there are 12 sheets of paper that constitute the book (four pages per sheet, all of the same stock). If the cover prints on a different stock than the inside pages then the book would be stated as 44 page plus cover. The art file would still contain 48 pages, but the name indicates that the cover should print separately from the inside pages.
What are the different binding methods?
Here are a few of the most common binding methods:
Saddle-stitch – Sheets are bi-folded and bound with two staples at the spine.
Perfect bound – Sheets are ground at spine and bound with glue to the cover forming a square edge.
Wire-O – Punched sheets are bound with a twin loop wire. This binding allows an opened booklet to lay flat.
Wire spiral coil – Punched sheets are bound with a spiral-wound metal coil.
Plastic spiral coil – Punched sheets are bound with a spiral-wound plastic coil.
Plastic comb – Punched sheets are bound with round plastic spines. This binding does not allow a book to open 360 degrees.
When is it recommended to print a spot color?
Typically, a spot color is used when a company has extensive use of a particular brand color that cannot be reproduced with CMYK. Or, if a piece has large or multiple areas of coverage of a particular color in which case a spot color may be used for consistency.
Is there a cost associated with adding a spot color to a full-color piece?
Yes. Printing a spot color involves additional plates, ink, set up, and wash up.
Will I receive a proof of my project before it is printed?
With the exception of exact reprints, we will send a PDF proof of your project to you before production. The PDF proof will contain an electronic approval form. This form has an email function that will create a new email to send your approval back to us.
A hard proof will be provided upon request or if deemed necessary depending on the project. Books typically require a hard proof, which must be returned given the time involved to produce.
What if I have a change after I approve my project?
It depends where it is in the process. With our state-of-the-art prepress workflow a project can be plated within minutes of receiving an approval. If a change is requested after approval the best way to contact us is by using our contact form or call 1-888-ASK-PHIL.
Who do I contact if I have further questions about printing?
If you have any questions about printing please email us or call 1-888-ASK-PHIL.