What kind of Graphic Design services do you provide?

We are full service. That is to say that we can design just about anything, and even handle much of the actual manufacturing too. Like our motto says, "If you can dream it up, we can make it happen!"
 

What do you charge for your graphic design services?

This is a difficult question. Due to the infinite number of variables that can factor into this question, there is simply no solid answer. Please contact us for a price quote.
 

What types of payment do you accept?

Cash, Money Order, Check, ITEX
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
 

Do you offer business accounts?

Yes! Please call us today for more information on opening a business account.
 

How do I use the FTP site?

Please contact our art department for the FTP username and password.

 

What type of files do you accept?

We can open just about everything. However, we prefer the following formats:

*.psd | *.jpg | *.pdf | *.eps | *.tif | *.ai (If sending *.ai, please convert all fonts to outlines!)

 

Which file formats produce the best results for printing?

We recommend *pdf for the best result. This format combines the best color and font management and produces the least possibility of error.
 

Should my file be designed using CMYK or RGB color pallet?

For most products (paper printing, banners, etc.), CMYK is preferred.
 

How big does my file need to be?

XOOG Media will print whatever files you approve for printing, but we do not recommend printing any image below 300 dpi. Generally, images as low as 225 dpi will print reasonably well, but we cannot guarantee you will be satisfied with the results. Your image will appear fuzzy when the resolution gets below 200 dpi. To get a reasonable idea of what the resolution will look like on screen, zoom your image to 400%.

Resolution is the measurement of the number of dots or pixels laid out in a grid: 300 ppi (or dpi) is actually 300 pixels x 300 pixels in each square inch. In theory, the greater the resolution, the more detail contained in the printing.

Please note that increasing the resolution in your imaging program (e.g. changing the resolution from 72 ppi to 300 ppi) does not add more total pixels to the image. You can only increase the resolution if you keep the total pixel dimensions the same.

In other words, an image that is 17.7 inches by 25.62 inches at 72 ppi can be safely converted to 4.25 x 6.25 at 300 ppi because you have 1275 pixels by 1875 pixels in way. On the other hand, an image that is 4.25 x 6.25 at 72 ppi can only be scaled to 1.06 inches x 1.5 inches at 300 ppi.
 

What resolution should my art file have?

Please refer to the question above.
 

What is the importance of DPI?

DPI (dots per inch) is usually described as the number of pixels that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch space. For an image to print properly and maintain its consistency, the image has to have an output size of at least 300 DPI. You can't just change an image from a low resolution to a high-resolution image. For instance, if you change an image from 72 DPI to 300 DPI, the image will look blurry because it stretches out the pixels.
 

What paper stock do you print on? Can you send me samples?

We print on many different paper stocks. If you would like to see some samples, come by our store. We would love to show you our work.
 

I bought some paper at (Insert Retailer Here). Can I send it to you and have you print on that?

Unfortunately, we cannot print on customer-submitted paper. This is not because we won't, but because we simply can't.
 

What line screen do you print with?

We print with a 200 line screen (Lines Per Inch).
 

What kinds of coating do you use?

Ultra Violet (UV), Aqueous (AQ), Spot UV (SUV) typically. Spot coloring is available.
 

What is Spot UV?

SUV is an exact spot on your product where you would like to add and area of Ultra Violet coating. Creating a piece with SUV will enhance your marketing piece immensely.

When preparing press-ready digital files, what size should I build my file to?
Please build your press-ready digital files to bleed size by adding 0 .1" dimension for any product that is printed on 14- point cardstock (for example: business cards and postcards) and 0.125" for all other products (for example: brochures and flyers)
 

What is bleed?

Bleed is the printing that goes beyond the borders of a sheet after trimming.  Imagine a contact sheet of photos.  All the white space in between each photo has no bleed.  If all the images continued to meet each other, this would be called bleed.  If you do not want your product to have any white edges around it, we recommend using bleed (i.e. Full Bleed)
 

What is the required bleed?
Our bleed is 0.1" or 0.125" added to each overall dimension. Files not built correctly may delay the order, or may add costs.

Do I need to include bleed if my design has white on all sides?

We recommend that you include bleeds with your files even if you have all white edges. They are not required, but setting up your artwork to allow the .125" bleed (even if it's white) helps make sure we cut your product the way you want.

If your design includes any element that reaches the edge of the page, bleeds will be required.
 

Can I stretch my image to fit it in the bleed?

We do not recommend stretching your artwork because it lowers image resolution and may change the aspect ratio. Changing the aspect ratio can make objects and people appear taller or shorter than the original image.

If the resolution of the original artwork is 300 DPI (dots per inch), stretching the artwork makes the image less sharp and detailed. For an image to print properly, the image should be saved at 300 DPI at the final printed size.

If you need to resize your image to add bleeds, we recommend you do so from the program you used to create the file.
 

How do I prepare files for trim?
Simply add 0.1" or 0.125" to each overall dimension of your digital layout. Example: a 5" x 7" would have a bleed size of 5.1" x 7.1".
 

How close can my text be to the cut or trim line?

Text should be at least .125" from the cut line (.25" from the edge of the bleed) to ensure it is not trimmed off.
The caution zone indicated by the green line on your proof is 1/8" (.125") inside the blue trim line. All live graphics and text should be inside the green line on your proof.
The templates show the same guidelines. Red=bleed, blue=trim, green=safety or caution zone.
 

Can I write or print on UV Coating?

No
 

How do I check on the progress of my job during the process?

If you need the project finished by a specific day, let us know in the beginning, so we can make sure it is completed by that date.  Once we have a direction, we can get started.  Before we go to print, or claim the project is finished, we will send you a proof so that you can make sure everything is exactly the way it should be.  When we are given the green light, your work will be sent to press.
 

I needed my project yesterday. Can you help?

We can usually accommodate rush jobs depending on how full our production schedule is.
 

How will I receive my project once it is finished?

Your project can be picked up at our office, or we can deliver it to you.  If you want it delivered, make sure you factor in the turn-around time and delivery time in order to get your project to you on time.
 

Who owns the work XOOG Media has done for me?

YOU! All ownership is retained not by us, but by YOU upon receipt of final payment.  We do, however, reserve the right to use any work for promotional purposes.
 

I have no idea what I want.  Can you help me?

Of course! Give us a call to set up an appointment.
 

Can I place an order for a custom size?

Absolutely! Just give us a call.
 

I don’t have time for a custom design; do you have any templates I can choose from?

We do not currently offer any type of templates for design. In fact, we pride ourselves on our ability to create projects from scratch every time on time. No cookie cutter garbage here!
 

What if my order is wrong?

This depends on what it is that you have ordered. Assuming this is a printed piece, we must first find out who is at fault for the error. Who is at fault?

US: Your printed piece is cut crooked, bent, or was is damaged. We reprint, no questions asked!

YOU: Before going to print, all artwork is approved by you. If you later realize that your name was misspelled or your phone number was wrong after the artwork was approved, then we can re-print at 50% off within 7 days of pick-up.
 

Can I change my order after it has gone to print?

We ask that you would carefully check your order before sending it to print.  Once the order is sent to print, it cannot be changed.
 

What if I am not satisfied with my order?

You are asking about something that is unprecedented in XOOG Media history.  We do not complete an order until you are 100% satisfied with what you have! That's just silly to even think about...
 

Can I pay a deposit now, and the rest when the job is done?

Orders under $500 must be paid in full before production begins.  Above that, half of the payment can be made at the start of the project, and the rest is paid when the job is completed.

If you are a business wanting to open an account, please call us for more information.
 

Will you store my order so I can re-order them later?

We don't delete anything. Given we have properly backed up our files, we should have your artwork on-hand indefinitely. This not only keeps customers happy, it also keeps our hard drives nice and fat.
 

Are your hard drives really obese?

No, not at all. That was a joke!