Frequently asked…

How long will my design project take?
This really depends on the individual project. GS2 Design book in each job and work to an arranged timetable, occasionally time schedules will change throughout the progress of a job, when this is the case GS2 Design make every effort to adjust work schedules to accommodate customers needs.
TIP: To avoid possible rush charges do not wait until the last minute!

Why do GS2 Design use PDF files?
We use PDF files because they enable us to send you documents that look like the final product. They are compatible with all major platforms – PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone… You can enlarge to read small text and you can print it.

How can I open them?
You need special software to read the PDF file, but that software is FREE. You can download the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s web site: Click here…

Will the final product look exactly like this PDF?
The colours won’t match exactly. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main one is that ink on paper is not quite the same colour as seen on a monitor.

GS2 Design will always make sure the colours used in your project are consistent and correctly reproduced where possible. We check colours and apply our experience to ensure that you get the best possible results.

Can I use my own commercial print company?
Yes of course, we are perfectly happy to supply you with press ready artwork, but a few words of caution. GS2 Design only use printers that we have ‘tried and tested’ and enjoyed a relationship with for years. This ensures the best results, and can sometimes help in avoiding additional fees associated with your project. Our files are prepared to a strict set of specifications, any requirements set by your printer may incur additional charges.

Which print process should I use?
There are a number of commercial print processes available, each one suitable for different applications.

‘Litho’
What it’s good for:
Excellent for a large number of copies of the same thing, allows flexibility in paper and inks. It is the most cost-effective method for a long print run.
Against:
It is important to realise that there are initial costs involved in setting up a printing press – making plates, cleaning the press, mixing and loading inks etc. Set up charges are not cheap, therefore Litho printing is not suitable for short runs.

Digital Print
What it’s good for:
Digital print is a cost effective way of printing small quantities of full colour material.
How it works:
Digital presses are like large, fast, high quality laser printers capable of handling various paper weights. Files are output directly from a computer, and can be individually personalised. This makes it an ideal solution for short run direct mail.
Against:
Digital presses only use the four colour process, not ‘Pantone’ colours, and there are restrictions regarding heavy paper weights, (but we have a few tricks to overcome this issue!).

Large format inkjet
What it’s good for:
Excellent solution for short-run or one-off posters, exhibition display and point-of-sale stands. Will print onto different materials, allowing you to make custom full-colour banners, window graphics, and wall hangings to name but a few.
How it works:
An inkjet printer, prints quickly on wide rolls of various materials. Special inks may be used which can survive long-term exposure to weather.
Against:
Usually priced per copy, with little or no volume discount.

Screen printing
What it’s good for:
Good for a number of copies of a large poster, has the advantage that you can print onto solid plastics, cloth and even metal and allows the use of ‘Pantone’ colours.

Why don’t the colours match exactly?
Lots of things affect the way colours appear and so it is not always possible to get an exact match.

Printing inks
Spot colours (pantone) don’t match process colours (cyan, magenta, yellow and black). Spot colours are individually mixed. Using spot colours enables you to achieve special colours like metalics, and fluorescents. Process colours are used when you print in full colour. Tiny dots of various sizes are printed on the paper – these mixed dots make up the different colours. Process colours allow you to reproduce photographs.
Spot colours and process colours (although you can get very close) will not match.

Papers
The same ink colours will look different when printed on different papers. Colours printed on a non-coated paper will look dull compared to the same colours printed on a coated paper, this is due to the non-coated finish of the paper allowing the inks to be absorbed.
The same ink on different papers will not match.

On-screen
Colours you see on screen are not the same as the colours on the printed page. Screens make up colours by using glowing phosphors in Red Green and Blue. Full colour printed material uses Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks.
What you see on screen is different to printed material.

Variation from monitor to monitor
Colours vary from monitor to monitor. There’s a number of reasons for this: different brightness and contrast settings, the age of your monitor, the manufacturer, software colour-matching settings….
The same file viewed in different applications can look different.

So what can be done about it?
GS2 Design make sure the colours used in your project are consistent and correctly reproduced. We check process and Pantone colours and apply our experience to ensure that you get the best results.

Whatever type of printed material you require, GS2 Design will advise on the most cost-effective print process for your project. We can advise on usage of different inks, papers and finishing processes that will enhance any project. Our pre-press knowledge and attention to detail, experience in choosing the right print processes along with the sheer volume of print we purchase through local printers help us to save you money.