Chapter 19

Ten Questions for Your Print Service

In This Chapter

Establishing whether a print service can work with you

Finding out timeframes and fees

Getting references

Ask the following questions as you screen and select a print service.

Do You Work with Microsoft Publisher 2007?

Publisher has been around for quite a few years now. Although it isn’t as popular as some of the more complex desktop publishing packages, it’s still worth asking about. If your commercial print service uses Publisher 2007, producing the output you expect will probably be a simple task. Just use the Pack and Go Wizard and give the print service a copy of your publication.

How Do You Want to Receive My Files?

If your print service can’t work with Publisher files, does it need or want EPS or PDF files? A service can work with Publisher files only if it has a copy of the program on hand. Many print services don’t keep Publisher around. Therefore, you can give shops without Publisher an EPS of PDF file that they can print as is, without having the program on hand. The disadvantage of using these files is that the print service cannot always make changes to the file if a problem arises.

What’s Your Usual Turnaround Time?

When do you need your publication, and what will you be charged if you need it quicker? This question helps you plan your production and submission schedule.

What Kind of Imagesetter Do You Use?

This question tells you the particular printer driver to use. Publisher has a generic imagesetter driver named MS Imagesetter. If you know the particular imagesetter that your print service has, however, using the real printer driver (for that imagesetter) produces superior results and fewer errors.

Which Kind of Equipment Do You Have in Your Shop?

Does the print service have a high-quality scanner, a Xerox DocuTech Publisher high-volume printer, or a color laser copier? The type of equipment that the service has available factors into the price and the kind of work that the print service can do.

Do You Have the Fonts in My Publication?

If not, you need to supply the fonts or avoid using ones that the print service doesn’t have. Without all your required fonts available, the print service may give you printed output that has substitute fonts in place of the ones you specified in Publisher.

Do You Have the Creator Applications for the EPS Graphics I Create?

Without the creator application (one that can create new EPS or PDF files), your print service cannot correct any problems in your files. The printed results are your responsibility.

How Much Do You Charge?

Get a quote in writing — it’s your insurance that you pay for what you get and get what you pay for. Most print services print an overage, a specific number of copies above your print order, to be on the safe side. Some services charge for the overage — make sure that you know when they do. An overage charge of more than 15 percent of the print price is excessive.

Can You Outsource the Work You Can’t Do?

If your print service works with commercial printers and other businesses, you can use that single source to manage your entire print job and save you hassles and headaches.

Can You Give Me Some References?

Who are the print service’s clients? Is the shop happy with the work? Ask to see samples of the printed work.