General Questions
We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products Overview page in the Products section of our website.
We would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call at (765) 453-6161.
Yes. We can scan drawings up to 36" x 48" that are on a flexible material and save electronic versions or copy files to a CD.
Simple jobs are often completed in a 2 to 3 day period. Some jobs, however, may take several days to complete depending on their complexity and size. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.
Design Questions
To make them print ready and acceptable for us to print, please follow the directions below.
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Publisher
- First, convert all text to outlines. Select > All. Type > Create outlines
- File > Export. Set format to Adobe PDF. Click Save.
- Select the High Quality Print Adobe PDF preset.
- Under the Compression Menu select Do Not Downsample for the Color, Grayscale and Monochrome options
- Under the Marks and Bleeds Menu check the Use Document Bleed Settings under the Bleed and Slug section
- Click Export to Save PDF
- Go to File > Save As
- Select Adobe PDF and Save
- Select the High Quality Print Adobe PDF preset.
- Under the Compression Menu select Do Not Downsample for the Color, Grayscale and Monochrome options
- Under the Marks and Bleeds Menu check the Use Document Bleed Settings under the Bleed and Slug section
- Click Save PDF
- Go to File > Save As
- Select JPG
- Click Save
- Set the Quality to 12 Maximum
- Click OK
- Go to File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document > Publish
- Click the Microsoft Office Button, point to the arrow next to Save As, and then click PDF or XPS.
- In the File Name list, type or select a name for the document.
- In the Save as type list, click PDF.
- Click Publish.
Many layout programs have collecting or packaging functions that will automatically collect your document, fonts, all art including and a report. When possible, it is recommended to use these functions because without any or all of these elements we will be unable to print your artwork.
- Enclose all screen fonts and printer fonts
- Include all placed images
- Make sure your files are set with proper bleed, trim and safety areas.
BLEED: All art trimming off the edge MUST be pulled out 1/8” beyond the trim line
TRIM: This is the guideline where the card will be cut
SAFETY: All art and text within this safety area will assure that nothing will be trimmed off during the cutting process. A 1/4” guide in from the trim should work fine.
Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.
Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.
Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing.
Yes, please vistit our Templates page to find a variety of sizes to help you get started.
These are blank InDesign and PDF files. Use these templates to ensure that your margins and bleeds are correct and ready for print.
Sometimes we have samples from previous projects, such as with wedding printing, that can help you with ideas, but all of our designs are custom.
We recommend bringing samples of designs that you like. We can take the elements that you like and customize them to fit your vision.
Print Questions
Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink.
Variable data printing is technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient. At the most basic level, this means personalizing a name and address..
In printing terms, a proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last and best opportunity to make sure that the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.
On all print items that we design, our customers have the opportunity and responsibility to examine, proofread, and make changes to print items before they go to press. Once an item has been printed, it cannot be ‘unprinted’ so we encourage all of our customers to take exceptional care in this task. Print items are not returnable.
On the outside chance that there is an error or misprint that is entirely our responsibility The Howard Print Shop will reprint the item in question at no charge to the customer.
In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.
Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.
When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.
Shipping Questions
We ship our print products at an additional charge using UPS as our shipper. As such, all customers must provide a physical address. UPS will not deliver to PO Boxes.
We do not ship to foreign addresses due to the customs requirements. Should you need something shipped to you in an international location, we can ship your print item to a friend or family member locally who can then ship the item to you.
Payment Questions
We accept cash, company check and all major credit cards. Please feel free to call the store direct with your payment information. When you call to make a payment, you may use your MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express Cards. We can also set up a business account for you. Contact us for details.
The Howard Print Shop has to have your ST-105 on file. All of the information must be filled out and returned back to us in order for an invoice to be generated without tax.
