Prepress FAQ

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) of our Prepress/Graphics Team.

  1. Q. What is the difference between RGB (Monitor) and CMYK (Print) Colour? 
    A. The main difference is the colours. RGB stands for Red, Green & Blue and these are the 3 colours which a monitor (whether it be your computer or television) uses. In the Printing Process we use 4 colours (CMYK), this is Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black. These are the primary colours which can make up well over 16 million other colours and variations.
  2. Q. What is the difference between Spot and Process colours?
    A. Process colours are obtained by the using the 4 colour process of CMYK. Spot colours on the other hand are premixed and shipped from the supplier. These colours do vary from Process Colours as they are made differently and not by just using the CMYK Process. Make sure you check with the graphic designer before going to print.
  3. Q. Why does the printed result from vary from my desktop printer or screen?
    A. The most common problem we have discovered is that the client selects their colour from a printout off a small printer or even off a computer screen. Colour is important so we suggest that you choose your colour from the Pantone Matching System colour swatch relevant to the print process you will be using.
  4. Q. What is the preferred file type to send you for Production work?
    A.     A font embedded PDF is the best but we can work with many other file types. Example: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator etc. Of course we can use Microsoft Word and Publisher files as well, but these generally need more time to get them CYMK process ready.
  5. Q. Overlays and Special Effects. Why does my text look funny when I print it out?
    A.     When using Overlays and Special Effects in your layout, always ensure that the text is placed on top of the graphics. When this is not done you will find that the text looks funny and sometimes even missing from the proof, as the graphics bleeds over the text and makes it un-readable.
  6. Q. How soon before Printing are Plates produced?
    A    . City Printing doesn't produce any plates until the final proof has been signed off and returned. We generally endeavour to produce the plates approximately 6 hours before the print run, but this can vary. Sometimes plates are produced and placed directly onto the press.
  7. Q. Can you make corrections to files before they go to press? 
    A.     Of course it depends on the type of correction and the file type which has been presented to us, but yes it can be done. These are known as Authors Corrections and are generally chargeable.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions, concerns, suggestions or feedback via the Contact Us Page.