The only printing file format that we accept for printing is PDF files. The PDF file should have graphics and fonts embedded and printing bleeds should be included in the file.
This printing file format ensures that your files are printed exactly the way you want them printed. The problem with sending us the native design files, such as Microsoft Word, is that text and graphics in the file can shift depending on which computer the file is opened on. With a PDF file, the text and graphics become almost like a photograph and will not shift, no matter which computer the file is opened with.
With a PDF file, you only need to send us one file. With other printing file formats, you will typically also have to include all fonts and graphics.
If you use a Macintosh computer, you can save your file as a PDF file from within the print dialog box of almost all programs. More advanced layout programs will have options for exporting your file as a PDF file. If you use a PC computer, it may be more difficult to export your file as a PDF file. There are several free programs that will create PDF files on a PC. One can be found at:
After your PDF file is created and before you submit your printing file format for printing, be sure to go through the PDF file page by page. This will help you catch any errors or items that have shifted on the pages. While you can submit corrected files to us before we start printing your printing project, it is typically easier to start with the correct file. We often find that printing the PDF out on a laser printer and reviewing this hard copy will highlight errors that you did not notice on a computer screen.
Need a free print file evaluation? Worried your files won’t print exactly the way you envision? Not quite sure what a bleed is or if you’ve done it correctly? Afraid your photo’s quality isn’t what it should be? Relax. Just send your files to us, and we’ll give you a free print file evaluation. We’ll let you know if the file’s resolution, color format, photo quality, bleed and trim area, and color settings are all okay. So you’ll be sure that your printed material is dazzling!
Just send your files via e-mail to help@dazzleprinting.com. We’ll take a look at everything and get back to you within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
Oh, and one more thing. There’s no obligation or charge. We’d love to do your printing for you, but if you don’t use our services now, keep us in mind for the future.
Free Print File Evaluation and Lots More!
A free print file evaluation is one of the many services we like to offer our clients free of charge. At Dazzle Printing, we offer low print quantities (25 copy minimum and you can order in increments of one copy), outstanding digital print quality, numerous paper and binding options, super fast turnaround (4-6 business days after proof approval for multipage documents and 3 business days after proof approval for all other products), super low prices, outstanding customer service, and 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t dazzled by your printed product, just let us know. We’ll either reprint it or refund your entire purchase price, at our discretion. And you’ll get no hassle from us. Just a dazzling guarantee from a company that truly cares about our clients and their printing projects.
Feel free to call us at 1-800-338-4329, chat with us online, or e-mail us at help@dazzleprinting.com. You might want to add this e-mail address to your contact list, so we don’t end up in your spam folder.
High-resolution PDF files with fonts embedded is the best option for printing files. With this file type, fonts and graphics are embedded so that the file is similar to a photograph. There is no problem with us not having the proper fonts (as long as the fonts are embedded in the PDF) or that graphic elements or fonts will shift on the page. This is often a problem when native files are opened on different computers.
When creating PDF files, make sure that you create a high-resolution file (300 dpi) with fonts embedded. Also, don’t forget to include bleeds and crop marks on the PDF file and to set the color formatting to CMYK.
Creating PDF Files: Mac vs. PC
If you use a Macintosh computer, almost all programs have PDF creation abilities built into them. Creating PDF files is generally very easy with Mac computers.
Creating PDF files is often more difficult on PCs. However, there are several free programs that will allow you to convert a file to a PDF file. One option can be found at:
After creating PDF files, it is important to go through the PDF page by page, verifying that all pages have converted as you expected them to. This is an extremely important step, since sometimes your pages can repaginate or graphics do not display as expected. To prevent errors in the printing process, please review your files carefully before sending them to us. We will also send a PDF proof to you, so you can view the pages one more time before printing. But it is typically better to verify your file before sending it to us.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-338-4329, email us at help@dazzleprinting.com, or chat online (our chat feature appears in the bottom right corner of every web page).
RGB (red, green, and blue) refers to the primary colors of light. This is the standard format used for digital cameras, scanners, computer monitors, and television screens. CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) refers to the primary colors used in printing. The terms four-color process printing or full-color printing refer to these four colors. Printing presses cannot reproduce RGB colors, so it is best to convert to CMYK before saving printing files. For more information on this subject, see our blog post, “CMYK vs RGB: What Does This Mumbo Jumbo Mean?”
Before submitting your files for printing, graphics and colors should be converted to CMYK color. Often, photos are in RGB color and will need to be converted. Many people also design using Pantone colors, which should be converted to CMYK color. If you do not convert to CMYK color, there may be some color shifts when we convert the files before printing. These color shifts are more noticeable in background colors and less noticeable with photographs.
We do not match Pantone or PMS colors. Our prices are low because we use digital presses based on a pleasing color standard. A pleasing color standard means that the average person looking at the photo will find the photo pleasing — the sky is blue, leaves on trees green, a person’s face a normal skin tone. They will not notice anything out of the ordinary.
When working with colors, please be aware of two issues:
Blues — Often, a color that looks blue on your computer screen will have a purple tint when printed. To deal with this potential issue, set up the cyan and magenta values so that there is at least a 30% difference.
Black — If your document contains large areas of black, please consider using a rich black (if your document is being printed in full color). Using 100% black for large areas tends to result in a muddy gray color when printed. Rich black contains values for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, so it is really a full color process. Our recommendations for values to use in rich black are:
Cyan 60, Magenta 40, Yellow 40, Black 100
Also, make sure that the black used in graphics and background colors use the same values. This is especially important when placing a photo with black around it on top of a solid black background. You may not see any difference on your computer, but often the blacks will look different when printed, unless the same values are used.
When preparing printing files, if you have graphics that extend to the edge of the page, you need to ensure that your document has printing bleeds. Because we cannot cut exactly at the edge of the page, the graphics need to extend past the edge of the page, or bleed off of the page. The excess printing bleeds are then cut off when the document is cut down to the correct finished size.
Thus, you should design your page so it is larger than the finished size of your document. All pages should be designed so that they are 1/8 of an inch larger on each of the four sides of the page. For example, an 8 1/2 x 11 document should be set up as 8 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches, with 1/8 inch added to each of the four sides of the page.
You should also make sure that you allow a safety area between the edge of the page and any text. If text is too close to the edge of the page, there is a chance that it will be cut off when the paper is trimmed to size. Thus, you should make sure that there is at least 1/8 of an inch between text and the edge of your page.
The picture below graphically displays the concepts of printing bleeds and safety zones. If you have any questions or concerns about your files, please call us at 1-800-338-4329, email us at help@dazzleprinting.com, or chat with us online.
In order to print well, the image resolution of all graphics in your print files should be at least 300 dots per inch (dpi). Viewing images on a computer screen can be misleading, since the maximum image resolution of a computer screen is 72 dpi. A 72 dpi image will look fuzzy when printed.
Increasing the size of a graphic will reduce the resolution, while reducing the size of the graphic will increase the resolution. So, for instance, if you have a 300 dpi photo that is 2 inches by 3 inches and you enlarge it 200%, you have just decreased the image resolution from 300 dpi to 150 dpi. On the other hand, if you have a 72 dpi photo that is 8 inches by 10 inches and you reduce it to 2 inches by 2.5 inches, you have just increased the image resolution from 72 dpi to 288 dpi.
We often see individuals start with a 300 dpi photo and then enlarge it so much (especially on posters) that the image resolution becomes very grainy. The resolution of a graphic is for the original size. If you enlarge or reduce the graphic, you change the original resolution.
It is typically not a good idea to get graphics for print from a website. Most websites use 72 dpi photos so that the website will load faster.
If you are concerned about the image resolution of the photos and graphics in your print document, it is typically a good idea to get a hard copy proof before printing all copies of your file.
Following these tips will help ensure that you are dazzled with your printed document. We will check your files for some things, like proper bleeds, proper safety zones, and image resolution. We will notify you if there are problems, but that will likely delay your printing project while you correct your files. Other items we can’t check, such as whether you used the color you intended.
One of the most important things you need to remember is to make sure you have adequate printing margins all the way around your document, but especially on the bound edge. When binding multipage documents, perfect binding, wire-o binding, and plastic coil binding will use approximately 1/8 of an inch on the bound edge. Without adequate printing margins, the holes for the wire-o and plastic coil binding may cut into important text or graphics or those elements may end up underneath the binding itself.
Without adequate printing margins, some of your text or graphics may get lost in the gutter of perfect bound books. Even if it isn’t caught in the gutter, you want to make sure that there is sufficient room on perfect bound books so that they are easy to read and do not require the reader to break the spine to read the book. We recommend at least 3/4 of an inch on the bound side for perfect bound books.
It is recommended to submit covers for perfect bound document as three files — the front cover, the back cover, and the spine. The size of your front and back cover should equal the finished size of your document plus 1/8 inch bleed on all four sides of the page.
To calculate the spine size, use this formula:
For 60# uncoated text, 70# matte and gloss text, and 80# matte and gloss text stock:
Number of pages divided by 440 = spine in inches
For 70# uncoated text and 100# matte and gloss text stock:
Number of pages divided by 370 = spine in inches
Include the cover when counting pages. When adding text to the spine, do not make the size of the text exactly equal to the width of the spine. Leave blank room on both sides of the text.
For example, if your book is 100 pages and you are using 80# matte stock, your perfect bound book spine would be 100 pages divided by 440, or .23 inches. If you were using 70# uncoated stock, the spine would be 100 pages divided by 370, or .27 inches.
For books, booklets, catalogs, and magazines, your order will be printed within 4-6 business days after proof approval. For an additional charge, you can also order 3 day, 2 day, 1 day, and same day processing. For all other print jobs, your order will be printed within 3 business days (weekends and holidays are not counted) after proof approval. For an additional charge, we also have 2-day, 1-day, and same day turnaround.
Before ordering same day service, please check with us to make sure that we are able to process your order that day. That will typically depend on when you approve your file for printing and how many copies you are ordering.
Our instant pricing calculators detail all options and costs, so you know how much your printing job will cost. Our calculators take a multitude of factors into account when coming up with product pricing. On occasion, the calculators can misfunction and come up with an incorrect price. Once your order is placed, we reserve the right to recalculate the cost and inform you if the cost is incorrect. If the price is higher than you paid and you do not want to pay the additional cost, we will refund your purchase price immediately.
Our instant pricing calculators detail all options and costs, so you know exactly how much your printing job will cost. Only UPS charges for expedited shipping (3 day, 2 day, and overnight services) are estimated. Once your order is shipped, we will charge you the actual UPS cost, without any additional handling charges.
Please note that orders over $399 receive FREE ground UPS shipping within the contiguous United States. Thus, clients in Alaska and Hawaii must pay UPS shipping charges.
Rush Processing for Books, Booklets, Catalogs, and Magazines:
Before selecting same day processing, please check with us to make sure that we are able to process your order that day. Determining factors include when we receive approval to print your order and how many copies you are ordering.
Rush Processing for All Other Printing Products:
Before selecting same day processing, please check with us to make sure that we are able to process your order that day. Determining factors include when we receive approval to print your order and how many copies you are ordering.
Our pricing calculators will add any appropriate charges for rush processing when selected.
Please keep in mind that production times start after you approve your proof (whether that is a PDF proof or a hard copy proof). If you place your order on a Tuesday night and approve your PDF proof on Wednesday afternoon, production time starts on Wednesday, not Tuesday.
Our calculators automatically add any charges for hard copy proofs when selected.
Details about Proofs
A PDF proof will be emailed the same business day for orders submitted before 2:00 PM EST and the next business day for orders submitted after 2:00 PM.
A PDF proof is free. You will receive an email with a link to your PDF proof.
We can also provide a hard copy proof, which is printed and bound using the exact specifications for your order (same paper, binding, options, etc.). Hard copy proofs sent via ground UPS are $60 and $100 if sent via overnight UPS. You must first approve a PDF proof before we print the hard copy proof. Hard copy proofs are shipped the day after you approve the PDF proof. Please keep in mind that a hard copy proof, even if sent via UPS overnight service, will typically add 3 to 5 business days to your printing production time.
We highly recommend hard copy proofs if you have concerns about your files, such as whether your graphics are high resolution or whether colors will print correctly. If you would like to discuss whether a hard copy proof makes sense in your situation, please feel free to call us at 1-800-338-4329, email us at help@dazzleprinting.com, or chat online.
Our calculators automatically add the prices of binding options when selected.
Details on Binding Options
Dazzle Printing offers four different binding options:
Saddle stitch: For documents from 8 to 80 pages. Each sheet of paper contains two pages on each side (4 pages per sheet). The paper is folded in half and the booklet is stapled in the center to keep it bound. Because of the way it is printed, saddle stitched documents must be printed in increments of 4 pages. So if your booklet is 22 pages and you select saddle stitching, the booklet must be increased to 24 pages and there will be 2 blank pages in the document.
Perfect bound: For documents from 8 to over 300 pages. With this binding style, glue is placed in the center of the inside cover and the inside pages are then adhered to the glue. Paperback books and many magazines use this binding style.
Plastic coil: Also for documents from 8 to over 300 pages, this binding style features a black plastic coil. Think school notebooks, except the coil is black plastic.
Wire-o: This binding style is similar to plastic coil, except it features black wire instead of the plastic coil. Wire-o has a bit more sophisticated look than plastic coil.
Trying to decide what binding option to use for your printing project? We’d love to help. Call us at 1-800-338-4329, email us at help@dazzleprinting.com, or chat online.
For books, booklets, catalogs, and magazines, your order will be printed within 4-6 business days after proof approval. For an additional charge, you can also order 3 day, 2 day, 1 day, and same day processing. For all other print jobs, your order will be printed within 3 business days (weekends and holidays are not counted) after proof approval. For an additional charge, we also have 2 day, 1 day, and same day turnaround.
Before selecting same day service, please check to us to make sure we can process your order on that day. That will typically depend on when you approve your file for printing and how many copies you are ordering.
If you need to make changes to your printing file before you approve your proof, no problem! You can either email your files to your client service rep or send it through the www.wetransfer.com website. It is a free service that is easy to use.
Your client service rep should contact you within one business day regarding your new files. If you do not hear from them within that time period, please feel free to call 1-800-338-4329 or email help@dazzleprinting.com.
Once a client has placed an order, their next questions typically center around shipping and delivery.
At Dazzle Printing, once you approve your proof, orders for Brochures, Business Cards, Flat Sheets, Flyers, Newsletters, Postcards, Posters, and Rack Cards ship in 3 business days (not counting weekends and holidays). For an additional charge, you can select 2 day, 1 day, and same day turnaround.
Books, Booklets, Catalogs, and Magazines ship in 4-6 business days (not counting weekends and holidays). (Please note that additional processing time may be required for quantities over 1,000, depending on the number of pages in the document.) For a reasonable additional charge, you can select 3 day, 2 day, 1 day, or same day turnaround.
Before selecting same day service, please check with us to make sure that we can process your order on that day. That will typically depend on when you approve your file for printing and how many copies you have ordered.
Please be aware that these time periods are just production times and do not include shipping time from our facility to your location.
All orders are shipped from our Madison Heights, Michigan facility via UPS ground service. The map below shows shipping days from our facility to all 50 states in the United States. Overnight, 2nd day, and 3 day select service is available from UPS for an additional charge.
When ordering, you can select expedited shipping and our system will calculate an estimated price. Please be aware that all shipping costs generated by our website are only an estimate, and you will be charged actual UPS prices for expedited service. Orders over $399 receive free ground UPS shipping within the contiguous United States (Alaska and Hawaii are excluded from this offer).
If you need your order by a specific date, please be sure to indicate that when ordering. We can then determine if your order will reach you on time based on your production turnaround time and shipping method. We will contact you if you need to expedite shipping or select a faster turnaround time to receive your order on time.
When determining the date that you need your printing order by, it is always best to allow yourself an additional day or so. While we guarantee that we will ship your order on the date it is required, we cannot guarantee delivery by UPS. While we have found UPS to be extremely good at meeting deadlines, on occasion, whether due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, they have delivered packages late. Thus, it is best to give yourself an additional day or so of cushion if you are trying to meet an important deadline.
At Dazzle Printing, our 100% satisfaction guarantee is one of the primary ways we make sure that our clients find us easy to do business with. Entrusting your important printing project to a company that is located far from you can be an intimidating process. How can you be sure that you will like the quality of the finished product? How do you know that your instructions will be followed? How can you ensure that you will receive your printing on time, especially when it is for an important event? What happens if you aren’t happy with the order?
We work hard to offer low reasonable prices, outstanding quality, quick turnaround times (4-6 days for multipage documents and 3 days for all other products), numerous printing options, and dazzling client service. When you order, you will be assigned to your own client service representative, who will work with you to make sure that your project is printed exactly the way you want it printed. We then take the uncertainty out of the entire printing process with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Not happy with your print job? For orders under $5,000, just return the order to us, and we will either reprint your order or issue a full refund, at our discretion. For orders over $5,000, we will reprint your order to correct product defects, such as printing quality and finishing issues.
We are not responsible for issues in your files, such as image resolution, typos, file errors, formatting issues, or incorrect order selections. Reprinted jobs will be printed with the original file submitted — there can be no changes to the file. Requests for a reprint or refund must be made within 30 days of delivery of your order.
We are often asked how we can make such a generous guarantee. The answer is quite simple: Our quality and service are so exceptional that we rarely have to reprint or refund an order.
We take pride in our work and want you to be delighted with your print order. We will do everything in our power to make sure that happens.
Love it or we’ll reprint your order or issue a full refund. No questions asked!
Free ground UPS shipping on orders over $399 in the contiguous United States.
All products printed in our facility in Madison Heights, Michigan.
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