FAQs

General Project Management | File Upload and Preparation | Marketing Services | Conventional Printing
Digital Printing | Mailing and Fulfillment | Large Format Graphics/Printing

General Project Management:

What shipping companies can you work with?
In addition to our own drivers, we also use these services: Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, USPS, Cartage and even Same Day Air if needed.

Do you have any suggestions on reducing the cost of my project?
Many projects aren’t designed around the capabilities of the equipment that will be producing them.  We can offer suggestions to ensure that you maximize efficiencies of the paper, press and bindery equipment that is needed for your project.  Sometimes small design adjustments can save thousands in production costs.

What are the advantages of Vision doing the printing, mailing and distribution of my project?
Primary advantages include the following:

• Save costs on the overall project.
• Avoid multiple freight costs.
• Save time by not having to negotiate and manage multiple vendors.
• Maintain control over the project.
• Benefit from real time accurate reporting throughout project phases.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that we provide solutions with a single point of accountability, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of the campaign.

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File Upload and Preparation

Do you require RGB or CMYK files?
CMYK or RGB files are both acceptable, although CMYK images are preferred. We can convert RGB to CMYK using our standard conversion for better color reproduction.

What is the preferred way of receiving large files?
DVD or our FTP site: upload.visionps.com.

What application do you work with?
We can work with any application, but most often we use CS3-CS4 Quark 6 thru 8.

Should I send you a PDF or the application file for printing?
Application files are preferred in case changes or assembly is required. PDF files will work for jobs that require no Vision intervention.

How do I upload files to Vision?
There are several options:

• Access the website, click on “upload a file” and follow the instructions on the page.
• We also accept files via email, provided that a single email does not exceed 6megs.
• We accept files via our web-based FTP interface: upload.visionps.com.
             Contact your sales rep or customer service rep for instructions to access the site.
             **PLEASE NOTE that this site is not accessible via Fetch.
• Finally, we will be happy to download files from your own site.

What problems commonly occur with PDFs?
We may experience problems if the PDF has any of the following characteristics:

• It was created at Low Resolution.
• It was created in RGB color mode. (We can convert it for you, but if you created your document with specific CMYK colors in mind, you may not like the results.)
• It was created as CMYK process, but is supposed to print Spot.
• It was saved without fonts embedded. (Unless you also collected the fonts for us, we will not be able to print it.)
• It has the wrong trim size and is not proportional to the correct trim size.
• It was created without proper bleed or no bleed.
• It contains Spot colors interacting with Transparency. (If your job prints in Process, then the Spot colors should have been converted to Process before creating the PDF.)
• It requires file editing.

Is there a size limitation that I can post on your FTP site?
There is a size limitation of 1 Gigabyte and a transfer time limitation of 1 hour.

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Marketing Services:

What are the benefits of using an Integrated Marketing Campaign?
If executed correctly, you will see a number of benefits in your campaign, including the following:

• Improve direct mail response rates.
• Provide relevant content in response to preferences.
• Engage responders in more meaningful dialogue.
• Convert responders' preferences into revenue.

What is Trigger Marketing?
A marketing message that is automatically generated in response to a predetermined event.

What are the benefits to Trigger Marketing?
If executed correctly, you will see a number of benefits in your campaign, including the following:

• Precision marketing effectiveness.
• Cross-sell and up-sell effectiveness.
• Customer profitability.

What is a PURL?
A PURL, or Personalized URL, (such as yourname.mypurl.com) is a unique web address that directs email recipients to a web page that is customized just for them.

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Conventional Printing:

Can I expect that a similar digital print piece will match the color of my conventional print piece?
Differences in paper aside, our G7 Master Certification and leading commitment to adapt the G7 standard to our digital print processes ensures a remarkable color match between digital and offset printing. Discuss your expectations with your salesperson.

For saddle stitch publications, does it help if I build my pages in printer spreads?
No. We would prefer that you build your files as single pages in reader order. We’ll impose them as necessary. In fact, preparing files provided as printer spreads will frequently require more production time than if they are provided as single pages in reader order.

Am I responsible for trapping my files?
No. We would prefer that you leave the trapping to us. If you have applied traps or overprints that we need to retain, you should let us know.

What is your default line screen?
200 lpi coated and uncoated stock.

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Digital Printing:

How many colors can be printed on your digital press equipment?
We are capable of printing 4 color process on all presses and up to 7 colors on some.

What are the benefits of printing something digitally?
There are several advantages to digital printing:

• Completely variable content.
• Mailing can be done on press at same time as printing.
• Turn around times much quicker than conventional printing.
• Run lengths as low as 1 and up to 1 million.
• No waste, print only what you need.

What is the maximum size we can print on the digital presses?
We have three press configurations:

• HP Series 2 Presses; sheet size: 12.6” x 18.5”; image area: 12.1” x 17.7”
• HP Series 3 Presses; sheet size: 13” x 19”; image area: 12.48” x 18.26”
• Xerox Igen; sheet size: 14” x 20”; image area: 13.75” x 19.75”

What types of stock can print on the digital presses?
There are two types of stock:

• Coated stock from weights of 55 lb text to 130 lb cover weights with a thickness of 3-16pt.
• Uncoated stock from weights of 40 lb text to 120 lb cover weights with a thickness of 3-16pt.

Can pieces that are digitally printed on your HP-Indigo presses be UV coated or aqueous coated?
Vision has offline capabilities for both UV and aqueous coatings.

Do substrates for the HP-Indigo presses still need to be treated?
Most substrates do not need to be treated. Since the introduction of the 4.0 inks, many of the substrates that needed to be treated in the past no longer require it.

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Mailing and Fulfillment:

What is the best way to get accurate postal information?
Any question you may have can be addressed to one of our experienced mailing personnel, or you can find many answers at www.usps.com.

What are the classes of service and days to deliver?
The U.S. Post Office has set classes and delivery times:

• 1st Class: 1-3 days
• Standard Mail: 7-10 days
• Non Profit Mail: 10-14 days

With barcodes and our mail tracking software, we can determine more precisely when a mail piece will be delivered.

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Large Format Graphics/Printing:

What is Large Format Printing?
Large Format Printing is the digital printing of posters, banners, wall graphics, window graphics, dry-erase production boards, etc. Substrates include paper, vinyl (both adhesive and non adhesive), polyesters, static cling materials and fabrics. We offer full installation and assembly at our clients' locations.

How long will banners last outdoors?
Banners printed on our equipment can be expected to last a minimum of 3 years outdoors, depending on exposure to UV light and weather. This is not guaranteed, but has been our past experience. Results will vary based on weather and exposure.

Is there any large format material well suited for floor graphics application?
Avery or 3M can be used for floor graphics, provided a floor grip adhesive film and non-slip over-laminate are used. Typically, a textured construction laminate will work well.

Can you print double-sided?
We can print double-sided banners on 12 oz. Saturn vinyl banner ONLY. Manufacturers have yet to produce a Solvent double-sided paper.

Do I need to laminate my large format graphics?
It is not necessary but it will add to the product’s durability and provide better color quality in some cases.

What size file do I need to provide you with for large format graphics?
The provided file size depends on viewing distance. Normally we ask that if the file is prepared at 100%, the images should be no less than 150 DPI. This will be in proportion based on the file percentage to actual size. As viewing distance increases, the resolution can decrease as well. We recommend a cross section sample be printed before any job is produced.

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