FAQ

The best way to get an estimate is to use the Estimate Request Form on the "Contact" page. Alternatively, email me at dave[at]evergreen-printing.com or call (510) 482-4547.

Be as descriptive as you can and include the following: 
     • project type
     • final size (unless obvious such as business cards)
     • quantity
     • specific paper you want or at least the finish and weight you want (if you know)
     • number of pages and type of binding if your project is a book/booklet
     • 1-sided or 2-sided printing
     • whether or not there are bleeds (images going to the edge of the paper)
     • turnaround time (when you need the job done)
Please include a PDF of the design if possible.

I don't have a price list because there are so many variables that affect cost, but I will get you a free and accurate estimate quickly.

Turnaround time (the time it takes to produce your project) varies depending on many factors. For offset printing, figure 6-10 days. For digital printing, figure 1-4 days. I will give you a more precise time frame when I know the details of your project. My goal is to turnaround your job when you need it, without a rush charge. Some planning on your part makes the process easier and stress-free.

Always supply high resolution PDFs (Portable Document Format) files. If I also want native files, I'll let you know after I review your project. Preferred native applications include InDesign, QuarkXPress, Illustrator, and Photoshop. On occasion, Microsoft Word is okay too. If you are using a different application, I will need a PDF only.

When doing your own design, please follow these guidelines:
1) Use a CMYK or grayscale color mode, not RGB. Providing RGB files for printing may adversely affect the color in your project.
2) If your project specifies Pantone spot colors, leave these colors as spot in your file. Do not convert to CMYK. Remove all unused spot colors from your file.
3) For raster images (usually photos that are in a PSD, TIFF, or JPEG file format), use 300 ppi/dpi resolution. Depending on the size of your image and the final printed size, the dpi can be lower. However, don't use small-sized 72 ppi/dpi images you found online because those rarely print well.
4) Embed all fonts and images in your high resolution PDF. If fonts are not embedded, they should be converted to outlines.
5) If your project has "bleeds" (image goes to the edge of the paper), make sure they are 1/8". If using an Adobe application, Adobe's default offset value for crop marks is .0833", which makes the crop marks enter the bleed area by about 1/16". This effectively halves the bleeds and makes it harder for printers to produce your project. Please use an offset value of 0.125" instead. This will make crop marks touch the image at the bleed but not enter the bleed area.
6) If your project is a booklet or book, provide your file 1-up in readers' spreads on your finished page size. I will handle the page imposition.
7) If your file(s) are less than 10 MB, please email them to me. If significantly larger, use WeTransfer (a free and super easy platform to use) or another platform to submit files.

If you have any questions about file preparation, please ask. I am happy to help.

Absolutely. Every project requires a proof to be approved by you before production begins. Proofing consists of emailing you a PDF proof to review. If it looks good, you simply reply to the email that you approve the proof. If you have changes, I make them and email a revised proof to you for review. This process continues until you approve a proof.

There is also the option of doing a press check, where you come to Evergreen Printing to approve a printed image before the print run can be completed. There is a charge for press checks and the cost depends on the project. Press checks are extremely rare at Evergreen Printing. In 30 years, I've had half a dozen.

Yes, somewhat.

Without going into too much detail, the human eye and all the screens we look at use an RGB additive color system. Printing uses a subtractive color system, which is a little less vibrant.  Some colors on your screen will look very close while others will vary more.

Pantone sells printed color books that are very helpful in selecting color. Many designers invest in one or more of these books. I have a full set of Pantone books and am happy to discuss color with you in person to help you decide between offset and digital printing and to make sure there are no surprises. If CMYK color is very critical to your project, you can also do a press check.

Every project at Evergreen Printing is a custom order. Unlike online printing sites that gang your project with many others and give you a "choice" between just a few papers, there are hundreds of post-consumer recycled and tree-free papers from which to choose. These range from uncoated papers that come in a variety of colors and textures to coated papers that come in varying levels of sheen. A quick conversation about your project will allow us to narrow down paper options so you can select the paper you want.

Environmental jargon related to paper can seem confusing. Below are the most basic terms defined in plain language. They are broken down into two areas: recycling and bleaching.

Recycling:

Virgin Paper:  Non-recycled paper that is entirely made from cutting down trees (or, rarely, from other plants).

Pre-consumer Recycled Paper:  Paper that has been recycled before reaching the end user (the consumer). Examples include paper mill waste after the initial papermaking process, scraps from the conversion of sheets into envelopes, and waste generated by print shops. Recycling of paper waste by producers has been happening for a very long time and is a good thing. The problem is when products are deceptively marketed as "recycled" when they focus on pre-consumer recycled content rather than post-consumer recycled content.

Post-consumer Recycled Paper:  Paper that has reached the end user (the consumer), is diverted from the solid waste stream, and is reprocessed into another product. Post-consumer recycled paper is the paper that goes into the recycling bin at work, school, and at home and is the only material that will significantly address our landfill problems. The highest percentage post-consumer recycled paper is what people should prioritize in their purchasing decisions.

Minimum Recycled Paper Standards:  The minimum federal standards required to print a recycled symbol on a paper product are: 30% post-consumer recycled content for uncoated paper and 10% post-consumer recycled content for coated paper. So, not all recycled paper products are equal.

Bleaching:

Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF): Using non-chlorine/chlorine derivative processes such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrosulphite to whiten virgin paper. Although ideal for virgin paper, TCF bleaching is rarely used.

Elementally Chlorine-Free (ECF): Using chlorine gas derivatives such as chlorine dioxide to whiten virgin paper. Although significantly less toxic than elemental chlorine, ECF bleaching still produces hundreds of toxic organochlorines. This is how almost all virgin paper is bleached.

Processed Chlorine Free (PCF): Post-consumer recycled paper in which the recycled content is either unbleached or bleached without chlorine or chlorine derivatives. The removal of ink and toner from post-consumer recycled paper is done at a deinking mill, the intermediary step between the collection of post-consumer recycled paper and the making of new paper products at a paper mill. If there is virgin fiber present in PCF paper, it must be Totally Chlorine Free (TCF). PCF is the strongly preferred environmental choice because of its use of post-consumer recycled fibers and the absence of chlorine or chlorine derivatives in the remanufacturing process.

Yes, and cheaply. Although you can also pick up your project, I deliver almost all my jobs because customers prefer it.

Evergreen Printing follows all Alameda County Public Health Department orders.

In terms of how I produce your project, not much has changed. I'm a one person shop, do proofing electronically, and deliver almost all of my jobs. What has changed is that I provide contactless delivery if you prefer and can mail you paper samples rather than meeting in person. If we need to meet to talk about color or review a press check, this can all be done with proper PPE and social distancing.

So, from your perspective, the risk is minimal and it is just as easy to do business with Evergreen Printing as it always has been.